18 Killer Podcasts for Teens

Post: 18 killer podcasts for teens

What our kids are exposed to matters…

This is their time to figure out who they want to be. Their views about themselves and the world around them are forming, they’re adopting values and deciding which path to take in their lives. And, since teens are notorious for brushing aside great, well-intended advice from their parents, a little unbiased outside inspiration and guidance can go a long way in helping them navigate their way through these crazy years.

That’s where podcasts come in!

If your teen hasn’t jumped on the podcast bandwagon yet, now is a great time for them to delve into cool new topics, expand their horizons and grab a few relatable laughs along the way. 

This killer list of podcasts for teens includes positive messages about people who reached success through hard work and determination, cool perspectives to stay positive and motivated, action-packed spy series, the latest beauty tips, tricks and products, and podcasts for teens who love to chat about the latest news, books, and music. Your teen is sure to find something here they’ll love. 

By no means is this list exhaustive. There are a ton of great podcasts out there – seriously, something for everyone! If your teen loves tennis – there’s a podcast for them. If your teen is a science goo roo – there’s a podcast for them! If your teen is passionate about music – there’s a podcast for them!

We couldn’t list them all, so we sifted through our top podcasts for teens that just might transform their world in 60 minutes or less!

18 killer podcasts for teens who want to expand their world.

Teen Girl Talk

Teen Girl Talk joins siblings Franklin and Susie Cota as they joyfully make their way through a menagerie of media made for teens. We’re talking movies, books, tv shows, music and more! Laugh and cry along with the Cota siblings with some bonkers teen media! It’s kind of like a sleepover minus the toothbrush. 

Science Friday

Perfect for teens who dig anything science-related, Science Friday covers everything from the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. It’s the trusted source for news about science, technology, and other cool stuff. Host Ira Flatow mixes it up by featuring people in the know and those who want to be. And, if you have a riveting question about science you’re dying to have answered, Science Friday frequently takes calls from listeners who “want to know.”

The Socially Awkward

When it comes to podcasts for teenagers, this is one for every teen out there who has ever felt awkward… like ever. If your teen needs a reminder that their weird awkwardness is actually pretty normal (and funny) this podcast is for them. The Socially Awkward podcast is full of interviews that will remind them just how normal (and absolutely amazing) they really are. 

What’s Good Games

What happens when friends with nearly 30 years of game industry experience get together and record a podcast? Something pretty cool! What’s Good Games, is an upbeat show for the nerd-inclined and a go-to source for video game news, commentary, analysis, and funny stuff. The hosts of the podcast are actually three girls who, collectively, have a ton of gaming experience and background working for places like IGN and PlayStation. 

Teenager Therapy (Because We Have Problems Too)

Five stressed, sleep-deprived, yet energetic teens sit down and talk about the struggles that come with being a teenager. Teenager Therapy covers a bunch of teen-relatable subjects including life in high school, losing friends, body image, studying, anxiety and staying confident. 

Stuff to Blow Your Mind

Prepare for a trip down the rabbit hole as Robert Lamb and Julie Douglas lead you on a scientific journey to the very limits of human understanding. Stuff to Blow Your Mind examines neurological quandaries, cosmic mysteries, evolutionary marvels, and technological advances. This shocking and fun podcast from the HowStuffWorks team is great for teens who are always hungry for cool information.

My Favorite Murder

My Favorite Murder is the hit true-crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Since its inception in early 2016, the show has broken download records and sparked an enthusiastic, interactive “Murderino” fan base who come out in droves for their sold-out shows worldwide. If your teen is sensitive to f-bombs, they might want to skip this podcast, but if they can handle a little trash talk, these two will keep them laughing and mesmerized.

SpyCast

Each week, the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC offers a new SpyCast featuring interviews and programs with ex-spies, intelligence experts, and espionage scholars. The SpyCast is hosted by Dr. Vince Houghton, historian, and curator at the International Spy Museum who specializes in intelligence, diplomatic and military history, with expertise in the late-WWII and early-Cold War eras. 

