For a critic-selected mix of investigative reporting, crime, technology and culture, these are The Guardian’s ten top podcast picks of 2025, in the order its culture team ranked them. It is an editorial selection—not a universal scorecard. If “best” means most listened to, Apple’s U.S. chart and Spotify’s global ranking offer different answers.
10 best podcasts of 2025, according to The Guardian
The Guardian published its UK-based editorial ranking on December 24, 2025. The list ranges from reported limited series to ongoing conversation and culture shows. The descriptions and ordering below reflect that ranking; they are not an independent listen-through or assessment.
-
Wisecrack
Comedian Edd Hedges’ stand-up material becomes the starting point for a researched true-crime investigation shaped by his encounter with a murderer. The Guardian highlights how the show turns toward death, trauma and the question of truth in art. A distinctive choice for listeners who want narrative crime reporting with an unusual structure. Content note: death and trauma.
-
Missing in the Amazon
Guardian correspondent Tom Phillips reports the disappearance and murder of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in Brazil’s Javari Valley. Alongside the crime, the series considers ecological destruction and the men’s friendship and commitment to the rainforest. A strong fit for listeners interested in investigative journalism, Brazil and environmental context. Content note: murder and violence.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
-
Flesh and Code
This Wondery series follows people who develop romantic attachments to AI chatbots, including Travis and his chatbot, Lily Rose. It also examines the app and broader questions about digital consciousness and online relationships. Choose it for intimate stories about AI’s social effects. The Guardian’s description also notes a reported attempted assassination plot.
-
Blood Relatives
In this New Yorker In the Dark series, staff writer Heidi Blake revisits the White House Farm murders, examining legal documents and questioning evidence in the case against Jeremy Bamber. It is a document-led, long-form crime investigation; the show’s questions should not be mistaken for a new legal finding.
-
Stalked
BBC journalist Carole Cadwalladr and Hannah Mossman Moore investigate online abuse and stalking. The Guardian points to interviews with cyberstalking experts and examination of emails and fake accounts. It will suit listeners looking for reporting on digital harassment. Content note: abuse and stalking.
Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
-
The Retrievals: The C-sections
Hosted and reported by Susan Burton, this Serial follow-up focuses on mothers’ pain during caesarean births and medical injustice. It centers patient experience and health-care accountability. Content note: childbirth pain and medical trauma.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler talks with show-business friends in a relaxed, comic format that can make room for more serious subjects. The Guardian singles out her conversation with Aubrey Plaza for its attention to grief. A good pick for celebrity conversation with emotional depth.
-
Camp Swamp Road
Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein presents a four-part series about a fatal South Carolina road-rage incident and the state’s stand-your-ground law. The Guardian notes that the victim’s sister believes the full story was not initially understood; that is her perspective, not a legal finding. Best for listeners interested in criminal justice and competing accounts.
Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
-
What’s My Age Again?
Katherine Ryan uses celebrity conversations and biological-age testing as a playful hook for personal subjects, including adoption and family history. Pick it for interviews that move beyond the premise into people’s lives.
-
Cannonball with Wesley Morris
New York Times critic Wesley Morris offers weekly commentary on current entertainment and broader questions about culture, music criticism, movies and fandom. It is the list’s choice for accessible, ongoing culture discussion.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
How to choose among the ten
The ranking combines different kinds of listening rather than comparing like with like. Use format and subject matter to find a starting point:
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- For investigative reporting: start with Missing in the Amazon, Stalked or Camp Swamp Road.
- For a crime series with a distinctive angle: try Wisecrack or the document-focused Blood Relatives.
- For technology and relationships: choose Flesh and Code.
- For health care and patient experience: try The Retrievals: The C-sections.
- For conversation or culture: choose Good Hang with Amy Poehler, What’s My Age Again? or Cannonball with Wesley Morris.
Several selections cover distressing subjects. The content notes above flag the most explicit themes identified in the Guardian’s descriptions; they are not a complete account of every episode’s content.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What were the most popular podcasts of 2025?
Popularity charts measure audience activity, not critical quality, and their scopes differ. Apple’s November 18, 2025 announcement described its U.S. Top Shows as “the most popular podcasts of the year based on listenership.” Its ten were The Joe Rogan Experience, The Daily, The Mel Robbins Podcast, Crime Junkie, Dateline NBC, SmartLess, Call Her Daddy, This American Life, Huberman Lab and The Ezra Klein Show. Apple’s announcement distinguishes this listenership-based chart from its separate, editorially curated Best Shows collection, available in over 15 markets.
Spotify’s December 3, 2025 Wrapped ranking was global. The Joe Rogan Experience ranked first for the sixth consecutive year, followed by The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and The Mel Robbins Podcast. The rest of its top ten were Call Her Daddy, This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, Huberman Lab, Crime Junkie, Modern Wisdom, On Purpose with Jay Shetty and The Tucker Carlson Show. These are Spotify’s platform positions, not a critics’ ranking or a U.S.-only result. Spotify’s year-end list provides its ranking and scope.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Which new podcasts were popular in 2025?
For a midyear editorial selection rather than a year-end popularity chart, Spotify’s July 16, 2025 picks included Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Sea of Lies, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, Embedded: Alternate Realities, ReLiving Single, The Protocol, Tortoise Investigates: Lucky Boy, Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce, The Telepathy Tapes, The Zach Lowe Show and Redefined with Leslie and Arielle. This was Spotify’s editors’ list of best new podcasts so far, not the same measure as year-end streams. Spotify’s midyear selection includes a statement from editorial and audience development manager Rachel Selvin: “But even with all the buzz around viral celebrity moments, the old rules of podcasting still hold true: A great investigation usually equals a great show.”
Sources and availability
The Guardian’s ranking and show descriptions are in Alexi Duggins, Hollie Richardson and Hannah J Davies, “The 20 best podcasts of 2025,” published December 24, 2025: The Guardian’s 2025 list. Apple and Spotify links above document their own chart definitions and selections. These sources do not establish that every show is available on every listening platform or in every country; check your podcast app for current availability.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
