Best Philosophy Podcasts (2026)
Philosophy podcasts are some of the best listening you can find. Whether you want a rigorous walkthrough of Kant or a lively argument about free will over drinks, these ten shows deliver. Here are the best philosophy podcasts worth your time right now.
Waking up with a podcast on iOS
Podcast Alarm is a fully featured podcast player and alarm. You can set up queues of your favourite episodes and listen to them whenever you like. Why not subscribe to your favourite podcast and have the latest episode wake you up every weekday morning. There are lots of screenshots and videos in our "How to set a podcast as an alarm on iphone?" blog post.
1. Philosophize This!
Stephen West walks through the entire history of philosophy in chronological order, from the pre-Socratics to contemporary thinkers. He has a rare talent for making genuinely difficult ideas feel approachable without dumbing them down. Over 240 episodes and still going — if you only listen to one philosophy podcast, make it this one.
2. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
Peter Adamson, professor at LMU Munich and King's College London, is doing exactly what the title says — covering every philosopher and every school of thought without skipping anyone. The podcast has reached nearly 500 episodes and is currently working through early modern philosophy. Incredibly thorough and surprisingly fun.
3. Very Bad Wizards
Philosopher Tamler Sommers and psychologist David Pizarro discuss ethics, moral psychology, and whatever film they watched that week. The academic credentials are serious but the tone is not — expect heated debates about free will that somehow end up at a discussion of David Lynch. One of the most genuinely entertaining shows in the philosophy space.
4. Philosophy Bites
David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton interview leading philosophers in episodes that run about 20 minutes each. Over 400 episodes covering everything from consciousness to aesthetics to political philosophy. The short format makes it perfect for a commute, and the guest list reads like a who's who of contemporary philosophy.
5. The Partially Examined Life
A group of philosophy graduates who left academia sit down and actually read the primary texts — Hegel, Nietzsche, Beauvoir, Rawls — then hash them out together. It is the closest thing to a university seminar you can get for free. The podcast has been running since 2009 and remains one of the most substantive philosophy shows around.
6. The Gray Area
Sean Illing brings a PhD in philosophy to bear on culture, politics, and technology for Vox. Episodes tackle questions like what Nietzsche would make of social media or how Orwell's ideas apply to surveillance capitalism. It releases twice a week and is the best philosophy podcast for people who want big ideas applied to the real world.
7. Making Sense
Sam Harris built his reputation on questions about consciousness, morality, and free will, and his long-form conversations remain some of the most rigorous in podcasting. Guests range from neuroscientists to political theorists to AI researchers. Agree with him or not, the depth of engagement with philosophical ideas is hard to match.
8. Overthink
Professors Ellie Anderson (Pomona College) and David Pena-Guzman (San Francisco State) take philosophical concepts and apply them to everyday life — personality, addiction, spontaneity, awkwardness. The tone is warm and conversational, and both hosts are genuinely good at explaining complex ideas without academic jargon. A brilliant entry point if philosophy feels intimidating.
9. Hi-Phi Nation
Barry Lam, professor at UC Riverside, blends narrative journalism with philosophical inquiry. Each episode tells a real story — from courtroom dramas to scientific controversies — and uses it to explore a deeper philosophical question. The production quality is outstanding. Think This American Life meets philosophy seminar.
10. The Panpsycast
A UK-based philosophy podcast hosted by Jack Symes that brings on academic guests to explore everything from Jainism to divine command theory to consciousness. Recent episodes have featured Philip Goff, Steven Pinker, and Richard Dawkins. It strikes a great balance between academic rigour and accessibility, releasing new episodes twice a month.
Think deeper every morning
Start your day with a question worth thinking about. Set a philosophy podcast as your alarm and let big ideas wake you up. Download Podcast Alarm and make your mornings more thoughtful.
Waking up with a podcast on iOS
Podcast Alarm is a fully featured podcast player and alarm. You can set up queues of your favourite episodes and listen to them whenever you like. Why not subscribe to your favourite podcast and have the latest episode wake you up every weekday morning. There are lots of screenshots and videos in our "How to set a podcast as an alarm on iphone?" blog post.
