The social sciences podcast space keeps producing fresh voices and long-running favorites. This list rounds up 53 of the best, including Hidden Brain, Freakonomics Radio, and The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos.

  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 ManagementBehavioral PsychologyBiologyComp Neuro SciSocial Sciences Podcast
    +35
    Audience:
    College StudentsHR ProfessionalsIntrovertsMotivated ListenersParent-Child Learning
    +4
    Goal:
    Burnout PreventionDiscovering New IdeasEmotional RegulationEmotional ResilienceEmotional Wellness
    +9
    Style:
    DocumentaryEducationalInteractive Kids PodcastsQ And A
    When:
    At WorkCommutingDoing ChoresFocused LearningLong Drive
    +1
  2. Freakonomics Radio
    Freakonomics Radio
    Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we ...
    Content:
    Book ClubBusinessCultureData ScienceDay TradingSocial Sciences Podcast
    +20
    Audience:
    CEOsCollege StudentsFreelancersInvestorsProduct Managers
    +4
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert InsightsGetting MotivatedGraduate School SuccessLearning New Skills
    +2
    Style:
    DocumentaryEducationalInvestigative
    When:
    At WorkBackground NoiseCommutingDoing ChoresFocused Learning
    +3
  3. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
    The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
    The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you. With the help of...
    Content:
    CultureDaily MotivationalEducationEmotional And Physical LifestyleEmotional LeadershipSocial Sciences Podcast
    +39
    Audience:
    Aspiring EntrepreneursCollege StudentsEducatorsFitness BeginnersMotivated Listeners
    +6
    Goal:
    Building A BusinessBurnout PreventionBurnout RecoveryDiscovering New IdeasEmotional Regulation
    +14
    Style:
    EducationalInterview
    When:
    At The GymAt WorkCommutingDoing ChoresFocused Learning
    +2
  4. Planet Money
    Planet Money
    Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring y...
    Content:
    American Industry TransformationBusinessCareer ChangeDebt PayoffDurable EntrepreneurshipSocial Sciences Podcast
    +26
    Audience:
    Ambitious Women CareersAspiring EntrepreneursCareer ChangersCEOsCollege Students
    +11
    Goal:
    Artist Financial LiteracyBuilding A BusinessDiscovering New IdeasFollowing A StoryGetting Expert Insights
    +5
    Style:
    DocumentaryEducationalIn-Depth InterviewsInterviewInvestigative
    +2
    When:
    At The GymAt WorkCommutingDoing ChoresFocused Learning
    +3
  5. Revisionist History
    Revisionist History
    Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past&m...
    Content:
    American HistoryCultureEducationHistoryHumanity PodcastsSocial Sciences Podcast
    +6
    Audience:
    College StudentsEducatorsHistory BuffsNeurodiverse MusiciansRetirees
    +1
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasFollowing A StoryGetting Expert InsightsLearning New SkillsSolving Problems
    +1
    Style:
    DocumentaryEducationalNarrative StorytellingSolo Commentary
    When:
    CommutingDoing ChoresFocused LearningLong DriveWeekend Deep Dive
  6. Something You Should Know
    Something You Should Know
    Sometimes all it takes is one little fact or one little piece of wisdom to change your life forever. That's the purpose and the hope of "Something ...
    Content:
    ScienceSocial ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
    Goal:
    Learning New Skills
    When:
    CommutingFocused Learning
  7. In Our Time
    In Our Time
    Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In...
    Content:
    Ancient TextsArt ArchaeologyCultureEducationEntertainmentSocial Sciences Podcast
    +4
    Audience:
    History BuffsStudents
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert InsightsLearning New SkillsProfessional DevelopmentSleeping Better
    +1
    Style:
    EducationalInterviewPanel Discussion
    When:
    Background NoiseBefore BedDoing ChoresFocused LearningWeekend Deep Dive
  8. TED Radio Hour
    TED Radio Hour
    Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers. Host Manoush Zomorodi inspires us to learn more about t...
    Content:
    Creative Life MentoringEducationInspirational VoicesKindness MovementOpen MindednessSocial Sciences Podcast
    +3
    Audience:
    College StudentsCouplesEducatorsNewlywedsStudents
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert InsightsImproving Public SpeakingLearning New SkillsProfessional Development
    +1
    Style:
    EducationalInterview
    When:
    At WorkBackground NoiseCommutingDoing ChoresFocused Learning
    +2
  9. All In The Mind
    All In The Mind
    All In The Mind is ABC RN's weekly podcast looking into the mental universe, the mind, brain and behaviour — everything from addiction to artificia...
