44 Podcast Recs That Aren’t Self-Improvement

Because sometimes, the best personal growth happens when you finally let yourself laugh and have fun.

We all love a good self-improvement podcast, right? But what about podcasts that are just for fun?! Did you even know you could listen to a podcast that wasn’t trying to make you a better person? 🤯

If yes, and you need more recs—I gotchu.
If no, and you need to know where to start—I gotchu.

Or really, the community does, because I asked you all for your favorite go-to listens, and you delivered.

From hilarious group-chat energy to reality TV chaos, celebrity roasts, and true crime deep dives that will have you side-eyeing everyone in your life, this list has it all.

I’m still working my way through, but Giggly Squad and Two Hot Takes are absolute musts for a good laugh. And for my true crime junkies? My Favorite Murder and Crime Junkie never miss.

And now, I present… the master list! 🔥

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Comedy & Pop Culture

1. Giggly Squad – Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo discuss pop culture, trends, and their personal lives with humor. Spotify: Giggly Squad Apple Podcasts: Giggly Squad

2. Call Her Daddy – Alex Cooper dives into relationships, mental health, and self-empowerment with raw honesty. Spotify: Call Her Daddy Apple Podcasts: Call Her Daddy

3. The Toast – Claudia and Jackie Oshry break down the biggest pop culture stories, reality TV drama, and trending news with humor and hot takes.
   Spotify: The Toast Apple Podcasts: The Toast

4. Two Hot Takes – Morgan and guests react to wild Reddit stories, relationships, and social drama. Spotify: Two Hot Takes Apple Podcasts: Two Hot Takes

5. Chicks in the Office – Ria and Fran break down celebrity gossip, reality TV, and entertainment news. Spotify: Chicks in the Office Apple Podcasts: Chicks in the Office

6. Whiskey Ginger – Comedian Andrew Santino hosts hilarious conversations with fellow comedians and celebrities. Spotify: Whiskey Ginger Apple Podcasts: Whiskey Ginger

7. Trash Tuesday – Esther Povitsky, Khalyla Kuhn, and Annie Lederman talk about life, relationships, and random hilarities. Spotify: Trash Tuesday Apple Podcasts: Trash Tuesday

8. Good Influences – A mix of creators share perspectives on trends, social media, and current events. Spotify: Good Influences Apple Podcasts: Good Influences

9. Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast – Brooke Averick and Connor Wood joke about life, pop culture, and viral internet moments. Spotify: Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast Apple Podcasts: Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast

10. Tony and Ryan – Tony Lodge and Ryan Jon bring lighthearted banter and funny takes on everyday life. Spotify: Tony and Ryan Apple Podcasts: Tony and Ryan

11. The Golden Nugget – A mix of life advice, humor, and fun conversations. Spotify: The Golden Nugget Apple Podcasts: The Golden Nugget

12. Keep It – A witty and cultural podcast about pop culture, politics, and entertainment. Spotify: Keep It Apple Podcasts: Keep It

13. The Popcast – A pop culture commentary on what’s trending, what’s overrated, and what’s worth paying attention to. Spotify: The Popcast Apple Podcasts: The Popcast

14. Pop Culture Happy Hour – NPR’s take on movies, music, and TV. Spotify: Pop Culture Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: Pop Culture Happy Hour

15. The Meatball Pod – Snooki and Joey talk about life, reality TV, and personal experiences. Spotify: The Meatball Pod Apple Podcasts: The Meatball Pod

16. That’s The Point Podcast – Discussions on current topics, entertainment, and life. That’s The Point Podcast – Spotify: That’s The Point Apple Podcasts: That’s The Point

True Crime & Mystery

1. Crime Junkie – Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat discuss gripping crime stories in a binge-worthy format. Spotify: Crime Junkie Apple Podcasts: Crime Junkie

2. My Favorite Murder – Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark mix true crime with humor and personal storytelling. Spotify: My Favorite Murder Apple Podcasts: My Favorite Murder

3. Casefile – A deep dive into true crime cases with detailed storytelling. Spotify: Casefile Apple Podcasts: Casefile

4. Buried Bones – Criminal cases from history are revisited with new forensic analysis. Spotify: Buried Bones Apple Podcasts: Buried Bones

