20 Best Educational Podcasts of 2025 That Teach You More Than College

When was the last time you had one of those "wow, I never knew that" moments that made you feel excited about learning? Educational podcasts are the fastest way to reclaim that feeling.

We're talking about conversations that'll spark your brain, plus quick wisdom drops from popular books. You'll find shows that match your interests and schedule. We'll also tell you about the Headway microlearning approach. It's helpful when you're too busy to dive into an hour-long lecture. 

Try Headway today to squeeze maximum learning into small pockets of time throughout your day.

Quick picks: Top five educational podcasts

Here are the best educational podcasts that deliver high-quality learning content available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube:

1. 'Radiolab': Science and philosophy findings (20–50 minutes per episode).

2. '99% Invisible': How design and architecture shape our world (30–40 minutes per episode).

3. 'Hidden Brain': Psychology and human behavior insights (30–150 minutes per episode).

4. 'Stuff You Should Know': General knowledge on everything (40–50 minutes per episode).

5. 'Throughline': History made relevant to today's world (40–50 minutes per episode).

The 16 educational podcasts worthy of your time

Finding the right educational content means matching shows to your specific interests and learning goals. We've prepared a fresh selection of podcasts, excellent for listeners who want to learn new things while walking in the park, running on a treadmill, or chilling at home. 

Science and curiosity podcasts

1. 6.'Radiolab' with Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser

This podcast is the best science show out there. It makes hard topics fun and easy to understand, as the hosts use interviews and storytelling to break down each concept. They cover topics from quantum physics to psychology. Each episode feels like an audio documentary that leaves you thinking long after it ends.

This podcast is a perfect match for people who love science secrets. They cover astrophysics and physics, plus unusual history and moral discussions.

1. 7.'Hidden Brain' with Shankar Vedantam 

Listen to 'Hidden Brain' if you want to look at the reasons that drive human behavior and well-being. Host Shankar Vedantam is a veteran science journalist. He shares research about decision-making and relationships. This approach can help you understand yourself and others better.

This podcast is a perfect match for anyone curious about human behavior. Why do people help others? Why do they seek revenge? You'll learn about emotions and relationships, too.

1. 8.'Ologies' with Alie Ward 

This show gets you excited about science topics you never knew existed. Ward interviews working scientists about their specialties, from volcanology to forensic anthropology. Her curiosity and humor make technical subjects feel easy. It works well for podcast listeners who want professional development.

This podcast is a perfect match for people who love discovering new science fields. You'll learn about eyeglass history and spider behavior. The host's enthusiasm is contagious.

1. 9.'StarTalk Radio' with Neil deGrasse Tyson 

'

StarTalk' perfectly combines science with pop culture, making astrophysics accessible to everyone. Tyson and his comedian friends talk about space and physics. They also talk about life hacks for living in space. They're funny and smart, so new episodes are always interesting.

This podcast is a perfect match for space enthusiasts and science lovers who want to explore big questions about the universe.

1. 10.'Science Vs' from Spotify Studios 

This show cuts through fads and misinformation to find scientific facts. 'Science Vs' covers everything from 5G and ADHD to fluoride and fasting diets. They do the hard work of sifting through research so you don't have to.

This podcast is a perfect match for skeptical thinkers who want clear answers to trending health claims and controversial topics everyone's arguing about online.

1. 11.'Short Wave' with Emily Kwong and Regina Barber

This podcast from NPR delivers discoveries and everyday mysteries in under 15 minutes. It's noticeable how hosts use creativity and humor to make science accessible to everyone.

This podcast is a perfect match for science lovers who want quick insights on everything from aging research and climate impacts to ocean mysteries and space discoveries. 

When you're short on time but crave new information daily, Headway's audio summaries are the perfect solution. You can get fascinating insights from summaries of books like 'Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World' by Fareed Zakaria and 'Thinking in Systems' by Donella Meadows and Diana Wright in under 15 minutes.

