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Top Podcasts for Critical Thinking in 2026

Curated by PodSEO

The critical thinking space keeps producing fresh voices and long-running favorites. This list rounds up 31 of the best, including Hidden Brain, If Books Could Kill, and Ologies with Alie Ward.

  1. Hidden Brain
    Hidden Brain
    Why do I feel stuck? How can I become more creative? What can I do to improve my relationships? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’...
    Content:
    Aging PositivelyAttention ManagementBiologyComp Neuro SciCreative AttentionCritical Thinking
    +22
    Audience:
    College StudentsMotivated ListenersParent-Child LearningStudentsTeachers
    +2
    Goal:
    Burnout PreventionDiscovering New IdeasEmotional RegulationEmotional ResilienceEmotional Wellness
    +8
    Style:
    DocumentaryEducationalInteractive Kids PodcastsQ And A
    When:
    At WorkCommutingDoing ChoresFocused LearningLong Drive
    +1
  2. If Books Could Kill
    If Books Could Kill
    The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds
    Content:
    Book ClubEntertainmentTV Show RecapsCritical Thinking
    Audience:
    Book LoversWriters
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasSolving Problems
    Style:
    Solo Commentary
    When:
    CommutingLong DriveWeekend Deep Dive
  3. Ologies with Alie Ward
    Ologies with Alie Ward
    Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket...
    Content:
    BiologyEducationEntertainmentGut HealthLived ExperienceCritical Thinking
    +4
    Audience:
    College StudentsEngineersRecent GraduatesStudentsWomen In Stem
    Goal:
    Burnout PreventionDiscovering New IdeasGetting Expert InsightsImproving HealthLearning New Skills
    +1
    Style:
    EducationalInterviewQ And A
    When:
    At The GymAt WorkBackground NoiseCommutingDoing Chores
    +3
  4. Science Vs
    Science Vs
    There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Science Vs is the show from Spotify Studios that finds out what’s fac...
    Content:
    BiologyEducationScienceCritical Thinking
    Audience:
    College StudentsEducatorsEngineersFitness BeginnersHealthcare Professionals
    +2
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert InsightsImproving HealthLearning New SkillsProfessional Development
    Style:
    EducationalSolo Commentary
    When:
    At WorkBackground NoiseCommutingDoing ChoresFocused Learning
    +2
  5. The Peter Attia Drive
    The Peter Attia Drive
    Expert insight on health, performance, longevity, critical thinking, and pursuing excellence. Dr. Peter Attia (Stanford/Hopkins/NIH-trained MD) tal...
    Content:
    Functional MedicineHealth & FitnessHolistic WellnessMedical TrainingMedicine Self CareCritical Thinking
    +2
    Audience:
    AthletesDoctorsHealthcare ProfessionalsRetirees
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert InsightsImproving HealthLearning New Skills
    Style:
    Educational
    When:
    At The GymFocused LearningWeekend Deep Dive
  6. The Michael Shermer Show
    The Michael Shermer Show
    The Michael Shermer Show is a series of long-form conversations between Dr. Michael Shermer and leading scientists, philosophers, historians, schol...
    Content:
    Consciousness ExplorationCritical Thinking
  7. You Are Not So Smart
    You Are Not So Smart
    You Are Not So Smart is a show about psychology that celebrates science and self delusion. In each episode, we explore what we've learned so far ab...
    Content:
    Open MindednessCritical Thinking
    Goal:
    Learning New SkillsSolving Problems
    Style:
    Educational
  8. The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
    The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
    The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is a weekly science podcast discussing the latest science news, critical thinking, bad science, conspiracies an...
    Content:
    ScienceCritical Thinking
    Goal:
    Getting Expert InsightsSolving Problems
    Style:
    EducationalPanel Discussion
  9. Intelligence Squared
    Intelligence Squared
    Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy fo...
    Content:
    CultureCritical Thinking
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert Insights
    Style:
    Debate
  10. Skeptoid
    Skeptoid
    The true science behind our most popular urban legends. Historical mysteries, paranormal claims, popular science myths, aliens and UFO reports, con...
    Content:
    Conspiracy TheoriesCritical Thinking
  11. Very Bad Wizards
    Very Bad Wizards
    Very Bad Wizards is a podcast featuring a philosopher (Tamler Sommers) and a psychologist (David Pizarro), who share a love for ethics, pop culture...
    Content:
    Existential QuestioningMedia PhilosophyCritical Thinking
    Goal:
    Discovering New Ideas
  12. Tech Won't Save Us
    Tech Won't Save Us
    Silicon Valley wants to shape our future, but why should we let it? Every Thursday, Paris Marx is joined by a new guest to critically examine the t...
    Content:
    Capitalism CritiqueConsumer TechDigital CultureEmerging TechnologiesTech CultureCritical Thinking
    +1
    Audience:
    Developers
  13. Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg
    Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg
    Clearer Thinking is a podcast about ideas that truly matter. If you enjoy learning about powerful, practical concepts and frameworks, wish you had ...
    Content:
    Decision MakingCritical Thinking
