34 Best Social Media and Politics Podcasts to Listen to (2026)

Taylor Lorenz explores how technology and the internet are upending our lives and the world around us. Each week, she explores everything from online fame to emerging platforms, viral phenomena, the creator economy, and much more. Tune in every Wednesday for regular episodes and every Friday for 'Free Speech Friday,' her series on tech policy and the fight for civil liberties online. more

Gen Z swung hard for Trump in 2024, and Tim Miller wants to know why. He's teaming up with Cameron Kasky on the For You Pod to break down the politics of the TikTok generation—what's driving their shift and what it will take to win them back. Tune in weekly for sharp insights into America's youngest voters. more

Jamie Bartlett asks why, in so many parts of modern life, fakery is no longer punished - it's rewarded. And why so many of us seem strangely unbothered by it. more

What is the internet doing to us? The Times tech columnist Kevin Roose discovers what happens when our lives move online.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. more

Conspiracy theories, melted online communities and cursed media — we pry open the cracks in consensus reality and journey into the hidden worlds below. The QAA Podcast is a mix of reporting, comedy, and history hosted by Jake Rockatansky, Travis View, and Julian Feeld along with co-hosts Annie Kelly, Liv Agar and Brad Abrahams. Formerly known as the QAnon Anonymous podcast. more

Insight and analysis on what's happening inside Donald Trump's White House. Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC's North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC's social media investigation correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC's Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday on BBC Radio 4 and every Saturday on the BBC World Service. Oh, and you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ''Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast'. It works on most smart speakers. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from our friends, including BBC Radio 5 Live's Matt Chorley. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at ****@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. more

Jon Favreau, the chronically online host of Pod Save America, puts down his phone for an hour each week to go deeper on the questions shaping this chaotic moment in history. From the future of democracy and AI to raising kids and staying sane, Offline makes room for honest conversations, arguments you haven't heard, and ideas that might change your mind. New episodes every Saturday. New episodes drop every Saturday, wherever you get your podcasts and on the Offline YouTube channel. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked's work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Offline with Jon Favreau, Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, and Lovett or Leave It, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts. more

Join co-hosts Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin every other Thursday to understand how new technologies are shaping the way we live, work, and think. Your Undivided Attention is produced by our Senior Producer Julia Scott and our Executive Producer Josh Lash. We are a member of the TED Audio Collective. more

Silicon Valley wants to shape our future, but why should we let it? Every Thursday, Paris Marx is joined by a new guest to critically examine the tech industry, its big promises, and the people behind them. Tech Won't Save Us challenges the notion that tech alone can drive our world forward by showing that separating tech from politics has consequences for us all, especially the most vulnerable. It's not your usual tech podcast. more

'Posting Through It' is a political news podcast exploring the intersection of modern politics and social media through independent reporting, analysis, and commentary. It is hosted by acclaimed investigative journalists Jared Holt and Michael Edison Hayden and regularly features in-depth interviews with guests. Support the show and listen to weekly bonus episodes: patreon.com/PostingThroughIt more

A weekly podcast, hosted by Ryan Broderick, about how the internet warps our minds, our culture — and reality. more

Politics has never been stranger or more online. Each week on WIRED Politics Lab, our reporters guide you through the exciting, challenging and sometimes entertaining vortex of internet extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation. Expect in-depth analysis and conversations based on facts and research. Plus, we'll give you information you can actually use to lift the fog of disinformation we find ourselves in today. more

Brad Polumbo covers the most interesting and entertaining stories in our politics and on the internet from a center-right, independent perspective. more

Lawyer, blogger and free-speech crusader Ron Coleman and his guests discuss the future of free expression, thought and worship in our interconnected world.  Tune in for the unique light Ron and his guests shine on social media, the culture wars, politics and government everyone should be wrestling with.Ron practices business and civil rights litigation and is best known for representing Simon Tam and his band the Slants in the U.S. Supreme Court's famous First Amendment case, Matal v. Tam. He represents individuals, businesses and certain Presidents of the United States. more

Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/siliconcurtain/subscribeA podcast about propaganda, digital disinformation, politics, corruption, hybrid warfare, weaponised conspiracy theories, social echo chambers and digital dystopias.1984, Authoritarian, Autocracy, Autocrat, Big Brother, Brainwashing, Cold war, Cold war propaganda, Communism, Conflict, Conspiracy theories, Control, Cults, Cyber warfare, Deception, Dictator, Dictatorship, Digital dystopia, Digital media, Disinformation, Echo chambers, Economic sanctions, Fascist, Fake news, Foreign correspondents, Foreign policy, Fossil fuel sanctions, George Orwell, History, Hybrid warfare, Industrial disinfo more

Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly news podcast co-created by Techdirt's Mike Masnick and Everything in Moderation's Ben Whitelaw. Each episode looks at the latest news in online speech, covering issues regarding trust & safety, content moderation, regulation, court rulings, new services & technology, and more. The podcast regularly features expert guests with experience in the trust & safety/online speech worlds, discussing the ins and outs of the news that week and what it may mean for the industry. Each episode takes a deep dive into one or two key stories, and includes a quicker roundup of other important news. It's a must-listen for trust & safety professionals, and anyone interested in issues surrounding online speech. Follow us on Instagram , YouTube , and Bluesky . If your company or organization is interested in sponsoring Ctrl-Alt-Speech and joining us for a sponsored interview, visit ctrlaltspeech.com for more information. more

Moderated Content from Stanford Law School is podcast content about content moderation, moderated by assistant professor Evelyn Douek. The community standards of this podcast prohibit anything except the wonkiest conversations about the regulation—both public and private—of what you see, hear and do online. more

The Campaign Trend Podcast brings you into conversation with professionals who drive the business of Politics. Hosted by Eric Wilson, Executive Director of the Center for Campaign Innovation. Visit CampaignTrend.com/podcast for more. more

Tech Policy Press is a nonprofit media and community venture intended to provoke new ideas, debate and discussion at the intersection of technology and democracy. You can find us at https://techpolicy.press/, where you can join the newsletter. more

Social Media and Politics is a podcast bringing you innovative, first-hand insights into how social media is changing the political game. Subscribe for interviews and analysis with politicians, academics, and leading digital strategists to get their take on how social media influences the ways we engage with politics and democracy. Social Media and Politics is hosted by Michael Bossetta, political scientist at Lund University. Check out the podcast's official website: https://socialmediaandpolitics.org. more

How do you know what's real on social media or TV? That's the premise behind 'Disinformation' - with award-winning Evergreen host Paul Brandus. Get ready for amazing stories - war, espionage, corruption, elections, and assorted trickery showing how false information is turning our world inside out - and what we can do about it. Remember: Don't believe everything you read! A co-production of Evergreen and Emergent Risk International. more

Reimagining the Internet is a production of the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure at UMass Amherst, asking scholars, activists, journalists, and artists what is broken on the internet and how to fix it. more

If politics and media leave you feeling angry, overwhelmed, or exhausted, Outrage Overload is for you. In about 30 minutes every few weeks, we explore how outrage spreads, how hyper-partisanship distorts perception, and how media and technology amplify emotional extremes. Through conversations with leading scientists, researchers, and authors, we unpack the psychology, incentives, and systems shaping today's political climate — and offer practical tools to think clearly, stay grounded, and respond constructively. Outrage Overload helps listeners with critical questions about outrage culture, political polarization, misinformation, and media manipulation —offering science-based insight, expert interviews, and practical tools to stay grounded in a divided world. If you've ever asked yourself… • How can I stay politically informed without feeling outraged or exhausted all the time? • Why is political polarization getting worse, and what can we do about it? • What exactly is outrage culture, and how does it manipulate us? • How do I talk about politics without it turning into a fight? • Am I being misled by the media? How can I tell? • What's the psychological toll of living in an outrage-driven media environment? • How can I build critical thinking skills to make sense of today's news? • What role does social media play in fueling outrage and misinformation? • Is it possible to care about politics without losing your mind? • What practical tools or insights can help me deal with toxic politics and media? …then this is the politics show you didn't know you needed. Most media is designed to hijack your biology. They have the tactics, but they lack a worldview that respects your intelligence. Outrage Overload uses the tools of modern technology not to capture your attention, but to return it to you. We aren't here to 'fix the algorithm'; we're here to help you outgrow it. Join host David Beckemeyer—science communicator and founding CTO of EarthLink—as he explores the mechanics of outrage, speaks with experts in psychology, media, and political science, and equips listeners with strategies for navigating today's high-conflict culture with emotional resilience, critical thinking, and civil discourse . more