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologyMeditation PracticeMental HealthPsychology ScienceScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
    Audience:
    People With AnxietyTherapists
    Goal:
    Emotional RegulationEmotional ResilienceImproving HealthMental Health TipsOvercoming Anxiety
  10. EconTalk
    EconTalk
    EconTalk: Conversations for the Curious is an award-winning weekly podcast hosted by Russ Roberts of Shalem College in Jerusalem and Stanford's Hoo...
    Content:
    EducationPolitical EconomySocial Sciences Podcast
    Audience:
    Investors
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert InsightsSolving ProblemsUnderstanding Investing
    When:
    Focused Learning
  11. People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast
    People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast
    This show will help you understand human behavior and psychology so you can better navigate your personal and professional life and better connect ...
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologyHuman BehaviorSocial Sciences Podcast
  12. The Psychology Podcast
    The Psychology Podcast
    In each episode, we talk with inspiring scientists, thinkers, and other self-actualized individuals who will give you a greater understanding of yo...
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologyHuman BehaviorMental HealthNeuroscience-Based LeadershipOpen MindednessSocial Sciences Podcast
    +4
    Audience:
    Therapists
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasEmotional RegulationEmotional ResilienceEmotional WellnessPost Traumatic Growth
    When:
    Commuting
  13. 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:
    Behavioral PsychologyCritical ThinkingHuman BehaviorOpen MindednessPsychology ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
    +1
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasLearning New SkillsSolving Problems
    Style:
    Educational
    When:
    Focused Learning
  14. Choiceology with Katy Milkman
    Choiceology with Katy Milkman
    Can we learn to make smarter choices? Listen in as host Katy Milkman--behavioral scientist, Wharton professor, and author of How to Change--shares ...
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologyDecision MakingFinancial Advisor BiasHuman BehaviorPsychology ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
    +1
    Goal:
    Getting Expert InsightsSolving Problems
  15. Capitalisn't
    Capitalisn't
    We investigate how capitalism is—or more often isn’t—working in our world today. Hosted by economist Luigi Zingales and business journalist Bethany...
    Content:
    Capitalism CritiqueEconomic InequalityPolitical EconomySocial Sciences Podcast
  16. Conversations with Tyler
    Conversations with Tyler
    Tyler Cowen engages today's deepest thinkers in wide-ranging explorations of their work, the world, and everything in between. New conversations ev...
    Content:
    Political EconomyReflective ConversationVisionary InterviewsSocial Sciences Podcast
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasGetting Expert Insights
    Style:
    Interview
  17. New Books in Anthropology
    New Books in Anthropology
    This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episo...
    Content:
    Humanity PodcastsSocial ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  18. New Books in Sociology
    New Books in Sociology
    This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episo...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  19. The Corbett Report Podcast
    The Corbett Report Podcast
    The Corbett Report explores the world of politics, history, science and economics from a radically alternative perspective. From geopolitical consp...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  20. Thinking Allowed
    Thinking Allowed
    New research on how society works
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  21. Behavioral Grooves Podcast
    Behavioral Grooves Podcast
    Stories, science and secrets from the world’s brightest thought-leaders. Behavioral Grooves is the podcast that satisfies your curiosity of why we ...
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologyDecision MakingHuman BehaviorSocial Sciences Podcast
  22. Sage Sociology
    Sage Sociology
    Welcome to the official free Podcast site from Sage for Sociology. Sage is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic med...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  23. Invisibilia
    Invisibilia
    Unseeable forces control human behavior and shape our ideas, beliefs, and assumptions. Invisibilia—Latin for invisible things—fuses narrative story...
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologyHuman BehaviorIntrospectionMental HealthOpen MindednessSocial Sciences Podcast
    +4
    Audience:
    College StudentsStudentsWomen Over 40
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasEmotional RegulationEmotional WellnessFollowing A Story
    Style:
    EducationalIn-Depth InterviewsInterview
    When:
    CommutingDoing ChoresLong DriveWeekend Deep Dive
  24. Ideas of India
    Ideas of India
    Through conversations with top thinkers in the social sciences and beyond, economist Shruti Rajagopalan explores the ideas that will propel India f...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  25. The Social Work Podcast
    The Social Work Podcast
    Join your host, Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., LCSW in an exploration of all things social work, including direct practice, human behavior in the social e...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  26. Two Guys on Your Head
    Two Guys on Your Head
    Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain how our brain works.
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologySocial Sciences Podcast
  27. The We Society
    The We Society
    Beyond the politics, beyond our geography are the intangible connections that hold us together – The We Society. The We Society podcast is here to ...
