For many people, podcasts are becoming a part of daily life. In fact, a lot of women are thinking about starting a podcast of their own because they understand how important it is to add female voices to the conversations already being had on other podcasts.
When looking for a new podcast to add to your rotation, it helps to start with shows that have proven their value over time. The 10 woman-hosted podcasts below have maintained top chart positions year after year, building loyal audiences through consistent quality and authentic voices.
Here’s the special thing about podcasts that are hosted by women for women – sometimes the hosts of these shows end up feeling like a friend you look forward to hearing from. That said, these 10 woman-hosted podcasts will brighten your life, get you thinking about important topics, and possibly even help you to be more successful.
1. Crime Junkie
Since launching in 2017, Ashley Flowers has built Crime Junkie into one of the most consistently successful true crime podcasts in the medium. The show has regularly ranked among the top podcasts overall, not just within the true crime category. Flowers delivers meticulously researched cases with a storytelling style that keeps millions of listeners coming back every Monday. Her approach balances respect for victims with a compelling narrative, creating episodes that feel both informative and deeply human.
2. Call Her Daddy
Alex Cooper has created one of the most listened-to podcasts by women since 2018. In Call Her Daddy, she brings refreshing honesty to conversations about relationships, careers, and modern life challenges. The show has consistently ranked in the top 10 overall podcasts across platforms, maintaining its position even through major changes including Cooper’s move to Spotify. With episodes dropping twice weekly, Cooper creates a space where no topic is off-limits, making you feel like you’re chatting with your most authentic friend.
3. My Favorite Murder
Since 2016, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark have transformed true crime storytelling into something surprisingly comforting. Year after year, My Favorite Murder has maintained its position among the top true crime podcasts, building a devoted community of “Murderinos” who gather at live shows and connect through fan groups. They combine their lifelong fascination with true crime with genuine empathy and unexpected humor. From notorious serial killers to remarkable survivor stories, they create a unique listening experience that makes even the darkest subjects somehow feel like a conversation with friends.
4. Morbid
Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley have built Morbid into a true crime juggernaut since its 2018 launch. The show consistently ranks among the top 20 podcasts overall and regularly appears at the top of the true crime category. The hosts balance dark subject matter with genuine friendship and humor, conducting thorough research while maintaining accessibility. Their chemistry creates a welcoming atmosphere that has attracted millions of loyal listeners who appreciate their thoughtful approach to difficult topics.
5. We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle, along with her wife Abby Wambach and sister Amanda Doyle, launched We Can Do Hard Things in 2021 and quickly established it as a consistent presence in the self-help and inspiration categories. The show has maintained strong chart positions by tackling life’s toughest questions with honesty, vulnerability, and practical wisdom. Whether discussing relationships, parenting, social justice, or personal growth, the hosts create conversations that feel like sitting around a kitchen table with wise friends who truly understand the complexities of modern life.
6. Oprah’s Super Soul
Dive deeper into life’s biggest questions with Oprah’s thoughtfully curated conversations with thought leaders, authors, and wellness experts. Since evolving from her Super Soul Sunday TV series, this podcast has maintained consistent popularity in the self-improvement and spirituality categories. Each episode creates space for spiritual growth and self-discovery, helping you connect with your best self. Oprah’s unique ability to ask the questions we’re all thinking makes this podcast feel like personal guidance from a trusted mentor.
7. The Happiness Lab
Dr. Laurie Santos brings Yale University’s most popular class to podcast form, consistently ranking among the top science and psychology podcasts since its 2019 launch. Drawing on cutting-edge research, Dr. Santos explores the science of happiness and well-being, offering practical strategies backed by psychological studies. Her warm, accessible approach makes complex research feel relevant to everyday life, creating episodes that are both intellectually stimulating and immediately actionable.
8. Dateline NBC
While not exclusively woman-hosted, Dateline NBC is co-hosted by award-winning journalists Andrea Canning and Natalie Morales along with Keith Morrison bringing decades of investigative reporting to the podcast format. Since adapting their iconic TV series for audio, Dateline has consistently maintained top positions in the true crime podcast charts. The team’s deep-dive investigations and compelling storytelling have made this one of the most reliable and consistently high-quality true crime podcasts available.
9. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
Research professor and bestselling author Brené Brown explores the messy, beautiful realities of human connection. Through honest conversations with diverse voices, she unpacks vulnerability, courage, and what it truly means to live wholeheartedly. Brown’s grounded approach and evidence-based insights create a podcast that feels both intellectually stimulating and emotionally nurturing.
10. Fresh Air with Terry Gross
Terry Gross has conducted more than 13,000 interviews since Fresh Air began in 1975, making it one of the longest-running and most consistently acclaimed interview programs in any medium. The podcast version has maintained a strong position in news and culture categories year after year. Gross’s thoughtful, deeply researched interviews with authors, musicians, actors, and cultural figures create intimate conversations that reveal unexpected insights. Her warm yet probing interview style has influenced generations of interviewers and built an audience that spans decades. Fresh Air demonstrates how sustained excellence and authentic curiosity can create lasting success in podcasting.
What Makes These Podcasts Consistently Successful?
Studying these long-running shows reveals several patterns:
- Clear, Specific Niche – Each found a particular angle or approach within their broader category. They’re not just “true crime” or “self-help,” but true crime with a specific storytelling style or self-help with a particular philosophical foundation.
- Consistent Schedule – Regular episodes build listening habits. Whether weekly or twice-weekly, these podcasts show up reliably, becoming part of their audience’s routine.
- Authentic Voice – The hosts don’t try to be someone they’re not. Their genuine enthusiasm and personality shine through, creating real connections with listeners.
- Quality Production – While production styles vary, all maintain consistent audio quality and editing standards that respect the listener’s experience.
- Community Building – These podcasts extend beyond just episodes, fostering communities through social media, live events, and fan engagement.
- Evolution Over Time – The most successful shows adapt their format and content while maintaining their core appeal, growing with their audience without losing their identity.
Whether you’re starting a podcast or looking to grow an existing one, these principles apply regardless of your audience size.
Woman-Hosted Podcasts On RSS.com
1. Women in STEM Podcast
Kelly Shungu’s “Women in STEM Podcast” showcases accomplished female professionals across scientific and technical fields sharing their expertise and personal journeys. From career advancement strategies to work-life balance discussions, each episode offers valuable insights for listeners at all career stages.
2. Women Work Wellbeing
In “Women Work Wellbeing,” Jobs for Women Director Zoë Haydn Jones hosts candid conversations examining women’s authentic workplace experiences. The podcast addresses key issues including inequality, pay disparities, and women’s health challenges while spotlighting progressive organizations fostering inclusive environments. This podcast is essential listening for anyone interested in the realities women navigate throughout their careers.
3. The Traveling Black Women Podcast
Dr. Nadine’s “The Traveling Black Women Podcast” explores global travel through the unique perspectives of Black women adventurers. Combining practical advice with personal stories, each episode addresses the distinct experiences of navigating different cultures while celebrating the joy of discovery. Delivered with humor and insight, the podcast inspires listeners to embark on their own international journeys.
How to Start Your Own Woman-Hosted Podcast
Ready to add your voice to the world of woman-hosted podcasts? Here’s how to get started:
Find your unique angle. The most successful podcasts fill a specific niche. Consider your passions, expertise, and the conversations you wish existed. What perspective can you bring that listeners aren’t getting elsewhere?
Keep it authentic. Listeners connect with genuine voices. Don’t try to sound like someone else or cover topics that don’t truly interest you. Your authentic enthusiasm will shine through and keep audiences coming back.
Invest in decent equipment. While you don’t need a professional studio, a good microphone makes a significant difference. Start with a USB condenser microphone, headphones, and a quiet recording space with minimal echo.
Plan your format. Will you interview guests, co-host with a friend, or fly solo? Will episodes follow a consistent structure? Having a clear format helps listeners know what to expect and makes production more manageable.
Create valuable content consistently. Set a sustainable publishing schedule and stick to it. Whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, consistency builds audience trust and habits.
Embrace community building. Use social media to connect with listeners, ask for feedback, and grow your audience. Consider creating spaces where listeners can connect with each other around shared interests.
Be patient with growth. Building an audience takes time. Focus on creating quality content consistently rather than obsessing over download numbers, especially in the beginning.
The podcasting world needs diverse women’s voices just like yours! Your unique perspective could become exactly what someone else is searching for. Take that first step and start recording. You can get started for free with RSS.com!
