It seems like everyone and their uncle hosts a podcast these days. From pop culture and current events to history and narrative fiction, there’s something for everyone.
A plethora of locally produced podcasts highlight the city’s passion for arts, food, and creativity. Not into that? Don’t worry, Philly’s sports fandom is well represented, discussing the team highs and lows, and if the Birds can go all the way this year.
We tracked down Philly-centric podcasts for your daily commute, cross-country road trip, or when you’re waiting for the next Regional Rail train arriving in an hour. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but we had help compiling these picks from readers online. If you know a Philly-based or Philly-centric podcast that isn’t on this list, email [email protected].
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Half-Vaxxed covers the COVID-19 vaccination scandal of Philly Fighting COVID, the health-care company founded by a 22-year-old Drexel grad student that ended up leaving thousands of people waiting for vaccines. Produced by WHYY and Billy Penn.
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The Why delves into the background, history, and issues of importance in Philly. Produced by WHYY and NPR. Note: This podcast halted production in 2020 but has many episodes to binge.
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March On: The Fight for Pride details the disbanded Philadelphia Pride organization’s history of racism and transphobia and its mishandling of the annual event that led to its cancellation in 2021. Billy Penn’s Michaela Winberg walks listeners through the history and what the new incarnation of the event looks like today. Produced by WHYY and Billy Penn.
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Serum is the story of one doctor’s fight to find a cure for AIDS. Produced by WHYY’s The Pulse and Local Trance Media.
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Jawncast tells unique and interesting stories about Philadelphia and its people. Hosted and produced by KYW News Radio’s Brian Seltzer and Sabrina Boyd-Surka.
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KYW Newsradio In Depth covers the everyday news that impacts Philadelphians, and interviews experts to understand the complexity of the issues at hand. Produced by KYW Newsradio.
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City Cast Philly is a brand-new daily podcast and newsletter delivered weekdays at 6 a.m. that brings you stories that make you feel connected to your community.
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Streets Dept is an arts blog, organization, and icon in the Philadelphia street art scene. What better way to learn more about our city’s creative class than with Streets Dept’s twice-a-month podcast?
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Philebrity is a long-running blog about interesting and creative Philly artists and news you should know about — from the Haunted Acme to interviews with local artists. The most recent episode was recorded at Philadelphia’s press club, The Pen & Pencil, and featured local music legend Kenn Kweder, who has been part of Philly’s music scene since the 1970s.
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Draws in Spanish highlights the creativity of Latinx visual artists and their personal journeys. Follow host Fabiola Lara as she weaves humor, compassion, and learning into conversations with artists.
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Broad Street Review Podcast covers arts and culture in the Philly area through conversations with the artists and organizations who make Philly’s scene special.
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Many Lumens is a production of the BlackStar Film Festival — an annual event in Philly that celebrates Black, Latinx, and Indigenous artists. Join Maori Karmael Holmes, founder and CEO of the festival, as she speaks with artists and change-makers about the arts, social justice, and popular culture.
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Black Tribbles covers geek culture for Philly and the world. Tribbles are a fictional alien species in the Star Trek universe. Join Len Webb (Bat Tribble), Ariell Johnson (the Uncanny Tribble), Kennedy Allen (Storm Tribble), Erik Darden (Master Tribble), Randy Green (SuperTribble), and Isaiah Luck (Super Saiyan Tribble) in their discussions of everything geek and nerd from a Black perspective.
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25 O’Clock is self-dubbed “Philly’s Longest Running Philly Music Podcast (We Think)” and features long-format interviews with musicians and bands in Philly talking about personal stories, life as artists, and the music scene.
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How Is That Legal? takes a look at the legal system and how it intersects with systemic racism. Produced by Community Legal Services and Rowhome Productions.
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Move It Forward passes the community the mic for stories of collective movements in Philadelphia. Produced by Amistad Law Project.
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Well There’s Your Problem covers the technological pitfalls of engineering and systemic failures — with hosts in Philly and across the pond in Scotland.
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2100 Podcast is a time capsule for people living 100 years from now looking at the past. Host of the pod and Philly-based journalist Jason N. Peters talks with NASA scientists, Olympic athletes, private investigators, and more to unpack the stories of now in the hope of becoming the most popular podcast in the year 2100.
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So Curious! is produced by the Franklin Institute and explores the science behind the brain, being human, love, sex, and relationships. With new episodes every Tuesday, Philly comedian Kirstin Michelle Cills and Philly rapper The Bul Bey talk with experts to learn something new each week.
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Behind the Eyes of Youth is from the students at Martin Luther King High School. Join 11th and 12th graders as they tackle some of today’s biggest topics, spotlight seniors and other students, or even discuss the best cheesesteak in Philly.
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La Calle Project is a bilingual venture from the teens of Norris Square in Philadelphia. Listen in to their community stories as well as discussions on current events, art, and culture.
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Philly Education Stories uses storytelling and theater to foster connections with educators and students, explore experiences with schooling and the criminal punishment system, and share what Philly envisions for a better future of education.
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R.W.B. Teenz is by Philly teens for Philly teens. Listen on the YouTube channel, where the crew interviews people like Eagles legend Brian Dawkins and professional soccer player Zack Steffen, and share takes on current topics.
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Schooled takes a look at the stories around the country’s school system through the perspectives of teachers, students, and parents. Get an inside look on schools across Philly, Pennsylvania, and more.
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Bell & the Birdmen is “an Eagles podcast for the people.” A play on the original team owner’s name, Bert Bell, Bell & the Birdmen is a weekly podcast covering the Philly football team and cracking jokes along the way.
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Birds vs Boys is hosted by a Philadelphia Eagles fan and a Dallas Cowboys fan who debate the longtime rivalry, analyze the NFC East, and verbally spar.
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The Good Phight is a Phillies-centric series produced by sports website SB Nation. Check out episodes like “Absolutely Hammered” or “Hittin’ Season” to keep up to date on everything Phillies.
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City Pigeons Podcast is a Philly podcast with an infusion of city sports fandom. Join this crew of lifelong Philadelphians as they discuss the nuances of Philly life, sports culture and news, and anything that’s “Philly.”
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EagleEye by NBC Sports Philadelphia delivers breakdowns of Eagles information and analysis.
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Birds With Friends by The Athletic releases three episodes a week on everything Eagles.
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Inside the Birds features NFL insiders and reporters who give an in-depth look into the Eagles with information and stories you can’t find elsewhere.
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The Rights to Ricky Sanchez is self-dubbed “The Only Sixers Podcast.” Join Spike Eskin and Michael Levin for weekly conversations, mostly, about the 76ers.
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Sixers Beat by The Athletic delivers information and analysis on the 76ers.
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FlyersTalk by NBC Sports Philadelphia covers the Broad Street Bullies.
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Snow the Goalie covers the Flyers and other news in the NHL with hosts that include a former Flyers player and beat reporter.
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Working the Beat with former sports reporters Kevin Cooney and Mike Kern discusses the hottest topics in sports, interviews big-name guests, and mulls what makes Philadelphia sports great.