Jury picks

I hated history in school. The lessons seemed dry to me, and I never understood what any of it had to do with our lives today. "The Rest Is History" shows me exactly that connection. The podcast tells history in such an engaging way that I want to know what happens next, and it lets experts explain how the past continues to shape the present.

Ten minutes of the latest news from around the world—short, concise, and everything you need. Reporters from The New York Times explain what’s behind the top headlines and why they matter. That’s exactly what I appreciate about *The Headlines* in the morning: I quickly find out what’s happened and have enough context to make sense of the news.

In "The Daily," journalists from The New York Times tackle a current topic every weekday. I like how they dive deep into their research and still get right to the point. It's often the small details that help me understand the big picture.

I'm a huge tennis fan, and when it comes to my favorite sport, there's no one I'd rather listen to than Boris Becker. Together with Andrea Petkovic, he breaks down the major tournaments. I especially enjoy listening to the two of them when, in addition to the action on the court, they share little details about the top players.

Steven Bartlett has a warm, engaging voice that I enjoy listening to. When talking with guests from the worlds of academia, politics, and culture, he manages to make even complex topics easy to understand. More than once, I’ve been completely blown away while listening. And I often find myself drawn to topics I hadn’t even considered before.

“Hi, Maus! Hey, Maus! How’s it going, Maus? Good, Maus.” The Kaulitz twins’ podcast is a safe space for me—a guaranteed pick-me-up. When Bill and Tom chat about wonderful nonsense and the latest Hollywood gossip while teasing each other, it always feels like a spontaneous mini-vacation on a paradise island. Sunny and carefree.

My day starts with *Apokalypse* and filter coffee. The podcast brings me up to speed in the morning, covering everything from world politics to pop culture. Every day, a different well-established duo takes the mic, and there are always guests from the worlds of politics and culture. My favorite episode is the Tuesday one with Yasmine M’Barek and Markus Feldenkirchen.

Have you ever read a popular science or self-help bestseller and wondered why on earth it was so successful? Or spotted a book at an airport bookstore whose title alone immediately set off alarm bells?

Then “If Books Could Kill” might be just the podcast for you!

Journalist and podcaster Michael Hobbes and lawyer and journalist Peter Shamshiri take a closer look at so-called “airport bestsellers” – those hugely popular nonfiction books that have sold millions of copies over the past few decades and, in some cases, profoundly shaped the way we think.

Armed with thorough research and a generous dose of humor, the two challenge the supposed wisdom of these bestsellers. They uncover questionable statistics, logical fallacies, and overly simplistic explanations of complex social issues. Along the way, they also explore how some of these books have influenced public debates, political decisions, and widely held beliefs.

What makes this podcast particularly entertaining for me is the fantastic chemistry between Michael and Peter. In each episode, one of them has done a deep dive into a book and presents it to the other, who reacts with plenty of wit, curiosity, and occasional disbelief. The result is a series of hilarious, engaging conversations that teach you a surprising amount along the way.

For me, it’s a wonderful mix of sharp media criticism, fascinating social commentary, and genuinely brilliant humor. And a great reminder that making the bestseller list doesn't necessarily mean a book is any good!

What’s really behind all those fitness trends, wellness hypes, and nutrition myths we constantly encounter? And how much of it is actually backed by science?

That’s exactly what the US podcast “Maintenance Phase” sets out to explore. Author Aubrey Gordon and journalist Michael Hobbes take a closer look at the supposed truths of the health and wellness industry, armed with plenty of humor, curiosity, and a healthy dose of skepticism. From questionable diet claims and pseudoscientific nutrition advice to dubious fitness trends, the two dig into what the science actually says.

What I find particularly fascinating is how the podcast goes far beyond health and wellness. Again and again, Aubrey and Michael explore how closely our ideas about health are intertwined with social and political developments. Topics range from growing distrust of conventional medicine and the “raw milk” movement to current US health policy debates surrounding MAHA (“Make America Healthy Again”).

But what really makes “Maintenance Phase” stand out for me is the fantastic chemistry between Aubrey and Michael. They complement each other perfectly, are genuinely hilarious, and have a wonderful way of making even complex topics accessible, engaging, and entertaining.

A podcast that teaches you a lot, makes you laugh out loud, and leaves you questioning some of the things you thought you knew about health and wellness.

Can you discover art with your eyes closed? The ZEIT podcast “Augen zu” proves that you absolutely can!

In each episode, art historian and author Florian Illies and ZEIT editor-in-chief Giovanni di Lorenzo explore the life and work of a particular artist. They discuss not only their most famous works, but also surprising twists and turns in their lives, unconventional views, and the fascinating stories behind the paintings.

What makes this podcast special is the way the two bring art to life through such vivid, engaging, and entertaining descriptions that you can practically see the paintings in your mind’s eye – without ever having them in front of you. Along the way, they share a wealth of knowledge about art without ever sounding the least bit lecturing or pretentious.

For me, “Augen zu” is a wonderful mix of art history, fascinating life stories, and entertaining conversations. And the best part? The next time you visit a museum, you'll find yourself looking at the artworks with a whole new perspective – and finally understanding a little better what you're actually looking at on those walls.

Russia’s war against Ukraine has plunged Europe into one of its most severe crises since World War II. But how did we get here? What historical developments, political decisions, and power dynamics paved the way?

These are exactly the questions explored by Ostausschuss, a podcast by Salonkolumnisten. It takes listeners on a journey through the complex history of the Soviet Union and its former republics, helping us better understand today’s political power structures. Along the way, the podcast takes a closer look at specific historical events, countries, and their development over time.

What I find particularly fascinating is the way the podcast connects history with the present. Alongside historical context, it regularly offers insightful analysis of the current situation in Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as interesting book recommendations for anyone who wants to dive deeper.

For me, Ostausschuss is a podcast that fills important gaps in our knowledge and makes a part of world history accessible that often receives far too little attention in German schools. Informative, nuanced, and absolutely worth listening to!

I’ve always liked Anne Will; she’s both a likable and critical host. She has successfully carried over the strengths and principles of her political talk show on ARD to “Politik mit Anne Will.” Guests are often knowledgeable political journalists, such as Mariam Lau from *Die Zeit* or Veit Medick from *Stern*. In the podcast format, the participants take plenty of time to discuss controversial topics—it’s always worth listening to. With two episodes a week, I unfortunately still don’t always manage to keep up.

Alles gesagt? by the two "Zeit" journalists Jochen Wegner and Christoph Amend is a wonderfully laid-back interview series featuring mostly likable guests. The idea of asking them intelligent, yet also funny and critical questions for as long as it takes until they say a previously agreed-upon closing line works surprisingly well. In between, the whole thing is lightened up by the sounds of eating and the game “A, B, or Next.” Some conversations last over seven hours. For some time now, international figures have also been featured, with the German version then translated using AI. Hats off to this move!