Stuff You Should Know

Pals Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant have made it their mission to get to the bottom of odd questions, like how Twinkies work and if zombies exist. Stuff You Should Know is the place to be to get answers to the myriad of perplexing questions that might be lurking in your brain. And, because of the guys’ fun conversational style, it’s easy to grasp even the technical stuff. 

Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!

Brainy teens who want to test their knowledge about the latest news will love Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, NPR’s quiz show that offers a quirky blend of news and comedy. Host Peter Sagal, along with a panel of comedians and journalists, run through headline news while listeners can call in to compete. For the most part, it’s good clean fun, but every once in awhile the podcast can get a little “edgy and off-color” so this one might be best for older teens. 

Stuff You Missed in History Class

If you’re a history buff, (and, even if you’re not), you’ll find yourself totally immersed in all the cool historic non-fiction stories and documentaries you’ll hear on Stuff You Missed in History Class. Most of the stories you’ll hear are stories you’ve never heard before, which is pretty cool. And, chances are, you’ll be so enthralled you won’t even realize you’re learning. 

Who? Weekly

If you’re always up on the latest celebrity news and gossip, Who? Weekly is the podcast for you! Hosts Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber dive into all the in-depth news you might not hear anywhere else. Who’s dating whom, who’s that guy whose name you can’t remember and who just broke up? This podcast keeps you in the know. Be careful with this one… it’s slightly addictive! 

How I Built This

Every business-minded budding entrepreneur is going to love this podcast! Ever wonder how Ben & Jerry’s got started, how Lululemon got to be such a hot brand, or how Panera Bread got their foothold in business? How I Built This host Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world’s best-known companies and offers a cool narrative of their journeys to success. (Now, all you have to do is follow in their path – wink wink.)

Radiolab

The Peabody Award-winning podcast Radiolab is probably one of the most popular podcasts of all time. Going strong since 2002, the podcast investigates the strange and mysterious side of the natural world. Hosted by Jad and Robert Krulwich, Radiolab has built a strong following and received numerous awards “for their investigative use of radio to make science accessible to broad audiences.” The show has an archive of hundreds of episodes so you’ll never run out of cool topics to dive into. 

Fat Mascara

Hosts (and friends) Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Goldstein bring you the big, juicy world of beauty on their award-winning weekly podcast. With day jobs as beauty editors, Jess & Jenn are plugged into the industry’s latest news and share their inside access along with candid stories of their beauty adventures, from celebrity interviews and freaky new facials to miracle products and epic beauty fails. Fat Mascara is where beauty obsessives can get their fix.

The Daily Boost

Instead of being canned, cheesy and predictable, the Daily Boost is a motivational podcast that’s fresh, funny, upbeat and personable. It’s like listening to your favorite morning radio show – except their confidence-building motivational strategies and tips are useful for everyday life, no matter how old you are. Basically, this podcast aims to keep listeners confident, upbeat and motivated 24/7. Take a listen to this one!

Mentors for Teens: College, Scholarship and Career Guidance

The Mentors for Teens podcast offers teens the best tips, advice, and guidance designed to help them land a spot in their dream college along with tips on how to secure a scholarship and keep student debt to a minimum. In addition, they bring in a variety of guest speakers including college admission officers, college consultants, financial advisors, parenting experts, scholarship experts, current elite college students and more!

Hurdle

In a world filled with anxiety, pressure and an obscene amount of competition thanks to social media, Hurdle helps listeners bypass all the white noise and focus on themselves and their well-being. A great podcast for teens looking for a healthy outlet (and adults who need a well-being boost), Hurdle brings in some of the biggest, baddest, most inspirational humans and top CEOs who got where they are today with the help of healthy outlets like yoga, running, sports, nutrition and more. This is one podcast that will encourage and even push you to live a healthier, happier, more motivated life. 

If your teen has a few favorite podcasts for teens, please share them in the comments sections! Let’s pass along the insight!