Best Educational Podcasts: 15 Examples [2022]

Do you love to learn but feel like you never have the time?

Between work, family, and other obligations, it can be challenging to find time to pick up a book.

Podcasts are a great way to learn new topics, skills, and more.

There are many great podcasters out there who are dedicated to helping their listeners learn through listening.

Below are 15 of the best educational podcasts to help you learn new things.

What Is an Educational Podcast?

Educational podcasts are among the most popular and best podcast genres.

Educational podcasts have quickly become popular because they make education accessible to almost anyone with internet access.

These podcasts can cover almost any topic.

Many are designed to fill the gaps of information that people may have missed during school.

They often focus on science or history topics.

Other educational podcasts teach listeners a new skill, such as how to start their own business.

These podcasts even give listeners practical advice they may not get anywhere else.

What Does an Educational Podcaster Talk About?

Educational podcasters use a combination of information, stories, examples, anecdotes, and more to help their listeners learn something new.

Some podcasts are short crash courses on a topic, while others can be two hours or more.

What Is Included on an Educational Podcast?

While educational podcasts cover multiple topics, there are some elements you’ll find across many of them.

They usually feature simple yet interesting explanations to help listeners understand a new topic.

This podcast genre often closes with a brief rundown of the facts to ensure listeners remember the key details.

Some podcasts even include a website with additional information to help listeners.

Other Things You Can Find on an Educational Podcast

Below are a few more things you’re likely to encounter on an educational podcast.

• Guest interviews: Educational podcasts will often get experts to come on episodes. Their goal is to give listeners the best possible information.
• Listener questions: Podcasts often answer listener questions or even let them guide a whole episode.
• News recordings: Some podcasts, particularly history programs, may include historical recordings to create primary sources.
• Current events: Podcasts often use current events to make their content more relevant for listeners.

Types of Educational Podcasts

There are many types of educational podcasts. Below are three of the most popular kinds.

Educational Podcasts for Kids

A large percentage of content for kids is educational, and podcasts are no different.         

These podcasts cover many topics, including history, science, and storytelling.

Sometimes the topics go deeper into these subjects than their school would.

Educational Podcasts for Students

Students often have to cram a lot of information.

Educational podcasts can help them study when commuting to school or working out.

These podcasts cover various subjects, including science, history, math, and more.

Educational Podcasts for Teachers

Podcasts for teachers share tips, ideas, and advice about the education field.

These podcasts typically focus on a particular subject or age group.

They may also cover topics like classroom management or current trends.

Best Educational Podcasts: 15 Examples

Now to the good stuff: 15 of the best educational podcasts to help broaden your horizons.

Be sure you know how to listen to podcasts on iPhone or how to listen to podcasts on Android before you start your hunt for new podcast favorites.

How Many Educational Podcasts Are There?

While there isn’t a precise figure, it’s estimated that educational podcasts number in the tens of thousands, with numerous subjects and themes to explore.

Educational Podcasts for Kids

Below are five of the best educational podcasts for kids.

These are sure to spark their curiosity and imagination.

But Why? A Podcast for Curious Kids

But Why? is produced by NPR. Each week, it answers questions sent in by kids.

Questions range from why popcorn kernels pop to why we feel pain.

Most episodes are 20-30 minutes, so the hosts do a thorough job of helping kids find answers to life’s most interesting questions.

The episodes typically revolve around a single theme, with multiple questions answered by expert contributors.

The Past and the Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families

This history podcast helps kids learn about unsung people and moments from history.

Kids will love the entertaining anecdotes and interesting information they can take from every episode.

The hosts are humorous, while the podcast is filled with jokes, music, and quizzes.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy it.

At the end of every episode, the podcast fields a test to see if the audience has been listening intently!

Wow in the World

Wow in the World is a different type of science podcast.

The show focuses on current events, like new scientific discoveries.

It also covers innovations in technology and other interesting things that happen.

Each episode has a free downloadable activity guide alongside the episode’s topic.

A Kids Book About: the Podcast

Not all educational podcasts cover academic topics.

A Kids Book About focuses on social and personal issues that kids face daily, such as body image, racism, and LGBTQIA+ matters.

