Best Podcasts for Teens and Tweens- A Directory with a Show For Every Interest

Educational Best Podcasts for Teens That They Will Actually LISTEN To?

Podcasts for teens- is it possible to get them to use their handheld device in a useful way???

Educating teens is TOUGH for parents and teachers, especially in our crazy-busy world. Getting them to lift their heads from their phones or their X-Box can be a real challenge! The world is changing and learning how to learn is key…. this list of the best podcasts for teens provides endless opportunity for self-directed learning.

One seriously simple addition to your weekly routine is to listen to one of these podcasts for teens…. it’s something you can do with your teen in the car, on a walk, or while doing chores. Our best advice- just play them. Don’t force them to listen- if they see that you are interested, they are likely to (secretly) follow your lead.

Without even realizing it (ok, sometimes they will realize it depending on the content), they will be learning and developing from experts. If you have younger children, we have just the guide for them too!

Don’t worry- this isn’t another thing to add to your “to do list”. We have made this easy for you. As of 2020, there are over a million podcasts out there, and we have simplified the list way down for you. All you have to do is click below and try out a show. If you and your teen love it, be sure to subscribe to that specific show. Otherwise, keep trying additional shows- these teen podcasts are all completely free!

Check out wall decor and clothing with inspirational quotes for teens in my daughter’s Etsy shop.

Family Trivia Podcasts For Teens

Family Road Trip Trivia Podcast – Apple Link: Family Road Trip Trivia Podcast

• Short (15 minute) episodes the whole family can enjoy (ok, maybe fight over)…seriously though, this is fun for all.

Science Podcasts For Teens

Science Friday – Apple Link: Science Friday

• These are in-depth clever science lessons on various topics lasting around 45 minutes!

Radiolab – Apple Link: Radiolab

• Check out science in a modern way with a twist- music and culture mixed in; episodes are about 30 minutes.

Science Vs. – Apple Link: Science Vs.

• These are creative, less than 30 minute shows reviewing facts vs fiction on various scientific topics.

Short Wave – Apple Link: Short Wave

• Listen for quick 10 minute daily episodes relevant to current science in an easy to understand manner.

This Week in Science – Apple Link: This Week in Science

• This show provides longer (over an hour) episodes rounding up the week’s updates in science and tech.

60 Second Science – Apple Link: 60 Second Science

• These are daily 2-3 minute quick reviews of scientific advances- perfect to play first thing in the morning.

The Weirdest Thing I learned This Week – Apple Link: The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week 

• The title says it all- what teen doesn’t like weird? Episodes are usually less than an hour.

General Podcasts For Teens

Dummies Podcast – Apple Link: For Dummies: The Podcast

• You know the For Dummies book series (think yellow and black cover)? Here are the topics for free, in podcasts lasting usually less than 30 minutes- your teen can literally learn about most anything.

Something You Should Know – Apple Link: Something You Should Know

• The title says it all here; each show has a variety of topics and nuggets of wisdom- a good one to listen to in the car (episodes last about an hour).

Part Time Genius – Apple Link: Part Time Genius

• Seriously entertaining and unique, this show (lasting about 30 minutes each) will make your teen really think!

Let’s Be Real With Sammy Jay – Apple Link: Let’s Be Real With Sammy Jay

• Hosted by a 17 year old, these half hour shows feature an interview with different celebrities and influencers- quite authentic!

Everyday Einstein – Apple Link: Everyday Einstein

• These are short, quick (10 minute) lessons on just about anything- can’t lose by trying this one.

Mind Design Sports

Produced by a high school stand out interested in psychology and sports, this podcast is perfect for teens. Obviously kids and teens relate well to peers- the host features well-thought out interviews with experts in sports psychology.

Economics / Math Podcasts For Teens

Check out our entire list of podcasts about money for kids and teens here. A few specific shows are highlighted below.

Planet Money – Apple Link: Planet Money

• No more boring economic lessons- these are practical, half-hour discussions on real-life topics (shhhh it’s quite educational).

Freakonomics – Apple Link: Freakonomics

• Despite the fact that teens think they know it all, this show can disprove it (in a fun way)- usually less than an hour.

Marketplace – Apple Link: Marketplace

• Typically lasting about a half hour, these episodes make great short economic lessons.

Technology Podcasts For Teens

Homeschooling With Technology – Apple Link: Homeschooling With Technology

• Not just for homeschoolers, these short episodes (less than a half hour) are great to listen along with your teen- both of you will pick up some new tech tidbits.

iPhone Life Podcast – Apple Link: iPhone Life Podcast

• Obviously teens are obsessed with their phones- make sure they are maximizing what they can actually do with them (usually less than an hour).

iMore Podcast – Apple Link: iMORE

• Lasting about an hour, these episodes are just everything Apple.

TechMeme Ride Home– Apple Link: TechMeme Ride Home

Short, 15 minute episodes will keep your teen engaged as all the day’s technology news are described.