General knowledge and trivia podcasts

1. 12.'Stuff You Should Know' with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant's

If you want to learn about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Niño, true crime, and Rosa Parks, check out 'Stuff You Should Know'. It's an excellent podcast for those who want to satisfy their curiosity without too much effort.

This podcast is a perfect match for trivia lovers and lifelong learners who enjoy discovering the fascinating backstories behind everyday objects and random topics that spark conversation at dinner parties.

1. 13.'99% Invisible' with Roman Mars 

If the hidden design decisions that shape our everyday experiences interest you, don't skip this podcast. Mars and his team uncover the stories behind everything from highway signs to urban planning. These podcast episodes will change how you see the world around you.

This podcast is a perfect match for listeners who love uncovering the hidden stories behind architecture, urban planning, and the design choices that shape our daily lives.

1. 14.'The Complete Guide to Everything' with Tim Daniels and Tom Reynolds

This podcast beats Wikipedia as the go-to reference for knowledge about anything and everything. The hosts cover everything in their quest to make the world a more informed place, covering topics from North Korea to Nicolas Cage.

This podcast is a perfect match for people who enjoy random deep dives into pop culture, everyday objects, and bizarre topics with two friends who aren't afraid to get wonderfully off-track and make you laugh along the way.

1. 15.'Trivia Time' with Kelly Sharron and Rickey Lime

This show is a rare find for those who are interested in the weekly pub quiz format. It has five rounds of eight questions plus bonus anagrams. It has many themes, including music rounds, general knowledge, and pop culture. Overall, a great choice for trivia fans.

This podcast is a perfect match for competitive trivia players and quiz night regulars who want to test their knowledge across multiple categories.

1. '16.Go Fact Yourself' with J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong

Listen to 'Go Fact Yourself' episodes to hear how idols think. This show features past guests, including actors, athletes, authors, comedians, journalists, and musicians. The latest episodes featured Stephen Tobolowsky, Aparna Nancherla, Brendan Hunt, Ashly Burch, Jodie Sweetin, and Marc Evan Jackson.

This podcast is a perfect match for entertainment fans who love watching celebrities, actors, comedians, and other public figures showcase their unexpected expertise and compete in lighthearted knowledge battles.

Want to learn essential facts and hone your ability to ask the right questions efficiently? Then read 'Power Questions' by Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas. Download Headway to your phone and gain key insights from this book in a few minutes.

History and culture podcasts

1. 17.'Throughline' with Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei

This podcast from NPR connects historical events to current events with remarkable storytelling. The hosts make history feel urgent and relevant by illustrating how past events have shaped today's world. Each episode helps listeners understand today's news better.

This podcast is a perfect match for history fans who want to understand how past events directly shaped today's headlines, from constitutional rights and war crimes to immigration policies and political movements.

1. '18.The Rest Is History' with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook's

Authors bring to the listener a British wit and scholarly expertise to significant historical moments. This podcast is all about dynamic discussions covering everything from ancient Rome to modern politics with humor and insight that keeps you engaged throughout longer episodes, making it one of the favorite podcasts among history buffs.

This podcast is a perfect match for history enthusiasts who enjoy dramatic historical figures and events, from medieval murder mysteries and royal scandals to ancient empires and political intrigue, delivered with British wit and scholarly expertise.

1. 19.'You Must Remember This' with Karina Longworth

The goal of the creators here was to explore the secret and forgotten histories of Hollywood's first century. Created and narrated by Karina Longworth, this podcast offers deep dive investigations into the entertainment industry's past, featuring guest stars like John Mulaney, Fred Savage, and Patton Oswalt.

This podcast is a perfect match for classic Hollywood fans. You'll find hidden scandals and forgotten stories, plus behind-the-scenes drama from cinema's golden age.

1.  20.'Las Culturitas' with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang 

Join culture consultants to explore the beating heart of contemporary culture. These comedians get into the hottest pop culture moments and formative cultural experiences that shaped modern American life.

This podcast is a perfect match for pop culture obsessives who love witty commentary on celebrity drama, award shows, and cultural moments, delivered with sharp humor and insider entertainment industry perspectives from two comedy writers.

