Last updated on July 31st, 2026
It’s time again for my annual look at what podcasts I spend time listening to in 2025, mostly while at work. While this year’s list is similar to last year’s list, I did add a few new podcasts, while weeding out a few others (mostly ones that haven’t been updated in quite awhile, or update too infrequently).
I note some of this list’s podcasts are pretty heavy on covering the Trump administration. Which I suppose is unavoidable, as politics affect everything (especially media and technology).
Code Switch
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch
Code Switch is an NPR podcast that focuses on American society’s treatment of people of color. Given current events, many of this year’s podcasts are focused on the Trump administration’s regressive policies, from ICE to Trump’s sending troops into Washington, DC.
Also mentioned in this and other NPR-related podcasts: the Trump administration’s elimination of funding for public broadcasting.
Cory Doctorow
Podcast: craphound.com/feeds/doctorow_podcast
Cory Doctorow is a writer, podcaster, and blogger who writes about problems with the modern tech industry. Doctorow coined the term “ensh*ttification” (i.e., “platform decay” for a more G-rated phrase) for how tech platforms, from streaming services to social media, decline in usability over time.
It’s Been a Minute
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510317/its-been-a-minute
“It’s Been a Minute” is an NPR podcast that covers a range of topics that affect people of color. Like Code Switch, “Minute” has been focused this year on the Trump administration’s general bigotry, though other topics are covered, such as Tyler Perry’s career.
Life Kit
Podcast: www.npr.org/lifekit
“Life Kit” is an NPR podcast offering tips on various life improvement subjects, ranging from getting more sleep to managing credit card debt.
On the Media
Podcast: www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm
“On the Media” is a weekly public radio program produced by WNYC in New York. The podcast covers issues about American media, including journalism, corporate media, how the press covers certain topics (such as racism), etc.
Planet Money
Podcast: www.npr.org/sections/money/
“Planet Money” is an NPR podcast covering financial topics, as well as the economy.
One noteworthy series of episodes (from 2021-2022) covered the show’s producers trying to establish their own superhero (using a now-public domain 1940s comic book character, “Micro-Face”). They examine the ways one can make a superhero into a money-maker (merchandise, media spin-offs, etc.).
Tech Won’t Save Us
Podcast: www.techwontsave.us
“Tech Won’t Save Us” is a podcast by Paris Marx about the state of technology. It tends to skew more political (and left leaning) versus other tech podcasts. Topics include tech sector unionization, Silicon Valley’s ties to the Trump administration, the problems with artificial intelligence (AI), and so on.
The Vergecast
Podcast: www.theverge.com/the-vergecast
“The Vergecast” is the podcast for The Verge, a tech news site. The podcast’s hosts discuss the prevailing tech industry news of the week, from the tech industry’s latest AI tools (for better or worse) to the newest smartphone models.
“Vergecast” is also not a fan of the Trump administration’s FCC (for good reason), to the point they’ve repeatedly dared FCC head Brendan Carr to come on their show to defend his policies.
This Week in Linux
Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-linux/id1375590441
“This Week in Linux” is a podcast about, well, the week’s latest news about Linux and open source software. The show has a single host, unlike many other tech podcasts.
Photo by FirmBee (Pixabay / CC0)
