Best News Podcasts 2025: Your Essential Guide to Keep Informed
A comprehensive review into the most influential news podcasts of 2025. From short daily news briefings to hour-long podcasts, we have what you're looking for!
Updated on January 14, 2025
In today's fast-moving society, knowing what is happening around the world is crucial, even when we are busy with our daily routine and short on time.
Luckily, there is no need to watch videos or read print or online magazines while working; there is a convenient on-demand source of news, perfect for keeping one informed when it suits them - news podcasts.
The best news podcasts of 2025 offer everything, from short daily briefings to deep analysis, helping listeners understand what's happening, and also why it matters.
We've put together this list of the most impactful news podcasts, rating them on criteria such as accuracy, depth, production quality, and listening experience. Let's find out which one fits you better!
Here are our favorite news podcasts:
The Daily
Host: Michael Barbaro and team
Cadence: Daily (Monday-Friday)
Length: 20-30 minutes
The Daily continues to set the standard for narrative news storytelling in 2025.
Each episode takes one significant news story and examines it with remarkable depth and clarity, using expert reporting from The New York Times' global team.
Its signature style includes personal interviews with newsmakers, analysis by experts, and leading sound design, all combining to create a truly immersive listen.
In 2025, they elevated the format to include interactive transcripts and contextual resources delivered through their app.
What really works in the favor of this podcast is the presentation of complicated stories in the news in such a way that it does not trivialize the issue.
If you want to know more, read our extensive review here!
Standouts include:
The AI Election - Jan 2025 - AI in Election Coverage
Climate Turning Point (Dec 2024): Breakthroughs in environmental policy investigated
The New Space Race (Jan 2025): An in-depth exploration of private space
Why Listen : The in-depth explorations into major news items are thought-provoking and researched in depth, while the production values are second to none.
Who Should Listen : Those interested in news wanting insight behind the headlines
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, or New York Times website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Up First from NPR
Hosts: Various NPR Hosts
Frequency: Daily (Every morning)
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Up First has nailed the format for a morning news brief by giving its listeners the biggest news stories before their day begins.
It sustains NPR's high standard of a perfect mix of journalistic rigors and brevity of writing.
In 2025, they have dynamic updates throughout the morning to make sure listeners can keep up with the most current information as stories develop.
The show does a great job balancing domestic and international coverage.
Their commitment to factual reporting, clear context, and helping listeners understand complex global events quickly and accurately.
If you want to know more, read our extensive review here!
Notable Episodes:
Live coverage of breaking news events
Special editions for major political developments
Weekend deep dives into the week's most significant stories
Why Listen: For a quick, reliable morning news briefing from a trusted source.
Who Should Listen: Busy professionals and anyone wanting a concise morning news update.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, on NPR One app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Those will continue to be reviewed, as mentioned above.
The Megyn Kelly Show
Host: Megyn Kelly
Cadence: Daily
Length: 90-120 minutes
By 2025, The Megyn Kelly Show was a leading voice in news commentary, merging Kelly's journalistic background with long-form interviews.
The show strikes a balance between news analysis and cultural commentary, including newsmaker interviews.
She was a former network news anchor, and that gives Kelly's experience a unique angle of perspective on current events.
It has since morphed to include added features like extra fact-checking and documentation of sources for premium subscribers.
The show is unique because of its sometimes very confrontational interviewing style and deep dives into very controversial topics.
If you want to know more, read our extensive review here!
Notable Episodes:
Silicon Valley's Political Power (Jan 2025): Investigating tech influence
The Education Revolution (Dec 2024): Investigating School Choice
Media Trust Crisis Jan 2025: Journalism standards called into question
Why Listen: To hear tough, sometimes contentious interviews and in-depth analysis of cultural and political topics.
Who Should Listen: News consumers who enjoy heavy-hitting interviews and deep-dive political analyses.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, SiriusXM app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Tucker Carlson Show
Host: Tucker Carlson
Cadence: Daily
Length: 60-90 minutes, or more
Since making the switch to independent media in 2024, Carlson's podcast has morphed into a fusion of news commentary, long-form interviews, and investigative reporting.
The show focuses on stories that Carlson perceives as underreported by mainstream media.
