The Top Podcasts for Black People to Follow

Podcasts are fun, enlightening, and educational, which is why they have become increasingly popular in recent years. For Black people who enjoy listening to podcasts in their free time or as a means of learning, it can be exciting to find shows that focus solely on Black culture, history, and experience. It helps to build a sense of belonging while educating people.

This is why we have created a list of the best Black podcasts as well as the best episodes to help those in need of a new way to learn and join a community. This article includes some of the most popular ongoing Black podcasts, ranging from history and culture to mental health and entertainment. 

Why You Should Listen to Black Podcasts

America’s history of white supremacy and patriarchy has led to the erasure of a majority of the history, culture, and politics of Black people. These cannot be found in American history books, making it hard to learn about the experience of Blackness throughout history.

Covering a wide array of topics, Black podcasts are a great way to learn about the history of Black people while still having fun and getting motivated. The podcasts range from true crime and culture to politics and fantasy and will help you learn various aspects of being a Black American.

These podcasts are engaging, conversational, fun, and relatable. They stand out from the crowd and can help you learn more about yourself, what it means to be Black, and how to excel in a country that is systematically racist and more favorable to white people. Some of these podcasts also explore mental health and fitness and include stories of Black legends that will hopefully inspire you.

What Makes a Great Black Podcast?

• Quality Content. The content of a podcast is one of its most important aspects, and a great Black podcast should have content that speaks to the community of Black America. It should be well-researched and relatable so the audience has a reason to come back.
• High-Quality Audio. Podcasts are an audio-based medium, which makes it essential that the audio quality is excellent. Poor audio design, mixing, and editing can be distracting and take away from the legitimacy of a podcast. The production team and the podcast hosts should go to lengths to ensure that the audio doesn’t take anything away from the listening experience. 
• Authenticity. The content of a podcast needs to be genuine, relatable, and, when possible, personal. These are components that make a good podcast. When the stories of Black podcasters are real and relatable, it is easier for the audience to engage and enjoy the show. 
• Consistency. Deciding on a podcast’s frequency of release is important. The podcast team should prioritize giving the audience a reliable release schedule that they can look forward to. An audience that knows their favorite show’s schedule will be more likely to return. This is why many aim to upload on a weekly basis. 
• Audience Engagement. There is no show without an audience. Making sure that the audience feels engaged with the content and the host is vital. The show should be such that the audience feels like Black voices are heard and a part of a community.

The 10 Best Black Podcasts

1. The Midnight Miracle

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

Subjects Covered: Comedy

The Midnight Miracle, which celebrates Black excellence, is currently one of the most popular Black podcasts. It is hosted by Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey, and Dave Chappelle and provides thought-provoking content for its audience. Its hosts have in-depth conversations about their lives and those of their guests or friends of the show, often bringing light to authentic Black traditions.

2. Your Money, Your Life

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Audible, LiSTNR, YouTube, Soundcloud, Podtail

Subjects Covered: Personal finance

This personal finance podcast is hosted by Alfred Edmond Jr. and aims to help its audience build a good relationship with money. It discusses a range of topics such as financial freedom, investment management, financial goals, tax planning, debt, and the psychological connection with money. It’s a special series that only releases a few episodes a year but is a must-listen for those seeking financial freedom.

3. Affirm

Available On: Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Listen Notes, iHeart

Subjects Covered: Self-worth, mental health 

Affirm is a podcast aimed at helping Black women affirm their self-worth, value their mental health, and seek wholeness. It was hosted by Davia Roberts, a former therapist, and aired in 2019. It addressed different mental health issues that women of color could be facing, therapy, body positivity, birth control, and burnout.

4. The GOAT: Serena

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, iHeart, Podtail, Podchaser

Subjects Covered: Tennis, sportsmanship, growth

The GOAT is a podcast that deep dives into the lives of legends in different fields. The second season of the podcast focuses on tennis legend Serena Williams. It is hosted by close friends of Williams, Zina Garrison and Chanda Rubin and has 12 episodes. The season covers the remarkable life and journey of Williams becoming one of the greatest athletes of all time. 

5. If I Go Missing the Witches Did It

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, Podchaser, Listen Notes

Subjects Covered: Thriller, fantasy, drama, comedy

This podcast is a work of fiction featuring Gabourey Sidibe and Sarah Natochenny and is written by Pia Wilson. It tells the story of a Black writer that goes missing and a white podcast host with a savior complex that is determined to find out how and why. The show began in 2021 and has since released 12 episodes.

