Some podcasts my partner and I both enjoy:

Politics, Diplomacy, Economics >

Fareed Zakaria GPS = The Sunday show with actual newsmakers, global perspective, focused on diplomacy, economics, and conflict.

The Political Gabfest from Slate = John Dickerson, best beat politics writer, David Plotz, editor of slate, and Emily Bazelon, one of the best actively writing essayists talking about 3 topics in politics from the week. Frequently one topic touches on the supreme court.

Left, Right, and Center from KCRW = Crossfire without the bullshit. Usual guests: Arianna Huffington, Robert Scheer, and Tony Blankley.

The Political Scene from the New Yorker = Short, smart discussion of the week's policy and political happenings. The hosts are from the political, finance, and foreign affairs staff from the New Yorker.

It's All Politics from NPR = Extraordiarily in depth for its short length. Hosted by two of the best beat political reporters in the business. Podcast only about political minutia, no policy discussion, just politics.

Planet Money from NPR = As someone who studies economics, it is the best podcast out there for economics. But it's accessible for everyone. Created by NPR's best young reporters.

Culture >

The Treatment from KCRW = Elvis Mitchell, according to Bill Murray, smartest man alive, according to me, probably the smartest working critic.

The Monocle Weekly = Tyler Brule, founder of Wallpaper and the Monocle magazine, columnist for the Financial Times, and friends. Casual, smart, like the NYT Style section, but for the Financial Times set.

The Moth = True life adventures told live in front of an audience. I don’t understand why the episodes are so short and only once a week.

The Story from APM = similar to The Moth, but with an interviewer. It’s also published daily.

Out Loud from the New Yorker = A New Yorker writer is interviewed about a piece that they wrote for the New Yorker that week.

On the Media from NPR = media critique, ALWAYS smart. Best show on NPR.

Fresh Air from NPR = The classic interview show.

On Point from NPR = Call-in show, but really an interview show similar to Fresh Air. More in depth and timely than Fresh Air.

Philosophy Bites = Short discussions on open questions in philosophy. Accessible to non-philosophers. Ususally features non-philosophers talking about philosophy. Biologists, psychologists, mathematicians, etc.

The Double X from Slate = loosely focused on women's perspectives on life, books, pop culture and politics. The hosts rotate, but most of them are truly brilliant. Hanna Rosin, Margaret Talbot, and Emily Bazelon are great.

The Sporkful = For eaters, not foodies, as they say. Bryant Park Project people, very good.

Wiretap from CBC = My second favorite podcast. Jonathan Goldstein, who's the best regular contributor to This American Life. Does monologues and has amusing phone conversations with his friends.

Radiolab from WNYC = Broad topics in science, most interestingly presented. Good WNYC aesthetic (lots of unconventional editing).

Comedy >

Comedy Death Ray-Radio = a funny weekly snapshot of the LA-UCB scene (i.e. Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, etc.).

Never Not Funny = similar to Comedy Death Ray-Radio, but for NYC instead of LA. It costs to subscribe, but the free podcast is still worth listening to.

Sports >

The B.S. Report with Bill Simmons = Usually smart, rarely-about-sports, sports podcast.

FreeDarko Presents: The Disciples of Clyde = great writers talking about basketball, usually other topics too.

Hang Up and Listen from Slate = My favorite podcast. Sports radio for people who hate sports radio.

Etc. >

We also love EconTalk, and Dan Benjamin's podcasts are not totally great, but they will be someday.