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Pace | Culture > Entertainment

Top 8 Deep-Dive Podcasts To Listen To

Samantha Greenaway Student Contributor, Pace University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pace chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Podcasts bring meaning to audiences by opening discourse up to everyone through audio and covering a variety of  topics. A common fact about podcasts is that they rely on active listenership. According to Good Nature, the reason active listening is important is because it allows us to discover interpersonal bonds and reduce misunderstandings without text, although some podcasts have transcripts to provide accessibility and a better understanding of what hosts and guests are discussing. Moreover, communication is key in any human conversation. 

Spotify has increased their investment into the podcast space in recent years; however, there are other apps and websites to consider, including Apple Podcasts. I had a professor last Spring who recommended that we listen to podcasts as an assignment. The podcast I chose to listen to, All My Relations, was discussing Black Native history along with Afro Indigenous history. 

Here are my other recommendations for Spotify and Apple podcasts that you can listen to while commuting to class, work, or simply taking a walk. 

  1. It’s Been a Minute 

It’s Been a Minute is a cultural and societal podcast that won Best Pop Culture Podcast at the 2025 Signal Awards. The point of this podcast is to keep its audience updated on what is going on in today’s culture and the catalysts behind some of the most important events transpiring. This NPR podcast is hosted by Brittany Luse, an award-winning journalist and cultural critic, who took over in October 2022. Previously, she hosted For Colored Nerds and Sampler.

  1. The Daily 

From newspaper to podcast, The Daily often covers the current world news. It’s also produced by The New York Times. 

  1. Code Switch 

Code Switch is another NPR podcast. Hosted by Gene Demby and B.A. Parker, this podcast primarily engages in conversations regarding race. The team dives into how race impacts politics, history, pop culture, and more.

  1. The Psychology of Your 20s 

This podcast is designed to help audiences in their 20s navigate life, particularly through science and early adulthood psychology. 

  1. How to Be a Better Human 

For insights on how to improve yourself as a human and to have better focus when having conversations, I found How to Be a Better Human quite interesting. Hosted by Chris Duffy, guests and past speakers are brought on to talk about human experiences and opportunities for growth.

  1. Radio Headspace 

This podcast provides daily mindfulness teachings and opportunities for reflection. Radio Headspace encourages listeners to take a few moments to adjust their surroundings, from chatter to external background noises. I recommend listening to this podcast in the morning before starting your day. 

  1. How to College 

How to College gives you tips and tricks on how to do well in college. Intended for high school seniors, host Mady Gepford gives advice on how to navigate new environments and step out of your comfort zone.

  1. The College Survival Guide 

For incoming freshmen, stepping into college life can take time to adjust to, as I mentioned in my previous piece, “Pre-Semester Tips for Success.” The College Survival Guide explains the importance of self-improvement for college students as you continue to pursue higher education.

This list of eight podcast recommendations can appeal to several audiences, including college students, offering up a variety of topics to listen to. At the end of the day, podcasts help us with active listening, learning more about what’s going on in culture, and how we can become the best versions of ourselves.

Editor’s note: the Her Campus at Pace editorial team also contributed to this story.

Samantha Greenaway

Pace '27

Samantha Greenaway is originally from New Jersey and has lived in Jersey City for four years. She is a junior majoring Political Science at Pace University in downtown New York. Sam’s pronouns are she/they. They’re passionate about writing culture, lifestyle, and career. Sam joined Her Campus in the fall semester 2024.
Outside of Her Campus, Sam also joins the Political Science Society and The Pace Press. Passion for Human Rights, Advocacy, and Social Sciences.

As for being independent, she spends time hanging out with her friends and her family. For her interests, Sam also spends listening to podcasts (true crime, murder mystery), Sam is a bookworm when it comes to reading, including their favorite genres mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction, and gothic. Their favorite of all to do in life is traveling to places such as cities and outside of the United States. And their favorite drink of all is matcha latte.