This podcast is ideal for parents and kids because it’s an opening for each other to start having those difficult but important conversations together.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know is an offshoot of the website HowStuffWorks.

It covers a wide range of topics, from serious subjects to an examination of the innocuous.

Most center on things people should know but often don’t have in-depth knowledge of.

With more than 1,000 episodes to check out, you’re bound to find something to enjoy, whether it’s politics, current events, history, or science.

Not all topics are suitable for kids, so be sure to select ones appropriate for your child’s age.

Educational Podcasts for Students

Educational podcasts for students include crash courses and recorded lectures.

Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Grammar Girl’s podcast is associated with a website of the same name.

Each episode focuses on a topic related to grammar or writing, usually common errors that get made.

This podcast is helpful thanks to the easy-to-follow tips and tricks that make learning about the intricacies of the English language that much more accessible.

College Info Geek

The early years of college can be tricky.

Students are often out on their own for the first time.

Many experience stress managing their studies, lives, and finances.

College Info Geek gives people essential advice with insightful and witty hosts who’ve been there and done that.

Topics include study tips, adulting, and staying organized.

You’re Wrong About

College is a time to open your mind, expand your thinking, and challenge what you know.

Each episode of You’re Wrong About takes something that most people think they understand and gives them a different perspective.

You’re Wrong About covers topics as varied as medieval torture to Tom Cruise on Oprah’s couch.

Hardcore History

Students often leave high school with a fractured notion of history.

Whether you’re a history major or just need to pass World Civ, Hardcore History has you covered.

Host Dan Carlin takes on an event like World War I and then spends hours doing a well-structured deep dive.

You’ll come out with everything you need to know and then some.

Science Vs

Science is one of the most challenging college subjects.

Thankfully, Science Vs is a witty and fact-filled podcast that takes on science’s biggest myths and fallacies.

Each episode takes on a trend or topic like veganism and smoothly navigates the world of science to separate fact from fiction.

Educational Podcasts for Teachers

Teaching is one of the most demanding jobs you can do.

A teacher podcast gives educators a space to learn from their peers, celebrate victories, and commiserate through bad days.

Cult of Pedagogy

Cult of Pedagogy is one of the best sites online for teachers.

The podcast offers the same in-depth knowledge on every teaching topic it touches on.

Host Jennifer Gonzalez shares teaching strategies, classroom management tips, and her thoughts on education reform.

She also invites other teacher experts to share their knowledge.

MindShift

Most teachers agree that we need serious educational reform.

MindShift delves into how kids learn and the changing landscape of education.

This podcast is an essential listen for any educator wanting to learn better ways to reach their students.

House of #EdTech

Technology is progressing faster than many teachers can keep up.

Most don’t have the time to research the latest tech trends to implement in the classroom.

House of #EdTech does that for you by sharing the latest and greatest educational technology.

The Creative Classroom

The Creative Classroom comes out each Monday and lasts 10-15 minutes, making it ideal for starting your week.

Each episode takes on a teaching topic and advises listeners on creative approaches to education.

Teachers will learn new teaching strategies and classroom management tips.

School of Talk

School of Talk features interviews with teachers and other education leaders.

They share their insights into a range of topics concerning education. It’s a great way to learn about what’s going on in the world of teaching.

Similar Podcast Types to Check Out

If you’re interested in education, you might also want to check out these types of podcasts:

• Interesting podcasts:While often irreverent, you can learn about things you otherwise wouldn’t know. Some podcasts take on little-known topics with a unique spin.
• History podcasts: Some cover relatively obscure events and people you probably didn’t learn about in history class. Others deep dive into well-known historical moments.
• Political podcasts: Helps listeners keep up with the ever-changing world of politics. While some align with a party, others, like Pod Save America, don’t have an avowed bias.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have more questions about educational podcasts? We have answers!

Wrapping Up

Podcasts are one of the platforms to learn online.

They often take otherwise uninteresting content and spin it into an easily digestible format.

Podcasts are easily accessible as you only need a device connected to the internet and many podcasts are free.

Be sure to check out these educational podcasts and be ready to see just how much you’ll learn.