Ten Of The Best New Indie Podcasts Of 2025

 Independent podcasts have experienced a good year in 2025. First, the overall percentage of downloads for indie podcasts has inched up, despite the best efforts of the Goliaths trying to conquer the podcasting industry for shareholder value and ultrarich investors.  

Second, even as large podcast networks continue to use the same playbook -- hire a celebrity and create an interview show --  indie podcasts continue to march toward enhanced creativity, fresh content, and greater listeners' enthusiasm.

Third, recognition is slowly shifting toward independent podcasts. The Independent Podcast Awards in The United Kingdom were again a huge success. Some of the more prominent podcast awards -- Ambies, Signal, Webbys -- have now included more independent podcasts.  

Fourth, disrupters like Liam Heffernan from the new Mercury Podcast Network have focused on bringing existing independent podcasts into their network, challenging the status quo of Amazon, iHeart, Spotify, SiriusXM, and other large, predatory networks.

It must be noted that there is still a long way to go for indie podcasts to share in the newfound wealth in the podcast industry. 

This list of the Ten Best New Indie Podcasts of 2025 has few qualifications. The podcast must be an indie, and episodes must have begun in the calendar year 2025. It's possible that you may not even heard of these shows. If so, let your ears take a chance on something new and fresh. Sure, I like Amy Poehler, too. But she's a known quantity. Go wild in preparation for 2026. Listen to one or all of these shows. As ABBA said so eloquently and Swedishly in 1978, "Take A Chance On Me."

These shows embrace the Monty Python worldview: "Now, for something completely different."

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Normal Curves

  Normal Curves is a podcast about sexy science & serious statistics. The marketing pitch is a good one: "Ever try to make sense of a scientific study and the numbers behind it? Listen in to a lively conversation between two stats-savvy friends who break it all down with humor and clarity. Professors Regina Nuzzo and Kristin Sainani discuss papers like a journal club does — except with more fun, less jargon, and some irreverent, PG-13 content sprinkled in. 

Along the way, the co-hosts encounter red monkey butts, old-Internet websites, the Winner’s Curse in scientific research, adversarial collaborations, and why size (ahem, sample size) really does matter. 

I highly recommend Normal Curves. The show tweaks the usual informational podcast format, adding science with a beaker full of fun, and frictionless learning about statistics.   
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Floating Space

Floating Space has already won numerous awards and has been praised, rightfully so, by podcast experts and media pros. 

On Floating Space, Katie begins the podcast by asking, "Do you know what a third place is?" Katie then posits that we are meant to have three places in our lives. "Home, work, and a third place where you belong," Katie explains in the podcast. "That third place is where you exist."

 

In the show, Katie asks, "What happens when the place you live becomes the place where you work?" Her answer is one that should concern us. "It's when your life becomes a lot smaller." 

The whole sonic experience feels somewhat ethereal, with Stokes amping up that sensory notion with her deliberate, somewhat breathless delivery. 
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Rigour & Flow

  Rigour & Flow, another award-winning show, introduces us to Dr. Tamanda Walker and Aiwan Obinyan. A married couple, they are part of a dream team of creative invention that runs AiAi Studios, a storytelling and production studio based in Leeds, UK.

What does the podcast cover? What do Aiwan and Tamanda talk about? This is the show where business meets love, and culture meets critique. Where Aiwan and Tamanda explore work, identity, queerness, and creativity - with rigour and with flow.

Aiwan and Tamanda declare: "We’re two Black queer women who’ve spent decades working across media, entertainment, research, and social justice - and we’re using this space to speak our truths, ask better questions, and have the conversations we don’t hear enough of."

Check out Rigour & Flow. It's bold, a bit brash, and absolutely brilliant. My objectivity is not compromised by the fact that I've spoken to Tamanda and Aiwan, and they are lovely people who overflow with creativity.
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 The Secret Life Of T.K. Dutes

The Secret Life of TK Dutes is a new podcast that blurs the line between personal essay and sound documentary, created by award-winning producer Keisha "TK" Dutes. 

I know that she's a celebrity (Loved her on NPR's Life Kit), but the show isn't your formulaic celebrity interview show.  Instead, Dutes goes full-frontal exposure of her inner self. The show combines memoir, journalism, and experimental audio for an intimate listening experience. The Secret Life of TK Dutes is a fascinating journey into our inner voice, our self-critic, our biased assumptions, and our secrets. Everybody has secrets. Mine? I still watch Scooby-Doo on Tubi. 

