Studio 360
What is art? Well, for me, I guess it's anything that you create. It must be, because that's the scope of the art covered on Studio 360. If you have even the mildest interest in art, this podcast will capture and magnifty it. The best part? The podcasts are filled with interviews and reports that introduce you to spoken English from all over the world and from all walks of life.
The World
Ask English students if they listen to English podcasts and most reply yes, but what they listen to is something like CNN or the BBC. That's a good start, but those news channels have little character. The English they speak is strictly newsroom English and doesn't work well in regular conversation. The World is different. News reports have a certain spark that lends itself to colloquial English. This is a great news podcast if you want a touch of humanity.
99% Invisible
99% invisible gets its name from the commonplace things in life that manage to exist without much of our attention, but have fascinating untold stories waiting to captivate your imagination. If you like to know how things work, where they come from, or why things are what they are – then this podcast will leave you enlightened by the role design plays in our everyday lives.
Planet Money
If you have any interest in economics or finance, Planet Money is hands down the best podcast for you. And as an extra bonus, they publish a detailed transcript for every episode! The best thing about Planet Money is that it's accessible to anyone, and covers such a wide variety of topics that you're sure to find one that piques your interest.
This American Life
Stories about ordinary people who experience extraordinary events. This American Life revolutionized the art of storytelling for podcasts. What you get is a theme with 2-4 stories or reports that relate somehow to that topic. Most podcasts take place in the US, so it's a great way to become accustomed to the richness of the American accent while enjoying a great story.
Radiolab
Native speakers tune into Radiolab to learn, so you will be in good company if you're also listening to improve your English skills. Stories revolve around fascinating, often untold stories related to science, life, and philosophy. Listen to perfect your English, stay for the scientific wonder you'll discover. Additionally, the science is given in layman's terms, so it's not that difficult!
The Moth
The Moth is a live event where people stand in front of an audience and tell a captivating story without notes. If you want to listen to real English, mostly from the US, this podcast cannot be beaten. Stories are about people's lives, their struggles, failures, and accomplishments – things we all deal with. This is the best podcast to learn English as it's spoken in the real world.
Freakonomics
Freakonoimcs is very similar to Planet Money, the only major difference is that Freakonomics often has longer episodes, so if time is a factor maybe you should stick with Planet Money. But it's your loss! Freakonomics covers fascinating stories originating in the the world of finance but seeming to reach every topic imaginable. In short, there will be a story that simultaneously entertains you and improves your English.