Best Philosophy Podcasts 2026: Top 20 Ranked by Data: Ranked by Real Chart Data
Updated September 2026 · Based on CastFox data covering 26 Apple Podcasts chart snapshots in 78 countries (2026-02-24 to 2026-09-25) and 5M+ indexed podcasts
These are the 20 best philosophy podcasts 2026 has on the United States chart, ranked by CastFox chart data rather than by opinion. Every show below appeared in all 26 snapshots of the US Apple Podcasts Philosophy chart that we captured between February 24 and September 25, 2026, and the order reflects how consistently each one held its position and how many countries it reached. Philosophy is a small category with an unusually stable top end, so consistency separates the list far better than a single good week ever could.
The category has split into five or six recognizable kinds of show. Chronological survey shows that teach the tradition in order (Philosophize This!, History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps). Academic shows hosted by people who teach the subject (The Partially Examined Life, Overthink, Very Bad Wizards, Philosophy Bites, Philosophy For Our Times). Ideas-and-argument interview shows aimed at the present moment (The Gray Area with Sean Illing, Within Reason, Conversations with Coleman, Conspirituality). Applied shows about how to actually live (The Art of Manliness, Dear Hank & John, Align Podcast). Meaning, myth, and consciousness shows (Alan Watts Being in the Way, Living Myth, THIRD EYE DROPS). And a set of long-form conversation shows that Apple files under philosophy whether or not a philosopher would (The Shawn Ryan Show, Macrodosing, everybody has a secret). We have grouped the list that way rather than pretending the chart is tidier than it is.
Each card below shows the real cover art, the host, what the show is, why it earned its place in 2026, and who it is best for, plus the chart record behind the ranking: how many of the 26 US chart snapshots it appeared in, its average US rank across those appearances, and how many countries it charted in on the most recent scrape. Click through to CastFox for the full profile, including chart history in every country we track, audience estimates, reviews, and contact details.
The 20 best philosophy podcasts of 2026 at a glance
| # | Podcast | Hosted by | Avg US rank | Best rank | Countries charting | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Shawn Ryan Show | Shawn Ryan | 1 | #1 | 77 | 396 |
| 2 | Philosophize This! | Stephen West | 4.3 | #2 | 78 | 252 |
| 3 | The Gray Area with Sean Illing | Vox | 5.1 | #2 | 77 | 796 |
| 4 | Dear Hank & John | Complexly | 3.8 | #2 | 72 | 461 |
| 5 | The Art of Manliness | The Art of Manliness | 6.7 | #4 | 73 | 1,000 |
| 6 | Within Reason | Alex J O'Connor | 9.6 | #6 | 73 | 148 |
| 7 | Alan Watts Being in the Way | Be Here Now Network / Love Serve Remember Foundation | 12.2 | #8 | 72 | 42 |
| 8 | History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps | Peter Adamson | 15.4 | #12 | 72 | 506 |
| 9 | Conversations with Coleman | The Free Press | 6 | #2 | 56 | 236 |
| 10 | Conspirituality | Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker | 10.8 | #6 | 54 | 842 |
| 11 | The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast | Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey | 23.3 | #16 | 64 | 808 |
| 12 | Very Bad Wizards | Tamler Sommers & David Pizarro | 23.5 | #12 | 63 | 351 |
| 13 | Philosophy Bites | Edmonds and Warburton | 33.4 | #16 | 73 | 409 |
| 14 | Overthink | Overthink Podcast | 26.6 | #15 | 59 | 39 |
| 15 | Living Myth | Michael Meade | 21 | #14 | 52 | 44 |
| 16 | Philosophy For Our Times | IAI | 39.2 | #27 | 72 | 567 |
| 17 | Macrodosing: Arian Foster and PFT Commenter | Barstool Sports | 2.9 | #2 | 22 | 538 |
| 18 | Align Podcast | Aaron Alexander | 25.6 | #16 | 47 | 609 |
| 19 | everybody has a secret | Shameless Media | 38.5 | #26 | 59 | 182 |
| 20 | THIRD EYE DROPS | SpectreVision Radio | 21.8 | #14 | 38 | 543 |
Jump to a Show
- #1. The Shawn Ryan Show
- #2. Philosophize This!
