Looking for a quick dose of inspiration on your daily commute? Check out the 15 best podcasts for women on leadership, self-love, and feminism. These must-listen shows will empower and inspire you to learn from the most successful businesswomen and influencers in an easy-to-grasp format.
For those seeking practical wisdom in each new podcast episode, Headway is a perfect add-on. It offers key insights from bestselling authors and experts like Michelle Obama, Brené Brown, and bell hooks. With quick audio summaries tailored to your lifestyle and needs, you'll get the right tool to crush your learning goals!
Quick list: Top five podcasts every woman should listen to
The Guilty Feminist — Feminism, humor, and identity
Our Body Politic – Women's political experiences
The Female Founders Network – Female entrepreneurship
Call Her Daddy – Love, sex, and empowerment
Crime Junkie – True crime stories
Follow along for a complete list of inspirational podcasts for women!
The 15 best podcasts for women: From leadership lessons to comedy shows
Ready to refresh your playlist? These 15 standout podcasts deliver the perfect mix of self-growth, sharp leadership advice, gripping true crime, empowering history, and laugh-out-loud comedy. No matter your mood, there's a voice here to spark your curiosity and fuel your day!
Lead with confidence: Top podcasts featuring women in business
Leadership podcasts motivate entrepreneurs and businesswomen to chase their dreams. These shows discuss confidence, health, and personal and professional growth.
They offer support and advice to help you handle everyday challenges and succeed in your careers and businesses.
1. The Guilty Feminist
Key topics: Feminism, identity, activism, humor
Best for: Listeners who enjoy honest, witty conversations about feminism
Hosted by Deborah Frances-White, The Guilty Feminist explores the complexities and contradictions of feminism. Through humor and personal anecdotes, this award-winning podcast addresses social issues and women's rights, inviting you to honest conversations about real-life experiences.
2. Our Body Politic
Key topics: Politics, race, public policy, gender equity
Best for: Women seeking diverse perspectives on political and social issues
This podcast talks about women's experiences in politics and important issues, mainly focusing on Black women. With more than 100 episodes, this show discusses reproductive rights and current events, giving listeners a clear and broad look at life in America.
3. The Female Founders Network
Key topics: Entrepreneurship, leadership, women in business
Best for: Aspiring female entrepreneurs and business leaders
Hosts Nat Brown and Sylvie Hall, co-hosts of The Female Founders Network, share insights from successful women entrepreneurs. This podcast provides a platform for discussing the challenges and triumphs of women in business, offering valuable lessons on resilience and innovation.
"Herstory": Popular podcasts that celebrate womanhood
Podcasts in this category will show the lives of women whose achievements often went unrecognized. They enrich your understanding of their historical contributions and lasting impacts.
4. The History Chicks
Key topics: Women's history, storytelling, biographies
Best for: History lovers curious about famous female figures
Co-hosted by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider, The History Chicks introduces historical figures with humor and binge-worthy storytelling. Each hour-long episode uses pop culture references to make history accessible for all podcast listeners.
5. Lost Women of Science
Key topics: Science, innovation, gender gaps in STEM
Best for: Listeners inspired by real stories of groundbreaking women scientists
Highlighting largely unrecognized female scientists, Lost Women of Science focuses on individual women's lives and contributions, not just the science. In partnership with Public Radio Exchange, this podcast sheds light on the groundbreaking scientists' work that has often gone unnoticed.
6. 1972
Key topics: Racial justice, feminism, political activism
Best for: Audio drama fans
The audio drama, 1972, presents Angela Davis and Shirley Chisholm as they address systemic racism and sexism. The podcast tells stories of resilience and defiance, illustrating how these remarkable women refused to be silenced in the face of adversity.
Laugh out loud: Best comedy podcasts for women
Comedy podcasts offer a unique platform for humor and provide much-needed relief from everyday life. These shows blend humor with insightful truths, making tough topics more relatable.
7. Call Her Daddy
Key topics: Sex, relationships, mental health, empowerment
Best for: Women who want humor-sprinkled, bold conversations about life and love
This advice and comedy podcast, hosted by Alexandra Cooper and Sofia Franklyn, talks about sex, relationships, mental health, and personal empowerment.
Initially known for its raw takes on dating and hookup culture, this show has evolved into a space for open dialogue with celebrities, therapists, and thought leaders. So, expect honest stories, real-life tips, and a dose of humor, all aimed at helping you own your voice and confidence.
