Back in the 1980s, podcasts were known as ‘audioblogs’ and though nowhere near as popular as they are now, they nonetheless had a cult following.
However, since the introduction of broadband, as well as devices like iPods and iPhones there has been a massive surge in the number of people who listen to podcasts. Thanks, in particular, to apps like Spotify, iTunes, ABC Listen and both Google and Apple Podcasts.
Officially known as ‘personal on demand broadcast’, the best podcasts are supposed to educate, inform, inspire and entertain. While there are thousands of practitioners out there, their content, and delivery, is often a bit hit and miss.
Thankfully, there are some excellent Aussie broadcasters around, which always make for compelling listening.
From salient musings laced with comedic genius to morbid tales of true crime, that will grip you right from the start, here is a list of 20 of the best Australian podcasts you simply have to listen to.
Hamish & Andy
Need a laugh? Then what better place to start than with Hamish & Andy’s podcast!
One of Australia’s favourite comedy duos, these guys have been making us laugh for over 20 years. Who can forget their hilarious antics in that ‘Gap Year’ TV show?
You will be pleased to know that their podcast is just as funny, with the lads regularly pondering the smaller things in life, in their own inimitable style.
If ever you need to snap yourself out of a bad mood, this is the perfect thing to listen to.
Host: Hamish Blake & Andy Lee
Topic: Comedy
Number of episodes to date: 280+
Whateley
If you love sport then you’ll want to catch Gerald Whateley’s regular chats about it with sporting guests and his fellow media colleagues.
One of the most trusted and revered voices in Australian sport, he combines authoritative journalism, with eagle-eyed analysis and emotive covering, during his compelling podcasts.
Covering all sports from AFL and NRL to cricket and the A Leauge, his podcasts run every morning on SEN from Monday to Thursday.
Host: Gerald Whateley
Topic: Sport
Number of episodes to date: 650+
Super Soul
Remember those good old days when you used to regularly tune into The Oprah Winfrey show for such iconic moments as ‘you get a car! and you get a car!’?
TV just hasn’t been the same since the show ended.
Thankfully, you can now tune in to her podcasts on a daily basis. As Oprah continues to present thought-provoking and inspiring stories from around the world.
If you find yourself needing to re-affirm your faith in people, just give her podcast a listen.
Host: Oprah Winfrey
Topic: Inspiration
Number of episodes to date: 335+
Casefile True Crime Podcast
Firmly believing that ‘fact is scarier than fiction’, the Casefile True Crime Podcast is one of the most intriguing and popular podcasts in Australia.
An award-winning true-crime podcast, it deliberately avoids sensationalism by presenting unforgettable stories that outline the facts of all the heinous crimes they report on.
Initially, an anonymous, one-person side project that began in 2016, Casefile now involves an entire team of podcasters, who are based on most continents around the world.
Called a ‘must-listen’ by both Time and Rolling Stone magazines, their episodes look at the circumstances, investigative process and trials that surround cases from around the world – many of which remain unsolved.
Host: Anonymous
Topic: True Crime
Number of episodes to date: 215+
The Mindset Mentor
Need a bit of a pick-me-up? Just like Oprah has the ability to snap you out of a bad mood, The Mindset Mentor is pretty much guaranteed to do the same.
Hosted by Rob Dial, this podcast is full of motivation, inspiration, direction and focus.
It has been ranked as iTunes #1 rated motivational podcast and aims to teach you how to overcome beliefs that are self-limiting, and to gain clarity and insight into your life’s specific purpose.
Approaching 1000 episodes, Rob’s podcasts could well be life-changing for you.
Host: Rob Dial
Topic: Inspiration
Number of episodes to date: 980+
Stuff You Should Know
This title pretty much sums up what the podcast is all about.
Hosted by Josh and Chuck, this broadcast is all about random and quirk tidbits of information they think you should know about.
Incorporating everything from the serious to the downright silly, they have been podcasting since 2008.
Covering a diverse range of topics, that ranges from the heroics of Rosa Parks to the history of champagne, and the prevalence of satanism, their broadcast regularly ranks in the top 10 on iTunes.
Host: Josh Clark & Charles Bryant
Topic: Pop-Culture
Number of episodes to date: 1600+
SEN Breakfast
If you love AFL then you should definitely tune in to the SEN Breakfast.
Hosted by Gary Lyon and Tim Watson, two legendary players who have vast knowledge and experience within the game, this podcast provides you with insight and expertise into all the main AFL stories currently doing the rounds.
Still going strong after 650 shows, they have a great rapport with each other and are always entertaining with their commentary.
Host: Gary Lyon & Tim Watson
Topic: Sport
Number of episodes to date: 650+
Please Explain
Please Explain is a daily collaboration between The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Running for 10 minutes, and covering current affairs and news, it provides daily insights into some of the big issues that are dominating Australia’s consciousness right now.
Hosted by Nathanael Cooper, Jess Irvine and Bianca Hall, who is a part of either the Herald or The Age newsrooms, they highlight stories that relate to everything from COVID-19 and women’s reproductive rights in the USA to business news and the royal family.
Host: The Age & The Sydney Morning Herald
Topic: News and Current Affairs
Number of episodes to date: 100
Kate, Tim & Joel
In one of Australia’s best-loved podcasts, Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Joel Creasey combine to broadcast their take on the day’s hottest gossip and topics.
In addition, they also check out the best of online and digital content, as well as highlight their unique benchmarks and games like the Wednesday Wheel and Quick Draw.
Approaching 2000 episodes, the popularity of the trio isn’t showing any signs of slowing down soon.
Host: Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Joel Creasey
Topic: Pop-Culture
Number of episodes to date: 1,900+
7am
Want to be well informed and kept up-to-date with the big story of the day? Then the best place to do this is via the 7am podcast.