1. 21.'Revisionist History' with Malcolm Gladwell 

This podcast looks at events people have forgotten or misunderstood. Gladwell tells these stories in a new way, which can help you see history differently.

This podcast is a perfect match for analytical thinkers who enjoy questioning conventional wisdom and exploring how overlooked details, misunderstood events, and forgotten perspectives can completely reframe our understanding of history and culture.

For people who like to delve into contexts, 'The Battle for Christmas' by Stephen Nissenbaum and 'Humankind: A Hopeful History' by Rutger Bregman deliver fascinating historical insights. Choose listening over reading? Remember, Headway offers convenient summaries you can enjoy on the go.

4 more podcasts for when you have only 10 minutes (but crave that knowledge fix)

For those moments when you only have a few minutes — waiting at the doctor's office or killing time between meetings — you still want content that's actually worth your time. Here are four additional podcasts to get quality insights without the commitment:

1. 'TEDx SHORTS': Inspiring ideas in 10-minute or less episodes, perfect for busy schedules

2. '5 Minute History': Short histories of events, places, companies, products, in about 5–10 minutes to keep you informed

3. '5 Minute Biographies': Episodes clock in around 5–10 minutes and pack incredible stories into compact timeframes

4. 'Quick Smart': Big ideas on topics like psychology, money, and history in just 10 minutes, making complex issues easy to understand

However, when you want key takeaways from the world's best books in even less time, consider Headway. This app delivers audio and text summaries you can finish in 5–15 minutes instead of waiting for new podcast episodes on topics that interest you.

Podcasts vs. apps: What's best for your learning style?

Choosing the right approach to learning depends on how you are used to learning new things. Podcasts and learning apps both help you grow professionally. But they offer different benefits, especially with accessibility and content depth.

Podcasts work best when you:

• Have 30+ minutes for deeper exploration and in-depth analysis

• Enjoy conversational, unstructured learning from co-hosts and guests

• Want entertainment mixed with education, like true crime meets psychology

• Prefer discovering topics through host recommendations and curated playlists

• Learn well through stories and extended examples from various fields

Learning apps like Headway work best when you:

• Need key insights in 15 minutes or less for busy schedules

• Have specific learning goals or skill gaps for professional development

• Want structured, actionable takeaways without browsing social media

• Prefer learning from multiple expert perspectives quickly across topics

• Value progress tracking and personalized recommendations for self-improvement

Many learners use both approaches strategically. You can listen to history podcasts for broad exploration and use Headway for skill development when time is limited.

Make the most of educational content with Headway

The main rule is simple: learning a little each day works better than trying to be perfect. Start with topics that actually interest you, rather than what you think you "should" study. Being curious can help you learn faster.

Keep in mind that many educational podcasts also have social media. You can watch the most interesting moments there. No matter if you discover a new podcast through Spotify recommendations or find shows through your existing playlist, the key is finding content that resonates with your learning style.

Why Headway works as well as podcasts for busy learners

If you're short on time, download the Headway App. You'll join millions of users who already explore audio summaries covering the same great topics you'd find in educational podcasts. 

Here are some Headway features that make the app effective for your learning journey:

• Personalized learning paths: Headway picks content just for you based on what you like. Instead of searching through hundreds of podcast episodes to find relevant content, you get suggestions that match exactly what you want to learn.

• Features that help you remember: The app includes features that help you review and track your progress. While podcasts provide great content, Headway's learning science ensures the knowledge sticks long-term.

• Access to bestselling authors: Many podcast guests have written books available on Headway. You can get their core ideas immediately rather than waiting for them to appear on your favorite show. With 1,700+ summaries available, you'll never run out of expert insights.

Flexibility that beats any playlist: Whether you prefer reading or listening, Headway adapts to your mood and situation. Driving? Listen to the audio version. Have five minutes before a meeting? Read the key takeaways. Download the Headway App to see how learning becomes doable in real life.