The Top Podcasts on Spotify (2025 Edition)

The top podcasts on Spotify have exploded in popularity alongside the overall podcast boom. In fact, over half of Americans age 12 and up (around 158 million people) now listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. Globally, podcast listenership is soaring toward an estimated 650 million by 2027. Spotify itself is one of the leading podcast platforms – second only to YouTube – capturing about 21% of weekly U.S. podcast listeners as their go-to app. It’s no surprise, then, that Spotify is home to many of the world’s most popular and influential podcasts.

What exactly makes the top podcasts on Spotify stand out? These chart-topping shows attract millions of followers and listeners through compelling content, charismatic hosts, and loyal communities. Many are exclusive deals or breakout hits that have defined the podcasting landscape. From true crime tales that keep you up at night to daily news digests and no-holds-barred comedy chats, the variety is endless. And importantly, these podcasts aren’t just entertainment – they’re powerful channels for content creators and even brands. Podcasts represent a form of user-generated content where influencers, journalists, and everyday creators alike engage audiences through authentic, long-form storytelling. (It’s telling that nearly 45% of influencer marketers now work with podcast hosts as brand ambassadors – a nod to how impactful top podcasts have become in the marketing and micro-influencer world.)

Below, we highlight the top podcasts on Spotify as of 2025. This list spans genres from crime and news to sports and tech, reflecting what Spotify listeners are loving right now. Each of these podcasts has dominated the charts and cultivated a massive following. If you’re looking for something new to stream – or insight into what content is resonating in culture – start with these heavyweight hits.

Top 10 Podcasts on Spotify to Follow in 2025

1. The Joe Rogan Experience

It’s impossible to talk about top podcasts without mentioning Joe Rogan. The Joe Rogan Experience is a long-form interview show that has sat comfortably at #1 on Spotify’s charts ever since Rogan’s landmark exclusive deal in 2020. Rogan’s podcast attracts an enormous audience – as of 2024, it boasted about 14.5 million followers on Spotify, nearly three times more than the next most-followed show. Each week, millions tune in to hear Rogan’s freewheeling conversations with comedians, scientists, authors, and even controversial figures. Love him or not, Rogan’s influence is undeniable: he reaches a predominantly young male audience and has been Spotify’s top podcaster for several years running. With episodes often exceeding 2–3 hours, JRE exemplifies the pull of unfiltered, authentic content in podcast form. It’s a prime example of how a single creator’s user-generated content can rival traditional media – something that hasn’t gone unnoticed in the influencer marketing world.

2. Call Her Daddy

Hosted by Alex Cooper, Call Her Daddy rose from a raunchy dating show into a cultural phenomenon. It became Spotify’s second-biggest podcast for several years, consistently ranking right behind Joe Rogan since 2021. Known for its unfiltered discussions about relationships, sex, and mental health, Call Her Daddy resonates especially with young women (its self-proclaimed “Daddy Gang” of fans). In 2021, Spotify signed Cooper to an exclusive $60+ million deal, underlining how valuable this podcast’s audience is. Even after ending exclusivity in 2024, Call Her Daddy has maintained massive reach – over 5 million weekly listeners and around 3.7 million Spotify followers as of 2024. Alex Cooper’s ability to cut through the BS with candid celebrity interviews and personal monologues keeps this show perennially in the top charts. It’s frequently cited as the most-listened-to podcast by women and has proven that a bold content creator can parlay a personal brand into podcast stardom.

3. Crime Junkie

True crime continues to dominate podcast playlists, and Crime Junkie is leading the pack. Hosted by Ashley Flowers (with co-host Brit Prawat), this weekly show dives into chilling unsolved cases and serial killer stories – essentially catnip for “crime junkie” listeners. The podcast’s popularity is immense: it often ranks in the top 2–3 podcasts overall in the U.S. by audience reach. In fact, Crime Junkie is routinely cited among the most popular podcasts in America, not just in true crime but across all genres. Fans love the narrative style, thorough research, and the feeling of being part of a mystery-solving community. With its millions of downloads per month, Crime Junkie exemplifies how a niche topic (true crime) can break into the mainstream. It has spawned a network (audiochuck) and even a surge of copycat shows. If you enjoy gripping storytelling and don’t mind double-checking your door locks at night, Crime Junkie is a must-listen.

