Listen & Learn: Podcast Recommendations for Teens
Podcasts have the potential to further education outside of an educational setting. They also provide a great way to engage with content without staring at a screen. Anyone can listen while out on a walk, working on a family puzzle, or while cleaning the house.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of our top podcast recommendations for teens (13+). We hope you enjoy them!
1. Reply All
Podcast Theme(s): Science, Technology, Culture
Podcast Rating: PG-13
Why This Rating?: The hosts of the podcast occasionally swear, and sometimes the topics can be a little challenging for teens (like race relations and internet bullying).
Hosted by Gimlet Media, Reply All is a fun tech show that might be an excellent way for teens interested in tech to connect with their parents. That being said, it’s not just for the technologically inclined. Recent topics have included The Case of the Missing Hit, where the hosts helped track down a song from the early 2000s based entirely off the caller’s memory of the music, The Least You Could Do, where the hosts do a deep-dive on Venmo reparations in the wake of the BLM movement, and Candidate One, which Reply All describes as, “The story of an election in America where everything went wrong -- bribery, hacking, ballot-stuffing. And the 17-year-old kid who tried to save the day.”
2. Lavar Burdon Reads
Podcast Theme(s): Literature, ELA, Culture
Podcast Rating: PG
Why This Rating?: Lavar Burton is entirely G-rated. However, the stories sometimes include swears or mild, brief adult themes -- but not typically.
Did your kid watch Reading Rainbow when they were younger? Or, maybe you’re unapologetically nostalgic for the show? If you or your teen are anything like us, Lavar Burton inspired you to read great books. Luckily, he’s still around and reads today’s best short fiction on his podcast. Each story is from a critically-acclaimed modern author and includes work from newer writers like Neil Gaiman, Saladin Ahmed, and Ana Murtado, and classic contemporary authors like Kurt Vonnegut and Toni Morrison. Since his podcast uses soundscapes in the background, it’s also an excellent podcast for teens who struggle to get to sleep at night, but who may not want their parents to read them to sleep (we know, it’s tragic!)
3. Ologies with Alie Ward
Podcast Theme(s): Science, Humor
Podcast Rating: PG-13
Why This Rating?: The host occasionally swears, and sometimes the “ologies” she explores can be on semi-adult topics like Philematology (Kissing), Traumatology (PTSD), and Addictionology (the science of addiction).
Ologies with Alie Ward is a must for any teen interested in science, especially if they are on a science-track college path. Listening to this podcast unveils the many different approaches you can take in a career in science, as well as talking about some of the most fascinating science topics with experts in their field. Alie Ward is a former investigative journalist who worked with CBS, so she knows how to dig out what listeners want to hear in an informative and entertaining way. Plus, her show gives back, so it is great for young, science-minded activists.
4. Very Presidential with Ashley Flowers
Podcast Theme(s): Social Studies, Politics
Podcast Rating: PG-13
Why This Rating?: The ratings genuinely have to do with the presidents and the content/character of their lives. Some episodes, like Grover Cleveland’s episode, are more deserving of this rating than others.
This podcast is an accessible, intriguing deep-dive into the presidents and their secret lives. What’s interesting about this podcast is not only how it flips the narrative on some of history’s most beloved presidents, but it also does a great job connecting presidential secrets to the goings-on of the time. Occasionally, this podcast covers adult topics, such as JFK’s affairs, but it looks overwhelmingly at how our leaders’ actions shaped future policy.
5. The Moth
Podcast Theme(s): Politics, Culture, ELA, Civics
Podcast Rating: PG
Why This Rating?: Occasionally, the stories will explore challenging topics like racism, sexism, etc.
The Moth is a nationwide, open-forum, live storytelling event. This NPR podcast highlights the best, most-moving stories from the live events, and sometimes includes recaps from the storytellers. The great thing about The Moth is they also occasionally have teen storytellers, who dive deep into issues that impact people their age. They often host live events in California and other West Coast states, so if your teen enjoys storytelling, have them give this podcast a listen, and maybe they’ll even tell their own story at The Moth.
6. Every Little Thing
Podcast Theme(s): Politics, Culture, ELA, Civics, Science, Mathematics
Podcast Rating: PG
Why This Rating?: Occasionally, the stories will explore challenging topics, and guests sometimes swear (the swears are censored).
Ever wonder why we call our hair ties “scrunchies”? Or why you hear organ music at baseball games? Or how about where fruit flies come from in seemingly the blink of an eye? Every Little Thing explores some of the most persistent questions that you never thought to ask, speaking with experts in the fields from which the questions come. The upside? If your curious teen has a problem that needs answering, they can call in, and it might be featured.
7. PodQuiz
Podcast Theme(s): Trivia
Podcast Rating: G
Why This Rating?: It’s relatively mild content, all trivia. Great for family car trips.
PodQuiz doesn’t need too much introduction. It’s an easy-to-listen-to trivia game available on most podcast streaming platforms. What makes it great for teenagers is that it has a wide array of trivia content -- so it won’t all be questions about eighties movies and news! Answer as you go along, and the host will provide you with the answers at the end of the game.
8. Stuff You Missed in History Class
Podcast Theme(s): History, Civics,
Podcast Rating: PG-13
Why This Rating?: The topics occasionally delve into more mature historical topics -- like true crime history and racism.
This show comes highly recommended for teenagers interested in history, as it examines little-known moments in history in an informal setting. The hosts are known for thought-provoking conversation and a look at history with an appropriate lens for 2020. From the Apple Podcast preview: “Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class”.
We hope you (and your teen) enjoy at least one of these podcasts. If none of them seem up their alley, we also have a few honorable mentions below. Happy listening!
Honorable Mentions:
The Adventure Zone (Dungeons & Dragons/RPG)
Who Would Win? (Culture, Comedy)
Momma Knows Best (Self-help, Advice)
Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness (Informative, Investigative)
Extraordinary Terrestrials (Serial Story, Fantasy/Sci-fi)