20 podcasts that will make you smarter

Business Insider

There are so many great podcasts out now that you're guaranteed to find some you'll get addicted to.

And though there are plenty of entertaining options to check out, you can make the most of your next commute, workout, or laundry run by listening to one guaranteed to teach you something.

We've given you a few to get going, but it's by no means a definitive list.

From Terry Gross' intimate conversations on "Fresh Air" to the "Radiolab" team's clear but in-depth explorations of science, these are our top picks for expanding your listening diet.

'This American Life' provides a deep look into American society

Since 1995, Ira Glass and his team have been telling moving and sometimes hilarious stories from people across the United States. 

In more recent years, the team has beefed up its news reporting, from making the financial crisis understandable to speaking to people affected by this year's immigration ban.

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'Success! How I Did It' will show you what it takes to make your ambitions reality

We're plugging our own podcast, but only because we think you'll like it!

In "Success! How I Did It," Business Insider has people at the tops of their fields guide us through their careers, reflecting as much on how they've grown personally as they have professionally.

Guests have included TV reporter Megyn Kelly, life coach Tony Robbins, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

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'Fresh Air' will give you an intimate look at your favorite writers, celebrities, and journalists

NPR's "Fresh Air" host Terry Gross has been on the air for more than four decades, and her interviewing skills have earned her accolades like the Peabody Award, the Columbia Journalism Award, and a spot in the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Gross may have a smooth, relaxed speaking style, but the way she digs deep into her interview subjects will keep you engaged throughout the conversation, whether it's about Jake Gyllenhaal's acting process or what a writer learned from covering Mexican drug cartels.

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