11 Best Podcast Episodes of All Time
It can be hard to find podcasts worth your time, but listening to the best episodes of all time can help you get started.
Sometimes, you might find yourself in the middle of a season and just not enjoying what’s happening anymore. Other times, you might have started listening to a podcast but found it wasn’t really inspiring you. But if you’re looking for the best podcast episodes of all time, then you’ll want to look at the ones that have been consistently hailed as such.
The Best Podcast Episodes of All Time
There are so many podcasts out there, and not all of them are created equal. Here’s a list of the best podcast episodes of all time. Some are funny, others are emotional, and still, others will make you think. Whatever type of podcast episode you like listening to, there’s something here for everyone.
Starting To Know – Mindset: Micro or Macro Habits?
In this episode, podcast host Ishu Singh interviews Tony Child, the Founder, and Owner of Elevated Worldwide—a company that helps executives, founders, and business owners see life in new ways to ensure success. The company has been helping clients to acquire knowledge and skills, design processes that will build their professional structures and personal lives, and create an environment where passion combines with purpose.
This insightful episode will help bring out the best in you and your business, so be sure to tune in. It will help you realize how to take control of your life and make the right decisions that will help you achieve your goals.
This American Life presents: The Problem We All Live With
It’s an emotionally difficult podcast, but you should definitely listen to it. It will make you cry and get angry about the world around us—but what it won’t do is leave any room for ignorance or complacency in regard to racism.
Featuring Nikole Hannah-Jones, the episode is about a school in Missouri that was forced to integrate after years of segregation. The story focuses on the people who were forced to leave their neighborhood because of their race, and how it affected their lives.
Freakonomics Presents: An Interview With Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.
In this rare interview, Zuck talks about his life and how he sees Facebook’s place in the world. It’s a fascinating look into the mind of one of the most powerful men on earth, and it’s definitely worth a listen if you want to hear what he has to say.
Hosted by Stephen Dubner, Zuckerberg’s interview with Freakonomics was very entertaining and easy to listen to. During their conversation, the Facebook founder talked about user privacy and sharing data. If you’re a Facebook user, you’ll definitely want to hear what Zuckerberg has to say about the company’s privacy policies and why he thinks they’re important.
Planet Money: The Scariest Thing In Hollywood
In this podcast, they discuss how Rob Cohen revolutionized car chase movies with the successful The Fast and the Furious franchise. After Hollywood shunned him, a very lucrative offer came through his door.
The low-budget production house gave Rob Cohen an opportunity to return to filmmaking. The company’s unconventional business model is surprisingly effective!
The Joe Rogan Experience #1169: Elon Musk
For the business community, Elon Musk is a hero. For the tech community, he’s a visionary. And for many people in the world at large, he’s one of the most important figures alive today. What makes this one of the most listened-to podcast episodes of all time? Rogan and Musk smoked weed and discussed topics ranging from AI to global warming, space exploration, and the future of humanity.
Released in 2018, this became a massive hit among the tech community and beyond. The episode was the perfect example of Rogan’s ability to delve into the minds of some of the most brilliant people on earth.
Serial- S01 E01: The Alibi
This list won’t be about the best podcast episodes ever without a true crime podcast. The first episode of Serial’s first season, “The Alibi,” was a thriller that had listeners hooked from the very beginning. In this episode, host Sarah Koenig investigates the murder case of Hae Min Lee and her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed.
The popularity of Serial’s first season led to The New York Times Company acquiring its production company, Serial Productions, in 2020. There’s no denying that it is one of the most interesting podcast episodes ever.
Getting Doug with High – Episode 49: Jack Black
The show, which consists of raw talk and loose cannabis-themed segments, has become an innovator in the comedy world. Comedians love to appear on Getting Doug With High because it gives them a chance to be silly or vulnerable—as when Jack Black got too high for his own good during one episode back in 2014.
It began with lighthearted banter but progressed to discussions that were serious and, at times, difficult. Most listeners regard this as the best podcast episode on the entire show.
The Joe Rogan Experience #974 – Megan Phelps-Roper
Megan Phelps-Roper is a social media activist who advocates for unity and love between religious and political divides. She left the Westboro Baptist Church with her sister Grace in November 2012, after spending most of her life as part of that community.
In one of the top-rated podcast episodes of Joe Rogan’s podcast, she spoke with him about her life in the church and why she left. The conversation was highly emotional but thoughtful, and Phelps-Roper’s story has been praised for raising awareness about the dangers of extremist religious organizations like Westboro Baptist.
WTF – “President Barack Obama”
Marc Maron, who is known for hosting his hit podcast WTF with Marc Maron, has interviewed many of Hollywood’s biggest stars and America’s most influential politicians. But he never got more attention than when he had ex U.S President Barack Obama in his garage!
A lot of listeners will believe that this is one of the top podcast episodes of all time. The interview was a long-awaited event, and the ex-President did not disappoint. He chatted about everything from politics to life as a father. This is the kind of interview that makes you feel like you’re sitting down with a friend. It’s relaxed, insightful, and often very funny.