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 The Sound Session

The Sound Session arrived just in time to save audiophiles from the bullying tactics of YouTube and video podcast provocateurs. Thank you, creator/host Gareth Davies.

Each episode features conversations with artists, audio professionals, and thinkers who are shaping the future of sound across media. "What happens when sound is the story? When a world comes alive, and you're in it. When does the silence hit harder than a visual jump cut, and a voice alone can make you cry?" 

Gareth Davies explains: "What can sounds do that words and visuals can't? How does sound shape the world, and how can we shape sound?" The Sound Session isn't simply a clarion call to arms for audio podcasters. The show explores the impact of sound on us from both scientific and artistic perspectives. 

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 Dillon On Film

This is a new movie review podcast that you probably never heard of. But Dillon On Film, is the best review podcast of new films being released.

Film analysis and criticism is where Simon Dillon separates himself from the rest of the pack. Cursory observations about the film and overgeneralizations don't sit well with Simon Dillon. His film reviews are comprehensive, compelling, and complete. There's no film criticism boiled down into a score for Simon Dillon. 

The host of the podcast is Michael Kenny, who Dillon insists "ensures I don’t waffle too much and keeps me on a leash. A bit like Governor Tarkin to my Darth Vader." 

If you are a movie fan, appreciate insightful film criticism, and enjoy the movie theater experience, then I highly recommend  Dillon On Film.  
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Scientista

  Scientista is a women’s podcast for women, yet men can get a lot out of the show. Men can understand that these successful women being interviewed didn't achieve anything seamlessly. Too often, being a woman was a stumbling block, not an asset to the male-dominated society at large. 

Scientista is their term for a woman scientist or woman leader guided by science. Hosted by behavioral scientist Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and former Assistant Secretary of State Monica Medina, this show brings you candid conversations with changemakers and thought leaders from around the world. The co-hosts are adept at hosting chemistry, connecting with the audience, and interviewing guests. 

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Suspicious Minds

Suspicious Minds couldn't be more timely. The show is about AI psychosis and how changing technology impacts our mental health. 

According to Podcast Journalist Wil Williams: "The production sounds incredible, the pacing is great, and it has a lot of bigger names behind it -- but what really stuck with me was how much care is given to the subject and the subjects. It really struck a chord with me, especially when it's so easy for so many people to just point and laugh when AI messes with someone. This podcast goes in the opposite direction, giving these people so much space and safety to share their stories -- so they can protect others who think it could never happen to them." 

Check out Suspicious Minds. Are we delusional for trusting AI technology? Or has AI already warped our thinking patterns? Listen and get some answers.
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The Quantum Kid

"My name is Katia Moskvitch, MPhil, and I’m a science communicator and a theoretical physicist. I host the podcast, The Quantum Kid, with my nine-year-old son, Kai."

This video podcast has the most unlikely premise: A scientist talks quantum technology with her nine-year-old son. Yet, it works brilliantly!

Every episode has two guests; a quantum scientist, and a business or political leader. Kai asks questions about the benefits of quantum in a way only a child would - and the scientist then answers in a very accessible way, for the child to understand. But the explanation is valuable not just for kids, but for grownups too, as so many people are still struggling to see the value and the potential of quantum computing. 

Check out The Quantum Kid. Mother and son make for a fascinating hosting team, the topic of quantum computing, while seemingly arcane, is discussed so that a child could comprehend its principles, and the interviews of academics are lively and fun.  
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Creators from True Fans 

There are times when you discover a podcast and organization that almost completely encapsulates the thematic premise for your activity / passion. That's the case with Creators by TrueFans. The show is co-hosted by two pros -- Claire Waite Brown and Sam Sethi. 

Creators by TrueFans is a podcast from TrueFans.fm that spotlights independent podcast creators and music artists, offering them increased visibility and a platform to connect with their fans. The weekly show features a new creator, discusses platform updates for monetization and discovery, and explores trends in the podcasting and music industries. Listeners can support the podcast through micropayments called SATs, leave feedback via SuperComments, and engage with hosts on social media.

The podcast features interviews with creators, discusses industry trends, and promotes TrueFans.fm's features for creator discovery, interactivity, and monetization.

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Check out these ten freshman indie podcasts and search for new indie podcasts in 2026. If you want the tired, the formulaic, the inane, and the predictable, by all means check out Amazon, iHeart, SiriusXM, and Spotify. But, if you want fresh, creative, a little "out there," and unexpected, then listen to indie podcasts.