Listen up, nerds. Looking for the perfect pop culture fix for your daily commute? Need something to keep you busy on a long road trip? We’ve got the answer: a pop culture-themed podcast. We’ve selected some of the best podcasts for every type of superfan, whether you’re looking to analyze your favorite flicks from a feminist perspective or relive the most iconic moments from off-air TV series. These podcasts are for fans, by fans, and they offer in-depth information, droves of funny commentary, coveted celebrity interviews, and so much more. So grab your headphones, it’s time to tune in.
Gilmore Guys | HeadGum
Hey, Gillies! Ever watch Gilmore Girls (or any masterful show developed by Amy Sherman-Palladino, really) and criticize the sometimes-ridiculous plot holes, deep dive into character analysis, or debate preferred love triangle solutions? GG repeat binger Kevin T. Porter and series newbie Demi Adejuyigbe take an episode-by-episode look at all seven seasons of The WB show. But don’t worry, after Gilmore Girls wrapped, the podcast duo moves onto critiquing AS-P’s other original series, including Bunheads, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The pair sits down with special guests each episode — including iconic cast members, such as Gilmore’s Scott Patterson and Bunheads star Stacey Oristano; the original creative team, such as writer Sheila Lawrence; and celeb superfans Mara Wilson and Parenthood actress Sarah Ramos. They come together to gush over the fast-paced dialogue, dissect cinematography details, analyze pop culture references, and provide each episode with an overall rating.
Episode Length: 1:00-1:20, however some episodes run longer
New Episodes: Weekly, especially as new seasons debut
Available: HeadGum, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Women of Marvel | Marvel
Ladies, assemble. This podcast dives into all the juicy Marvel deets we want to know from the perspective of its female employees and stars as they discuss all things Marvel, including the cinematic universe, television universe, comics, and even merch. Hosted by Marvel staffers Sana Amanat and Judy Stephens, the half-hour episodes include interviews with other marvel-ous women, such as writers, actors, comic artists, and toy manufacturers who all help bring the Marvel universe to life. The hosts chat with their guests about their experience in the Marvel universe — behind or in front of the cameras — including the Hasbro designers behind the Marvel Rising doll line; Olivia Holt, who plays Dagger on Freeform’s Cloak and Dagger; Karen Gillan from Avengers: Endgame; and Captain Marvel comic writer Kelly Sue DeConnick. Episodes cover relevant and timely TV, film, and comic series releases and feature industry professionals speaking about their superhero experience with the studio throughout their and its tenure. While many Marvel podcasts are produced by fans, this one comes from the powers that be at the studio, as they dig deep and share everything you want to know about what’s new in the universe, with powerful women behind the mic.
Episode Length: 0:30
New Episodes: Weekly
Available: Marvel, Apple Podcasts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqTif9htk3Q
How Did This Get Made? | Earwolf
We all have our favorite movies that — in terms of quality — are, well, straight-up trash, but we can’t help but love them regardless. It’s pure comfort viewing. Hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas talk through their thoughts on why notably bad movies are so bad that they’re actually good, helping us strip away any “guilty pleasure” insecurities. The trio and their special guests, such as Seth Rogan, former SNL star Sasheer Zamata, Daniel Radcliffe, and Casey Wilson watch films, such as Lifetime’s Harry and Meghan: A Royal Romance, Van Helsing, and Little Italy, and then hilariously recap the best and worst moments. Ever wondered what stands out about the Kelly Clarkson-led From Justin to Kelly? Or what the point behind Vanessa Hudgens’ modern fairytale Beastly was, or what even happened in The Disaster Artist? We get it, and so do these hosts, as they break down (with hilarious results) what it’s like to watch and question what these films show on screen. As you subscribe and turn up your volume, prepare to laugh out loud as you realize their commentary is everything you actually love about these bad flicks.
Episode Length: 0:30-1:00
New Episodes: Every other week
Available: Earwolf, SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Full of Sith | Full of Sith
The weekly Star Wars podcast hosted by Mike Pilot, Holly Frey, and Bryan Young, is chock-full of everything from a galaxy far, far away. Episodes cover the latest news, philosophical life topics, interviews with the cast and crew, and deep-dives into characters and storylines. Geek out with this trio of friends as they share your love for the iconic franchise. This pod is your weekly dose of everything Star Wars as the hosts dive into breaking stories straight from outer space and the influence of the fictional galaxy on our own world and experiences.