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasSolving Problems
  14. Data Skeptic
    Data Skeptic
    The Data Skeptic Podcast features interviews and discussion of topics related to data science, statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligenc...
    Content:
    Ai ToolsArtificial IntelligenceCloud ComputingData ScienceSocial IssuesCritical Thinking
    +2
    Audience:
    Developers
    Goal:
    Getting Expert Insights
  15. Making Sense
    Making Sense
    “Making Sense,” the podcast channel from J.P. Morgan’s Commercial & Investment Bank, brings you views and analysis from the Investment Banking, Mar...
    Content:
    Existential QuestioningLife WisdomOpen MindednessRaw ConversationsReflective ConversationCritical Thinking
    +3
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert Insights
    Style:
    DebateSolo Commentary
    When:
    Focused Learning
  16. Skeptics with a K
    Skeptics with a K
    Skeptics with a K is the podcast for science, reason and critical thinking from the Merseyside Skeptics Society. Each episode features Mike Hall, M...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
  17. Cognitive Dissonance
    Cognitive Dissonance
    Every episode we blast anyone who gets in our way. We bring critical thinking, skepticism, and irreverence to any topic that makes the news, makes ...
    Content:
    Political SatireCritical Thinking
    Goal:
    Getting Expert Insights
  18. Inquiring Minds
    Inquiring Minds
    Each week we bring you a new, in-depth exploration of the space where science and society collide. We’re committed to the idea that making an effor...
    Content:
    Weekly ReflectionCritical Thinking
  19. The Secular Buddhist
    The Secular Buddhist
    The Secular Buddhist is the official podcast of the Secular Buddhist Association, focusing on early Buddhist teaching and practice from a secular p...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
  20. Rationally Speaking Podcast
    Rationally Speaking Podcast
    Rationally Speaking is the bi-weekly podcast of New York City Skeptics. Join host Julia Galef and guests as they explore the borderlands between re...
    Content:
    Thought ReflectionsCritical Thinking
    Goal:
    Solving Problems
  21. Preconceived
    Preconceived
    Preconceived, hosted by Zale Mednick, dives deep into the intricacies of human experience, challenging the assumptions that shape our understanding...
    Content:
    Open MindednessCritical Thinking
  22. Science for the People
    Science for the People
    Science for the People is a long-format interview podcast that explores the connections between science, popular culture, history, and public polic...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
    Goal:
    Getting Expert Insights
  23. The Cabrera Lab Podcast
    The Cabrera Lab Podcast
    Join Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera from Cornell University as they inspire you to approach life's challenges with a fresh perspective. Witness their...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
  24. Critical Reasoning: A Romp Through the Foothills of Logic
    Critical Reasoning: A Romp Through the Foothills of Logic
    This series of podcasts by Marianne Talbot will equip you with everything you need to improve your reasoning skills. You will learn to recognize ar...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
  25. Thinking Clearly
    Thinking Clearly
    In this age of fake news, alternative facts and information overload, this podcast offers cognitive self-defense strategies and topics that will he...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
  26. Squaring the Strange
    Squaring the Strange
    Not just another "skeptical" podcast, it's a show about critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, using science and critical thinking to exami...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
    Goal:
    Getting Expert InsightsSolving Problems
  27. Curated Questions: Conversations Celebrating the Power of Questions!
    Curated Questions: Conversations Celebrating the Power of Questions!
    Curated Questions: Conversations Celebrating the Power of Questions Hosted by Ken Woodward, Curated Questions is a thought-provoking podcast that c...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
    Goal:
    Improving Public SpeakingProfessional Development
    Style:
    Q And A
  28. Thinking Critically
    Thinking Critically
    Thinking Critically is a podcast brought to you by Intelligent Speculation and hosted by Jonathan Maloney, which provides individuals with the tool...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
    Goal:
    Solving Problems
  29. inSUBSTANTIA Exploring Ideas - Challenging Assumptions.
    inSUBSTANTIA Exploring Ideas - Challenging Assumptions.
    inSUBSTANTIA is produced in Geneva, Switzerland, and invites leading thinkers, practitioners, and curious minds to explore ideas that shape our wor...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
    Goal:
    Discovering New Ideas
    Style:
    Educational
  30. Made Ya Think
    Made Ya Think
    Made Ya Think is a podcast that uses memes as springboards into deeper conversations about philosophy, psychology, health, economics, Bitcoin, poli...
    Content:
    Critical Thinking
  31. Critical Thinking Podcast
    Critical Thinking Podcast
    Pursuing truth in a generation of misinformation. A podcast about current events, culture, and politics. Hosts: Cameron Dye and Julie Baumgartner
    Content:
    Critical Thinking