5. Killer Psyche – Former FBI profiler Candice DeLong breaks down the psychology of criminals. Spotify: Killer Psyche Apple Podcasts: Killer Psyche

6. Anatomy of Murder – Journalists and detectives analyze homicide cases with expert insight. Spotify: Anatomy of Murder Apple Podcasts: Anatomy of Murder

7. And That’s Why We Drink – Paranormal meets true crime with a mix of spooky ghost stories and murder cases. Spotify: And That’s Why We Drink Apple Podcasts: And That’s Why We Drink

8. Criminal – Phoebe Judge tells captivating true crime stories beyond just murder. Spotify: Criminal Apple Podcasts: Criminal

9. Scamfluencers – A look at influencers who scam, deceive, and manipulate their way to the top. Spotify: Scamfluencers Apple Podcasts: Scamfluencers

Psychology

1. Armchair Expert – Dax Shepard interviews experts, celebrities, and thinkers on human behavior and success. Spotify: Armchair Expert Apple Podcasts: Armchair Expert

2. If Books Could Kill – Dissects "airport books" that have shaped modern pop culture and personal development. Spotify: If Books Could Kill Apple Podcasts: If Books Could Kill

3. A Slight Change of Plans – Dr. Maya Shankar talks with people who’ve experienced profound life changes. Spotify: A Slight Change of Plans Apple Podcasts: A Slight Change of Plans

4. No Stupid Questions – Freakonomics' Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth explore big (and small) life questions. Spotify: No Stupid Questions Apple Podcasts: No Stupid Questions

5. Metaphysical Milkshake – Rainn Wilson and Reza Aslan explore deep philosophical and existential topics. Spotify: Metaphysical Milkshake Apple Podcasts: Metaphysical Milkshake

Relationships & Personal Life

1. This American Life – A long-running storytelling show that explores human experiences through journalism and narrative. Spotify: This American Life Apple Podcasts: This American Life

2. Viall Files – Hosted by former Bachelor Nick Viall, this podcast breaks down love, dating, and reality TV. Spotify: The Viall Files Apple Podcasts: The Viall Files

3. Modern Love – Based on the popular New York Times column, sharing stories of love in all its forms. Spotify: Modern Love Apple Podcasts: Modern Love

4. Dear Shandy – A podcast about relationships, love, and dating advice. Spotify: Dear Shandy Apple Podcasts: Dear Shandy

5. Pillow Talk – A deep dive into relationships, love, and the complexities of human connection. Spotify: Pillow Talk Apple Podcasts: Pillow Talk

6. Fixing Famous People – A humorous take on how celebrities can "fix" their careers and lives. Spotify: Fixing Famous People Apple Podcasts: Fixing Famous People

7. What We Said – Best friends Jaci and Chelsey chat about life, love, and navigating adulthood. Spotify: What We Said Apple Podcasts: What We Said

8. Even the Rich – Stories about the wealthiest and most famous families throughout history. Spotify: Even the Rich Apple Podcasts: Even the Rich

9. Everybody Has a Secret – A deep dive into people’s confessions and secrets. Spotify: Everybody Has a Secret Apple Podcasts: Everybody Has a Secret

10. We Go There – A raw and real podcast about topics people are often afraid to discuss. Spotify: We Go There Apple Podcasts: We Go There

Weird, Niche, & Cult-Like Conversations

1. Sounds Like a Cult – Analyzes groups that walk the fine line between community and cult. Spotify: Sounds Like a Cult Apple Podcasts: Sounds Like a Cult

2. Blurry Creatures – A podcast exploring Bigfoot, cryptids, and conspiracy theories. Spotify: Blurry Creatures Apple Podcasts: Blurry Creatures

3. Ninjas Are Butterflies – A mix of absurd humor, internet culture, and odd discussions. Spotify: Ninjas Are Butterflies Apple Podcasts: Ninjas Are Butterflies

4. Oddvice – Shares life advice and unique perspectives on weird and wonderful topics. Spotify: Oddvice Apple Podcasts: Oddvice

5. Inside the Disney Vault – A nostalgic look back at Disney movies and their impact. Spotify: Inside the Disney Vault Apple Podcasts: Inside the Disney Vault

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What’s caught your eye that you’re going to try listening to? Any you would add to this list? Share in the comments!