Best Short Podcasts: 10 Quick Listens Under 20 Minutes (2026)
Last updated July 2026.
Not every podcast needs to be two hours long. The best short podcasts wrap up in under 20 minutes — just enough to learn something, get inspired, or catch up on the news before your coffee's even cold. Whether you're squeezing in a quick listen on the commute, over lunch, or while getting ready in the morning, these are the shows built for a tight schedule. Here are 10 worth subscribing to, most under 15 minutes an episode.
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.
What's new for July 2026
We've refreshed this guide for summer and confirmed every show below is still actively releasing new episodes. Each pick now comes with its cover art so you can spot it fast in your podcast app, and we've flagged the true bite-sized winners — Before Breakfast and The Daily Stoic both come in under 10 minutes. Looking for more? See our companion guides to the best commute podcasts and the best daily news podcasts.
1. Up First — NPR
The three biggest stories of the day in about 10 minutes. NPR's reporters break down what happened overnight and why it matters, every weekday morning. If you only have time for one news podcast, this is the one.
2. Short Wave — NPR
Hosted by Emily Kwong and Regina Barber, Short Wave covers new scientific discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the research behind the headlines — all in under 15 minutes. The episodes are genuinely fun. You'll find yourself texting facts to people.
3. The Indicator from Planet Money — NPR
Economics without the jargon, in 10 minutes or less. Hosts Adrian Ma, Darian Woods and Wailin Wong explain one economic idea per episode — from why your rent keeps climbing to how sanctions actually work. It won Best Business Podcast at the 2026 Ambie Awards for a reason.
4. TED Talks Daily
One TED talk per day, delivered as audio. Episodes run about 15 minutes and cover everything from AI ethics to how trees communicate. Hosted by journalist Elise Hu, it's the easiest way to get a daily dose of smart thinking without watching a video.
5. 6 Minute English — BBC World Service
The BBC tackles a different topic every week — social media habits, space tourism, the psychology of colour — and explains it clearly in exactly six minutes. Originally designed for English language learners, but honestly useful for anyone who likes learning things quickly.
6. The Daily Stoic — Ryan Holiday
A short Stoic meditation every weekday, usually under 10 minutes. Ryan Holiday reads from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus, then connects the ideas to modern life. It's a calm, focused way to start the day — no filler, no ads, just a single idea to sit with.
7. Before Breakfast — Laura Vanderkam
Time management author Laura Vanderkam shares one practical productivity tip per episode in about five minutes. That's it. No rambling intros, no sponsors, just a useful idea you can actually try today. Over 1,700 episodes and counting.
8. Short Stuff — Stuff You Should Know
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant from Stuff You Should Know cover topics that don't need a full hour — porcelain, the Battle of Itter Castle, why holly is a holiday thing. Episodes run about 15 minutes and drop every Wednesday. Same great chemistry, half the time.
9. The Memory Palace — Nate DiMeo
Nate DiMeo tells beautifully crafted true stories from history, most in under 10 minutes. Each episode is more like a short film than a podcast — carefully written, emotionally precise, and over before you realise how much it's moved you. Part of the Radiotopia network.
10. Science Quickly — Scientific American
Scientific American's podcast delivers the latest research findings in under 10 minutes, twice a week. It's concise and well-sourced, covering everything from climate science to neuroscience. If you want to stay current on actual peer-reviewed research without wading through papers, this is it.
Keep listening
Once you've worked through these, line up a few more quick ones. Our best commute podcasts guide is full of episodes sized for a short drive or train ride, the best daily news podcasts covers fast rundowns like Up First, and our top morning podcasts are perfect for starting the day.
Perfect for your morning alarm
Short podcasts are ideal for waking up to — you get a full episode before you've even left the house. Download Podcast Alarm and start every day with a quick listen.
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.
