Podcasts have well and truly taken over the media world. Weekly podcasts, interview podcasts, culture podcasts, comedy podcasts, and the rest, the audio world is jam-packed with special pop culture guests and true crime stories, with new podcasts popping up seemingly every day. How do we separate the good from the great? Look no further. A small but perfectly formed selection of the best trending podcasts awaits, from inspirational advice to incredible stories of bank robberies and more. These podcasts are easily binge-worthy, so round up your best friends and enough snacks to last the weekend because you might struggle to turn these incredible listens off.
1.
Mel Robbins isn't here to waste time. When it comes to motivational speakers and kicks in the butt, American lawyer and author Mel Robbins is just about the best in the business, a no-nonsense voice of absolute credibility that will practically jump out of your earphones and drag you towards progress. There is no other option.
Start Here with Mel Robbins is one of the best podcasts on the planet today, an absolute must-listen for anyone looking to get anything done. In her Audible Original Podcast, Start Here, sees the authoritative (in the best way) Robbins tackle 13 topics in 30 minutes each. She strips back the curtain on everything from anxiety to money and relationships, giving listeners actionable advice and a clear route to a better mindset and life. Getting started is the hardest part, but Mel Robbins isn't afraid of challenges.
This podcast has an intimacy that helps it stand out from similar efforts. In many ways, it feels like Robbins is personally grabbing you by the collar and giving you a jolt of inspiration to make changes right here, right now, wiping the slate clean and opening up a world of opportunities. Start Here with Mel Robbins is just what the doctor ordered, although in this case, the doctor is a tough-talking lawyer from the United States with decades of credibility behind her. Mel Robbins is one of the world's most sought-after speakers, and this Audible Original Podcast is as good as a private audience with her.
The first episode of Start Here with Mel Robbins is all about happiness, and what better place to start? While ostensibly a lifestyle podcast, the Kansas City star isn't about to leave any stone unturned in her quest to make your life as excellent as it can be. Inspiring, energetic, focused, and downright thrilling, Start Here with Mel Robbins is an absolute must-listen for personal wellness and productivity all at once.
2.
Who doesn't love Stephen Fry? The English comedian, actor, and writer is one of the most beloved personalities on the planet, not to mention one of the most delightful voices to listen to, hour after hour after hour. There is something dreamy about listening to Stephen Fry tell quirky tales of history, so it shouldn't come as a great surprise to hear that Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets is one of the best podcasts out there right now. History is a treasure trove of incredible stories, to the point where Victorian Secrets can often sound for all the world like a fiction podcast and not the riot through a reality that it is. British society underwent incredible changes during this period, and podcast fans worldwide get to listen to Stephen Fry. What more could anyone want?
Across 12 fascinating episodes, Stephen Fry shepherds the listener through the seedy underbelly of Victorian Britain, from the hand-to-mouth existence of the streets to the gaudy lifestyles lived by those on the other side of the financial ledger. This period of history is well-documented but don't mistake thinking you know all there is to know about Victorian Britain; our old buddy Stephen Fry is here to shock and educate you in equal measures. These stories are certifiably astounding, after all.
Far from being the time of prudishness and piety that many want to believe, Victorian Britain was defined by the 'little island that could' deciding to let its hair down before the 20th century kicked into gear. Stephen Fry is a tremendous narrator, and Victorian Britain was a remarkable period of history, so you better believe that such a combination leads to an immense podcast. Load up all 12 episodes and get ready for a binge like no other. The sooner this makes its way to Netflix, the better.
3.
The world loves a true-crime podcast, and for a good reason. These stories of real-life heists and criminal activities are tailor-made for binge listens, as open-mouthed fans worldwide hang on every word of hosts detailing incredible audacity and inevitable demises. Decades before, This American Life had changed the game. However, Sir Michael Caine was lighting up the silver screen as Charlie Croker in The Italian Job, establishing himself as the voice in the world of true crime before the days of Stephen Avery, Adnan Syed, and the rest. If we're talking about true crime, Michael Caine should sit at the top of the storytelling table.
