The Top 10 Podcasts of 2024 (According to Us)
And a Handful of Our Own...
Hello Higher-Minded Humans!
How are you celebrating the end of 2024?
It’s a surreal time, to say the very least, but one thing that keeps us level-headed is listening to a good podcast (and producing a couple of our own). Podcasts are a great way stay informed or completely disengage, depending on your need. They’re the perfect companion for household chores, walks with dogs, chasing tiny humans around playgrounds, long drives or showers - there are hardly any scenarios where podcasts can’t be enjoyed.
So, if you’re looking to add more to your library, we’ve compiled our favorite podcasts of 2024, as well as some of our top downloaded episodes.
Watch What Crappens
Diana: This show always makes it on the list, even if I stop watching Bravo. I love Ben and Ronnie’s recaps so much that I still listen to them hilariously replay shows I no longer watch. Their impressions are unparalleled, as are the imaginary side characters and plots they interweave.
But they don’t just recap - they often go off-topic with references to 90’s pop culture that only a certain audience could understand, and it tickles my neurodivergent brain in the best way. If you’re a fan of Bravo shows or only pay attention to the universe peripherally and sometimes catch an episode to check in because they’re all over-produced and some are downright dull - this one is a must-listen.
The Emily Show
Diana: One of the only jobs I aspired to have as a child, aside from being a writer, was a lawyer. But when I found out that court rooms weren’t even half as exciting as Law&Order, I decided against it. I still am a huge true crime fan, and thanks to Emily D. Baker, I get to feel like I’m a part of an episode of L&O in real life.
In addition to breaking down current cases that are dominating headlines in an accessible way, Emily also “court casts”. During live trials, she provides commentary in real time and summarizes each element of the process. She does it with humor and a healthy dose of pop culture references, creating such an entertaining experience that tens of thousands (and sometimes, hundreds of thousands, depending on the trial) join her in the live chat.
Redhanded
Another true crime podcast that stands out is Redhanded. Hosts Hannah and Suruthi are excellent at researching and dissecting evidence, which has convinced me that some famous convicted murderers are actually innocent, and some I thought were innocent are actually guilty. They have mini deep dive episodes about infamous crimes and other nefarious cultural moments, in addition to multiple-part series about more complex cases.
There show description says it best: “RedHanded is an award-winning true crime podcast that offers a weekly dose of murder, wit and “WTFs” delivered with all the facts, anecdotal tangents aplenty, serious societal scrutiny and real BRITISH flavour.”
Pod Yourself a Gun (Man)
Comedian Matt Lieb and cohost Vince Mancini hilariously recap episodes of The Sopranos, The Wire, and most recently, Mad Men (hence the confusing title). But they do way more than recap - they discuss what was going on culturally at the time the episode is set and when it aired. Additionally, Lieb creates humorous song parodies about each episode.
With the help of a guest, the hosts also give a lot of new ways to view the undertones and plot devices. Beyond giving a breakdown of each scene, it becomes a mixture of nostalgic reflections and new revelations. They also unpack the problematic nature of these prestige tv shows with humor, while also acknowledging how impactful they were at different times in life.
The Bitchuation Room
Diana: Francesca Fiorentini, host of The Bitchuation Room, is my hero. She speaks truth to power fearlessly, debates the most obtuse political pundits with aplomb, and she trolls the biggest trolls in media to their face. Additionally, she is an excellent interviewer and features guests who are at the forefront of the movement to fight fascism.
Fiorentini also does a great job of infusing humor into the darkest subjects and is adept at releasing the tension when things are at loggerheads. She also is a guest on the above-mentioned podcast sometimes, because she’s married to Matt Lieb, and the two of them create awesome work together.
The Weekly Planet
Being a comic book fan can sometimes be difficult. To those that find themselves in the comic book media space, you are quick to discover that the space can often times be quite toxic. Enter The Weekly Planet. It is really great to be able to listen about comic books and comic related entertainment from two progressively minded individuals. Whether it is news, reviews, or education, the lighthearted nature and fun had during the conversations makes you feel like you are just talking about comics with a couple of friends.
I have been listening to this podcast since 2014 — the very first podcast I ever listened to as a matter of fact. There are still small jokes made on the podcast that I still laugh thinking about to this day, like Nick Mason’s impression of Christian Bale yelling at McG on the set of Terminator Salvation. So, if you are looking for some fun-loving comic book related entertainment without the side of racism, sexism or tribalism, then this podcast is for you. Plus, the host are Australian, and while I can’t explain as to how this adds value, it just does.
Sounds Like a Cult
JR: Cults have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I am fascinated by them — the thought process that goes into dedicating every breathing moment of existence into one person or ideology. While some cults are obvious to the outside observer, and often times come with their own Netflix special, other cults can be things that you simply view as common. This podcast is amazing because it takes even small groups or ideas that seem innocuous enough, and shines light onto some of the darker elements surrounding them.
