Podcasts That Spark Important Conversations

Last updated: August 13, 2024

Sometimes the most important conversations are the hardest to have. How do you talk with kids about divorce? Moving? Racism? Death? How do you talk with teens about puberty? Consent? Losing friends? These podcasts offer a helping hand in getting these necessary discussions started in an inviting, compassionate, productive way. They can alleviate adults' anxiety while giving kids a comfortable, safe space to learn, be heard, and feel understood. For relevant conversation starters, check out the "Talk to your kids about" section in each of our reviews. These conversations can often stir up big emotions, so make sure to check out our other podcast recommendations that can help kids talk about their feelings and discuss their mental health.

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The Emotion Motion Podcast Poster
PODCAST

The Emotion Motion Podcast

age 4+

Underwater adventure teaches social-emotional learning.

Animal paw print above the words Warrior Kids Podcast.
PODCAST

Warrior Kids Podcast

age 6+

Educational & inspiring celebration of Indigenous cultures.

Kids & Family Independent (Average run time: 15 minutes)
A Kids Book About: The Podcast Poster
PODCAST

A Kids Book About: The Podcast

age 8+

Important relevant topics tackled, some difficult content.

Social Emotional Learning A Kids Company About (Average run time: 18 minutes)
Hey Black Child poster
PODCAST

Hey Black Child: The Podcast

age 8+

Young hosts celebrate Black history-makers past and present.

Kids & Family Independent (Average run time: 7 minutes)
Rebel Girls Growing Up Powerful Podcast logo, girls at a sleepover talking into microphones.
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)
Stoopkid Stories Podcast Poster
PODCAST

Stoopkid Stories

age 8+

Stories of family and friendship set in Black communities.

Kids & Family Independent (Average run time: 16 minutes)
The Ten News Poster
PODCAST

The Ten News

age 8+

Relevant news topics for kids in easily digestible bites.

News Small But Mighty Media , iHeartPodcasts (Average run time: 15 minutes)
Illustration of a teen girl and a woman wearing headphones. Speech bubbles says The Smart Girls Podcast.
PODCAST

American Girl: The Smart Girl's Podcast

age 9+

Talk show for tween and teen girls; promotes book series.

Kids & Family American Girl , Talk to Jess , Cloud10 (Average run time: 35 minutes)
Milky Way Underground Podcast Poster
PODCAST

Milky Way Underground

age 10+

Dream-like journey mirrors real life issues; heavier topics.

Storytelling TRAX from PRX (Average run time: 20 minutes)
Turquoise, yellow and pink graffiti on a brick wall reads "Ooh You're In Trouble"
PODCAST

Ooh You're In Trouble

age 10+

Stories of rebellion and rule breaking prompt discussions.

Social Emotional Learning TRAX from PRX , Mortified Media (Average run time: 25 minutes)
The Big Melt title image featuring an illustration of a girl with headphones on sitting at her desk drawing.
PODCAST

The Big Melt

age 10+

Teens discuss climate change with experts and parents.

Science & STEM Gen-Z Media , Wondery (Average run time: 28 minutes)
Toasted Sister Podcast poster
PODCAST

Toasted Sister Podcast

age 10+

Insightful exploration of Indigenous culture through food.

Food Native Voice One - NV1 (Average run time: 30 minutes)
sssh periods image
PODCAST

Sssh! Periods

age 11+

Tween/teen peers talk honestly about puberty & adolescence.

Mental Health & Wellness Independent (Average run time: 7 minutes)
We Got You Podcast art: the words "We Got You" in white letters, surrounded by emoji and a rainbow colored starburst
PODCAST

We Got You

age 11+

Tweens and teens get real about difficult topics.

Mental Health & Wellness Sonic Union , TRAX from PRX (Average run time: 18 minutes)
10 for Teens and Tweens artwork: Teal background with a tinted pink photo of the host.
PODCAST

10 for Teens and Tweens

age 12+

Empowering pod for tween and teen girls with short episodes.

Educational Empowerful Girls (Average run time: 10 minutes)
Grown podcast logo, three people standing over a river looking at their reflections
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)
Cover art of Express Yourself! Podcast. The background is white with red stars. The title is in red. Black and white portraits of teens are on the bottom frame.
PODCAST

Express Yourself!

age 13+

Relatable teen talks and life skills; some heavy subjects.

Kids & Family VoiceAmerica Empowerment (Average run time: 50 minutes)
Hold Me Back podcast poster
PODCAST

Hold Me Back

age 13+

Father-son debates bridge generational gap; mild language.

Mental Health & Wellness Independent (Average run time: 60 minutes)
StoryCorps written in cursive
PODCAST

StoryCorps

age 13+

Stories of humanity encourage empathy and compassion.

Storytelling NPR (Average run time: 20 minutes)
The Puberty Podcast poster
PODCAST

The Puberty Podcast

age 13+

Science-based strategies for parenting through puberty.

Mental Health & Wellness Dear Media (Average run time: 60 minutes)
Common Sense Media

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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.