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Top Podcasts for Local Stories in 2026

Curated by PodSEO

The local stories space keeps producing fresh voices and long-running favorites. This list rounds up 34 of the best, including This American Life, Criminal, and Radiolab.

  1. This American Life
    This American Life
    Each week we choose a theme. Then anything can happen. This American Life is true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Personal storie...
    Content:
    Ageing WellArtsChristian LivingCultureElder CareLocal Stories
    +12
    Audience:
    College StudentsParentsRecent GraduatesRetireesStudents
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasEmotional ResilienceFollowing A StoryMental Health TipsUnwinding And Laughing
    Style:
    DocumentaryInterviewInvestigativeNarrative Storytelling
    When:
    At WorkBackground NoiseCommutingDoing ChoresFocused Learning
    +3
  2. Criminal
    Criminal
    Criminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe ...
    Content:
    Bizarre CrimesCold Case InvestigationsCultureDark FictionElder CareLocal Stories
    +11
    Audience:
    College StudentsRetireesStudentsTrue Crime Fans
    Goal:
    Following A Story
    Style:
    DocumentaryIn-Depth InterviewsInterviewInvestigativeNarrative Storytelling
    +1
    When:
    Background NoiseCommutingDoing ChoresLong DriveWeekend Deep Dive
  3. Radiolab
    Radiolab
    Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you throu...
    Content:
    BiologyComp Neuro SciCultureEducationPersonal StorytellingLocal Stories
    +6
    Audience:
    College StudentsDoctorsEducatorsStudentsTeachers
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasFollowing A StoryGetting Expert InsightsLearning New SkillsMarriage Support
    +5
    Style:
    DebateDocumentaryEducationalIn-Depth InterviewsInterview
    +3
    When:
    At The GymAt WorkBackground NoiseBefore BedCommuting
    +4
  4. The Moth
    The Moth
    On Tuesdays and Fridays The Moth’s podcast feed presents episodes of the Peabody-Award Winning Moth Radio Hour and original episodes of The Moth Po...
    Content:
    ArtsBarroom StoriesComedyCultureEntertainmentLocal Stories
    +15
    Audience:
    FreelancersRemote WorkersRetirees
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasFollowing A StoryImproving Public SpeakingSleeping BetterTo Fall Asleep To
    Style:
    DocumentaryNarrative Storytelling
    When:
    At The GymAt WorkBackground NoiseBefore BedCommuting
    +4
  5. Snap Judgment
    Snap Judgment
    Snap Judgment mixes real stories with beats to produce cinematic, dramatic audio. Snap’s raw, musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see ...
    Content:
    Barroom StoriesExperience Of LifeLived ExperiencePersonal StorytellingPoetic StorytellingLocal Stories
    +3
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasFollowing A Story
    Style:
    DocumentaryInvestigativeNarrative Storytelling
    When:
    At WorkLong DriveWeekend Deep Dive
  6. S-Town
    S-Town
    S-Town is a podcast hosted by Brian Reed from Serial Productions, a New York Times company. The story follows a man named John who despises his Ala...
    Content:
    Audio FictionCold Case InvestigationsFictionMystery StorytellingPersonal MemoirsLocal Stories
    +4
    Audience:
    True Crime Fans
    Goal:
    Following A Story
    Style:
    DocumentaryInvestigativeNarrative StorytellingSerialized Fiction
    When:
    Doing ChoresLong DriveWeekend Deep Dive
  7. Rumble Strip
    Rumble Strip
    Good conversation that takes its time, hosted by Erica Heilman.
    Content:
    Road Trip StoriesLocal Stories
    When:
    Long Drive
  8. Bay Curious
    Bay Curious
    Bay Curious is a show about your questions – and the adventures you find when you go looking for the answers. Join host Olivia Allen-Price to explo...
    Content:
    Local HistoryLocal Stories
  9. History of the Bay
    History of the Bay
    San Francisco-based graffiti artist and rapper Dregs One explores the Bay Area's rich culture in rap music, graffiti art, and other important areas...
    Content:
    Local HistoryLocal Stories
  10. City Cast Chicago
    City Cast Chicago
    Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activi...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  11. City Cast Twin Cities
    City Cast Twin Cities
    Join Sean McPherson and the City Cast Twin Cities team every weekday morning as we bring you the day's conversations about life in the Twin Cities....
    Content:
    Local Stories
  12. Daily Detroit
    Daily Detroit
    What to know and where to go in Metro Detroit! We have conversations that push Detroit forward and share local stories about restaurants, business,...
    Content:
    Local Stories
    When:
    Quick Listen
  13. Next City
    Next City
    Join Lucas Grindley, executive director at Next City, where we believe journalists have the power to amplify solutions and spread workable ideas. E...
    Content:
    Building Better CitiesLocal Stories
  14. Crimetown
    Crimetown
    Welcome to Crimetown, a series produced by Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier in partnership with Gimlet Media. Each season, we investigate the c...