4. The Daily

From The New York Times, The Daily has become the go-to daily news podcast for millions seeking a quick, informative rundown of current events. Hosted by Michael Barbaro, each weekday episode is about 20–30 minutes, focusing on one or two big stories with NYT reporters and audio storytelling flair. Despite not being exclusive to Spotify, The Daily is so popular that it still ranks among the top podcasts on Spotify and Apple alike – in early 2025 it was the #3 podcast in the U.S. by weekly reach. Roughly 1.5 to 2 million listeners tune in to each episode on average, which is huge for a daily news show. The format’s success (deep-dive journalism in a short form) has influenced countless other news podcasts. For busy professionals, students, and news junkies, The Daily is part of the morning routine – as essential as a cup of coffee. Its prominence on Spotify underscores that even in the age of music streaming, tens of millions of people also use the platform to stay informed about the world.

5. Pardon My Take

Avid sports fans on Spotify are likely already in on the joke: Pardon My Take (PMT) is the podcast for sports commentary with a comedic twist. Hosted by Barstool Sports personalities Dan “Big Cat” Katz and PFT Commenter, PMT delivers loud, irreverent, and surprisingly insightful takes on the sports world. The chemistry between the hosts and their satirical segments have made PMT the most popular sports podcast on Spotify (and beyond). In fact, the show’s audience ranges from 750,000 to 1.5 million listeners per episode in recent years. That kind of reach puts it at the top of its genre; Apple Podcasts once named Pardon My Take among the best podcasts of the year, and by 2018 it was the 14th most downloaded podcast overall. Barstool Sports’ devoted fan base (the self-proclaimed “AWLs” or Award-Winning Listeners) helped propel PMT to #1 on the iTunes charts within days of its 2016 launch. Whether it’s comedic sports recaps, athlete interviews, or running gags like “Football Guy of the Week,” PMT has changed the game for sports talk. It’s both influential and hugely entertaining – even if you’re not a sports fanatic, you might find yourself hooked on the banter.

6. The Bill Simmons Podcast

Another giant in the sports category is The Bill Simmons Podcast, which blends sports, pop culture, and interviews. Hosted by Bill Simmons (of HBO and The Ringer), this show is often introduced as “the most downloaded sports podcast of all time”. Simmons is a veteran sportswriter and media figure, and his podcast – typically running 1-2 hours – features rotating guests from athletes to celebrities (and regulars like Cousin Sal and Joe House) chatting about the latest in the NBA, NFL, movies, and more. The podcast’s longevity and Simmons’ dedicated following have kept it highly ranked on Spotify’s charts. It’s not uncommon to see The Bill Simmons Podcast near the top of Spotify’s sports and overall podcast listings. Fans appreciate Simmons’ deep knowledge and the casual, barbershop-style debates. This show has been a staple since the mid-2010s and helped prove that long-form sports talk could thrive in podcasting. Even with so much competition now, Bill Simmons’ name recognition and the show’s consistently strong content make it a top recommendation for sports and culture buffs.

7. My Favorite Murder

Bridging dark subject matter with humor, My Favorite Murder (MFM) pioneered the true-crime comedy genre – and its success is staggering. Hosted by comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, MFM has a legion of loyal fans who call themselves “Murderinos.” Each episode features the hosts recounting their “favorite” murder cases of the week, often with quirky asides and an empathetic touch. This unique format struck a chord: as of 2020 the podcast was getting 35 million downloads per month, placing it among the top downloaded podcasts in the world. It regularly appeared in the Top 10 on iTunes charts during its peak. Even today, My Favorite Murder remains one of the top podcasts on Spotify under true crime, and often lands in overall top ranks too. The show’s success spawned an entire podcast network (Exactly Right Media) and a wave of copycats, but MFM maintains a special place thanks to the chemistry of its hosts. By mixing comedic relief with respectful true-crime storytelling, Kilgariff and Hardstark created a safe space for fans to obsess over dark tales and laugh – a combination that clearly keeps millions downloading. If you want a lighter twist on true crime, this is the podcast to queue up (just remember: “Stay sexy and don’t get murdered!”).

