I hear about the same interview podcasts over and over again.
You know the ones I meanthe ones at the top of the charts right now.
Im here to remind you that just because you hear about them the most doesnt mean theyre thebest.
Respectfully, these ones are.
Or maybe just a deck of cards.
(Oh Im spoiling the first one!)
(Where did you get to feel independent as a kid?
Whats a moment when a stranger made you feel loved?
What do people misunderstand about you?
What feeling do you have more than others?)
Im fun at parties!
This is a podcast I never, ever miss.
And you shouldnt miss the Nikki Giovanni episode.
I always liked it but love it even more now that we lost Nikki not long ago.
His airstream guy, his sons music teacher, his wifes gynecologist.
(Its always somethingusedfrom his home that he no longer wants.)
to Why didnt these two random guys get into Berghain?
(the exclusive dance club in Germany).
The episodes are so good because they spring from PJs genuine curiosity.
Theyre funny and will consistently give you something to think about .
Lisa is also, importantly, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein.
She makes them feel safe enough to let things out.
Sometimes when I listen to From Now On, I cannot believe what Im hearing.
Think: TikTok challenges, conspiracy theories, and stuff like Silicon Valley’s obsession with anti-aging.
One woman opens up about visiting her deceased husband and daughter at the cemetery.
Another talks about her emotional relationship with keeping things clean.
Another about his inability to break the cycle of incarnation in his family.
Also because Im nosy.
So she started a show about just that.
I Didnt Stop Him.
Anna is gentle yet probing and direct.
Some interviewers make it about themselves; Anna never does.
Shes comfortable in silences.
And people open up to her.
This is a part-storytelling, part-interview, part-dont-even-think-about-bothering-me-right-now-I-am-clinging-to-every-word podcast.
Paul and Janie Tompkins) to tell them about the worst things in life.
Alan has thrown the interview rule book out the window.
He argues with his guests and his producer and gets extremely personal with us; maybetoopersonal.
Hes not trying to be liked, and for that you will love him.
That first episode with Paul and Janie is really, really good.
And if you love Anna Sale (see above), theres a great interview with her.
Lots of interview podcasts are coming from a place of curiosity, and thats great.
A lot of the shows on this list do that.
Jesse comes to his guests from a place of deep respecthis questions dig deep beneath the surface.
Each conversation has a narrative arc and feels like a meditation.
