The 11 Best Educational Podcasts for More General Knowledge

Knowledge is sexy. Knowledge is fun. Seriously: Without the knowledge of numerous researchers, our 6-Minute-Diary would never have become so successful. Education is also a key to societal prosperity, health, and success.

You see, we at the 6-Minuten-Verlag are self-confessed knowledge fans! Because just like personality, knowledge is continuously evolving. Every day, new insights come to light that allow us to take a fresh look at the world. And you don't even have to hold a book in your hand: There are numerous podcasts that explain complex topics entertainingly – and above all, they all share our approach: They make complex things simpler. We have gathered our top 12 podcasts for more knowledge here for you. Enjoy listening smart!

Yeah, Science, Bitch! – Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad

1. The 6-Minute-Podcast by Dominik Spenst

Knowledge is best when it doesn't just remain theory, but really helps you in life. And not someday, but immediately. That is exactly what the 6-Minute-Podcast does like no other. Dominik Spenst, author of the million-selling 6-Minute-Journals®, gives fresh, short, crisp, scientifically sound and absolutely practical tips every Wednesday that make your life happier and more successful quickly. And so well that the podcast climbed into the top ranks of the podcast charts right at its launch in autumn 2022 – and even to 1st place in the Mental Health Charts.

This podcast is for you if:

• you're looking for real personal development that takes just about 6 minutes and fits into almost any life situation
• you are always looking for an immediately applicable practical tip for every conceivable problem
• you prefer scientific evidence over esoteric mumbo-jumbo

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, Website

2. The tagesschau Future Podcast: What If

What if grass were legal. No one would be allowed to speed on the Autobahn anymore. Germany would leave the EU. How would that affect our lives? Exactly such questions are explored by the tagesschau Future Podcast "What If". Every other Thursday you can look forward to a new thought experiment. What we like most about it: the holistic view of complex societal questions and the idea of taking the fear (or appeal) out of possible changes. No wonder this knowledge podcast was awarded the Prix Europa 2020 in the category "Digital Audio Project".

This knowledge podcast is something for you if:

• you care about the world we currently live in and its challenges
  
• you like alternative realities and thought experiments, but but nothing wacky – really well-founded
• you are fascinated by future topics and innovations and what they would mean for us

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, Website

3. One Hour History – Deutschlandfunk Nova

History is a thing of the past? Far from it! In "One Hour History" by Deutschlandfunk Nova, everything revolves around the past and why it is so relevant to our present. Every Friday you get exciting insights into topics such as the annexation of the Crimea in 1921, Jewish life in Germany, the German-Turkish recruitment agreement and much more. "One Hour History" is one of the best educational podcasts in Germany on Spotify and we also highly recommend it. Because here it becomes clear where the problems that concern us today have their origin. Like a psychoanalytic therapy for society...

This knowledge podcast is something for you if:

• you don't want the history of Germany, Europe and the world to be dry and dusty
  
• you want to better understand the connections between current and past events
• you are fascinated by complex societal and (geo)political topics

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, Website

4. Living Smarter – The Ideas Podcast by SPIEGEL

"Living Smarter", the ideas podcast by SPIEGEL, provides easy-to-implement tips for a better life – and thus follows a very similar approach to ours. Whether lack of concentration, indecision, shyness or perfectionism: Here you learn how you can more easily overcome your personal hurdles and really change something. Do you have a hot tip yourself? Then the SPIEGEL editorial team will be happy to hear from you. You know: knowledge doubles when you share it ;-)

This knowledge podcast is something for you if:

• you want to get to know completely new aspects of personality development
  
• you are a fan of scientifically sound tips like us, which are also really doable
• you feel like you are constantly getting in your own way in your development and you finally want to make progress

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, Website

5. SWR2 – Knowledge

This podcast from SWR2 is simply called "Knowledge". An understatement, if you ask us, because "Knowledge" is one of the most popular podcasts in this category in Germany on Spotify. Here you will find well-researched and exciting contributions on the topics of environment, education, politics, health and more. From the history of love to solar geoengineering and even the question of why pandas are a bit chubby despite their bamboo diet – your thirst for knowledge will definitely be quenched with this podcast.

This science podcast is something for you if:

• you want new topics every day, across a pretty wide range
  
• you are looking for background knowledge on current news
• the thought of the cute pandas won't let go of you anymore (that was at least our case)

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, Website

6. ZEIT Knowledge – How Do You Know That?

Do you also have that one friend who can contribute something smart about really every topic? Maybe they like listening to the knowledge podcast of the ZEIT. In "How Do You Know That?" you will learn crisp answers to interesting questions once a month – for example, why cranes sometimes miss the migration south, how peatlands influence climate change and whether married people are more likely to die early.

