8 of the best feminist podcasts to listen to now

If you’re anything like us, at least half of the conversations you have while out for dinner with friends will resemble the discussions had in these thought-leading podcasts. Stylist has been championing feminist media for almost 15 years, so we’re no stranger to spotlighting women’s voices on everything from politics to pop culture, and the eight shows highlighted here bring something very special to our feed.

Whether you want a nuanced deep dive into the ethics of AI girlfriends with the Polyester Podcast, a fascinating investigation into the rise of ‘30phobia’ with No Worries If Not, political commentary paired with beauty recommendations with Lady Don’t Take No or to hear the untold stories of extraordinary Black women in Hidden Histories with Nova Reid, adding one of these shows to your weekly listening is guaranteed to give you food for thought (and kickstart some great IRL conversations). 

If your idea of a perfect podcast is a half-hour chat unpicking the buzziest pop culture happenings of the moment through a feminist lens, this is for you. Made by indie feminist magazine Polyester and hosted by editors Ione Gamble and Gina Tonic, the pair delve into everything from queer pop to polyamory with fascinating insights that’ll leave you pondering long after the episode has ended.

Hidden Histories with Nova Reid (author of The Good Ally) deep dives into the extraordinary Black women who have often gone unnoticed in history. From revolutionary campaigners to trailblazing journalists, Reid’s commentary will take you across the globe, from London to the Caribbean, as she recounts the tales of women who, until recently, have otherwise gone forgotten. An eye-opening and educational podcast for anyone who wants to understand how Black women have shaped feminism and the world itself. 

Listen to Hidden Histories on Audible.

As one Apple Podcast review puts it, Unladylike host Cristen Conger is an expert in “dissecting sexist nonsense and educating us about interesting things”. Never dull and always peppered with humour, each episode takes on an example of the aforementioned sexist nonsense with funny yet deeply fascinating analysis, whether it’s about overthinking or boob sweat.

Love nothing more than a coming-of-age film? Or, more specifically, love nothing more than unpicking a coming-of-age film? Each episode of This Ends At Prom sees married hosts BJ and Harmony Colangelo do exactly this, from their queer, feminist cisgender and transgender perspectives. Mean Girls, Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen, Bring It On… if you loved a film aged 12, This Ends At Prom will likely have an episode (and lots of interesting opinions) on it.

Imagine an evening spent getting ready with girlfriends while discussing politics in podcast form, and you have the brilliantly listenable hour that is Lady Don’t Take No, hosted by writer, activist and Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza. Whether it’s a new take on Fenty Beauty or a guide to handling microaggressions while beauty shopping, every episode is guaranteed to be enlightening.

The premise of There Are No Girls On The Internet is simple: when it comes to the discussions we have about the online world, women and marginalised genders are all too often overlooked. Here, host Bridget Todd shines a new light on women’s experiences – investigating how women’s lives are shaped by the internet and how the internet is shaped by the women who use it. Prepare to come away infinitely more knowledgeable.

Want a listenable guide to unlearning some of society’s most toxic patriarchal messaging? Plug into feminist coach Kara Loewentheil’s weekly show. Promising to help listeners address self-doubt, burnout and anxiety, whether it’s advice for how to shop people-pleasing to curbing parental guilt, each episode is filled with wisdom that’ll make you question everything you’ve been socialised to believe (in a good way). 

It would be remiss not to include Woman’s Hour in this list – broadcast daily on BBC Radio 4, this long-running show is a must-listen for insight into women’s lives and views in the UK. With a mix of news, opinion and culture, there’s a bite-sized chunk to satisfy every part of your brain, with of-the-moment conversations to help you feel informed.

Images: courtesy of podcasts