    Content:
    Climate ChangeCultureNewsPoliticsSocial ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
    +1
    Goal:
    Solving Problems
    Style:
    Educational
  28. Opinion Science
    Opinion Science
    A show about the psychology of opinions, where they come from, and how they change. Interviews with experts and deep dives into areas of research u...
    Content:
    Open MindednessSocial ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  29. Statistics Made Simple
    Statistics Made Simple
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  30. The Criminology Academy
    The Criminology Academy
    A podcast, hosted by Jose Sanchez (Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Texas Christian University) and Jennifer Tostlebe (Assi...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  31. New Books in Psychology
    New Books in Psychology
    This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episo...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  32. Dark Side Of Psychology
    Dark Side Of Psychology
    This is not a safe space. discussing trending dark and controversial side of Psychology
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  33. Talking About Organizations Podcast
    Talking About Organizations Podcast
    Talking About Organizations is a conversational podcast where we talk about one book, journal article or idea per episode and try to understand it,...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  34. Sapiens
    Sapiens
    Mirar al pasado para comprender el presente e imaginar el futuro.
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  35. LSE IQ podcast
    LSE IQ podcast
    LSE IQ is a monthly podcast from the London School of Economics and Political Science in which we ask some of the smartest social scientists - and ...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  36. Action Design Radio
    Action Design Radio
    Action Design Radio explores a variety of topics through the lens of behavioral science and psychology. Hosts Erik Johnson and Zarak Khan interview...
    Content:
    Behavioral PsychologySocial ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  37. CSPI Podcast
    CSPI Podcast
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  38. Because Language
    Because Language
    Talking about language with some of the greatest writers and thinkers in linguistics.
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  39. Social Science Bites
    Social Science Bites
    Bite-sized interviews with top social scientists
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  40. Waking Up
    Waking Up
    Listen to me and my featured guests talk about alot of life's greatest concerns and wonders
    Content:
    Guided VulnerabilityIntrospectionSpiritual AwakeningSpiritualitySocial Sciences Podcast
    Goal:
    Discovering New IdeasEmotional Wellness
  41. Matrix Podcast
    Matrix Podcast
    The Matrix Podcast features interviews with social scientists from across the University of California, Berkeley campus (and beyond). It also featu...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  42. Fight Like An Animal
    Fight Like An Animal
    Fight Like An Animal searches for a synthesis of behavioral science and political theory that illuminates paths to survival for this planet and our...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  43. That Anthro Podcast
    That Anthro Podcast
    Welcome to the podcast dedicated to Anthropology. On this podcast we will investigate different topics in anthropology, as well as interviewing a w...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  44. Poll Hub
    Poll Hub
    Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what survey really show, and what the numbers actually mean. Poll Hub is ...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  45. The Measure of Everyday Life
    The Measure of Everyday Life
    Interested in human behavior and how people think? The Measure of Everyday Life explores ideas about how we live and why people act as they do. Ind...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  46. 10-Minute Talks
    10-Minute Talks
    The world’s leading professors explain the latest thinking in the humanities and social sciences in just 10 minutes.
    Content:
    Humanity PodcastsSocial Sciences Podcast
  47. Speaking of Race
    Speaking of Race
    How did race become such a flash point in modern society, and why does it remain contentious in our genomic age? In this first-of-its-kind trans-di...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  48. Arts & Letters
    Arts & Letters
    Arts & Letters is a program celebrating contemporary arts, humanities, and social sciences, with an emphasis on authentic Southern voices. Hosted b...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  49. The Behavioural Vaccine
    The Behavioural Vaccine
    Join Comedian and Organisational Behaviour expert Kate Feeney and Behavioural Psychologist Pádraig Walsh as they try to make sense of Behavioural S...
    Content:
    Social ScienceSocial Sciences Podcast
  50. Good Neighbor Podcast for the Greater Chattanooga Region
    Good Neighbor Podcast for the Greater Chattanooga Region
    Connecting Business Friends to Local Neighbors!Our goal is to enable business owners and executives such as yourself, who serve Cleveland and the G...
    Content:
    Personal TransformationSelf LoveSocial Sciences Podcast
  51. Methoden:Koffer
    Methoden:Koffer
    Dich interessiert, wie sozialwissenschafliche Forschung funktioniert? Dann bist du hier genau richtig! Im Methoden:Koffer erzählen Forschende Gesch...
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  52. Arming the Donkeys
    Arming the Donkeys
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast
  53. SBS Major Steps Podcast
    SBS Major Steps Podcast
    Content:
    Social Sciences Podcast