Podcasts are a great way to keep up with art, history, and pop culture while you’re on the move. If you’re always looking for a new show to fill your commute or just want something interesting to listen to while doing chores, you’re in luck. This list covers the Best Culture Podcasts that bring you stories, interviews, and quirky facts from all corners of culture. Whether you’re a huge art fan, history buff, or just someone who loves a good pop culture debate, these podcasts have something for you. Plug in, hit play, and get ready to learn and laugh.
Ready for a seat at the table where everyone’s got a hot take on the latest movie, TV show, or musical trend? That’s the kind of energy you get every week with Pop Culture Happy Hour. Hosted by a crew that actually watches (and sometimes suffers through) everything from Oscar hopefuls to guilty-pleasure reality TV, this show taps the pulse of what you and your friends are probably texting each other about — but with more jokes and, let’s be honest, fewer spoilers.
Don’t expect dry reviews or endless monologues — this roundtable is all about chemistry. The hosts don’t always agree, but that’s half the fun, right? You’ll get:
If you want a podcast that sounds like your smartest, funniest friends at a bar after seeing a movie (minus the sticky floors), this is it. Listen for the takes — stay for the banter.
Whether you know your Marvel from your DC, can’t stop thinking about that weird ending on the latest streaming hit, or just like laughing about pop culture with people who don’t take it too seriously, Pop Culture Happy Hour is a must. Your commute (and your group chat) will thank you.
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Ready to flip the script on everything you thought you knew about the past? “Revisionist History” is your ticket for that ride. Malcolm Gladwell doesn’t just talk history—he unpacks the weird, messy details nobody told you about in school. Each episode picks apart moments, people, or ideas that got swept aside, often dusting off forgotten corners or completely rethinking what we thought was true in the first place.
Why should you care? Because:
You might find yourself questioning everything from art world gatekeeping (can a masterpiece go ignored just because of who painted it?) to the wild choices made by people in power. Whole series like top US history podcasts put this one up front for a reason—it’s entertaining while making you feel a tad smarter with each episode.
Sometimes history just needs a second chance. If you’re the curious type who likes second opinions (or never trusted the first ones), this podcast is basically made for you.
If you’re open-minded and love a good plot twist, package up your preconceptions and let this show run wild with them for a bit.
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Ready to get nerdy—and laugh out loud while you’re at it? Ologies is the podcast where host Alie Ward asks smart people, aka ‘ologists,’ all your weirdest questions about literally any field of study you can imagine. From fungi to dinosaurs to colors and baggage handling (yes, really), every episode manages to take a random subject and make it endlessly listenable. You never know if you’re about to learn about volcanoes, starfish, or how people study boredom for a living, but there’s a pretty good chance you’ll end up the most interesting person in your next group chat.
What makes Ologies a must-listen isn’t just the facts—it’s Alie’s approach. She’s always game for a bizarre tangent or a truly embarrassing listener question, which means things never get too serious. There’s a perfect mix of goofy jokes and nerdy joy, and somehow, you actually learn stuff you’ll want to share. Whether you’re on a walk, cooking, or just laying around, Ologies gives you reason to geek out about weird science and obscure facts.
If you love podcasts that spark ongoing conversations, Ologies easily stands with other bingeable and gripping podcast series.
Quick reasons to listen:
There’s no shame in realizing you know nothing about jellyfish, lichen, or municipal trash collection. Ologies fills in the gaps, one laugh and fun fact at a time.
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Ever put on a song, and suddenly you’re wondering, “How did this magic even happen?” That’s where Song Exploder comes in. You’ll feel like you just snuck into a recording studio at 2 AM as musicians break down their tracks, piece by piece. Every episode is basically a behind-the-scenes pass to the artist’s brain, with plenty of those “Oh, so THAT’S how they got that sound” moments.
The format is simple but totally genius: an artist (you might recognize some big names, or be introduced to someone new you’ll love) takes a single song and rips it apart—layer by layer—and puts it back together, explaining their choices. Is it a catchy drum loop, a weird synth noise, or just pure gut feeling? You’re gonna find out.