The show will expand its format in 2025, adding documentary-style episodes and international reporting.
The production will have the increased visuals available on their platform.
The show does have Carlson's signature style, while he explores more topics than his old television format allowed.
If you want to know more, read our extensive review here!
Notable Episodes:
The Energy Crisis Truth (Jan 2025): Investigation into energy policies
Global Reset Investigation (Dec 2024): Analysis of international financial systems
Tech Censorship Exposed (Jan 2025): Examination of social media policies
Why Listen: For the conservative perspective on news and culture, emphasizing overlooked stories.
Who should listen: Conservatives looking for new insights into current events and cultural issues.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Tucker Carlson Network platform, some podcast platforms
The Dan Bongino Show
Host - Dan Bongino
Cadence - every day (Monday - Friday)
Length - 60 - 75 minutes
The show features news, analysis, and opinion with a conservative slant based on Bongino's experience in law enforcement and security.
The program style ranges from breaking news to in-depth exposés on select topics.
In 2025, they added increased security and technology coverage, reflecting Bongino's expertise in those areas.
The show often features exclusive reporting and document analysis.
The podcast is unique because it focuses on national security issues and government operations.
Notable Episodes:
Deep State Exposed (Jan 2025): Investigation of government agencies
Cyber Warfare Alert (Dec 2024): Analysis of digital security threats
Constitutional Crisis (Jan 2025): Examination of legal challenges
Why Listen: For conservative perspectives on national security and government operations.
Who Should Listen: Conservatives interested in detailed analysis of government operations and security issues.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Cumulus Podcast Network, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Pod Save America
Hosts: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor
Cadence: Bi-weekly
Length: 60-90 minutes
This roundtable discussion from former Obama staffers continues to be a major voice in progressive political commentary.
Blending insider knowledge with incisive analysis and humor, the hosts take listeners through some pretty complex political topics.
In 2025, they expanded their coverage to include more international news and in-depth policy discussions while retaining their signature conversational style.
The show has added interactive features that allow listeners to engage in live discussions and polls.
Their experience in government provides unique insights into political processes and policy-making.
Notable Episodes:
Democracy in the Digital Age (Jan 2025): Examining social media's impact on elections
The Climate Crisis Point (Dec 2024): breaking down environmental policy changes
Global Democracy Summit (Jan 2025): analysis of international democratic movements
Why Listen: For informed progressive perspective on political news with insider context.
Who Should Listen: Politically engaged listeners interested in progressive viewpoints and policy analysis.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Crooked Media website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Morning Wire
Hosts: The Daily Wire News Team
Cadence: Daily (Monday-Friday)
Length: 15-20 minutes
Morning Wire does a daily news briefing with a conservative bent, oriented toward efficiency and clarity.
The show brings in big headlines and analysis in a straightforward, no-frills style.
The 2025 version includes enhanced fact-checking features and source citations available through their app.
The podcast keeps its focus on stories they feel are underreported by mainstream media.
The brief format and clear structure make it easy to fit into morning routines.
Notable Episodes:
Daily news summaries
Economic update specials
Covering major legislations
Listen Why: to get a conservative daily take on events.
Who'd Love It: Listeners who go for conservative podcasting and daily news snippets.
Where to go: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Daily Wire website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Charlie Kirk Show
Moderator: Charlie Kirk
Frequency: Daily
Run time: 45-60 minutes
It is a conservative commentary on current events, usually cultural and political, from a right-wing point of view.
Kirk's newscasts are combined with guest interviews and listener participation.
In 2025, the program has increased its use of multimedia and its reporting on technology and education.
The format includes Q&A sessions and community discussions.
Kirk links ongoing events with the bigger picture of cultural and political events.
Notable Episodes:
Education Revolution (Jan 2025): Discussion on the shift in educational policy
Tech Giants and Free Speech (Dec 2024): Discussion of social media regulation
Campus Culture Wars (Jan 2025): Examining university politics
Why Listen: The conservative perspective on cultural and political issues that strike close to the hearts of young Americans.
Who Should Listen: Conservative listeners. Listeners interested in cultural commentary, with political analysis.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Podcast website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Candace
Host: Candace Owens
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 45-60 minutes
Owens, now known for conservative commentary with a special interest in cultural issues and identity politics, melds news analysis with personal commentaries and guest interviews.
