TIME Magazine has unveiled its list of the 100 Best Podcasts of All Time, highlighting the shows that it says have shaped the medium into the cultural force it is today.
The list includes landmark series spanning sports, comedy, fiction, true crime, and pop culture, such as Armchair Expert, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, New Heights, Call Her Daddy, Fresh Air, The Ezra Klein Show, The Bill Simmons Podcast, ESPN’s 30 for 30, The Daily, and Las Culturistas.
Writing about the project, TIME correspondent Eliana Dockterman reflected on how podcasting has transformed since its earliest days.
She said: “Reviewing the nearly decade’s worth of ‘best of’ lists I’ve compiled since I started on the podcast beat laid bare just how much the medium has changed.
“Once upon a time, you didn’t have to be an A-lister with a professional studio setup to find overnight fame.”
She continued: “Between the mid-2000s and the mid-2010s, all you needed was a microphone and a dream of cutting an ad deal with MailChimp.
“That low barrier to entry eventually led to a podcasting boom in the late 2010s that accelerated when so many of us were stuck at home during COVID-19 lockdown and desperate to consume as much content as possible to stave off boredom and loneliness.
“By 2020, Spotify was handing out podcasting deals for tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars.”
The TIME list recognises podcasts that have “moved the cultural needle” as the format exploded globally. Many featured shows have redefined how audiences listen, discuss, and share audio content, from investigative hits to deeply personal interviews.
TIME’s selection also includes major brand podcasts, daily news briefings, celebrity-fronted shows, and breakout series that began with small independent teams before gaining global recognition. It positions podcasting as an art form that continues to evolve in impact, scope, and style.
The full TIME 100 Best Podcasts of All Time list is now available on time.com.
