From print to pods, The Daily revolutionized news storytelling and earn the n.1 spot in all major Podcast chart.

What makes the daily podcast so special? This twenty-minute show only explores a single news story, and has transformed how millions of people start their day.

Hosted by Michael Barbaro and a team of NYT journalists, the Daily takes the listeners behind the headlines and helps them understand the most important stories of the day.

This show is part of our ultimate guide to the best News podcast of 2025. You can find it here!

What Makes This Show Unique?

The Daily is not a regular news podcast; it chooses one big story every day and reports it in a narrative way.

The show pairs expert reporting with intimate storytelling techniques, using the actual voices of journalists, newsmakers, and people affected by the news.

This approach brings stories to life in a way that traditional print or broadcast news cannot.

The Daily delivers the highest possible production values and sound design. Each episode is produced with great care to balance the journalistic rigor with narrative drive.

That includes atmospheric music, natural sound from reporting in the field, and judiciously placed moments of reflection that help listeners process the most complex information.

The Daily is a huge investment in digital storytelling at The New York Times. The podcast itself is free to download, but it has also become a force for advertising and a conduit to subscriptions to the Times.

Its influence extends to the way many news organizations think about audio storytelling.

When does The Daily come out?

New episodes are published every weekday morning by 6 a.m. Eastern time. It's great for morning commutes or early workday listening.

The consistent schedule and format have been crucial in turning it into the daily routine for millions of listeners.

Who's the host?

Michael Barbaro's style is a unique combination of expertise and informal conversational.

His style of interviewing makes the guests at ease, being characterized by careful listening and gentle probing.

The attentive storytelling helps make even the most complex stories accessible, without loosing content, depth, and nuance.

His now-famous "hmms" and thoughtful pauses have become beloved characteristics of the show.

Must-Listen Episodes

Here are three standout episodes that showcase what makes The Daily special:

"The Rise and Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried" (January 15, 2024) - This episode is a masterful exploration of the FTX cryptocurrency scandal, which combines financial reporting with character study, and makes a complex topic like crypto and its effect on the society accessible, while revealing the human contribution behind the headlines. The episode stands out for its use of archival audio and expert commentary to reveal the unfolding of one of the biggest financial frauds in history.

"Inside the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision" (Episode 1872, June 30, 2023) This episode shows how The Daily can make complicated legal issues accessible to listeners who are not familiar with the legal glossary: it takes you inside one of the Court's most significant recent decisions and breaks it down for you. Historical context combines with legal analysis and personal stories to complete a picture of this watershed moment in American education.

"A Nursing Home's First Day of the Pandemic" (March 2021) This episode revisits the traumatic early days of the COVID-19 crisis, reveling the drama through the microcosm of one nursing home.

Done through intimate interviews and careful storytelling, the personal and systemic impact this pandemic has taken on is well-captured and still relevant today, moving.

Where to find The Daily

You can listen to the Daily on PodcastAI Chart, where you can also keep track of the daily ranking of the best news show.

This podcast is also available on all major podcast platforms and on The New York Times website and app.

Who Should Listen

A wide-ranging listenership for this podcast includes but is not limited to:

• Devoted news audiences looking for an in-depth analysis

• Time-poor professionals aiming to stay abreast

• Students and educators of current events; anyone curious to know the stories behind the headlines

You May Also Like

The Tucker Carlson Show

For those looking for another take on the news, Tucker Carlson does long-form interviews and gives commentary from a conservative's perspective. His independent platform allows for extended discussions and investigative pieces that go beyond traditional broadcast time constraints.

You can find this show on PodcastAi Chart.

Find our review here!

The Megyn Kelly Show

Megyn Kelly is a former anchor with Fox News and NBC, blending a sharp legal mind and great interviewing skills into one daily show, a combination of news analysis and newsmaker interviews. Being a lawyer herself adds depth to her take on legal and constitutional issues.

You can find this show on PodcastAi Chart.

Find our review here!

Up First

NPR's morning news podcast gives a quick, thorough look at the day's top stories in just 10 minutes. If The Daily goes deep on a story, Up First gives you a broader view of what is happening, which for news junkies can serve as a nice companion piece to this show.

You can find this show on PodcastAi Chart.

Find our review here!

If there's nothing here that you like, no panic, we got plenty of amazing news shows for you, you can find them all on PodcastAI Chart.

The Bottom Line

The Daily has reinvented what news podcasting can be. The combination of deep reporting, immersive storytelling, and a high level of consistency has set a new standard for audio journalism.

As news consumption continues to change, The Daily continues to be the gold standard for how traditional media companies can continue to innovate while staying true to journalistic standards.

Its impact extends well beyond podcasting to illuminate how audio reporting can enhance and expand traditional coverage in the digital era.

Whether you want to understand the day's most important story or just appreciate masterful audio storytelling, The Daily delivers.

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