As we move forward in the digital age, many of us delve into mediums like podcasts to gain information. In fact, over half of Americans state that they trust the information they gain from podcasts more than other outputs like newspapers or social media. Therefore, as U.S. political podcasts become more popular and widespread, Net Influencer will list the top 10 podcasts you should be listening to in 2024. 

1. Pod Save America

First released in 2017, Pod Save America is a no-nonsense podcast that is hosted by a group of esteemed political aides. As former aides to President Barack Obama, hosts Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Victor use this platform to dissect the week in news. Alongside these experienced professionals, the hosts are regularly joined by journalists, activists, and leaders to extend the conversation even further. With such a diverse group of speakers, Pod Save America manages to discuss a plethora of alluring subjects including how Biden’s strategy to appeal to young Black people as well as how a TikTok ban would impact America’s economy. The team also boast an attractive selection of merchandise, all of which depicts one of their most popular catchphrases such as ‘Democracy or Else.’

2. Left, Right & Center

Despite tackling subjects from every point of the political spectrum, Left, Right & Center strives to uphold a civil conversation throughout each episode. This podcast relies on a selection of educated hosts, all of whom represent a different segment of politics. As such, David Greene represents the center ground and is viewed as a moderator, whereas recurrent guests Sarah Isgur and Mo Elleithee represent the right and left respectively. Though the podcast welcomes a variety of differing opinions, it still manages to unpack a wealth of crucial topics like the need for stricter border controls and the current conflict occurring throughout the Middle East and how it’s impacting cultural cohesion across America. 

3. My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

With nearly 20 years of experience under its belt, My History Can Beat Up Your Politics is the ideal U.S. political podcast for those who are eager to learn more about the past so that they can elevate their views on present politics. Host Bruce Carlson takes his audience on a journey through time as he unpacks key events such as the 1916 election, the French Revolution, and the introduction of student loans to offer a clear view of how they impact the decisions of modern voters. The podcast also tackles much more nuanced events in the form of a short series, such as their multi-episode take on the fall of the USSR. All of these episodes unlock a deeper part of U.S. history and are a fantastic resource for those listeners who want to better understand the lore of political strategy. 

4. Americast

U.S. politics is an interesting topic across the world, which is why Americast has seen immense levels of growth over the past few years. Produced by BBC Radio and hosted by Emily Maitils, Marianna Spring, and Justin Webb, this show aims to break down the nuances of American politics for international listeners. So, whether they’re discussing the latest developments in the Trump Trial or unpacking how students feel about protesting, the team strives to make these topics as digestible as possible. Though this podcast welcomes an array of special guests and thought leaders, each episode handles the topic with a sense of ease, ensuring that listeners don’t have to suffer through endless debates and arguments. 

5. Intercepted

By choosing to face the issues of today head-on, Intercepted is frequently praised for its inclusive and detailed views. Each episode explores a different current affair, ensuring that listeners can expand their knowledge of U.S. politics without becoming fatigued by the same old topics. As such, viewers are offered a refreshing perspective on American politics and are not at risk of feeling disillusioned. The host, Jeremy Scahill also works alongside some inspirational guests like Mohammad Subeth, an American doctor who spent five weeks volunteering at the frontline of Gaza. When it’s not producing a wealth of spectacular podcasts The Intercept is releasing a number of informative Special Investigations and raw source material. 

6. Slow Burn

For better or for worse, U.S. politics is teeming with pivotal events, all of which impact how we live our lives today. Slow Burn has been running for 8 seasons, with each one focusing on a single political arc. For example, the most recent series, ‘Becoming Clarence Thomas’, follows how the lawyer climbed the ranks to become the second Black man to serve in the Supreme Court of Justice. This season has been particularly popular and recently won Podcast of the Year at the 2024 Ambies Awards. In the past, Slow Burn has delved into a range of other iconic moments including Roe v. Wade and even the Watergate Scandal. Therefore, this is a pivotal podcast for listeners who are keen to uncover the mysteries surrounding America’s recent past. 

7. The NPR Politics Podcast

NPR is one of the most acclaimed non-profit media conglomerates in the entirety of the U.S., so it’s no surprise that The NPR Politics Podcast is engaging listeners nationwide. With new episodes uploaded every day, this podcast not only explores the most compelling issues of the day but also explores why listeners should care about developments occurring within politics. The hosts also educate listeners on how to best teach your kids about the political spectrum as well the intricacies of the electoral college map. NPR Politics also posts a wealth of intriguing articles on its website, so listeners can keep up to date at all times. 

8. Head in the Office

Jeremy and Gage use their experience as political Gurus to impart their invaluable knowledge to listeners of the Head in the Office podcast. This show typically adheres to a Leftist ideology, which may not be to everybody’s taste but it is an imperative resource for anyone looking to tackle harsh topics such as inequality and failings within the modern political system. The pair also discuss a range of current events such as arrests at Pro-Palestine protests and the Baltimore Bridge collapse. At the end of every year, the hosts also produce a special episode called the  HITO Award Show. Here, they assign fictional awards to the year’s most outrageous new headlines such as The Most Out-of-Pocket Local News Story and The Worst Person of the Year. 

9. FiveThirtyEight Politics

FiveThirtyEight, also referred to as 538, has been focusing on the ups and downs of U.S. politics since 2008, working to give voters a platform to express their views and opinions. The FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast follows a similar approach and discusses the events of the day in manageable 30-minute installments. These episodes also use a creative blend of analytics data and public opinion, ensuring that listeners can truly gain the best of both worlds. Recently, the team launched a new mini-series called ‘Campaign Throwback’, where they will explore a trio of catchphrases seen in previous election campaigns such as James Carville’s “It’s the economy, stupid.” 

10. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

Despite impacting every part of our modern world, politics can feel very inaccessible, especially for those in marginalized communities. Thus, the host of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics, A’shanti Gholar is determined to change the face of contemporary politics. By relying on an assortment of influential guests including LaTosha Brown and Nikole Hannah-Jones, Gholar has managed to push women and POCs at the forefront of current affairs, whilst still being able to produce an insightful and engaging podcast. This podcast has also made great waves in wider sections of the podcasting industry, as it was nominated for a Diversity and Inclusion Webby Award back in 2021.

With the podcasting industry becoming more and more competitive, it’s vital that content creators do everything they can to engage new segments of their audiences. Not to mention, as Americans continue to turn to this medium to discover more about politics, it’s clear to see that this craft is more influential than first expected. Thus, it seems that listeners and critics alike are bound to see an increase in politically motivated podcasts emerging in the future.