20 great podcasts for listeners who love good stories (2023)

Now that summer is here, many of us have the opportunity to spend some extra time doing media research we missed out on in recent months. This is especially true of podcasts, which are perfect for killing time during a long trip or while waiting for an airport layover.

A good story makes any podcast more compelling, and these 20 podcasts are essential for anyone who appreciates a good story. From fictional scary stories to real love stories, add these story-driven shows to your queue ASAP.

Series/Facebook

The first season of "Serial," which may have sparked renewed interest in podcasts after its 2014 release, follows the murder of Hae Min Lee, a Baltimore County teenager, and there are a number of twists and turns along the way. Later seasons follow accused Army deserter Bowe Bergdahl and the people incarcerated at the Cleveland Justice Center Complex. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every other major platform.

Dr. Tod/Facebook

This moving podcast by Wondery tells the story of Texas physician Christopher Duntsch, who maimed and killed over 30 patients during his time as a spine surgeon. "Dr. Filled with interviews from those affected by Duntsch's carnage and the Dallas doctors who tried to stop it, 'Death' is both a riveting audio sampler and an indictment of the American health care system. Before airing the new Peacock series based on the podcast, listen on Wondery, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major platforms.

João Sujo/Facebook

In one of those stories that really are too weird to be true, Dirty John is based on a true story originally reported by the Los Angeles Times. On the podcast, listeners hear the increasingly twisted ways in which con man John Meehan instigates his way into the life of Debra Newell, a wealthy Newport Beach woman who quickly fell in love with it. Be sure to listen to the seriously shocking ending. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major platforms.

This American Life/Facebook

This American Life is a continuation of the long-running National Public Radio series and one of the leading narrative podcasts. Here, the stories range from author Lindy West's confrontation with a hateful online troll to exploring the true meaning of "camp." Stream from the NPR app, Apple Podcasts and every other major platform.

Podcast/Facebook de S-Town

One of the most iconic narrative podcasts in the history of the genre, S-Town was downloaded over 10 million times in the days following its 2017 release. Follow the story of John B. McLemore, an eccentric watchmaker who originally came to the show to investigate a murder in their small Alabama town. Without spoiling anything, suffice it to say that the story is far more complicated. Stream via NPR, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Christine Carvalho/WNYC/Official Photo

This 2019 podcast is a must have for anyone who considers themselves a fan of Dolly Parton, one of the most enduring icons of American pop culture. Dolly Parton's America delves into Parton's humble Appalachian roots, her incredible songwriting skills, and much more. Listen to podcasts from Apple or Spotify.

Live and Die in Los Angeles/Facebook

One of the more creative entries in the true crime drama is To Live and Die in L.A., which follows the mysterious disappearance of actress Adea Shabani. Host Neil Strauss enlists family friends and a private investigator to investigate a very complicated case. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major platforms.

Quick Verdict/Facebook

Snap Judgment is a weekly radio show and podcast, and however you choose to listen to it, this amazing storytelling show is definitely worth watching. The stories here really range from an in-depth look at the US Census to very personal stories about sex, love, and life. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major platforms.

Reply All/Facebook

This Gimlet podcast focuses on digital stories and goes in-depth on just about everything you don't understand about the Internet. Released in 2014, there are over 150 answer-to-all episodes for newcomers to delve into, making it perfect for summer binges. Listen through the Gimlet app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Radiolabor/Facebook

Widely considered one of the best podcasts of all genres, "Radiolab" began as a WNYC program in 2002. It's now a podcast listening essential, a great choice for anyone who likes to think deeply about big things. Listen through the NPR app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Welcome to Nightvale/Facebook

This fictional podcast is definitely a little weird. Stylized like an old school radio show, it's set in the town of Night Vale and tells the story of all the weird things that happen in this really weird place. A little scare, a little humor, this is definitely a must-read for anyone who appreciates the weird. Listen to podcasts on Apple, Spotify and all major streaming platforms.

As Butterflies/Facebook

A fixture on the storytelling scene since the late 1990s, The Moth is a New York-based collective focused on live events and a podcast dedicated to good stories. In general, the stories are true, but always fun. Listen to podcasts on Apple, Spotify and all major streaming platforms.

embarrassed/Facebook

Everyone has had an embarrassing moment, but on Mortified, people all over the world share their most embarrassing moments. Episodes of this show, based on the live events of the same name, are always funny and sometimes leave the listener with a new perspective on life. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major streaming platforms.

Spotify

In this podcast, host Sarah Marshall dives into the stories you think you know everything. Topics range from demystifying the panic of cancel culture to stories about some of pop culture's most misunderstood figures, including Princess Diana, Courtney Love and Anna Nicole Smith. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other streaming platforms.

Catchy Melody/Facebook

Ear Hustle tells the true stories of people incarcerated at San Quentin State Penitentiary and what it's like to be incarcerated in America. The podcast also looks at what happens to ex-convicts after they are released and is a must-read for anyone interested in the criminal justice system. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major platforms.

Site oficial do Slow Burn

Can't resist a juicy political drama? A slow burn is a must. The first season of the series delves deep into the Watergate scandal that forced the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Later seasons discuss the chargeBill Clintonand the rise of Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, which is well worth listening to. Stream from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other major streaming platforms.

Not dark/Facebook

It's perfectly fine to start with season two of In The Dark, which offers a glimpse into one of the most controversial crime cases of the last century. The podcast follows Curtis Flowers, a man convicted of a quadruple murder that he says he didn't commit six times. It's an incredible look at the justice system that made a difference in real life. No spoilers here, but the result is remarkable. Listen to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other major streaming platforms.

Spotify

Part of a major journalistic effort by Nikole Hannah-Jones at The New York Times, the companion podcast to The 1619 Project examines the history of American slavery. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and all other major streaming platforms.

Modern Love on Spotify

Who doesn't love a good love story? An offshoot of the New York Times column of the same name, Modern Love explores relationships of all kinds, both their trials and triumphs. Listen to Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major streaming platforms.

Denise Trucello/Getty Images para Chippendales

This Spotify newcomer is a pretty sordid story. It traces the history of the legendary Chippendales nightclub, known for its muscular male strippers, and the tragic history that followed. Murder, sex and intrigue abound here, making "Welcome To Your Fantasy" a must-see.