While SoundCloud might be best known for its seemingly endless supply of hip-hop and EDM tracks, the platform also provides a surprising number of excellent podcasts.
Anyone who wants to be successful online understands the need for making themselves available on as many platforms as possible, so many of the best-known podcasts and radio shows are available on SoundCloud. At the same time, there are also many independent podcasts that can only be found here.
If you’re looking for a new subject to explore or a new podcast to binge, here are some suggestions for great channels on SoundCloud.
Science
With the diverse science offerings on SoundCloud, there’s plenty of ways to satisfy your inner nerd.
For starters, you can check out Radiolab, which might just be one of the best podcasts of all time. Between the high-quality sound production and equally compelling subject matter, Radiolab takes a deep dive into fascinating subjects, from physics to biology to sociology.
According to the description: “Radiolab is a show about curiosity. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich use state-of-the-art sound design, mind-bending story-telling, and a sense of humor to ask big questions and blur the boundaries between science, philosophy, and human experience.”
If you’re interested in the coding/computers side of things, Talk Python to Me is an excellent choice, with its large following and huge number of available tracks.
According to the description: “The show covers a wide array of Python topics as well as many related topics (e.g. MongoDB, AngularJS, DevOps).The format is a casual 30 minute conversation with industry experts.”
Current Events/News
If you’re looking for something that takes a more independent approach to traditional journalism, there are many great options as well.
One of the best and most popular options would be Media Roots, which produces hours-long episodes that provide comprehensive coverage of a given topic. The channel has hundreds of such tracks that stay up to date with current events — the most recent episode is about Russia’s war on Ukraine, for example.
Per the channel’s description: “Since 2010, siblings and journalists Abby Martin and Robbie Martin have been doing Media Roots Radio, a political podcast with a critical eye on US foreign policy, political partisanship and what people can do to fight back. Conversational, controversial, passionate and explicit, Media Roots stands apart from the majority of podcasts coming from a similar point of view.”
However, if you’re looking for something a little sexier, then the true crime focus of Pretty Scary should keep you entertained. The channel posts bi-weekly episodes. “True crime, conspiracy theories, ghosts, aliens, and things of that sort. Hosted by comics Adam Tod Brown, Caitlin Cutt, and Kari Martin,” according to the channel.
Religion/Spirituality
SoundCloud has become a surprisingly robust place to find religious podcasts that reflect many different creeds and perspectives.
A great place to start would be The Review of Religions, a publication in print since 1902 that’s one of the longest-running comparative religious magazines. It also has a great SoundCloud channel, with 127 tracks about different religious issues around the world, how they intersect with one another and how they affect public policy.
Some other independent spiritual channels include The Spiritual Sandbox Podcast, which says: “You deserve to feel great & we’ve got the perfect way to get you there. We’ll get you tuned in, tapped in & turned on about your life! Just by listening, your vibe will rise effortlessly.” There’s also John de Ruiter, a Canadian author and teacher with many tracks available on his SoundCloud channel.
There’s tons of podcast options on SoundCloud. Start exploring and find a new way to stimulate your mind and expand your knowledge.