For 2025, the show features more interactive audience participation than before and frequent debates from opposing perspectives.
Owens reflects her conservative commentator perspective on current events and social issues of the day.
The show covers race, culture, and politics from many conservative angles.
Notable Episodes:
Identity Politics in 2025 (Jan 2025): Discussion of today's cultural debates
Media Bias Exposed (Dec 2024): A news coverage analysis.
The New Conservative Movement (Jan 2025): Trends in right-wing politics
Why Listen: For a conservative take on the hot button topics of cultural issues and identity politics.
Who Should Listen: Conservatives interested in both cultural commentary and political analysis.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Bulwark Podcast
Host: Charlie Sykes
Cadence: Daily
Length: 45-60 minutes
The Bulwark provides center-right analysis of political news with a focus on traditional conservative principles.
The show combines in-depth interviews with policy experts and political figures.
In 2025, they've added more international affairs and economic policy to their coverage, but still remain committed to fact-based analysis.
The podcast often features voices from across the political spectrum.
Their approach emphasizes policy analysis and institutional stability over partisan politics.
Notable Episodes:
Democracy's Stress Test (Jan 2025): A look at democratic institutions
The Future of Conservatism (Dec 2024): Right-wing politics in review
Global Order in Crisis (Jan 2025): How to think about international relations
Why Listen: Measured conservative analysis, with a policy and institutions focus.
Who Should Listen: Policy-focused listeners curious about center-right perspective and traditional conservative thought.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, on The Bulwark website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Serial
Host: Sarah Koenig and rotating hosts
Cadence: Seasonal
Length: 45-60 minutes per episode
Serial continues to revolutionize investigative journalism in podcast form.
While no longer focused solely on true crime, the show has expanded to tackle complex news stories that require deep, multi-episode exploration.
In 2025, they added interactive timelines and evidence databases open to listeners to that format.
That's an approach to investigative journalism that fuses rigorous reporting and compelling storytelling.
The show is remarkable for how often it is able to take stories that seem relatively simple on the surface and subtly reveal their deep complexities.
Notable Episodes:
The Algorithm (Jan 2025): Investigation into AI's impact on criminal justice
Power Grid (Dec 2024): Examining critical infrastructure vulnerabilities
The Blockchain Files (Jan 2025): Cryptocurrency's dark side exposed
Why Listen: For deeply researched, narrative-driven investigations of important stories.
Who Should Listen: Those interested in long-form investigative journalism and complex storytelling.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Serial website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Pivot
Hosts: Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway
Cadence: Twice weekly
Length: 45-60 minutes
Pivot remains the essential podcast for understanding where technology and business meet politics.
The two hosts bring an interestingly contrasting style and deep expertise to very complex issues.
The 2025 version boasts value-added market analytics and real-time fact-checks.
One feature that has started to stand out is their predictions-they are amazingly accurate at calling future events in the technology world.
Notable Episodes:
AI Revolution in Media (Jan 2025): Analysis of AI in journalism
Tech Regulation Showdown (Dec 2024): Parsing new legislation regarding technology
The Future of Digital Currency (Jan 2025): What global financial trends portend for the future.
Why Listen: To hear more thoughtful analysis across tech, business, and policy.
Who Should Listen: Business people interested in tech, crypto addicts and whoever loves true journalism.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, New York Magazine website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify
NPR News Now
Hosts: NPR News Team
Cadence: hourly
Length: 5 minutes
NPR News Now has perfected the hourly news brief format, providing concise yet comprehensive updates round the clock.
The show delivers the most important national and international news in a clear, efficient manner.
In 2025, they've added personalized news feeds and location-based updates. The format focuses on delivering maximum information in minimum time.
Notable Episodes:
Too short for recommendations, but you will love:
Hourly news updates
Breaking news coverage
Special reports during major events
Why Listen: For speedy, trustworthy news updates throughout the day.
Who Should Listen: Anyone needing regular, brief news updates.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, NPR One app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Journal
Hosts: Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson
Cadence: Daily (Monday-Friday)
Length: 20-25 minutes
The flagship podcast from The Wall Street Journal does a very excellent job of painting how business and finance affect normal living.