8. Dateline NBC

Sometimes the top podcast is just a great TV show repackaged for your ears. NBC’s long-running newsmagazine Dateline has found a second life as Dateline NBC: the podcast, and it’s hugely popular. Essentially, these are audio versions of Dateline’s famous true-crime episodes, with correspondents like Keith Morrison narrating gripping murder mysteries and investigations. The format translates perfectly to podcast form – so much so that Dateline NBC often charts in the Top 5 podcasts on both Apple and Spotify. For example, in late 2022 it was sitting at #4 on Apple’s Top Shows (only behind The Daily, JRE, and Crime Junkie). Listeners can’t get enough of the suspenseful storytelling and high production value that Dateline provides. With a mix of current cases and classic episodes, this feed lets you binge hours of true crime content back-to-back (no need to wait for Friday night TV). Its success on Spotify’s platform underscores how much people love true crime – and familiar, trusted brands. If you enjoy TV documentaries or series like 48 Hours, the Dateline podcast is a perfect companion. It’s also a reminder that some of the top podcasts on Spotify come from traditional media adapting to new formats and finding even larger audiences online.

9. Lex Fridman Podcast

MIT researcher-turned-YouTuber Lex Fridman hosts one of Spotify’s most intellectually curious podcasts. The Lex Fridman Podcast is known for marathon conversations that explore science, technology, history, philosophy and beyond. Lex brings on big-name guests – everyone from Elon Musk and Sam Harris to athletes and authors – for in-depth interviews about AI, consciousness, love, and power. The podcast’s tagline could well be “life is hard, this podcast will help” (a nod to its mission of extracting wisdom from great thinkers). What started as a niche AI podcast has grown into a must-listen for tech enthusiasts and autodidacts, consistently appearing in Spotify’s top charts for science/tech. With a Twitter following in the millions and episodes often trending on YouTube, Lex Fridman has built a brand as a thoughtful, empathetic interviewer. His episodes can run 2–4 hours, catering to die-hard listeners who crave substance over sound bites. The show’s rise exemplifies how a content creator can leverage multiple platforms (YouTube, podcasts) to build an audience – and then sustain that success through authenticity and deep-dive content. If you’re looking for conversation that expands your mind (and you have a few hours to spare), Lex Fridman’s podcast is a top choice on Spotify.

10. Pod Save America

Rounding out the list is a political powerhouse: Pod Save America. Hosted by four former Obama aides (Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor), this unabashedly progressive podcast delivers a twice-weekly dose of U.S. politics and current events – with a mix of humor and “no bulls**t” commentary. Since its 2017 debut, Pod Save America has become one of the most popular political podcasts ever, often charting near the top of Spotify and Apple’s rankings for news & politics. At its peak it was reaching about 1.5 million listeners per episode in the U.S., comparable to a decent cable news show audience. The hosts’ insider perspectives and conversational style have attracted a young, passionate fanbase (dubbed “Friends of the Pod”). It’s not unusual for Pod Save to hit #1 on the Apple podcast charts during big news weeks, and it frequently appears in Spotify’s trending lists. The show has even done live tours and interviewed major political figures (from Kamala Harris to Barack Obama himself). Beyond its political impact, Pod Save America illustrates the power of podcasts in mobilizing and engaging listeners – many fans credit it with keeping them informed (and sane) through chaotic news cycles. In the crowded arena of talk podcasts, Pod Save America stands out as a flagship show proving that politics can top the Spotify charts.

Conclusion to The Top Podcasts on Spotify

It’s worth noting that the top podcasts on Spotify aren’t just dominating entertainment – they’re also shaping trends in influencer marketing and e-commerce. Podcasts have emerged as a potent form of user-generated content (UGC) where creators build trust through authentic storytelling. Many micro influencers and content creators now host podcasts to deepen engagement with their audiences, leveraging the intimate, long-form nature of audio. Brands have caught on as well. From indie start-ups to Amazon sellers, companies are partnering with popular podcasters to reach niche communities via host-read ads and sponsorships. In fact, nearly half of today’s influencer marketing campaigns involve podcast hosts as brand ambassadors or collaborators. Why? Because podcast listeners develop a loyal bond with hosts – when a favorite creator chats about a product or service, it carries genuine weight.

For marketers and entrepreneurs, the influencer podcast boom opens new avenues. Imagine a tech gadget review on a top tech podcast, or a discussion of wellness products on a hit health show – these can drive sales more organically than traditional ads. Even social media stars (from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) are launching podcasts, turning their followers into cross-platform devotees. The keyword here is authenticity: successful podcasts feel like conversations with friends, which is gold for influencer marketing. As a platform that hosts these voices, Spotify has become a crucial arena for branded content and community-building through audio.