So, while you get your episodes about cults like “Twin Flames” and the like, you are also given a new perspective of things like Dance Moms and Hallmark Christmas Movies. While merging education of the cult’s history with interviews of people once connected to the cult itself, every episode will leave you wanting more.
Diana: I second this, and it is as well one of my favorites. I also highly suggest checking out Amanda Montell’s (the host of this pod) books.
Some More News
JR: Cody Johnston was the voice that really started guiding me to the further left. I had followed him since his time with cracked.com and was far from happy when I found out that he was part of the mass-layoffs that occurred in December of 2017. I followed him to his new show “Some More News” on YouTube and was delighted when he started the podcast with Kety Stoll.
This is not the only leftist podcast that I listen to, but it was the first. Taking a deep dive approach like one can find with John Oliver, but left unrestrained to really cut into the person, policy, or situation. His conversations with Katy are hard-hitting, humorous, and sometimes biting with sarcasm. Plus, you have Warmbo.
The Damage Report
JR: While I, like many on the left, have turned away from the TYT main show, The Damage Report on the TYT Network is one I still regularly listen to. While many of the podcast I listen to publish on a weekly basis, John Iadarola releases his show every day of the week. So, while each new day may be delivering its brand-new concept of hell, at least we have a daily reminder that we aren’t alone.
With fresh insight on daily events, and great guest host like Francesca Fiorentini, this makes a great podcast to listen to at any time of the day. It is one that I would often listen to when driving home from work, because it was the perfect antidote for spending a day living within late-stage capitalism. Plus, it can be nice to listen to a calm voice of discontent that doesn’t send you into a rage with every discussion.
Welcome to Night Vale
JR: I often find fiction podcast to be better in theory than practice. I like the concept of them, but they never really land for me. That is different with Welcome to Night Vale. Presented as a local news show in a world that is filled with the strange and bizarre as if commonplace. It is hard not to fall in love with the simplicity and lighthearted nature they deliver a mundane world held in the imagination of those like H.P. Lovecraft.
I was lucky enough to discover Welcome to Night Vale while it was still newer, so I was able to listen to a new episode every-other-week as if it was a legitimate news outlet. But being later to a party doesn’t remove the fun. Going back and listening from the beginning, and hearing a world being built from a land you will never see, is its own magical journey. If this current world ever feels like it is getting too hard, try taking a little vacation to the world of Night Vale.
****
It was a great year at Your Highness Media. Your Highness Podcast continues to place high in the top 100 lists in several categories on the Goodpods charts, and Getting Personal with Plant Medicine was recently featured on Ear Worthy’s 2025 Five Best Health and Wellness list. Here is a handful of our top-downloaded in 2024, collectively:
It’d Be a Lot Cooler If You Did
In this episode, Diana and JR talk about the controversial topic of whether or not a person should have consumption experience before entering the cannabis industry. Ixchel Mooney of Mujeres Valley Fairgrounds talks about the current state of the cannabis industry in New Mexico for the recurring local look segment.
Neurodiversity and New York’s Cannabis Future
Diana and JR discuss how the cannabis industry can be more accessible to neurodivergent individuals, with practical measures like remote interviews and advanced scheduling. Special guest Jahmila Edwards of Stash Queens talks about challenges in New York's cannabis market, including illegal shops, slow regulatory responses, and medical cannabis access disparities in less affluent areas.
In this episode, host Diana Krach dives deep into the fascinating world of lion's mane mushrooms with the knowledgeable Amy Donohue. Amy shares her extensive expertise on the subject, explaining how lion's mane has transitioned from a staple in traditional medicine to a modern-day wellness powerhouse.
The Art of Safe Kava Consumption
In this episode, Diana Krach and JR do a deep dive into the world of kava, a traditional plant medicine from the South Pacific Islands. They share their personal journey with kava, which began at a kava bar in Florida, and discuss its unique properties, such as its ability to induce relaxation without impairing cognitive function and its non-addictive nature due to reverse tolerance. They also highlight the growing popularity of kava in the United States, marked by the exciting opening of a new kava bar in Baltimore.
Series: Talking to Kids About Other Kids Using Cannabis
In the latest addition to the Talking to Kids series, host Diana Krach invites holistic nurse and plant medicine specialist Marissa Fratoni to delve into the challenging yet crucial topic of discussing cannabis with young people. The episode explores various aspects of cannabis use, focusing on the delicate balance between its medical and recreational purposes. Marissa provides valuable insights into how parents and guardians can communicate the realities of THC and cannabinoids as legitimate medicines, even for children, while addressing privacy and industry-specific challenges.
Don’t forget to check out our sponsors to start the year right: Get 20% off your first order from Psily Rabbit Medicinals using code YOURHIGHNESS and 15% off using the code YOURHIGHNESS on your next order of Sprig Drinks!
See you next year!
Well done.