8. We Can Do Hard Things
Key topics: Vulnerability, mental health, resilience
Best for: Women seeking change and emotional growth
Hosted by comedians Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle, We Can Do Hard Things is about vulnerability and honesty. The podcast tackles difficult topics with humor and sincerity, making it an inspirational show for women facing life's challenges.
9. Thanks for Asking
Key topics: Emotional wellness, leadership, storytelling
Best for: Women craving connection and honest personal stories
Thanks for Asking creates real connections and offers emotional support through story sharing. This show empowers women through leadership and personal growth advice, building a warm and welcoming community for its listeners.
Get hooked: Gripping true crime podcasts for women
True crime podcasts grab your attention with their deep research and exciting tales. They tell complex mysteries and dark stories that keep you hooked and wanting to know more.
10. Crime Junkie
Key topics: True crime, unsolved cases, justice
Best for: True crime fans who appreciate detailed, well-researched storytelling
Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, Crime Junkie tells true crime stories in a way that keeps you hooked. They dig deep into cases, especially those involving women, and talk about how gender plays a part in these crimes. It's all about sharing real stories from women's points of view.
11. Criminalia
Key topics: Women criminals, history, morality
Best for: Listeners fascinated by infamous women in history
Criminalia tells stories about women's crimes, examining how society sees them and gender roles. The first season focuses on women who committed murders, especially those who used poison, and draws in many interested listeners.
12. I Swear on My Mother's Grave
Key topics: Family dynamics, grief, humor
Best for: Women seeking heartfelt conversations on mother-daughter relationships
Dana Black's podcast mixes humor with honest talks about the ups and downs of mother-daughter relationships. Each episode is about an hour long and shares personal stories that many can relate to.
Power up: Personal growth and self-care programs for women
Podcasts about personal growth and self-care offer helpful tips for improving mental health and building emotional strength. They encourage taking care of yourself and offer advice for feeling better and growing as a person.
13. Highest Self Podcast
Key topics: Spirituality, personal growth, mindset
Best for: Women exploring their spiritual path or seeking personal clarity
Sahara Rose's show explores personal growth and spirituality. This podcast shares practical advice to help listeners on their own spiritual and life journeys.
14. The Nourished Woman Podcast
Key topics: Women's health, hormones, entrepreneurship
Best for: Women looking to improve wellness, balance, and business
Gabby Borgerink discusses women's health, hormones, relationships, and ways to start a business. She shares valuable information on how all these parts of life connect to overall well-being.
15. IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Key topics: Family, resilience, personal growth
Best for: Listeners who love heartfelt, real-life reflections:
IMO is hosted by Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson. Their warm sibling chats cover life's challenges, expectations, and how to stay strong. Their candid conversations make the podcast feel welcoming and inspiring to listeners.
Get your podcast-like insights with Headway audio summaries
This list of the best podcasts for women covers everything from self-growth and leadership to true crime, comedy, and history. With key lessons from successful women, you can stay inspired and unwind while commuting or taking a coffee break.
If you love turning to smart, engaging content but crave even more ways to grow on the go, Headway is your perfect companion. With quick audio summaries of top nonfiction books, this podcast app offers a fast, accessible learning format.
Need more podcast collections? Look through these picks and find your next favorite show:
Download the Headway app and get your shortcut to daily learning bites now. Your next breakthrough could be just one summary away!
Frequently Asked Questions about the best podcasts for women
What makes a good podcast for women?
A great podcast for women connects with their experiences, covering topics like leadership, self-love, health, and personal stories, empowering and educating listeners.
How can I find podcasts that match my mood or schedule?
You can easily find podcasts that fit your mood by browsing categories like comedy or mindfulness on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
For more personalized suggestions, explore social media groups and TikTok communities where listeners share their favorites based on mood, time of day, or even specific goals.
Are there faster ways to get podcast-level insights?
Absolutely! Apps like Headway deliver quick audio summaries of nonfiction books, giving you podcast-level insights in just 15 minutes, perfect for fast learning!
Why should I try Headway as an alternative to podcasts?
You should definitely try Headway because it delivers quick audio summaries of popular nonfiction books, making it a perfect addition to your podcast routine for efficient learning. It's a great way to gain insights without spending too much time!
How can podcasts help in personal growth and self-care?
Podcasts are an excellent way to help you grow and care for yourself. They give easy-to-follow tips to boost your mental health and build emotional strength. Listening to them can give you practical advice to make your personal growth journey better.