You Must Remember This – “Charles Manson’s Hollywood”
This podcast explores murders involving celebrities, rather than focusing on a Baltimore high-school case as other podcasts have done. The podcast You Must Remember This covered one incident in great detail, so it launched an entire series dedicated to the murders committed by Charles Manson’s followers in the summer of 1969.
It’s a classic tale of ambition and greed, with tragic consequences. The podcast is well-researched and has a unique perspective on Manson’s story. It opens up the world of 1960s Hollywood, revealing how Manson was able to manipulate people in positions of power.
This American Life – “The Giant Pool of Money”
The show featured Adam Davidson, a business correspondent for National Public Radio, and Alex Blumberg, a producer of the program, interviewing people involved with the financial crisis to gather information.
Blumberg described it as an attempt to answer the question of why lenders are giving money out to people who can’t afford to pay it back. It’s one of the most listened-to podcast episodes of all time and we believe that it was a great example of how to do an investigative podcast. It’s a long-form piece, but it’s worth listening to in one sitting (or at least taking your time with it).
These are just some of the best podcast episodes of all time. With the vast number of podcasts out there today, it’s hard to find the ones that will keep you engaged and interested in the content. But we’ve found some great ones that have stood the test of time!
What Makes the Best Podcast Episodes of All Time?
The best podcast episodes are ones that make audiences want to listen again and again. They’re the ones that make you feel like you’re just listening to a friend, or your favorite teacher or mentor. So if you want to create a great podcast episode, make sure it has these 5 elements:
A Clear Topic Makes the Best Podcast Episodes of All Time
You should know what you’re talking about before you start recording so that you can convey your message clearly and effectively. The best podcasts have a topic that’s interesting to you, and it shows in the episode. It’s not a matter of just reading off a list of facts or talking about something you know nothing about. The topic should be something you’re passionate about and excited to talk about.
If you’re talking about something you don’t know much about, it will be clear to your listeners. And if they can tell that you’re not an expert on the topic, they might lose interest in what else you have to say.
A Unique Perspective
Your audience is going to be more interested in hearing from someone who has something interesting or different to say than they would from someone who is just repeating what they’ve heard elsewhere.
You can find a unique perspective by looking at the same topic from a different angle, or by bringing in information that other podcasters haven’t covered yet. You also need to be careful not to come across as boastful about your expertise; if you know something about a subject and it’s relevant, tell us about it, but don’t overdo it.
A Strong Introduction
The first few minutes of your podcast episode should hook people into wanting to hear more by making it clear what the main points are going to be and why they matter, while also being entertaining enough to keep them engaged until the end of the episode.
It can be helpful to have your introduction written down before recording so that you don’t forget it when talking into the mic. This is also a good time to let people know what type of podcast this is: for example, if it’s part of a series or if there are other episodes in the same series that they should listen to as well.
Best Podcast Episodes of All Time Have an Engaging Story Arc
Stories are powerful because they help us remember things, so if you’re going to tell one on your podcast episode, make sure it’s compelling enough for listeners to want to listen from beginning to end.
An engrossing story arc will also help listeners feel like they’re a part of the story, which can make them more likely to stay engaged and invested in what you have to say.
Ending on a High Note
When ending your podcast episode, it’s important to leave listeners with something to think about. This could be a call to action or some sort of takeaway that they can use in their day-to-day lives.
The best podcast episodes leave listeners with something to think about and a reason to tune into your next episode. People love to be heard and acknowledged, so asking them for their opinions or offering tips on how they can apply what you’ve said in real life always goes a long way.
These are five tips to help you create the best podcast episodes possible. Following these tips will help you create a podcast episode that listeners love, and will encourage them to tune in again next time.
Do the Best Podcast Episodes of All Time Follow a Schedule for Uploading?
A survey shows that the most popular time for podcasters to publish their episodes is between 2 am and 5 am, with 5 am being the best time to post podcasts. However, it will always depend on the niche and audience you’re targeting.
There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to creating the best podcast episodes. The most important thing is that you’re consistent and organized with your publishing schedule. If you post on Mondays and Thursdays, stick with that schedule!
It’s always important to check your engagements and see if there’s a specific time that your audience is more active. The best time to publish a podcast episode will always vary depending on the performance of your show because it’s not the same for every podcaster.
Final Thoughts on the Best Podcast Episodes of All Time
There’s no secret formula for creating the best podcast episodes. It’s all about being consistent, organized, and prepared to deliver quality content that your audience wants to hear. Listening to other podcasts, reading blogs, and listening to your audience will help you figure out what makes a great podcast episode.
So if you’re looking for more inspiration, this list of the best podcast episodes will give you some good ideas.
Disclosure: Our objective is to highlight products and services that we believe you will enjoy and find useful. If you buy them, Starting to Know may receive a tiny percentage of the sales proceeds from our commerce partners at no additional cost to you.