6. Black History Year

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Audible, Spotify

Subjects Covered: History, Black culture, social justice

This podcast aims to teach Black people about their history, music, politics, and everything else Black culture has to offer. It is hosted by Jay Walker and connects listeners to the histories, thinkers, and activists that have been left out of mainstream conversations. It is factual and, although the subject matter may sometimes be difficult for listeners, shares Black stories and aims to unite people of color worldwide.

7. Hey Jason!

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Audible

Subjects Covered: Masculinity, manhood, diversity, equity, inclusion, racial justice

Hey Jason! is a podcast that focuses on the lives of Black men and their role in society. It is hosted by Jason Rosario and tackles the issues such as diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health problems, relationships, family, Black culture, and Black masculinity. Some episodes feature special guests to discuss these issues.

8. The Stoop

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Deezer

Subjects Covered: Black experience, race, identity

Hosted by Leila Day and Hana Baba, The Stoop is a podcast about the Black American experience with race, culture, and identity. The show consists of frank yet fun conversations that tackle challenging discussions in the Black community. It takes a deep dive into conversations that are not typically talked about in the open.

9. Jemele Hill Is Unbothered

Available On: Spotify, Podchaser

Subjects Covered: Diversity, pop culture, politics, sports, news

Jemele Hill is an award-winning journalist who discusses her uncensored opinion on hot topics such as pop culture, news, politics, and sport. She interviews celebrities and professionals in the music, culture, and entertainment industries like actresses, musicians, comedians, and journalists. This weekly podcast presently has almost 200 episodes.

10. The Nod

Available On: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser

Subjects Covered: Black experience, Black history, Black culture

The Nod podcast covers everything Black and aims to tell Black stories in a way that isn’t done anywhere else. Hosted by Eric Eddings and Brittany Luse, this show explores all aspects of Black life. While it doesn’t release new episodes anymore due to it coming to an end in early 2020, you can still check out the old episodes and learn from them.

The Best Black Podcast Episodes to Get You Started

This section consists of some of the best and most popular best Black podcasts episodes. These episodes are a great way to decide if the podcast is for you by saving you the stress of sourcing through hundreds of episodes. It will also help you ease into the shows and give you a good experience.

Creating a Budget That Works for You | Your Money, Your Life

This episode focuses on educating its listeners on the importance of having a financial budget and how to create one that will work for you. Guest Angela Yee, host of The Breakfast Club and Lip Service podcasts, discusses money management. This episode is only 16 minutes long but covers the topic well enough to help listeners learn.

Black Motherhood with Kerry Washington and Gabrielle Union | Black History Year

This episode discusses Black motherhood with guests Kerry Washington and Gabrielle Union. Listeners will learn about their breakthroughs, downfalls, and journies of becoming mothers. It’s an inspiring conversation that shows the wisdom, humility, humor, and pride that comes with being a Black mother. 

How to Inspire (Side A) | The Midnight Miracle

Not only is depression often extremely difficult to talk about it is also a rapidly increasing problem in the US. This episode aims to help those close to people who suffer from depression on how to give them the support they may need. It is hosted by Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey, and Dave Chappelle and features six other guests.

Episode 26: Mad Hotep | The Stoop

This episode is very conversational and engaging, featuring Josh Gwynn, a producer, who shares his personal story of dealing with the social constructs surrounding Black masculinity. This episode covers the meaning of the word hotep, its roots, the lived experiences, and online tensions. This episode is fun and engaging and perfect for those who love learning about Black culture.

Navigating Mental Health | Hey Jason!

This episode features Ken Miles and discusses how Black men navigate mental health in the community. It talks about the trauma in communities, including the signs, triggers, and remedies. This episode is the most downloaded episode of this podcast and addresses a taboo topic commonly overlooked by society.

What Is the Best Black Podcast?

The best Black podcast is one that aims to provide content that spreads knowledge and appreciation of Black history, culture, and lifestyle. The podcast should aim to build a community of like-minded people, engage with the audience, and be relatable and authentic. It should communicate the richness of Black culture while also entertaining and inspiring its listeners.

Our favorite podcast is The Midnight Miracle, which provides comic relief while inspiring its audience and asking thought-provoking questions. With this podcast, you can learn, laugh, and thrive because of the quality content that it consistently offers. A typical Black podcast should offer these values while staying within its niche.

Best Black Podcasts FAQ