To all of the fabulous women out there: if you are a fan of podcasts and you’re looking for something new to listen to — or if you’ve been away from your podcast library for so long that you don’t know what’s good — then you’ve landed at the right place. As more and more podcasts are added to more and more podcasting platforms, it’s difficult to know what’s good, what’s mediocre, and what’s absolute trash. There is just SO MUCH content out there.
So how do you decide what your next podcast binge will be?
Read More »Here are some of the top 12 podcasts by women for women where you’ll find hundreds of listening hours casting a wide net in terms of content. There are podcasts for the serious, thoughtful woman. There are personal development podcasts. There are riotous and pee-yourself funny podcasts for women. And there are podcasts full of insight and knowledge that maybe you’ve never known about.
The bottom line is that there is something on this list for everyone. So, without further ado, here are some of the best podcasts for women created and hosted by women.
Oprah’s Super Soul Podcast
Certainly, you already know who the Queen of All Media is, but did you know that Oprah Winfrey has a long-running podcast? Okay, probably, but if for some reason you’ve never given Oprah’s Super Soul podcasts a taste, then it’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for a podcast that will make you think. The format for this podcast is pretty straightforward. Oprah sits down with some of the most brilliant thought leaders of our time to discuss life, spirituality, and everything in between. You’ll come away from each episode feeling like you’ve learned something new.
Some of our favorite recent episodes are:
• Super Soul Special: India Arie: Life After Rock Bottom
• Super Soul Special: Oprah Winfrey: The Path Made Clear
• Super Soul Special: Deepak Chopra: Creating Harmony
• Super Soul Special: Aging Well With Cybill Shepherd, Bo Derek and Beverly Johnson
Oprah’s Super Soul podcast is definitely worth a listen. But if you’ve already devoured every episode that’s gone live, we’ve got a few more on this list that will make you think, so stay tuned.
The Office Ladies Podcast
Whether you’re a fan of the popular TV show The Office or not, you’ll want to give this podcast a listen. This is another one that’s great for any fan of The Office and just wants to unplug and listen to an entertaining and fun podcast. Hosted by Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer, who played Angela Martin and Pam Beesly on the show, respectively, each week they break down one episode of The Office and share behind-the-scenes stories and insights.
So whether you want to relive your favorite moments from the show or learn some new trivia, The Office Ladies podcast is a great choice. Some of our favorite new episodes are:
• Episode 133.5 | A Look Back on Beach Games
• Episode 132 | Whistleblower
• Episode 129 | Body Language
• Episode 128 | Secretary’s Day with Ellie Kemper
• Episode 125 | St. Patrick’s Day
Call Your Girlfriend Podcast
This podcast is for the strong, independent woman who’s looking for a little bit of everything. From pop culture to politics, business to friendship, and everything in between, this podcast has it all. Call Your Girlfriend is co-hosted by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, two longtime friends who met in college and bonded over their shared love of politics and pop culture.
Every week they sit down and chat about what’s going on in the world and their lives, and you’re sure to come away from each episode feeling like you’ve just had a conversation with your own best friend. While this podcast had its farewell episode in February 2022, it is still worth going back and listening to some great episodes. Here are a few you’ll love:
• Money, Grief, Kids
• So You Want to Change the World
• Making Older Friends
• The Silent but Deadly Fart of Racism
• Disability, Fragility, Vulnerability
My Favorite Murder Podcast
Every good podcast roundup needs at least one murder podcast, and we can’t think of anything better to feature than the My Favorite Murder podcast. This podcast is hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, two self-proclaimed “true crime fanatics” who love nothing more than sitting down and chatting about murder.
But this isn’t just any old murder podcast. My Favorite Murder is also funny, relatable, and downright addictive. If you’re looking for a podcast that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even scream, this is the one for you. Here are some of our favorite recent episodes:
• If You Were Godzilla…
• Catfish Your Friends
• Grab Your Chapstick
• We Saw What You Did
• A Survival Story with Kara Robinson Chamberlain
Stuff Mom Never Told You
This podcast is for the curious woman who wants to learn more about the world around her. Stuff Mom Never Told You is hosted by Anney and Samantha, two women who are passionate about unearthing the hidden stories and histories of the world we live in.
Each week they tackle a new topic, from the history of birth control to the rise of the boy band, and everything in between. If you’re looking for a podcast that will make you think and leave you with some new trivia to share with your friends, this is the one for you. Here are a few of our favorite recent episodes:
• Activists Around the World: Mountaineers
• Women in Shark Science
• The Marvelous and Much Maligned Mary-Sue
• Women and Student Debt
• How the Jane Collective Helped Women Get Abortions
We Can Do Hard Things Podcast
This podcast is for the woman who wants some motivational inspiration in her life. We Can Do Hard Things is hosted by “Untamed” author Glennon Doyle and openly discusses how difficult life can be and how women persevere under some of the most difficult circumstances. Each week, a new theme is explored — from dealing with failure to reaching your potential. If you’re looking for a podcast that will leave you feeling inspired and motivated, then definitely check this one out. Some recent favs are:
• WHY ARE THERE NO PICTURES OF US?!?
