The best morning podcasts to start the day off right

From NPR, Up First is a great morning podcast for listeners who appreciate a set routine and like to start the day off by staying on top of the major happenings in the world. A quick 10- to 15-minute listen, episodes airs every weekday at 6 AM EST. Hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Rachel Martin, and A Martinez share the day's three biggest news stories and offer brief but incisive analysis. On Saturdays, listen in at 8 AM EST, when Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon take over the mic.

Sometimes we all need a little dose of good news, especially given how much bad news there is. The Good News Podcast comes out three times a week, and episodes are only three to five minutes long. In those few minutes, the team shares a piece of recent good news, from heartwarming human stories, like lost dogs reuniting with their families, to inspiring discoveries, like tech innovations for fighting pollution. It's a soothing mix of serious and silly, and a great way to inject some optimism and hope into your morning routine.

It's easy to get lost in the 24-hour news cycle, letting headline after headline wash over you without really taking them in. NPR's Consider This is a great way to combat that. In each 15-minute episode, the hosts of All Things Considered pick a major news story, break it down, and help listeners understand what it means in their lives. If you don't have a lot of time in the morning but still care to learn about what's going on in the world, consider making this podcast a part of your daily routine.

Vox's Today, Explained is the perfect news podcast for your morning commute. A team of Vox reporters breaks down the day's news in just under half an hour, making it easy for you to stay up to date with what's going on without getting overwhelmed. Episodes often hone in on a particular story, and the team offers thoughtful and easily digestible analysis.

This 30-minute daily podcast should be your go-to listen for trustworthy tech news. Hosts Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane, and a team of contributors bring you all the latest headlines from the tech world, encompassing news big, small, and everything in between. You can expect notes about upcoming products, analysis of what companies like Amazon and Apple are up to, and plenty more.

This is a fantastic podcast for anyone looking for answers to common tech conundrums. Tom Merritt, who also hosts the Daily Tech News Show, devotes each brief but informative episode to a different tech topic. He explores everything from big concepts, like machine learning, to those things you encounter in your everyday life but might not know much about, like QR codes and USB cords. If you're interested in tech but aren't ready for a long-form podcast, Know a Little More is a great place to start.

"This Day In History" is a familiar jumping-off point for calendars, books, and, of course, podcasts. But This Day in History Class does a uniquely great job with it. Daily episodes are about 10 minutes long, and each one features a fascinating tidbit from a given day in years past. The show picks great stories—Picasso's first major art opening, the introduction of the zip code, the launch of the first US census, the publication of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"—that are often full of whimsy and intrigue.

Have you ever wondered about how the wind works? Or if absinthe really makes you hallucinate? Or how Silly String holds its shape? Even if you haven't, if you're curious about the world and all the wild and wonderful things that happen here, you'll appreciate Stuff You Should Know. Hosts Josh and Chunk delve into all sorts of intriguing stories that will keep you engaged on even the longest, most traffic-filled commute. Episodes come in two forms—hour-long episodes that take deep, comprehensive dives into a wide range of topics, from freedom of the press to drowning, and shorter 15-minute episodes that focus on smaller, sillier stuff or answer specific questions.

Curiosity Daily blends science and technology news with advice and life hacks backed up by research. It's a bit like a really fun, satisfying 15-minute workout for your brain. Hosts Nate Bonham and Calli Gade ponder the mysteries of the human body, outer space, and the world around us. They talk with scientists, writers, archaeologists, historians, and many others about their work, and provide insight into how each discovery is relevant to your daily life.

What a Day is a news podcast that goes beyond the headlines. Every weekday, hosts Tre’vell Anderson, Priyanka Aribindi and Josie Duffy Rice pick a news story and unpack it—what it means, why it matters, and what you can do about it. This is a great listen for people who want to focus on and fully digest one important piece of news at a time rather than trying to take in everything all at once.

This personal development podcast centers emotional, physical, and spiritual health for Black women. Host Les alternates between sharing her personal perspective and seeking insights from Black women wellness experts on topics from painless ways to improve self-discipline to the importance of rest and relaxation to the power of healing in community. Episodes offer plenty of practical tips for how to incorporate healing rituals, self-care, and a nourishing spiritual practice into your daily life.

Listeners seeking a podcast that provides both guided meditations and a deeper exploration of mindfulness and meditation philosophies will enjoy Meryl Arnett's The Mindful Minute. In her Mini Meditation series, she offers short, poignant meditations on themes that center emotional well-being and mental health, such as self-care, unity, the importance of knowing your values, and accessing your roots. In the longer episodes (which usually run about 30 minutes), she delves into topics in more depth, sharing stories from her own spiritual journey along the way.

The Daily Meditation Podcast is perfect for longtime meditators and newcomers alike. Every day, meditation teacher Mary Meckley shares a different guided meditation technique. Each episode focuses on a single emotion or goal, from releasing distracting thoughts to building self-confidence, for an average of 11 minutes. Meckley’s soothing words and simple approach will help you slow down, pay attention to your breath, and develop a meditation practice that works for you.