Episode Length: 1:00
New Episodes: Weekly
Available: fullofsith.com, Apple Podcasts
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text | Panopoly
Accio, podcast! All you wizards and muggles can gather ‘round for this podcast focused on J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series Harry Potter. Hosts Vanessa Zoltan and Casper ter Kuile go through each chapter of the entire magical book series, diving into one significant theme per chapter, whether it is commitment, revenge, or forgiveness. While the two muggles discuss the messages in the books, they tie it into the real world to answer life’s big questions. HP readers can attest to how much the franchise means to them, and this podcast breaks down the best moments (you know, the ones you can’t stop reading over and over again) and how they connect us all.
Episode Length: 0:40
New Episodes: Weekly
Available: harrypottersacredtext.com, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Bechdel Cast | HowStuffWorks
Hosts Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus discuss the portrayal of women in film in this entertaining podcast. The podcast puts popular films to the Bechdel Test, developed by cartoonist Alison Bechdel, which measures representation of women in fiction based on whether or not at least two female characters with names had a conversation on screen that didn’t revolve around a man. Durante and Loftus conquer representation of women in the film industry as they break down whether or not iconic movies pass the test. The hostesses tackle the nature of female characters in flicks including The Avengers franchise, Sleepless in Seattle, The Breakfast Club, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Whether representation is iffy or outright progressive AF, the hosts honestly call out what our favorite movies get right or painfully wrong.
Episode Length: 1:00-1:30
New Episodes: Weekly
Available: bechdelcast.com, SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio
The Hamilcast | The Hamilcast
Hey, theater nerds! Host Gillian Pensavalle, a big Hamilfan herself, takes you into the room where it happens to discuss all things pertaining to the Tony- and Grammy-winning musical and its brilliance. Pensavalle chats with the show’s stars and crew, history teachers infusing the bastard orphan and rap battles into classrooms, historians, and social media’s biggest fans. She bonds with her guests over the Great White Way and why this musical has spurred a fandom of its own. G. Pen is humbled to be your obedient servant as she recounts why the musical has struck a chord with our great nation.
Episode Length: 1:00
New Episodes: Weekly
Available: thehamilcast.com, Apple Podcasts
Black Girl Nerds | Black Girl Nerds
This online community is dedicated to dishing on all things geek culture among black women and people of color. Hosted by Jamie Broadnax and a slew of BGN correspondents, the ladies speak on a variety of pop culture hot topics, including Game of Thrones recaps in their #ThronesYall series, interviews with celebrities and filmmakers including Gabrielle Union and filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee, cast interviews from movie sets and press junkets, and more. While many episodes dive into popular fandoms and franchises, including GoT, Marvel, and blockbuster films, the BGN ladies are here to chat about all types of interests, including breaking down Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding, recapping Rachel Lindsay’s Bachelorette season, and discussing the importance of representation and diversity in TV, film, comics, and everything nerdy.
Episode Length: 1:00-1:30
New Episodes: Weekly
Available: blackgirlnerds.com, SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness | Earwolf
Yaaas, henny! Our favorite grooming expert and reality TV personality talks with a variety of experts about his curiosities in an assortment of topics, including gender equality, period awareness, and even discussions with his Fab Five BFFs and ice skating pros. Not only does host Jonathan Van Ness give us our daily dose of motivation to live our best lives, as per usual, but his podcast helps keep us informed on some very important topics. You keep slaying, JVN.
Episode Length: 0:45
New episodes: Weekly
Available: Earwolf, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
What Should I Read Next? | Wondery
You know that feeling when you finish a good book and then end up staring aimlessly at your bookshelf trying to find the perfect read to follow it up? Us, too. To help shorten your TBR list, host Anne Bogel (of the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy) invites her weekly guests to discuss their favorite — and least favorite — books to help save you from the agony of endlessly searching bookshelves. Episode 186 is titled “Finding the book that feels like it was written just for you” and in the end, isn’t that all we want in our next read? Listen along to Bogel’s literary matchmaking as you find your next book to indulge in.
Episode Length: 0:50
New episodes: Weekly
Available: modernmrsdarcy.com, wondery.com, Apple Podcasts
Here to Make Friends | Huffington Post
There are several snark-tastic recaps of the Bachelor franchise, yet we give our final rose to The Huffington Post’s Emma Gray and Claire Fallon as they break down all the drama on the ABC show’s weekly episodes. The girls recap the latest moments with plenty of snark, even bringing in a number of Bachelor Nation alumni to give the inside scoop about what it’s really like. This podcast has just about as much cynicism and sass as your Monday night viewing party, so crack open a bottle of rosé and settle in.
Episode Length: 1:30
New episodes: Weekly
Available: Huffington Post, Apple Podcasts
This article was originally published in the Pop Insider’s Summer 2019 Issue No. 4, click here to read more!
Photo: Bald Move, Black Girl Nerds, Headgum, Panoply, HuffPost, The Hamilcast