This science podcast is something for you if: 

• you want to show off with really unusual information
• simple "Google" knowledge is not enough for you
• you are a fan of short, crisp formats, because there are several topics per episode
  

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, Website

7. Knowledge Weekly by Spotify

Bye bye pub debate, hello real knowledge. If you get into arguments again at the family celebration or at the flatmate kitchen table, you are perfectly equipped with this podcast. The host of the relatively young Spotify podcast was born in 1996 – accordingly fresh, entertaining and enlightened are Lisa-Sophie Scheurell's answers to all kinds of debatable questions. Whether life without cash, LGBTQI+ or psychedelics: If topics such as digitalisation, identity politics and societal taboos concern you, you will find well-founded knowledge and exciting insights here. Far from lame are also the contributions about depression, sleep disorders, relationships and education.

This knowledge podcast is something for you if: 

• you belong to Generation Z yourself or want to learn more about "the young people of today" and their topics
• you are fascinated by current societal debates such as "relationship-incapable generation" or "gender stereotypes"
• you think it is important to speak openly about taboos and actively help shape change 

Listen here: Spotify

8. Resonator – The Helmholtz Association's Research Podcast

Did you know that we are all made of stardust? Or that anxiety disorders can be treated with virtual reality headsets? Whether physics, chemistry, biology, or climate research: In this science podcast, Radio Einshost Holger Klein talks to leading researchers from a wide range of fields about the pressing questions of our time. Whether you are passionate about topics such as biodiversity, quantum computers, or swarm learning, this podcast will broaden your horizons.

This science podcast is for you if: 

• you want first-hand insights into the latest research
• you are a true science nerd and want to delve deeper into the subject 
• you are concerned about important societal issues such as climate change

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, website

9. Auf Distanz

Do you prefer watching Star Wars, Interstellar, Ad Astra, or WALL-E on movie night? Then this science podcast is sure to captivate you! It is (almost) entirely about space, distant galaxies, black holes, and space missions. You don't need any special prior knowledge, because "Auf Distanz" explains astronomy and astronautics in an easy-to-understand way. Whether book reviews, interviews, or news, you will find everything your heart desires here. The spin-off "Auf Distanz goes Baikonur" about and with the popular German astronaut Alexander Gerst is also fascinating.

This science podcast is for you if:

• you are fascinated by the technical aspects of space travel and everyday life as an astronaut beyond science fiction movies
• you want to learn more about the solar system, constellations, and comets
• you are looking for life on other planets ;-)
  

Listen here: Apple, website

10. TED Talks Daily (English)

We love TED Talks! Do you too? Then you've come to the right place! On "TED Talks Daily", you will find inspiring contributions that offer you a whole new perspective on things and boost your motivation. The award-winning host Elise Hu invites eloquent experts from around the world every day to talk about the issues of our time. For example, you will learn how cute guinea pigs can help stop climate change, why successful entrepreneurs rely on humour, and what contribution mothers make to society.

This science podcast is for you if:

• you like the TED Talk format but don't always want to be glued to the screen
• you are fascinated by topics such as entrepreneurship, family, education, sustainability, and medicine
• you want to see how original thinkers view current societal issues

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, website

11. Hidden Brain (English)

Why is it so hard for you to change your habits? Can you turn your inner critical voice into a positive one? Why do we humans think in black and white so often? In this podcast, you will learn how neurological, biological, and psychological processes control our behaviour – and how you can change your thoughts and patterns. On Spotify, this science podcast is at the very top of the "Social Science" and "Science" categories. And in the US, "Hidden Brain" is even among the 30 most popular podcasts of all. There is plenty of reason to give it a listen!

This science podcast is for you if: 

• you are looking for scientific explanations for human behaviour to better understand current societal phenomena
  
• you want to apply expert tips to build healthy habits
• you are fascinated by topics such as psychology and neurology

Listen here: Spotify, Apple, website

You can find even more inspiration here

Now you have plenty of material for your thirst for knowledge! We hope that one or another science podcast from our list satisfies you just as much as it does us. Feel free to save the link if you can't listen to all of them at once :-) Looking for even more inspiration? In our blog, you will find a whole range of top lists and many well-researched articles on personal development, habits, mindfulness, focus, and more. Want to stay informed about new articles and more reading and listening tips? Then subscribe to our 6-Minute-Newsletter! 

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This article is by Johanna Richter, a freelance writer from Berlin. She has been writing newsletters and blog posts for the 6-Minuten-Verlag since 2019, or freeing them from nasty typos. Johanna writes, edits, and translates texts for various content marketing agencies, startups, and companies in Germany, the UK, and Switzerland for a living.