    Content:
    Police ReformReal Life StoriesLocal Stories
    Goal:
    Following A Story
    Style:
    DocumentaryInvestigative
    When:
    Long DriveWeekend Deep Dive
  15. The Narrators
    The Narrators
    True stories told live at The Narrators, the award-winning storytelling show. Comedians, actors, musicians, writers, and other fascinating folks sh...
    Content:
    Barroom StoriesPersonal MemoirsLocal Stories
  16. Accused
    Accused
    Season 4: When Rhoda Nathan's lifeless body was discovered in her hotel room, it was assumed she'd had a heart attack. The autopsy proved otherwise...
    Content:
    Cold Case InvestigationsForensic ScienceTrue CrimeLocal Stories
    Audience:
    True Crime Fans
    Style:
    Investigative
    When:
    Weekend Deep Dive
  17. Curious City
    Curious City
    Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
    Content:
    Local Stories
  18. Neighbors
    Neighbors
    A show about what connects with Jakob Lewis. Neighbors is a production of Great Feeling Studios www.greatfeelingstudios.com Join “The Neighborhood”...
    Content:
    Immigration JourneyLocal Stories
  19. Vermont Edition
    Vermont Edition
    Vermont Edition brings you news and conversation about issues affecting your life. Host Mikaela Lefrak considers the context of current events thro...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  20. Community In-Site
    Community In-Site
    Community In-site is about the family well-being movement. Hosts Tecoria Jones and Elliott Hinkle bring their lived expertise with the child welfar...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  21. Inside Appalachia
    Inside Appalachia
    Inside Appalachia tells the stories of our people, and how they live today. The show is an audio tour of our rich history, food, music and culture.
    Content:
    Appalachian FolkloreLocal Stories
  22. Listen Local
    Listen Local
    In this podcast Jacob Blaeser (BlazeAir Productions), Colton Maher (Woods to Water Real Estate) and Isaiah Moengen (Lakes Area Heroes) cover everyt...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  23. StoryTown Radio
    StoryTown Radio
    Real stories, real people. This storytelling program is filled with true-life adventures of people past and present from Jonesborough, Tennessee, a...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  24. Sasso's Out (formerly Trenton Waves)
    Sasso's Out (formerly Trenton Waves)
    Join Frank and Christina Sasso, two adventurous New Yorkers, as they embark on a unique travel journey around the globe. Unlike traditional travel ...
    Content:
    TravelLocal Stories
  25. A Sense of Centerville and Washington Township
    A Sense of Centerville and Washington Township
    Stories about ordinary and extraordinary residents and places in Centerville and Washington Township, Ohio. This podcast explores local history fro...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  26. State Your Line: A Kansas City Podcast
    State Your Line: A Kansas City Podcast
    A weekly podcast for Kansas Citians by Kansas Citians, hosted by the Ritz brothers. Kevin & Danny cover all things Kansas City on both sides of...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  27. Dish City
    Dish City
    Dish City explores the iconic foods of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to understand local history and how we live today. Join hosts Patrick Fort and ...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  28. Out of the Blocks
    Out of the Blocks
    Out of the Blocks is a uniquely immersive listening experience that emerges from a mosaic of voices and soundscapes on the streets of Baltimore. A ...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  29. The Community Effect
    The Community Effect
    The Community Effect is a podcast for inquisitive passionate educators who are seeking innovative approaches to enhance or build strong sustainable...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  30. Postcards from Grafton
    Postcards from Grafton
    If you've ever visited the Grafton area, you've probably noticed a soybean field or two, farmhouses, the train tracks, or maybe even the library. D...
    Content:
    Local Stories
  31. Cardigan [Files]
    Cardigan [Files]
    Cardigan [Files] is a City of Playford Library series that showcases strange local history and book reviews with special guests.
    Content:
    Local Stories
  32. Bath County Chronicles
    Bath County Chronicles
    A history podcast about Bath County Kentucky hosted by Rob Kiskaden and Holly Howard. The podcast was created to help promote the beautiful area an...
    Content:
    Local HistoryLocal Stories
  33. TriPod : New Orleans at 300
    TriPod : New Orleans at 300
    Each episode of TriPod: New Orleans at 300 is devoted to a single story or subjects from New Orleans’ rich history.
    Content:
    Local Stories
  34. Rendezvous Region Today
    Rendezvous Region Today
    A podcast meant for the Rendezvous Region, telling local stories while celebrating local history.
    Content:
    Local Stories