You might notice some overlap with topics in creative podcast episode ideas—especially when it comes to musical fan theories and exploring the roots of your favorite tracks. If you ever wanted the musical equivalent of taking apart your old radio just to figure out why it works, this show is right up your alley. But no tools needed!
Sometimes, you hear a song and it’s just noise—until someone explains the real story. Then you want to listen a hundred more times. Seriously, your playlists will never be the same.
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If you want a podcast that’ll make you feel smarter, wittier, and like you know way more about movies and social trends than anyone at brunch, then Culture Gabfest is your new listen. Hosted by Slate’s sharpest culture critics, this show is basically a weekly party where you get to eavesdrop on some fantastic banter about everything from indie films to the latest viral memes.
Every episode feels a bit like dropping in on a group text of very opinionated friends who can’t wait to argue about what matters in pop culture. The podcast covers topics across the board:
Culture Gabfest has really earned its place among the top award-winning culture podcasts, and for good reason: the hosts are equal parts smart, salty, and completely willing to roast their own taste.
Every Wednesday, you’ll get a hit of fresh takes and genuinely funny chitchat that makes even the wildest art debates sound like essential listening.
Pop culture just isn’t the same without your weekly dose of Gabfest.
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If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at a painting and wondering, “Wait, what’s really going on here?”, do yourself a favor and check out Art Detective. Hosted by Dr. Janina Ramirez, who is honestly just as obsessed with history as she is with all things art, this podcast breaks down famous—and sometimes underappreciated—artworks in ways that even your cousin who slept through art class can follow.
Each episode feels a bit like hanging out with the coolest teacher on campus, the one who drops art history facts next to the coffee machine. Ramirez picks a specific painting or piece, then ropes in expert guests to hash out the story behind it. You get art, you get history, and you get loads of weird little facts you’d never find in a textbook.
Basically, you listen to Art Detective for two reasons: to sound smarter at parties, and to finally get what’s going on in those massive, mysterious Renaissance murals.
Here’s what keeps folks tuning in:
You don’t have to know your Picassos from your Pollocks—you just need curiosity and maybe a snack (because you might stay a while). As Ramirez peels back the layers, you realize art history is just a collection of juicy stories, and you want to hear every one.
Available wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Stitcher, RadioPublic). Get ready to start seeing art like you’ve got an art historian whispering in your ear.
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Let’s be honest, most history classes leave out a lot — like why Marie Antoinette’s wigs were out of control, or how an Italian heiress once threw the wildest parties anyone could imagine. Stuff You Missed In History Class is your backstage pass to these quirky and offbeat stories that textbooks totally skip. Every episode, hosts Holly and Tracy drag the fascinating, the downright weird, and the awe-inspiring out of the historical shadows and put it right in your earbuds.
Why give this one a listen? Well, you’ve probably never heard about the Marchesa Luisa Casati’s pet cheetahs or the time a potato caused a riot. Episodes can drop you into the lives of overlooked artists, inventive scientists, or socialites who somehow managed to break all the rules (and sometimes the law). They even explore offbeat topics in special themed series, so there’s always something unexpected.
Here’s what makes this podcast a must-listen:
If you think history is boring, this podcast will basically smack you with the proof that it’s really, really not.
Want even more overlooked tales and bold characters? Check out history podcasts highlighting intriguing women’s stories, which are just as entertaining and full of surprises.
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Ever walk through a museum and have no clue what you’re looking at—but everyone else is nodding like they’re artsy geniuses? Enter “The Lonely Palette,” where host Tamar Avishai makes art history feel less like a lecture and more like a one-on-one chat with a friend who actually knows their stuff (and doesn’t judge you for staring at the paintings with a confused face).