All of which makes Heist with Michael Caine an absolute must-listen for fans of true crime podcasts. Fans of all podcasts should line up these six episodes for a weekend binge, as long as listeners are ready for jaws to hit the floor. The first episode focuses on one of the biggest diamond robberies in history, and the series doesn't let up from there, taking on bank burglaries, book heists, and much more. Sir Michael maintains an irrepressible charm throughout it all, imbuing the stories with credibility and wit in his famous style, often imitated but never replicated.
Heist with Michael Caine is a deep dive into the true crime stories of people from both sides of the coin: the masterminds, detectives, victims, journalists, and others. There is always more than one side to any story, especially when that story is as dramatic as stealing $150 million from a national fund without even stepping foot inside a bank. Hollywood has romanticized the world of true crime, but there is more to a heist than chiseled jaws and daring escapes. Pile up the popcorn and let Sir Michael Caine and his decades of experience set the scene of these shocking crimes.
4.
The clue is in the title. Maintaining a successful marriage isn't as easy as many assume, and pitfalls are everywhere. In the chaos of the modern world, a podcast like How to Not F-ck Up Your Marriage Too Bad is even more indispensable, even more vital. Hosted by author and columnist Stephen Marche, How to Not F-ck Up Your Marriage Too Bad is the hotly anticipated follow-up to 2018 Audible Original How to Not F-ck Up Your Kids Too Bad.
Stephen Marche is an absolute treasure as a host, taking the listener on a thrilling journey of understanding that manages to be hugely informative and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time. Life is immensely complex, and marriage is no different. The answers to complex questions will never be a simple 'yes' or 'no.' Marche approaches every question with compassion and character, proving that you can be entirely wrong about everything while still having a decent idea of what you're doing. That's just how marriage is.
In these ten episodes of How to Not F-ck Up Your Marriage Too Bad, Marche takes on awkward questions, from infidelity and divorce to interfaith relationships and marriage. The first episode sets the tone, debating whether the standard notion of marriage needs revisiting, and every episode is a white-knuckle ride through some essential questions. If you're married, you should be listening to this podcast, whether you think you need to or not.
Marriage is complicated, even when it is at its best. Stephen Marche's How to Not F-ck Up Your Marriage Too Bad is an absolute boon of a podcast; a tremendous listen to help find clarity in the chaos of eternal love.
5.
Where better to end a collection of the best trending podcasts in the world today than with the key to eternal happiness? Okay, the quest for happiness is more complicated than simply listening to a podcast and hoping for the best, but loading up the 12 episodes of Dr. Tim Sharp's Habits for Happiness is an excellent place to start. After all, happiness isn't discovered; it is a process that requires constant care, attention, and work. One of the best podcasts in the world right now, Habits for Happiness, is the first step in a direction that could not be more right.
What is the secret to happiness? There is no secret. Dr. Tim Sharp knows this better than most, and the so-called Doctor of Happy is on hand to provide listeners with the building blocks to a happier life. Not enough is made of being happy, which alone makes this a podcast worth going out of your way to listen to. Dr. Happy knows what he is talking about, that's for sure. Habits for Happiness is all about the process of providing actionable strategies for a happier life.
A clinical and consulting psychologist with a distinguished career stretching back decades, Dr. Tim Sharp is one of the most respected voices on the subject of happiness on the planet over. Habits for Happiness distill that expert wisdom into 12 easily digested episodes, lasting no more than 20 minutes. Brevity is critical when it comes to new ways of living, and you get that and much more with this magnificent podcast.
The last couple of years have not been the best. Looking after wellness and mental health has never been more critical, and Habits for Happiness is a podcast specifically designed to help the brain and help the heart. Unveiled within are ten habits for happiness, tiny habits that can make a huge change immediately.