10 Best Podcasts for Seniors in 2026: Stay Informed and Entertained
Looking for something interesting to listen to while cooking, walking, or relaxing? Podcasts offer thousands of shows covering everything from current events to fascinating stories, all available free on your smartphone or tablet.
- Most phones already have a podcast app built in (Apple Podcasts for iPhones, YouTube Music for Android devices).
- You can also use Spotify to listen to both music and podcasts.
- Simply search for any show below, hit subscribe, and new episodes will appear automatically.
We’ve selected ten podcasts that are particularly great for older adults: shows that inform, inspire, and entertain without requiring you to stare at a screen.
Top 10 Podcasts for Seniors
1. Stuff You Should Know
Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant make learning fun by exploring fascinating topics in friendly, conversational style.
One week they might explain how the Panama Canal works, the next they’re diving into the history of ice cream. Each 40-minute episode feels like listening to two smart friends chat about something interesting.
Perfect if you’ve always been curious about how things work.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
2. The Perfect Scam (AARP)
This AARP podcast is essential listening for anyone who wants to protect themselves from fraud.
Each episode tells the true story of someone who was targeted by scammers (romance scams, tech support fraud, phishing schemes) and explains the warning signs.
Host Bob Sullivan (former NBC investigative reporter) interviews victims and fraud experts. You’ll learn to spot red flags before you become a target.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, AARP Website
3. This American Life
Ira Glass has been bringing stories to life on public radio for nearly 30 years.
Each week features several true stories connected by a theme. Maybe it’s stories about houses, or second chances, or things people collect.
The reporting is top-notch, the storytelling engaging, and you’ll hear perspectives from all walks of American life. Episodes run about an hour.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
4. The Daily (The New York Times)
Want to stay current without watching cable news all day?
This 20-30 minute podcast comes out every weekday morning and explains one major news story in depth.
Host Michael Barbaro interviews Times reporters who break down what happened, why it matters, and what might happen next. It’s news that respects your intelligence without overwhelming you.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
5. Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!
This NPR news quiz show makes current events entertaining.
Host Peter Sagal and a panel of comedians joke about the week’s news, quiz celebrity guests, and play games with listeners who call in.
You’ll stay informed while laughing, and you might learn that paying attention to the news doesn’t have to feel like homework. New episodes every Saturday.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
6. Radiolab
Co-hosts Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser explore big questions through sound-rich storytelling.
How do we make decisions? What is consciousness? Why do we sleep?
They take complex scientific and philosophical topics and make them accessible through interviews, sound design, and genuine curiosity. Each episode feels like an audio documentary that respects your brain.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR website
7. TED Radio Hour
If you enjoy TED Talks but want more depth, this show delivers.
Host Manoush Zomorodi takes multiple TED Talks on a theme and expands on them through interviews with the speakers.
One episode might explore creativity, another examines aging, another looks at technology. Each hour gives you several “aha” moments and fresh perspectives.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
8. The Moth
Real people tell true stories from their own lives. No notes, no scripts.
A woman describes caring for her aging mother. A man talks about the day he almost gave up.
These 10-15 minute stories are funny, heartbreaking, inspiring, and deeply human. It’s like sitting around listening to someone who’s really good at telling stories. Great way to feel connected to others’ experiences.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
9. Freakonomics Radio
Host Stephen Dubner uses economics to explain surprising things about how the world works.
Why do we tip? Does exercise actually help you lose weight? Are elite colleges worth the cost?
The show takes everyday questions and digs into the data, often reaching unexpected conclusions. Episodes make you think differently about familiar topics.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
10. On Being (Archive)
Krista Tippett’s thoughtful conversations about meaning, faith, science, and what it means to be human have created one of the richest podcast archives available.
While new weekly episodes ended in 2024, hundreds of past interviews remain available. Conversations with poets, scientists, theologians, and thinkers exploring life’s deepest questions. Perfect for quiet reflection.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Why Podcasts Work Well for Seniors
Listen while doing other things. Podcasts fit naturally into your daily routine. Listen while cooking dinner, working in the garden, taking your morning walk, or doing household chores. Unlike TV or reading, you can enjoy them while keeping your hands and eyes free.
Stay mentally sharp. Learning new things and staying curious about the world supports cognitive health as we age. Podcasts bring that mental stimulation right to your ears.
Feel more connected. Many older adults appreciate how podcasts combat loneliness. Hearing voices discussing topics you care about creates a sense of connection. Some shows even have online communities where listeners discuss episodes together.
Getting Started
Pick one or two shows from this list that sound interesting. Subscribe to them in your podcast app, download a few episodes, and give them a try during your next walk or while making breakfast.
If a show doesn’t grab you after two episodes, move on to another. There’s no shortage of great content out there.
The beauty of podcasts is that you can pause them, replay sections, or skip topics that don’t interest you. They’re entirely on your schedule, and they’re free.
