Best Podcasts of the Year: 2023

Last updated: November 20, 2024

This was an exciting year for podcasts, and Laura Ordoñez, Head of Digital Content & Curation, had a front-row seat to all of the biggest kid-friendly releases in screen-free listening. Her top picks include a detective story that goes far beyond clue-hunting, a chilly adventure starring Disney's most beloved sisters, and a spooky spin-off that will be recognizable to many millennials. Browse the full list below, and be sure to check out the rest of our 2023 media favorites.

Check out the rest of our Best of 2023 favorites: Movies | TV Shows | Books | Video Games | U.K./International Films

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A casually dressed little girl with dark brown skin smiles with a teddy bear and cat in front of a brownstone house.

PODCAST

What's Poppin' Penny?

age 3+

Sweet and clear lessons about grief, family, and safety.

Kids & Family Preschool Family Productions (Average run time: 10 minutes)

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Girl with curly black hair and brown skin centered in front of city brick apartment buildings in background, blue sky.

PODCAST

5 Minute Mysteries with Kiddy Casey

age 5+

Curious detective uses science and history to solve cases.

Mystery ABF Creative (Average run time: 4 minutes)

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PODCAST

Culture Kids Podcast

age 5+

Fun family pod explores diverse cultures, landmarks, foods.

Kids & Family Independent (Average run time: 15 minutes)

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Smiling hosts with pink boom box, green and blue background

PODCAST

Jamming on the Job

age 5+

Positive intro to careers through music, exploration.

Kids & Family PBS Kids (Average run time: 18 minutes)

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Keyshawn Solves It art, Black boy holding keys and smiling.

PODCAST

Keyshawn Solves It

age 5+

Fun detective pod centers Black culture & valuable lessons.

Kids & Family GBH Kids , PBS Kids (Average run time: 15 minutes)

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The Arthur Podcast, Arthur waving

PODCAST

The Arthur Podcast

age 5+

Entertaining pod with everyone's favorite aardvark.

Storytelling PBS Kids , GBH Kids , Gen-Z Media (Average run time: 16 minutes)

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The image of the classic Dr.Seuss character the Cat in the Hat smiles at the fish, who is above a fishbowl and above a microphone.

PODCAST

The Cat in the Hat Cast

age 5+

Based on Dr. Seuss classic, full of rhymes, songs & sounds.

Kids & Family Wondery (Average run time: 25 minutes)

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A wooden spoon with google eyes and a mouth wears headphones next to a plate with the podcast's title, on a bright purple starry background

PODCAST

The Plate Show

age 5+

Cultural food pod inspires curiosity with game-show vibe.

Food THIRTEEN , PRX (Average run time: 26 minutes)

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PODCAST

Disney Frozen: Forces of Nature

age 6+

Beloved Frozen characters on new adventures with teamwork.

Kids & Family ABC Audio , Disney (Average run time: 15 minutes)

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Tall detective peering down at small ear with eyes, mouth, arms and legs, red background

PODCAST

Sound Detectives

age 6+

Fun mystery pod by LeVar Burton focuses on active listening.

Mystery Stitcher Studios , LeVar Burton Entertainment (Average run time: 25 minutes)

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An illustration with ceramic jars over flowing with jewels on either side of a golden lamp. Above a colorful parrot flies in front of an ogee window through which a starry sky can be seen.

PODCAST

The Arabian Nights

age 6+

Engaging reimagining of Middle Eastern folktales for kids.

Kids & Family Spotify , Neon Hum Media (Average run time: 20 minutes)

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Boom box with musical notes and blue and yellow swirl background.

PODCAST

Musical Time Machine

age 7+

Witty musical kids pod about historical figures and events.

Music GoKidGo (Average run time: 9 minutes)

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PODCAST

Mina and Lucy's Guide to Slaying Dracula

age 8+

Spooky adventure pod highlights teamwork & friendship.

Storytelling Gen-Z Media (Average run time: 17 minutes)

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Nightingale podcast art: A robotic bird sits atop a robotic hand with a green and blue sky behind it

PODCAST

Nightingale

age 8+

Teens with cancer go on a magical adventure; heavy themes.

Adventure Gen-Z Media (Average run time: 30 minutes)

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PODCAST

Rebel Girls: Growing Up Powerful

age 8+

Educating and empowering pod for young girls and teens.

Social Emotional Learning Rebel Girls (Average run time: 8 minutes)

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PODCAST

The Holidays

age 9+

Relatable family comedy centers tween experience.

Kids & Family GoKidGo (Average run time: 15 minutes)

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PODCAST

Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Official Podcast

age 10+

Classic creepy horror series enters the podcast world.

Storytelling Nickelodeon (Average run time: 16 minutes)

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PODCAST

Grown, a podcast from The Moth

age 12+

Storytelling pod reflects on awkwardness of growing up.

Storytelling The Moth , PRX (Average run time: 27 minutes)

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Split picture of woman smiling with white letters and light blue background

PODCAST

Scamanda

age 14+

Lies, manipulation, and deceit in shocking true crime pod.

News Lionsgate Sound (Average run time: 45 minutes)

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Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.