- #3. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
- #4. Dear Hank & John
- #5. The Art of Manliness
- #6. Within Reason
- #7. Alan Watts Being in the Way
- #8. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
- #9. Conversations with Coleman
- #10. Conspirituality
- #11. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
- #12. Very Bad Wizards
- #13. Philosophy Bites
- #14. Overthink
- #15. Living Myth
- #16. Philosophy For Our Times
- #17. Macrodosing: Arian Foster and PFT Commenter
- #18. Align Podcast
- #19. everybody has a secret
- #20. THIRD EYE DROPS
Rising this month · How we ranked these · How to pick the right show · FAQ
The 20 Best Philosophy Podcasts to Listen To in 2026
Start Here: Chronological Surveys of the Whole Tradition
#2. Philosophize This!
Hosted by Stephen West
About this show: Stephen West works through the history of philosophy in chronological order, breaking down the thinkers and the ideas that shaped the world we live in for people who are not graduate students. It is designed to be played from episode one.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most consistent dedicated philosophy show on the US chart and the broadest reaching show on this list, charting in every country we track. It is the default answer when someone asks where to start. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 4.3, best #2, charting in 78 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Beginners who want a structured route through the whole tradition rather than a single topic.
#8. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
Hosted by Peter Adamson
About this show: Peter Adamson, Professor of Philosophy at LMU Munich and King's College London, takes listeners through the history of philosophy without skipping anyone, covering the ideas, lives, and historical context of the major figures and the lesser-known ones alike.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most complete philosophy survey in podcasting and the closest thing the medium has to a reference work. It charts every week despite demanding real attention. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 15.4, best #12, charting in 72 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Students and serious readers who want the whole tradition, including the parts other surveys skip.
#13. Philosophy Bites
Hosted by Edmonds and Warburton
About this show: David Edmonds of Oxford's Uehiro Centre and freelance philosopher Nigel Warburton interview leading philosophers on one topic per episode. Two books have come out of the series, published by Oxford University Press.
Why it made the list in 2026: The shortest useful format in the category and one of the widest international footprints of any interview show here, sustained on listener donations rather than institutional funding. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 33.4, best #16, charting in 73 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Commuters who want one clear idea from one serious philosopher per episode.
#16. Philosophy For Our Times
Hosted by IAI
About this show: The Institute of Art and Ideas publishes weekly talks and debates from leading thinkers on the biggest ideas in news, society, culture, politics, science, and the arts.
Why it made the list in 2026: The largest archive of recorded philosophical debate in podcast form, and it reaches nearly as many countries as the top of this list. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 39.2, best #27, charting in 72 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want conference-grade disagreement rather than one host's interpretation of it.
Academic Philosophy Without the Seminar Room
#6. Within Reason
Hosted by Alex J O'Connor
About this show: Alex O'Connor hosts a philosophy show that regularly crosses into religion, ethics, and science. Guests have included Richard Dawkins, Douglas Murray, William Lane Craig, Peter Singer, Konstantin Kisin, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Why it made the list in 2026: Among the smallest catalogs on this list and already a fixture in the upper half of the US chart, with reach across most of the countries we track. One of the few shows here that gets people who genuinely disagree into the same conversation. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 9.6, best #6, charting in 73 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want debate between opponents rather than agreement between allies.
#11. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Hosted by Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey
About this show: Four hosts who were once set on doing philosophy for a living pick a short text each episode and talk it through, balancing insight with flippancy. You do not need to have read the text to follow the discussion.
Why it made the list in 2026: The closest thing on the chart to a good graduate seminar, minus the grading, and one of the longest-running shows in the category. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 23.3, best #16, charting in 64 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want primary texts discussed properly without an academic gate in front of them.
#12. Very Bad Wizards
Hosted by Tamler Sommers & David Pizarro
About this show: Philosopher Tamler Sommers and psychologist David Pizarro discuss moral philosophy, recent work in moral psychology and neuroscience, and the overlap between the two, with pop culture and profanity mixed in.
Why it made the list in 2026: The best crossover on the chart between ethics and empirical psychology, and one of the few shows here that is consistently funny. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 23.5, best #12, charting in 63 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners interested in why people judge as they do, not only in what they ought to conclude.
#14. Overthink
Hosted by Overthink Podcast
About this show: Professors Ellie Anderson and David Pena-Guzman co-host a philosophy podcast and companion YouTube channel for listeners who want academic philosophy without the seminar.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the two shows on this list hosted by working professors, and a steady US charter with a growing international footprint. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 26.6, best #15, charting in 59 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want academics thinking out loud rather than interviewing someone else.