A guided morning routine podcast, Wake Me Up will help you get your day off to a great start by preparing you to be at your best. Host Tyler Brown offers a blend of meditation, mantras, yoga moves, and inspirational words to ground you in your body, clear your mind, and uplift your spirit. Most episodes are under 12 minutes in length and designed to be started right when you wake up—in many cases, even before you get out of bed.

When it comes to a comedy podcast to start your day right, there's no topping NPR's classic news quiz show. Airing every Wednesday, Wait, Wait covers all the big headlines—but no matter what the week's news holds, host Peter Sagal; regular panelists Helen Hong, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Faith Salie; and assorted guest comedians will have you laughing out loud. There's a reason this show has been on the air for close to 25 years!

True crime and comedy might seem like an unlikely combination—but it works in My Favorite Murder. Hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark are avid true crime fans, and they crack each other up while delving into real-life cases of murder and mayhem. Between their longer weekly episodes featuring interviews with survivors, activists, investigators, and journalists, they put out minisodes focusing on hometown murder stories shared by friends and listeners. After listening to an episode, you'll understand why this long-running podcast has sparked an enthusiastic fan base of Murderinos.

If you're looking for a dose of comedy mixed with real talk to start your day, Phoebe Robinson should be at the top of your list. In Sooo Many White Guys, she interviews all kinds of people—actors, writers, musicians, and other comedians—who, notably, aren't white dudes. Because if there's one thing she knows, it's that there are already enough white dudes in comedy. The conversations she has with guests are the perfect blend of funny and heartfelt, guaranteed to teach you something new.

Netflix Is A Daily Joke wins the award for the shortest show on this list—episodes clock in at just one to three minutes each. The premise is simple—a rotating crew of Netflix comedians share a joke a day. You can tailor this podcast to suit your morning routine by tuning in for a super quick daily dose of humor or, when you really need a good laugh to kick off your day, binge-listening to a whole string of episodes.

This is the perfect motivational podcast to enjoy with your first cup of coffee. In short daily episodes, host Scott Smith shares practical advice and simple words of encouragement to inspire you to start your day with a jolt of positive energy and the belief that anything is possible. Daily Boost is a little bit like having a 10-minute conversation with a compassionate life coach before you have to go out (or stay in) and do something productive while being your best self.

If you're looking for a longer dose of inspiration—maybe something to get you energized during your commute—The School of Greatness is a sure bet. Author, athlete, and entrepreneur Lewis Howes talks with successful people—leaders in business, entertainment, sports, science, health, and literature from all over the world—about how they got to where they are today. Howes is a skilled interviewer, and his podcast proves that sometimes the best inspiration comes from hearing other people's success stories.

Kids are definitely not the only ones who can enjoy this podcast. After all, who doesn't love listening to a good story? Circle Round features talented voice actors who bring folktales from around the world to life through words, music, and sound effects. Past episodes include actor Josh Malina and chef Samin Nosrat starring in a Ukrainian and Polish fable about what happens when misery comes to life; Duchess Sarah Ferguson and actress Suzie McGrath paired for a charming tale about the importance of having a sensible head and a warm heart; and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga in a standout story about the first sailboat from the Marshall Islands.

From the creators of On Being, this soothing podcast comes out every Monday and Friday to anchor your week. About 15 minutes long, each episode consists of a close reading of one poem. Host Pádraig Ó Tuama's reading is beautiful and unhurried, letting you fully absorb the words. Afterwards, he offers a short analysis of the poem and a meditation on what it means to him. As Poetry Unbound features the work of many incredible contemporary poets, including Danez Smith, Kaveh Akbar, and Donika Kelly, it’s also a wonderful way to discover new artists.

Writers, poets, book nerds, and history buffs, this podcast is for you! Hosted by Garrison Keillor, each daily five-minute episode features a poem or literary quote and an explanation of its historical significance. The Writer's Almanac often highlights the work of a poet born on that day but also honors thought leaders and activists, such as Harvey Milk, Malcolm X, and Clara Barton. The podcast does a fantastic job of both selecting compelling content and offering just the right amount of relevant context.

C'mon, get obsessed with us! Five days a week, Pop Culture Happy Hour serves up recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, videogames, and more—all in under half an hour. Join arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris, plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture experts, as they explore a range of reactions and opinions on every bit of the pop universe—from great movies to watch when you've only got 90 minutes to spare to the use of profanity in entertainment.

Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness is just as full of charm and warmth on their podcast as they are on the show. Their curiosity and compassion radiate through every episode, whether they're talking about cheesemaking with a queer farmer or fatphobia with a professor. Whether you're looking for a deep dive into the history of American monuments or a fascinating exploration of coral reefs, there's something of interest for nearly everyone on Getting Curious, a great podcast for your morning commute.

Listening to Back Issue is a little like having a good gossip sesh with your best pals—except it's gossip with substance. Hosts Tracy Clayton and Josh Gwynn share the surprising stories behind some of pop culture's most influential and unforgettable moments. They ponder why we're nostalgic for certain cultural touchstones and discuss how the way we think and talk about pop culture has changed over the years.