Looking for speedy, detailed updates to get your day going? When you're a busy professional, a news junkie, or just caught in your daily tasks, you just want to stay informed without wasting hours with news.

NPR's Up First gives you the biggest stories of the day in just 10 crisp minutes. This new approach to morning news has transformed how hundreds of thousands of listeners start their 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 So Special?

NPR Up First Sets a New Pace for Morning News in the Digital Age. This podcast cuts through in the world of news for its unique combination of brevity and depth.

While other news shows, like The Daily, dedicate 20-25 minutes to a single story, or the Tucker Carlson show and The Megyn Kelly Show that extend the time with commentary and interviews, Up First does multiple important stories in a fraction of the time.

As attention spans shrink and information overload increases, the model of Up First becomes increasingly valuable.

While other shows might experiment with longer formats and opinion-driven content, Up First will be fast, fun, and delivers the news necessary for its audience to start their day.

Proves it's possible to be brief yet complete-a vital service in a world where keeping up with the news seems like a full-time job.

Solo or as part of a greater news diet, Up First is still setting the standard for the best way to consume news efficiently in the podcast era.

When does Up First come out?

New episodes drop every weekday by 6 a.m. Eastern time, with special weekend editions that lean in to longer-form reporting.

It follows the same logic behind an online newspaper that allows you to check the titles quickly and go back to articles later if you want to know more about that particular event.

Such format works easily with the morning routines, whether driving, running, or simply getting ready to work.

Who are the Hosts?

Up First has a rotating cast of veteran NPR hosts, including Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martínez.

This diversity brings different perspectives and interviewing styles to the show, yet the same quality and professionalism. Moreover, this ensures every day is fresh and different.

Must-Listen Episodes

While Up First is a daily news podcast, some episodes stand out, such as:

"The Banking Crisis Explained" - This episode succeeded in breaking down the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, making it clear for all listeners. (March 15, 2023).

"Special Report: Inside Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis" (January 22, 2024) - A combination of on-the-ground reporting with expert analysis in a concise package to show how the podcast can tackle complex international stories in just a few minutes.

"Climate Summit Special" (December 14, 2023) -A true example of how Up First can make complicated global issues understandable without oversimplifying them.

Where to listen

• PodcastAI Chart, for daily and historical ranking

• All major podcast platforms

• NPR One app

• NPR website

Who should listen

Up First is great for:

• Professionals on-the-go looking for a quick way to get the news

• News junkies wanting an early briefing

• Anyone looking for quick, factual news coverage

• Listeners seeking straight reporting rather than commentary, those wanting many stories rather than deep dives

• Technical Notes for Listeners

You may also like

If you're interested in news podcasts, you may also like these shows:

The Daily (NYT)

The Daily explores single stories with a flare for the narrative, with a format that requires  a certain commitment: episodes are 20-25 minute long, while UP First only ten. Find it here on PodcastAI!

The Tucker Carlson Show

The Carlson show comprises conservative commentary and long-form interviews, many of which have run well over an hour in length. Find it here on PodcastAI!

The Megyn Kelly Show

Kelly's show features news analysis along with extended interviews and opinion, much like traditional talk radio. Find it here on PodcastAI!

The Bottom Line

The greatest strength of Up First is the ability to explore all sorts of events in a minimal time, making them comprehensive and detailed.

Up First serves their listeners exactly what they need to start their day. And that is it.

Still unsure about what to listen to? Here are some ideas:

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Author's Note

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