15 podcasts about pop culture to keep you in the know

Too busy and tired of the news? Here are some alternatives to keep you informed. Check out these great podcasts that are all about pop culture.

There is so much to keep up in the deep end of popular culture. It’s hard to keep our heads above the media waters. However, you’re going to want to take our word for it on these podcasts about pop culture. Even when the news gets too intense to read and watch every day, these podcasts offer a way to keep you informed and won’t overdose you on bad news.

Some are about beloved television shows, some are about movies, and some just take on culture in general. If you are a podcast expert, you know that a good one can change the way you think about the world around you. These podcasts will open up your eyes to popular culture at large. If you’re a podcast newbie, this list is a great place to start. Enjoy!

Keep It

This podcast, featuring the all-knowing pop culture guru Ira Madison, is the perfect intersection of popular culture and politics. He often features comedians, influencers, authors, and performers to get to the gritty of the things we’re all obsessing over.

Extra Hot Great

From the folks at Previously.TV, this podcast takes on new (and sometimes old) TV. A panel of critics and writers discuss an upcoming show, sharing their insights and reactions. It’s smart and entertaining, and often feels like you’re sitting around a table with friends, chatting about what you’ve all watched this week.

Here To Make Friends

Emma Gray and Claire Fallon “lovingly snark” on all things Bachelor. They recap the episode with wit and (far too much) grace, but they are also incredulous of the whole franchise. They often welcome insider guests who give us a bit of info about how the whole machine works. Stick around for the last five minutes when they run down the “Feminism Fails” scale.

Bitch Sesh

This podcast is a must-listen for Bravo fans. Actresses and comedians Casey Wilson and Danielle Schnieder are actual superfans, and they know their stuff. They get down on all the

Housewives

stuff, sprinkle in a little

Southern Charm,

and top it off with

Vanderpump Rules

. They have a direct line to King Andy Cohen himself, and they do not pull any punches. There is a massive Facebook group devoted to the show called

Whispering Alenes

and the cardinal rule for interacting is “no tagging.”

Gilmore Guys

Fans of Gilmore Girls will love this podcast, and will certainly become “Gillies,” a term of endearment for listeners. Kevin T. Porter is a major fan of the show, and some of the best moments are when he’s dragging co-host Demi Adejuigbe on board as a novice and skeptic. The first handful of episodes are a little rocky, but they quickly gain their footing, often having stars od the show make guest appearances. They’ve had both Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson appear as featured guests.

Raised By TV

This podcast is a bit of an acquired taste, and is specifically for an audience of a certain age. If you were a kid sitting in front of a TV in the decade between 1985 and 1995, everything about this show will seem familiar. Lauren Lapkus and Jon Gabrus have come together with, admittedly, “minds hopelessly warped by television” to rehash all their old TV obsessions.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

From our friends at NPR, Pop Culture Happy Hour is a fun and open conversation about all the things we chat about anyway, including, movies, television, books, comics, and music. Hosted by Linda Holmes, it elevates water cooler chat to feel like an academic conversation about the pop culture we consume every day.

The Daily Dish

While

Bitch Sesh

is strictly from a fan’s point of view,

Daily Dish

is a total insider’s view into all things Bravo. It’s hosted by Bravo’s digital producers Megan Secura and Rachel Roberts,  and it offers a unique and much-appreciated glimpse into Bravo’s HQ. The show routinely offers interviews with stars, as well as executives, to give you a fully informed look into our favorite Bravo shows.

2 Dope Queens

Although hosts Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams take on a little more than pop culture, they are about as relevant as two women can get right now. They are two best friends, joined by their favorite comedians, telling stories about sex, romance, race, hair journeys, living in New York, and Billy Joel. This podcast is so good, it’s been translated into a show on HBO.

WTF with Marc Maron

You might recognize Marc Maron from his role in GLOW on Netflix. Otherwise, he’s hosting one of the most popular podcasts around. He features all sorts of relevant celebrities and they take on complex philosophical questions. He’s pretty famous for getting surprising reactions out of his guests.

Anna Faris is Unqualified

Actress, comedian and star of the hit CBS show, Mom, has lots of advice about how to live your life and be in your relationship. As the title suggests, Faris is admittedly unqualified to offer any sorts of wisdom, but it doesn’t stop her from inviting her celebrity friends to weigh in.

How Did This Get Made?

If you have ever watched a terrible movie, suffered through the whole thing, and then wondered how this thing ever came to be, this podcast is for you. Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas deconstruct and mock terrible films. They usually invite someone as a guest and they have a great time making fun of the stuff they watch.

Kumail Nanjiani’s The X Files Files

It’s so fun to watch celebrities step off the pedestal we build for them and act like regular folks and nerd out over something That’s the major appeal to this fan-led podcast. It just so happens that writer, actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani is the fan, and the show he wants to talk about is super beloved and has a huge fandom. Unfortunately, he had to step down from the podcast when he actually made a cameo in season 10 because he felt like a part of it. But I just think it makes it so much more interesting.

Another Round

I love any sort of media that includes booze. In Another Round, Heben Nigatu and Tracey Clayton take on all sorts of topics while getting drunk. It’s fun to listen to these two Buzzfeed producers and best friends navigate their way through a lot of topical and relevant issues. They even had Hilary Clinton on as a guest. They are on a bit of a hiatus, but the old episodes are enough to keep you entertained.

Big Mouth

Bigmouth and it’s accompanying website prides itself on “intelligent conversation about music and pop culture.” They take on interesting Britain’s music and culture, and it’s a nice glimpse into a popular culture that isn’t solely American.

There are so many great choices to choose from when it comes to pop culture podcasts. Which one are you ready to listen to first?