Ethics, Politics, and the World of Ideas
#3. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
Hosted by Vox
About this show: Sean Illing takes a philosophy-minded look at culture, technology, politics, and the world of ideas for Vox, inviting one guest a week to work through a question that matters, from the state of democracy to identity in the digital age.
Why it made the list in 2026: The strongest bridge on this list between the tradition and the news cycle, and one of the deepest back catalogs in the category. It charts in the US top ten most weeks without ever getting lighter. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 5.1, best #2, charting in 77 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want philosophical tools applied to what is happening right now.
#9. Conversations with Coleman
Hosted by The Free Press
About this show: Coleman Hughes, a writer published by The Free Press, hosts unfiltered conversations across politics, philosophy, race, culture, and science, framed as discovery rather than as debate.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the highest US peaks on this list, driven far more by a domestic audience than by international reach. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 6, best #2, charting in 56 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want awkward questions asked directly and answered at length.
#10. Conspirituality
Hosted by Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
About this show: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker examine where wellness culture, New Age spirituality, and conspiracy thinking overlap, and how charismatic influencers exploit the followers they gather.
Why it made the list in 2026: The critical voice of the category: it applies philosophical scrutiny to belief systems instead of defending them, and it has one of the deepest archives on this list. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 10.8, best #6, charting in 54 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want epistemology applied to the wellness industry.
Applied Philosophy: How to Actually Live
#4. Dear Hank & John
Hosted by Complexly
About this show: Authors and YouTubers John and Hank Green answer listener questions about life's big and small problems with a mix of comedy and sincere advice, plus the week's news from Mars and from AFC Wimbledon.
Why it made the list in 2026: Evidence that the practical end of philosophy, how to actually live, charts as strongly as the theoretical end. It sits near the top of the US Philosophy chart week after week. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 3.8, best #2, charting in 72 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Anyone who wants the big questions handled warmly and without jargon.
#5. The Art of Manliness
Hosted by The Art of Manliness
About this show: A long-running interview show covering every area of a man's life, from fitness and philosophy to relationships and productivity, with guests chosen for what they know rather than what they are promoting.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the largest catalogs in the category and a steady presence near the top of the US chart all year, built on practical rather than theoretical philosophy. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 6.7, best #4, charting in 73 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want ideas they can act on this week.
#18. Align Podcast
Hosted by Aaron Alexander
About this show: Aaron Alexander combines ancient wisdom with modern science to cover the mind and the body. The show's own recommended starting episodes feature Byron Katie, Bruce Lipton, Gabor Mate, Robert Sapolsky, Wim Hof, and James Clear.
Why it made the list in 2026: The embodiment end of the category: practical philosophy applied to how you move, sleep, and pay attention, with a catalog deep enough to support it. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 25.6, best #16, charting in 47 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want philosophy connected to the body rather than to the seminar room.
Meaning, Myth, and Consciousness
#7. Alan Watts Being in the Way
Hosted by Be Here Now Network / Love Serve Remember Foundation
About this show: Mark Watts opens his father's archive, a collection of roughly 100 hours of tape that includes recordings not heard in 40 years, and brings in guests whose work was shaped by Alan Watts.
Why it made the list in 2026: Archive audio that keeps charting decades after it was recorded, and the clearest sign of how much demand this category has for Eastern philosophy. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 12.2, best #8, charting in 72 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners drawn to Zen, Taoism, and the question of what the self actually is.
#15. Living Myth
Hosted by Michael Meade
About this show: Mythologist and storyteller Michael Meade presents mythic stories as a way of understanding current dilemmas, on the argument that real solutions need both transcendent imagination and a narrative that holds.
Why it made the list in 2026: The clearest example of the mythology strand inside this category, and it charts consistently on the strength of a single voice. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 21, best #14, charting in 52 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who think in stories and want meaning rather than argument.
#20. THIRD EYE DROPS
Hosted by SpectreVision Radio
About this show: Michael Phillip talks with experiencers, artists, scientists, psychologists, authors, and spiritual teachers about consciousness, UFOs, and the esoteric, on the SpectreVision Radio network.
Why it made the list in 2026: The consciousness-and-esoterica corner of the category, with one of the longest runs on this list and a core audience that keeps it charting. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 21.8, best #14, charting in 38 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want philosophy of mind approached from the strange side.