Hosted by Ruby Jones, an award-winning investigative journalist and documentary maker, 7am strives to provide character-driven news with an excellent narrative account of the day’s headline news story.
The podcast is run by the publisher of both The Monthly, and The Saturday Paper. It airs every Monday to Friday.
During the course of it, Ruby will tell you who is involved in the big story and why it matters. Providing in-depth interviews and incisive analysis for you to discern.
Host: Ruby Jones
Topic: News and Current Affairs
Number of episodes to date: 530+
No Such Thing As A Fish
Love the show QI? Then you will love the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast.
In this award-winning podcast, four writers from the hit BBC TV show – James Harkin, Dan Schreiber, Anna Ptaszynski and Andrew Murray discuss some of the best things they’ve discovered in the week.
Just like in the television show, the conversation is funny, intelligent, engaging and well worth turning in for.
You’ll also pick up lots of quirky facts and interesting tidbits of information too.
Host: Dan Schreiber, James Harkin, Andrew Murray, Anna Ptaszynski
Topic: Pop-Culture
Number of episodes to date: 400
The Howie Games
If you have ever watched the cricket or AFL on Fox Sports, the chances are you are familiar with the witty, intelligent and excitable commentary style of Mark Howard.
Well ‘Howie’ as he is affectionately known, brings all of those traits to his fabulous podcasts, whilst discussing the real issues and stories behind the sporting headlines.
Sitting down with some of the biggest and most popular names in Australian sport, he delves into the highs and lows of their careers, in a very informative, captivating and light-hearted way.
Host: Mark Howard
Topic: Sport
Number of episodes to date: 250+
The Kyle & Jackie O Show
Often controversial, and always entertaining, Kyle & Jackie O have one of the most iconic radio shows in Australia. They also have a pretty popular podcast as well, which essentially takes the form of a cut version of their daily radio broadcast.
Mixing forthright, often unpopular opinions, with plenty of laughs and a fairly laid-back manner, no topic is off limits for them.
At times this podcast is not very PC, so if you are of a sensitive nature just be warned.
Host: Kyle Sandilands & Jackie O
Topic: Pop-Culture
Number of episodes to date: 418
She’s On The Money
Are you a millennial woman who is seeking financial freedom? Then you should give ‘She’s on the Money’ a whirl.
Hosted by Victoria Devine, the show provides lots of hints and tips on how to make money, save money, spend money more wisely and generate a richer lifestyle.
If you are a woman who believes you can a yoga membership, the house deposit, the Hawaii trip, a share portfolio and of course brunch dates, all at the same time – then this is the podcast for you.
Host: Victoria Devine
Topic: Finance
Number of episodes to date: 13O+
Morbid: A True Crime Podcast
Ever feel bad about laughing as something quite morbid? Well, you can comfort yourself by knowing you are not the only one when listening to this broadcast.
Morbid: A True Crime Podcast, is voiced by Laina Urquhart & Ashleigh Kelley. It explores all things macabre and creepy by combining solid, in-depth research with just the right amount of comedic effect,
If you are not familiar with this innovative Australian podcast then be sure to give it a listen. You will be intrigued, shocked, appalled and tickled pink all at the same time.
Host: Laina Urquhart & Ashleigh Kelley
Topic: True Crime
Number of episodes to date: 295
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
In need of some inspiration? Well, no podcast does it better than On Purpose with Jay Shetty.
Providing plenty of verbal encouragement and motivational wisdom, this salient broadcast runs from Monday to Friday.
He engages some of the most reflective, highly educated and philosophical people in the world in conversation, in the hope that he can galvanise people to live their lives with further direction and purpose.
Host: Jay Shetty
Topic: Inspiration
Number of episodes to date: 225+
The Update
If you are short on time but want to keep abreast with the news, The Update is an excellent podcast in which to do that.
Bringing you all the latest big news stories from around the world, this show covers everything from politics to current affairs and entertainment to sport.
Often the podcasts are quite short, which is good for those who want to be able to take in the information they present without being overloaded.
Host: Nova Podcasts
Topic: Pop-Culture
Number of episodes to date: 300+
Jase & PJ
For those who need their mood lifted, Jason Hawkings and Polly Harding never fail to deliver.
Their broadcast, Jase & PJ, is another popular radio show which has been turned into a successful podcast.
Rife with hilarity, they enjoy great banter, often playing plenty of pranks on each other and sharing lots of laughs, immature antics and fun conversation.
Host: Jason Hawkings & Polly Harding
Topic: Pop-Culture
Number of episodes to date: 1,350+
Rush Hour with JB and Billy
If you love comedy and you love sport, then James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless will provide this for you in abundance.
Lifting its content from Triple M’s iconic rush hour broadcast, it can now be listened to at any point of the day.
Covering all the popular sports in Melbourne, this show is a great way to stay up to date with all the main sports stories of the day.
Host: James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless
Topic: Sport
Number of episodes to date: 1025+
From The Newsroom
From The Newsroom is another excellent news podcast for those who want to be kept abreast of all the day’s headlines.
Run by news.com.au, this broadcast gives you a quick overview of all the main stories that are hot off the press.
Presenting them to you in small and easy-to-digest bites, this is an excellent bulletin which reports on a wide range of topics.
If you can only listen to one news-related podcast a day, be sure to make it this one.
Host: News.com.au
Topic: News and Current Affairs
Number of episodes to date: 815+
Final Thought!
So there it is! Our selection of 20 of the best Australian podcasts you simply have to listen to!
Whatever you are into, the podcasts on this list will provide you with compelling, interesting and often funny content that will keep you coming back for me.