Biggest Podcasts in 2025 Giving Joe Rogan a Run for His Money
Podcasting in 2025 is a whole different universe, and Joe Rogan isn’t the only star orbiting the top anymore. New voices and fresh formats have exploded into the spotlight, drawing millions of listeners and flipping the script on what makes a show binge-worthy. Grab your headphones and settle in—these shows are giving Joe Rogan some real competition, and you will want in.
The MeiIdasTouch Podcast
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The MeidasTouch Podcast just accomplished what most thought was impossible: it knocked Joe Rogan off the top spot, with nearly double the downloads of The Joe Rogan Experience. The trio of brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—have backgrounds in law, marketing, and comedy. Together, they’re pulling podcast numbers that make cable news jealous.
This American Life
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Hosted by Ira Glass, This American Life delivers thoughtful, often quirky slices of life that feel more like audio documentaries than traditional podcasts. Each episode has humor, heartache, and a lot of humanity. These themes keep longtime listeners hooked. It was even the first podcast to win a Pulitzer Prize for audio reporting.
Crime Junkie
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Crime Junkie is still killing it—figuratively, of course. This true crime favorite keeps listeners hooked with sharp storytelling, straight-to-the-point cases, and just enough eerie music to give you goosebumps. Crime Junkie fans call themselves “Crime Junkies,” too, and the show’s loyal following helped it hit over a billion downloads by early 2025.
The Daily
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This is still the podcast people hit first thing in the morning, consistently ranking in the top 5 across all platforms. The Daily, hosted by Michael Barbaro and powered by The New York Times, breaks down major stories in 20 minutes flat. It’s like a front-page read but easier on the ears.
Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud
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Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud is as offbeat and charming as the name suggests. British designer Bella Freud chats with artists, stylists, and cultural icons about the strange emotional tangle behind style—why we wear what we wear and how clothes mess with our heads. It’s fashion therapy minus the bill.
Not Gonna Lie
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Kylie Kelce hit podcast gold with Not Gonna Lie. It’s refreshingly unscripted as she talks about marriage, parenting, and Philly sports without sounding like a lecture. Kylie keeps things honest without trying too hard. The show racked up millions of streams and snagged its first award nomination.
Pardon My Take
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The Barstool boys are still doing numbers by combining sports with nonsense in an oddly comforting way. Pardon My Take covers everything from NFL drama to weird hypotheticals, and it still feels like hanging out with your loudest group chat. Their guest lineup is wild, and their fanbase is die-hard. The merch practically sells itself.
Stuff You Should Know
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Somehow, two guys explaining “how stuff works” is still one of the most listened-to podcasts on Earth. Josh and Chuck take the weirdest topics—Velcro, quicksand, vending machines—and make them fascinating. There are no hot takes or drama but pure curiosity. It’s the audio equivalent of falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole.
Call Her Daddy
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Call Her Daddy is still a juggernaut, but it’s not all intimate tips and chaos anymore. Alex Cooper has shifted gears as she brought on high-profile guests such as therapists and tabloid magnets. Some fans miss the unfiltered party-girl energy; others say the show grew up with them. Either way, it’s still chart-topping gold.
Morbid: A True Crime Podcast
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Morbid: A True Crime Podcast strikes a tricky balance. It offers gruesome stories with just enough humor to keep you listening with the lights on. Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh Kelley spin serial killer tales, cold cases, and creepy legends like experienced storytellers. Their chemistry hits that sweet spot between creepy and casual.
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
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NFL brothers Jason & Travis Kelce talk football, family, and food like you’re sitting at their kitchen table. Jason’s dry wit and Travis’s chaos make for top-tier banter, and fans can’t get enough. Their mom, Donna Kelce, has basically become the show’s unofficial third host—and listeners love it.
Dateline NBC
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Dateline NBC is the podcast version of true crime comfort food—if comfort food came with dramatic narration and surprise twists. Keith Morrison’s voice alone could give you chills. Some fans admit to falling asleep to it… which is mildly concerning but totally on brand.
2 Bears 1 Cave
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This podcast is a therapy session for dudes. Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer keep 2 Bears 1 Cave unpredictable. One episode might tackle health scares, and the next, shirtless dancing. Their chemistry is so strong fans genuinely feel like they’re eavesdropping on lifelong best friends.
The Ben Shapiro Show
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In 2025, Ben Shapiro still commands a massive audience with his signature “facts don’t care” delivery. The Ben Shapiro Show remains a podcasting powerhouse that pulls in millions of listeners weekly with its no-nonsense, high-speed breakdowns of politics, culture, and current events.