• How to Say No: Boundaries with Nedra Glover Tawwab
• Jen Hatmaker’s Back! Forgiveness & the Audacity to Rebuild
• It’s OK to Want What You Want: Cheryl Strayed as Dear Sugar
• How to Love Your Body Now with Carson Tueller
A Thing Or Two Podcast
This podcast is for the industrious woman who loves learning new things. A Thing Or Two is hosted by Erica Cerulo and Claire Mazur, two female entrepreneurs that have built a wildly successful business empire from the ground up. Each week they explore a new theme, from the history of popular foods to mysterious disappearances, and share their thoughtful insights on the topic and how it applies to business. Some great recent episodes are:
• Best of the Monday Newsletter and Hamlet, but with Karaoke
• Noah Kalina’s Thingies and Destination Sandwiches
• Aging and Longing (Um, the Wisdom Episode?)
• Getting Dressed and Making Small Talk—SO HARD
• What We Always, Always Pack and How to Travel with a Toddler
The Guilty Feminist Podcast
For any woman that wants to explore her feminist ideals in a supportive and thought-provoking environment, the Guilty Feminist is just the podcast. Hosted by Deborah Frances-White, a comedian, writer, and self-proclaimed “guilty feminist.” On the show, she invites a wide range of guests to discuss various topics related to feminism, from pop culture to politics, and everything in between. This podcast will make you laugh, think, and maybe even cry — but most importantly, it will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on the world. Here are some of our favorite recent episodes:
• Live from Glasgow with Kemah Bob and special guests Josie Long, Alison Spittle, Celya AB and Tabassum Niamat
• Live from the Lowry in Salford with Alison Spittle, Kemah Bob, Ruth Madeley and Grace Petrie – part two
• Live from Adelaide with Geraldine Hickey and guests Professor Anna Ziersch, Awit Kuac and Manal Younus – part one
• Live from Newcastle with Kemah Bob and special guests Celya AB, Alison Spittle, Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman
• Dance, Baby, Dance with Catherine Bohart, Alison Spittle and Priya Gupta – part two
Sentimental Garbage Podcast
Sentimental Garbage is hosted by Caroline O’Donoghue and is about everything in the culture women love, which society can sometimes make them feel ashamed of. From books to television, fashion trends to the fascinating monotony of day-to-day life, the Sentimental Garbage Podcast is like that voice inside our heads, providing life’s soundtrack and the occasional laugh. There are a handful of recent episodes definitely worth checking out:
• Enya with Sloane Crosley
• Kate Moss with Alexandra Haddow
• Anne Rice (but mostly vampires) with Siobhán McSweeney
• Lily Allen with Connor Finch
• Influencers with Louise O’Neill
Womanica Podcast
Womanica is a podcast that tells the stories of fascinating and often forgotten women throughout history. Every week, a different woman is profiled, and listeners get to hear about her life, her accomplishments, and what made her unique. If you’re looking for a way to learn more about the incredible women that have shaped our world, this is the podcast for you. Some episodes worth listening to include:
• Muses: Maria Von Trapp
• Muses: Nancy Wake
• Muses: Yoko Ono
• Muses: Alma Mahler
• Muses: Edie Sedgwick
The Broad Experience Podcast
The Broad Experience is a podcast that explores what it’s like to be a woman in the workplace. Hosted by Ashley Milne-Tyte, the podcast features interviews with women from all walks of life, from CEOs to stay-at-home moms, and everyone in between. The Broad Experience is an enlightening listen for anyone who wants to better understand the challenges and triumphs of working women today. Recent episodes worth checking out include:
• Women Getting Paid
• Stop Telling Women to Find an Equal Partner
• Redefining success (revisited)
• Doing What Matters
• Rejection
The High Low Podcast
The High Low podcast has run its course but is another one of those podcasts that is worth revisiting or checking out for the first time. It features a weekly discussion between a pair of female writers, Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes. Each episode covers all things highbrow and lowbrow in our culture and is as honest as it is eye-opening. Some great episodes include:
• Maggi’s Mary Wollstonecraft, Princess Diana and A Plunge Into The Christmas Ads
• Election Gaffes, Celebrity Truth-Tellers & The Undoing
• The Southern Charm of Matthew McConaughey; Free School Meals; & The Web Server That Slows Down Information Overload
Final Thoughts About the Top Podcasts for Women
There are many great podcasts out there for women, but these are some of our absolute favorites and each of these can be enjoyed and listened to again. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Were there any podcasts for women that you love that you didn’t see on this list? What are your favorite podcasts for women? Let us know in the comments below!