History Podcasts For Teens

(Check our our list of history podcasts here for even more in-depth descriptions)

Stuff You Missed In History Class – Apple Link: Stuff You Missed in History Class

• Another great one to listen to in the car with your teen, these lengthy educational episodes are the history lessons you never got!

History Vs – Apple Link: History Vs.

• Shorter episodes (less than a half hour) all about what Theodore Roosevelt faced- truly interesting.

Historical Figures – Apple Link: Historical Figures

• Like reading a biography about a famous person, but even more so….typically lasting about 45 minutes on different historical figures.

History This Week – Apple Link: History This Week

• Find out what happened in this week in history – something different and fun to listen to (less than a half hour).

Explorers Podcast – Apple Link: The Explorers

• Get an in-depth look at what famous explorers actually experienced – usually between 30-45 minutes.

Geography Ninja – Apple Link: Geography Ninja

• Truly creative geography lessons in just about a half hour- completely unique.

Apple Link: This Day In History

• Got less than 5 minutes? You have time to listen to this podcast and find out what happened on this day in history.

Language Arts Podcasts For Teens

Grammar Girl Podcast – Apple Link: Grammar Girl

• These are fun episodes often lasting around 20 minutes- get tips on writing, speaking, and overall grammar etiquette.

Apple Link: The Daily Poem

• The title says it all- a daily poem read aloud, plus some commentary depending on the duration.

Creative Penn Podcast – Apple Link: Creative Penn Podcast for Writers

• Got an avid writer? Make sure to give this show a try- episodes are long (about an hour) and chockfull of practical advice.

History of Literature Podcast – Apple Link: History of Literature

• Get the history behind the books your teen is reading- about an hour long episodes with in-depth look at popular literature, authors, and eras.

Business / Personal Finance Podcasts For Teens

Check out our entire list of podcasts about money for kids and teens here.

How I Built This – Apple Link: How I Built This With Guy Raz

• Typically lasting an hour-ish, these episodes highlight various entrepreneurs and business gurus- teens will be amazed at just how they built their businesses.

Listen Money Matters – Apple Link: Listen Money Matters

• For teens with an interest in finance, these lengthy episodes provide valuable lessons in a variety of financial topics.

Borrowed Future – Apple Link: Borrowed Future

• Episodes of varying duration focus on student loans and the impact they can have on a graduate’s life.

Inspiration / Self Help / Personal Development Podcasts For Teens

We have an entire list of specific shows on just personal development, and even raise the question of paying your teen to listen to this type of show! We even have really short recommendations (less than 10 minutes) to provide a burst of motivation. Additional shows are listed below- these are all fantastic to teach valuable life skills.

TED Podcasts – Apple Link: Ted Talks Daily

• Just as the title suggests, these are daily episodes featuring famous TED talks- an amazing way to hear from experts.

Curious Minds – Apple Link: Curious Minds

• Want to raise an innovator? Make sure to try this podcast (inspiring to say the least); episodes are typically less than an hour.

The College Prep Podcast – Apple Link: The College Prep Podcast

• Tons of great advice for teens and parents in these 30-45 minute episodes- everything from study habits to the ACT and beyond.

Apple Link: Life Hacks- Spoken Edition

• These short (literally 2 minutes) episodes provide unique ‘hacks’ to help your teen simply ‘do life’ better.

The Productivity Show – Apple Link: The Productivity Show

• This is like an intense (amazing) course in time management- episodes last between 30-60 minutes.

Commencement – Apple Link: Commencement

• Think commencement speech by experts all wrapped up in a series- that’s what this podcast is. Hear from the best (they are short but so inspirational).

Choiceology – Apple Link: Choiceology with Katy Milkman

• Teens today face more choices than any past generation. Equip them with the tools to make good ones- these episodes are about a half hour.

The Upgrade – Apple Link: The Upgrade by Lifehacker

• This show is pretty much the ‘how to’ on anything- episodes are typically an hour.
• Remember to check out even more personal development podcast episodes here carefully selected for teens.

Foreign Language Podcasts For Teens

Spanishland – Apple Link: 10 Minute Spanish Tips

• These 10 minute episodes are great for a teen taking Spanish- either listen over the summer or on the weekends to keep up with learning.

Sports Mental Training Podcasts For Teens

Sports Mental Training podcasts are abundant and provide a fantastic way for parents and teens to bond- NO MORE of those long car rides from sporting events wondering what the right thing is to say to your kid. Start the dialogue off right with your teen by learning from experts (they will learn how to communicate with you, their teammates, and their coaches. We have a full list of sports mental training podcasts with descriptions here.

That’s It For The Best Podcasts For Teens….

Remember when your now teenager was little and he or she asked questions ALL OF THE TIME? Miss that? Podcasts present a unique dialogue and a conversational way of learning that will bring some of that curiosity back (important note..your teen may even talk to you again!).

What did we miss in this list of best podcasts for teens? Comment below and we will be sure to add awesome podcasts to the list. Share with your friends to maximize the value podcasts for teens can provide! Be sure to JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP to share and learn ALL things related to Online School.