Smart, sharp, and current: The best news podcasts in America

News overload is a real, overwhelming problem these days. It feels absolutely impossible to keep up with everything.

Constantly scrolling through social media feeds for updates further adds to the chaos, leaving you more anxious than informed. Not surprisingly, 42% of people in the U.S. sometimes or often avoid the news.

If you want your mornings informed but not overwhelmed, news podcasts are where it’s at. These top-tier audio shows turn complex headlines into manageable, engaging stories. You can absorb major stories while commuting or even while loading the dishwasher. 

Here, we’ve rounded out the five best news podcasts you can tune into to stay informed.

The Daily

This podcast from The New York Times is your quick, essential briefing on the biggest stories shaping our time. With Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams, and Natalie Kitroeff behind the mic, the show combines powerful storytelling with clear, thoughtful insights from top-tier journalists. 

To see The Daily’s narrative depth in action, look at the episode “Every Eight Minutes.” It examines the Uber sexual assault lawsuit and the company’s long struggle with accountability and transparency. Reporter Emily Steel uncovers how, between 2017 and 2022, Uber received reports of sexual misconduct or assault roughly every eight minutes.

TruLaw notes that Uber is under legal scrutiny for allegedly failing to properly screen drivers, a practice that contradicts the company’s stated commitment to passenger safety. The investigation is driven by allegations that Uber’s corporate mindset views safety measures as hindrances to growth, rather than vital passenger protection.

Up First

If The Daily is a detailed lecture,Up First is your news espresso shot. This show is built for speed and efficiency. It is exactly what you need when you only have ten minutes to spare.  

This NPR podcast gives you the three biggest stories of the day. It delivers news summaries on weekdays. The format is quick, usually running just 10 to 15 minutes. Like The Daily, it is available early, hitting your feed by 6 a.m. ET.

The hosts are trusted voices from NPR’s Morning Edition. The team includes A Martínez, Steve Inskeep, Leila Fadel, and Michel Martin. This rotating cast gives the show institutional authority and high production value.

On Sundays, Up First features “The Sunday Story,” a longer 25-minute piece. This episode offers extended content and deep context behind the week’s current headlines. It is the perfect long listen for a Sunday morning, relaxing on the couch.  

The Journal

If your job or interests lean toward business, technology, or the global economy, then The Journal should be on your must-listen list.

The podcast is a powerful co-production between Spotify and The Wall Street Journal. Episodes run between 15 and 25 minutes.

Hosts Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza make big financial topics accessible to everyone. They explore stories ranging from the AI spending boom to the reduction of jobs in Hollywood. The Journalis excellent at translating massive corporate actions, showing how these market movements impact your personal life and savings.

Today, Explained

When the news feels messy and hard to follow, Today, Explained helps you make sense of it. This daily show from Vox leans on explanatory journalism to show what’s happening and why it matters, without drowning you in noise.
Hosted by Sean Rameswaram, the show’s co-creator, along with Noel King, it brings in experts from different fields to break down the day’s biggest stories. You’ll hear from academics, journalists, and policymakers who help put each topic into context.
They cover a wide mix of issues — from sports betting scandals to tensions inside political parties — and they do it in a way that feels clear and manageable for you.
By the time the episode ends, you walk away knowing exactly what’s going on — and why you should care. It’s the kind of show that makes the news feel less like chaos and more like something you can actually keep up with.

What A Day

If you prefer news with a progressive angle and want a sharp start to your morning, this show delivers. What A Day is produced by Crooked Media, the team known for Pod Save America.

This show drops early, available by 5:00 a.m. EST, Monday through Friday. The episodes are quick and punchy, usually running about 20 minutes.  

Lead host Jane Coaston brings smart, substantive analysis to the big stories. Coaston is known for challenging easy partisan divides. She has a unique background, having previously identified as a libertarian.

This history allows her to offer genuinely nuanced political perspectives. The show maintains its progressive alignment. However, it still fights against the simplification of political debates. 

What A Day stands out on its own by sticking to intellectual honesty and clear reporting. It’s a stronger choice if you want substance instead of easy talking points.

Choosing your daily fix

And that’s your guide to five solid ways to stay informed each day. Maybe you want the depth of The Daily, the speed of Up First, or the business focus of The Journal. If you need clarity on complex stories, Today, Explained is your match. And for sharp political talk with character, go for What A Day.

There’s a daily news podcast for every pace and every mood. Pick one, press play, and let it fit into your routine. Soon enough, you’ll know exactly which shows keep you on track.

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