The hosts can take some of the most complicated economic stories and simplify them down into understandable narratives.
In 2025, they've added interactive data visualizations and market analysis tools.
The show is one-of-a-kind, given its great ability to connect financial news with the interests of the general audience.
Notable Episodes:
The AI Economy (Jan 2025): How automation is taking jobs away
Global Trade Shifts (Dec 2024): How international commerce is shifting
The New Banking Crisis (Jan 2025): How the financial system is changing
Why Listen: Clear explanations of business and economic news.
Who should listen: Businesspeople; anyone interested in understanding economics.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, WSJ website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Matt Walsh Show
Host: Matt Walsh
Cadence: Daily
Length: 45-60 minutes
This show engages in conservative commentary on cultural and political issues from a traditionalist perspective.
Walsh focuses on social issues/cultural commentary while providing news analysis.
In 2025, the show was expanded to include more investigative reporting and documentary-style episodes.
The format combines news analysis with philosophical and cultural discussion.
Notable Episodes:
Cultural Crossroads (Jan 2025): Analysis of social trends
Education Wars (Dec 2024): Investigation into curriculum debates
Traditional Values (Jan 2025): Examining contemporary social issues
Why Listen: For traditional conservative perspectives on cultural and social issues.
Who Should Listen: Conservatives interested in cultural commentary and traditional values.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, Daily Wire website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
None of these shows is the perfect fit?
No panic! PodcastAI Chart allows you to find thousands of shows you might like.
Whether you're an Apple or a Spotify user, there’s a spot for you in our Chart. Find our top shows here!
Conclusion
The podcast ecosystem for news in 2025 reflects our ever-complex world, with a diverse array of perspectives and formats catering to every interest.
From a quick update via NPR News Now to an in-depth investigation such as Serial, or from progressive views on Pod Save America to conservative takes by a variety of right-leaning shows, there's a format and perspective to suit every kind of listener.
But what's really exciting about 2025 is how these podcasts have managed to implement new technologies without losing their journalistic roots.
It's interactive features, real-time fact-checking, and personalized news feeds that enhance but don't replace the core mission of informing the public.
The secret to making the most of your time with any of these podcasts is finding a balance in news consumption.
We recommend combining the following:
A daily news briefing-such as Up First or Morning Wire
A deep-dive show, such as The Daily or The Journal
A perspective-challenging show, whatever that may mean to your view
An investigative podcast, such as Serial
Remember, the best way to get a well-rounded understanding of what is happening in the world is to listen to news from different sources and perspectives.
The best approach is to be aware of each show's perspective while focusing on their factual reporting and analysis.
These podcasts are our guides through a more complex news landscape, ways of framing a worldview.
Whether you have five minutes or two hours, there's something here to keep you informed and up to date on the things that matter.
Still unsure about what to listen to? Here are some ideas:
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17 Best Art Podcasts You’ll Love in 2025: Design, Culture, & More
Top Erotica Podcasts of 2025: Best Reviews!
Top Crime Podcasts of 2025: Thrills, Chills, and True Fear
40 Apple Podcasts That Talk About Books: Your Next Literary Listen
Best Tech Podcasts to Start the Year (2025)
Author’s final tip
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PodcastAI makes it easy by using advanced AI to convert blog posts, newsletters, or even favorite news articles into podcast episodes, all narrated in your own voice with minimal effort.
From episode scripting to publishing on platforms like Apple and Spotify, PodcastAI automates everything. It even handles the creation of cover art, detailed transcripts, and promotional clips for social media.
For those who want to maximize their online presence, PodcastAI offers seamless integration of podcasts into your business strategy. It helps you engage audiences more deeply, build your brand, and improve online visibility.
Whether you are a small business owner, content creator, or marketing agency, PodcastAI provides a comprehensive solution to save time while expanding your reach.
This AI-driven platform ensures that the entire process, from production to promotion, is automated. You simply focus on your business while PodcastAI enhances your brand through engaging audio content.
By leveraging keywords, semantic queries, and search-friendly elements, this new tool will help you rank higher on Google.
Its detailed content output aligns with SEO strategies to maximize your digital presence, whether you're repurposing articles or expanding into new media formats like podcasting.
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