Long-Form Conversation Shows That Chart Under Philosophy
#1. The Shawn Ryan Show
Hosted by Shawn Ryan
About this show: Former US Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Shawn Ryan, founder of Vigilance Elite, interviews people from across military, intelligence, and civilian life about what they have actually lived through. The conversations run long and stay candid rather than adversarial.
Why it made the list in 2026: It held the very top of the US Philosophy chart in every snapshot we captured this year, with one of the widest international footprints in the category. Apple files it here, and by chart performance nothing else in the category is close. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 1, best #1, charting in 77 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want first-person accounts of hard decisions rather than seminar-room argument.
#17. Macrodosing: Arian Foster and PFT Commenter
Hosted by Barstool Sports
About this show: PFT Commenter and Arian Foster host a twice-weekly Barstool Sports show covering anything from a favorite conspiracy theory to a deep dive on a historical event, with a recurring cast around them.
Why it made the list in 2026: It sits near the very top of the US Philosophy chart because that is where Apple files it, and its audience is almost entirely domestic. It is on this list because the data puts it here, not because it is philosophy in the academic sense. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 2.9, best #2, charting in 22 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want speculative curiosity and comedy rather than the canon.
#19. everybody has a secret
Hosted by Shameless Media
About this show: Annabelle Lee and Charlotte White unpack the real-life secrets their listeners send in, made by Shameless Media.
Why it made the list in 2026: A confessional show that charts under philosophy because the questions underneath it, about honesty and about what people choose to hide, are old ones. Its position in the US chart has held all year. Chart record: 26 of 26 US snapshots, average US rank 38.5, best #26, charting in 59 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who prefer human messiness to abstraction.
Rising This Month: Philosophy Podcasts Climbing the Charts (September 2026)
These are the philosophy shows moving up fastest in CastFox rankings. We compare each show's average US chart position across the 3 most recent snapshots (2026-09-08 to 2026-09-25) with the 3 snapshots before that. A show that was outside the top 100 in the prior window is marked as new to the top 100. This section is refreshed every month; the main list above changes more slowly because it rewards consistency.
Forward Thinking podcast New to the top 100
Hosted by podgrowthagency. Forward Thinking podcast new to the US top 100, now averaging #14, with a best US rank of #13 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 1 country on the latest snapshot.
LOW New to the top 100
Hosted by Jack Rhysider. LOW new to the US top 100, now averaging #39.5, with a best US rank of #2 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 59 countries on the latest snapshot.
Psychobabble New to the top 100
Hosted by Hannah Spier, MD. Psychobabble new to the US top 100, now averaging #43, with a best US rank of #20 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 5 countries on the latest snapshot. Psychiatrist analyzing how cultural trends and modern therapy incentivize dysfunction. hannahspier.substack.com
Horseshoe Theory New to the top 100
Hosted by Horseshoe Theory. Horseshoe Theory new to the US top 100, now averaging #64, with a best US rank of #54 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 9 countries on the latest snapshot. Jreg and Art Chad talk with YouTubers, artists, and academics about the nature of creativity and meaning. Follow us On Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/HorseshoeTheory for exclusive episodes and "nsfw" uploads. Hosted...
Wisdom in the Best Books and Films Podcast
Hosted by Bite-sized bits of wisdom from my favorite books and films.. Wisdom in the Best Books and Films Podcast moved from an average of #54 to #18 (up 36 places), with a best US rank of #17 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 1 country on the latest snapshot. Bite-sized bits of wisdom from my favorite books and films. wisdominbestbooks.substack.com
How We Ranked These: CastFox Methodology
CastFox scrapes the Apple Podcasts charts every day in 78 countries and stores every position in the top 200 of every genre. For this list we took the 26 2026 snapshots of the US Philosophy chart between 2026-02-24 and 2026-09-25, and scored every show that appeared in the top 100 of any of them.
- Consistency (50% of the score): the number of snapshots in which the show appeared in the US top 100. Every show on this list scored 26 out of 26, which is the filter that removes one-week spikes.
- Average US rank (30%): the mean of the show's US chart positions across those snapshots. Lower is better.
- Global reach (20%): the number of tracked countries in which the show was in the genre top 100 on the most recent snapshot. This is what separates a show with a large US following from a show with a global one.
There are no paid placements and no editorial overrides. A few shows on this list would not be our personal picks; they are here because the chart data put them here, and we would rather show you what people are actually listening to than what we think they should be. Chart position is not the same as audience size, so treat the ranking as a measure of sustained popularity rather than a download count. For a deeper look at what chart data can and cannot tell you, read how podcast audience demographics are calculated.
