NPR Podcasts
Free public radio. Excellent listening.
News + current events
- Up First — 10-minute morning headlines.
- NPR News Now — hourly news updates.
- Consider This — daily deep dive on top story.
- Morning Edition + All Things Considered (full shows).
- Free, completely.
- 30 minutes daily covers the news well.
Storytelling + culture
- This American Life — long-time favorite.
- Radiolab — science + storytelling.
- Code Switch — race + culture.
- Fresh Air with Terry Gross — interviews.
- Pop Culture Happy Hour.
- Embedded — investigative documentaries.
Comedy + entertainment
- Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me — news quiz comedy.
- How To Do Everything — fun life advice.
- Ask Me Another — game show.
- Tiny Desk Concerts — music performances.
- Pop Culture Happy Hour.
- Light listening for senior commutes.
Senior interest
- Hidden Brain — psychology research.
- Throughline — history series.
- Planet Money — economics made simple.
- Life Kit — practical advice.
- Body Electric — health tips.
- Worth checking weekly.
How to listen
- NPR One app — free, all NPR content.
- Apple Podcasts — built into iPhone.
- Spotify — free podcasts.
- Google Podcasts — being phased out.
- YouTube has many NPR shows.
- Pick whichever app you prefer.
Support NPR
- NPR is listener-supported.
- Donate to local NPR station.
- Public Radio Plus app — premium ad-free.
- Member benefits at local stations.
- Tax-deductible donation.
- Keeps quality journalism alive.
Up First daily — 10 minutes
Start every weekday with NPR's Up First (10 minutes). It's a balanced summary of what matters that day. Listen during morning coffee, walking the dog, or driving to errands. Combined with one weekend long-form show like This American Life, you'll be more informed than most while spending under an hour weekly. Free, high quality, no algorithmic distortion.