Every episode spotlights a single artwork, not just explaining what’s on the canvas, but why anyone should care—even if your usual museum plan is just hitting the gift shop. Tamar starts by chatting with random museum visitors, asking what they see, and their off-the-cuff answers are usually hilarious or surprisingly deep. Then she shines a light on things like the artist’s process, the movement behind the painting, and what was happening in the world when it was made.
You’ll:
Tamar’s soothing narration might even have you closing your eyes to meditate for a minute—you know, until your subway stop arrives.
Seriously, if you always thought art history was either too pretentious or too boring, this podcast will totally surprise you. You’ll start to actually care about what’s on the wall—and maybe have a little fun, too.
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If you still think art history class was just dull textbooks and sleepy lectures, ArtCurious is here to mess with your expectations in the best way possible. This podcast, hosted by Jennifer Dasal (who actually knows her stuff and manages to make it fun), digs into the world’s most puzzling, scandalous, and flat-out odd stories from the history of art.
ArtCurious will have you questioning everything from whether the Mona Lisa is real to who actually caused Van Gogh’s tragic end. Dasal’s approach feels more like you’re chatting with a smart, funny friend at a party than listening to a seminar. She covers:
Episodes are a snappy 20-30 minutes each—perfect for when you want something clever on a commute or while you’re pretending to fold laundry.
Warning: This podcast may cause random outbursts of “Did you know?!” at dinner parties. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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It’s time to let your inner art nerd thrive with The Modern Art Notes Podcast (a.k.a. the MAN Podcast). Since 2011, Tyler Green—a historian and art critic—has been grilling some of the most interesting people from the visual art world. Imagine: artists, museum bigwigs, authors, and art conservators—all taking you behind the curtain of galleries and creative studios.
If you want more than stuffy art lectures, this podcast is for you. There’s real talk about everything from how artists solve problems to the strange stories woven into art history. Whether it’s a breakdown of a famous piece or a chat with a living artist, you never know what odd new facts will stick in your brain by the end of an episode.
What can you expect?
Block off an hour and let the MAN Podcast bother your brain in the best way—it’s regularly featured as a top cultural pick for a reason (check the full list of top arts & culture podcasts).
Whether you know your Monets from your Manets or you still think Andy Warhol just made soup cans, you’ll come away with a story to share at your next dinner party.
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If you like hearing about art and culture, check out The Modern Art Notes Podcast. It keeps things simple while talking about art in a way that’s easy to understand. Want more cool podcasts? Visit our website to find more fun shows and learn about faith and culture. Take a look and discover your next favorite podcast today!
Alright, you made it to the end! If you’re still here, I’m guessing you’re either a true culture nerd or just really good at scrolling. Either way, I hope this list gave you some fresh ideas for your next podcast obsession. Whether you’re into wild history stories, art mysteries, or just want to hear people geek out about pop culture, there’s something here for you. So grab your headphones, hit play, and let these shows keep you company while you’re stuck in traffic, folding laundry, or pretending to work. Who knows, maybe you’ll even impress your friends with all your new random facts. Happy listening—and if you find a new favorite, don’t forget to share it with your fellow culture lovers (or, you know, brag about it on social media).
Culture podcasts are audio shows that talk about art, history, and pop culture. They help you learn new things, hear interesting stories, and stay updated on what’s happening in the world. If you love learning about artists, famous events, or cool trends, these podcasts are a fun way to do it.
You can listen to culture podcasts on your phone, computer, or tablet. Most podcasts are available on apps like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts. Just search for the podcast name and press play!
Yes! Most of these podcasts are easy to follow, even if you don’t know much about art or history. The hosts explain things in a simple way and share stories that anyone can enjoy.
Almost all of the podcasts on this list are free to listen to. Some might have ads, but you don’t need to pay to enjoy most episodes.
It depends on the podcast. Some release new episodes every week, while others might post once a month. You can check their websites or app pages to see their schedule.
Definitely! These podcasts share facts, stories, and ideas that can help you with homework or projects about art, history, or culture. They make learning fun and easy to understand.