How to Pick the Right Philosophy Podcast for You
What are the best philosophy podcasts for beginners?
Philosophize This! is the standard answer and the highest-ranked dedicated philosophy show on this list. It is built to be played from episode one, in order, and it assumes no training. Philosophy Bites is the low-commitment alternative, one philosopher and one idea per short episode. If you would rather start with questions than with thinkers, The Gray Area is the gentlest way in.
What are the best stoicism podcasts in the philosophy category?
No show dedicated to Stoicism held a place in all 26 US Philosophy chart snapshots this year, so none qualified for this list. The closest fits here are the chronological surveys, Philosophize This! and History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, which work through the major schools in order, and The Art of Manliness for the applied, practical-virtue end of the same tradition. To find the individual episodes rather than whole shows, use CastFox topic search.
What are the best podcasts about ethics and big ideas?
Very Bad Wizards is the sharpest, pairing a philosopher with a psychologist so that moral theory keeps meeting moral psychology. The Gray Area applies ethical reasoning to politics and technology each week. Conspirituality turns the same scrutiny on belief systems themselves, and Philosophy For Our Times publishes the debates where professional philosophers disagree in public.
What are the best academic philosophy podcasts?
History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps is the reference work of the category, made by a professor at LMU Munich and King's College London. Overthink is hosted by two working professors, The Partially Examined Life is the closest thing to a good graduate seminar, and Philosophy Bites gets leading philosophers to make one argument clearly.
What are the best philosophy podcasts for students?
Pair one survey with one discussion show. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps or Philosophize This! will carry you through the syllabus in order, and The Partially Examined Life works through primary texts the way a seminar does, so you can listen to an episode on a text before you write about it. Within Reason is the one to add if your course involves philosophy of religion.
You want philosophy applied to this week's news
The Gray Area is the best bridge between the tradition and the news cycle. Conversations with Coleman asks the questions most interviewers route around, and Within Reason puts people who disagree into the same conversation rather than into separate episodes.
Want the next 180 philosophy podcasts?
This list is the top 20. The CastFox Philosophy chart page shows the top 50 updated daily, and PodcastGPT can find shows on any specific topic across 5M+ podcasts.
See the daily top 50 → Search by topic →Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Philosophy Podcasts
What is the best philosophy podcast in 2026?
By CastFox's chart-consistency score, The Shawn Ryan Show is the top show in the US Philosophy category in 2026: it appeared in all 26 US chart snapshots between February and September at an average rank of 1, and it charted in 77 countries on the latest scrape. If you want the best show that is philosophy in the academic sense, it is Philosophize This!, which appeared in all 26 snapshots at an average US rank of 4.3 and charts in all 78 countries we track.
How is this list ranked?
Each show's score combines three things from CastFox's daily Apple Podcasts chart data: how many of the 26 US Philosophy chart snapshots from 2026 it appeared in the top 100 of (50% of the score), its average US rank across those appearances (30%), and how many of 78 tracked countries it charted in on the latest scrape (20%). There are no paid placements and no editorial overrides, which is why a few shows here are not philosophy in the university sense.
What are the best podcasts about the meaning of life?
Alan Watts Being in the Way is the one most listeners reach for, built from the Alan Watts archive and hosted by his son Mark. Living Myth answers the same question through mythology rather than argument, and THIRD EYE DROPS approaches it through consciousness and the esoteric. For the version with jokes in it, Dear Hank & John treats life's big and small questions as listener mail.
Why are shows that are not really philosophy on this list?
Because Apple Podcasts categorizes them under Philosophy and this list is built from Apple's Philosophy chart. The Shawn Ryan Show, Macrodosing, and everybody has a secret all held top-100 US positions in every 2026 snapshot we captured. We describe them accurately and group them separately rather than leaving them out to make the list look neater.
Are these philosophy podcasts free?
Yes. Every show on this list is free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the other major apps. Several run paid ad-free or bonus tiers, and a few, including Philosophy Bites, are listener funded.
How do I find philosophy podcasts on a specific thinker or topic?
Use PodcastGPT Podcast Finder and describe what you want in plain English, such as "podcasts about Kant for beginners" or "episodes on free will". It searches 5M+ shows by topic rather than by category name, and topic search finds the individual episodes inside shows that are not filed under Philosophy at all.