Digital Politics with Karen Jagoda is a non-partisan podcast featuring thought leaders and industry pioneers with insights about innovative approaches to political campaigns, voter engagement, mobilization, fundraising, persuasion, and GOTV. Topics include the power of mobile devices, leveraging social networks, message testing and targeting, cross-media advertising, grassroots organizing, and big data. more

Hello Merge Tag is a podcast about social media, politics and where they intersect.We check in with candidates, strategists and digital practitioners to find out what's working, what's not and a whole lot more.Stream all episodes at HelloMergeTag.com or wherever you stream podcasts. more

Disconnected shines a light on the secrets and the impact that social media and technology is having on our society, culture, politics, human interactions, and behaviour. My name is Jag Sharma - and I've spent the last 12 years creating, developing and executing social media strategies for a number of global brands across a variety of industries, and have witnessed first-hand the impact that algorithms, behaviour modification, negative feedback loops, ad targeting, and mass data collection have had on shaping our world in a new direction. This podcast is all about making you aware - giving you the insight, a look behind the giant tech curtain - and allowing you to make your own fully-informed decisions on how you strategically play (or don't play) their game. This is not about advocating for going dark or deleting your accounts, this is about looking under the hood and getting more informed about what's really happening to us on a societal level as result of our tech driven lives. I'll be producing a new episode regularly, so be sure to subscribe to receive a notification for a new release - you can also follow me on either Instagram (@jagsharma) or add me on LinkedIn, where I'll be conducting debates and social experiments from the discussions within the episodes. I'd love for you to join the conversation and share your thoughts and opinions on how social media and technology is influencing our lives. more

Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech. Join Peter Lewis, Lizzie O'Shea (Digital Rights Watch), Dan Stinton (HealthEngine CEO), and guests, fortnightly for analysis of the politics of technology from some of Australia's leading digital campaigners and industry experts. Brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita. more

The Digital Politics Podcast from Frontline Strategies breaks down the top trends, headlines, and strategies shaping GOP digital. Hosted by Mike Hahn, each episode brings insider insights you won't hear anywhere else.  more

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of political consulting in a rapidly changing world. From emerging technologies and digital strategies to shifts in voter behavior and campaign compliance, we'll dive deep into the trends shaping the elections of tomorrow. Whether you're a political strategist, campaign manager, or curious about the future of democracy, this podcast offers insights from top industry experts and thought leaders on what's next for the world of political consulting. more

Join political scientist Hanna Sistek, media historian Sage Goodwin, and communication scholar Julius Freeman at the Center for American Political History, Media, and Technology as they dig into two big questions: What's wrong with our information environment? And what can we do to make it right?From disinformation and polarization to algorithmic news feeds and attention traps, we explore the forces reshaping how we understand the world and each other. We pick the brains of researchers, journalists, technologists, and other experts to unpack the major problems with our digital public sphere today, how we got here, and what we should do about it. Along with their insights guests share their own 'media diets,' the good, the guilty, and how they hit reset when the noise becomes too much. Join us to cut through the chaos, find the signal, and rethink how we engage with the media that shapes our lives.  more

Civics and Cynics- an academics's perspective on global politics in the digital age, is a podcast series hosted by academics which explores the role of technology in politics. Our conversations feature insights from leading experts, including political scientists, technology experts, journalists, academics and activists who are at the forefront of these changes. We will share case studies from around the world with diverse perspectives on how different countries navigate the digital political landscape. Through our thoughtful analysis and lively discussions, we aim to shed light on the intricate ways digital technology shapes our political realities. We will explore not just what is happening today, but what might be on the horizon as technology continues to evolve and influence the world of politics. more

Welcome to 'Democracy Bytes,' where we deeply explore the intricate relationship between technology and democracy. I'm Alice, your guide on this journey into our increasingly digital democracy.Throughout this series, we'll investigate pivotal topics and their multifaceted impacts on our democratic society. We'll explore the effects of AI and social media on democracy, as well as the interesting dynamics of how technology affects democracy. In each episode, we'll be joined by an array of policymakers, experts, and ordinary people, each offering rich insights and diverse perspectives on the ethical, regulatory, and societal ramifications of technology, AI and social media. Our discussions will tackle controversial and complex topics, from potential biases in AI and the need for content regulation to the ethical dilemmas arising from advancements in artificial intelligence.As we uncover the impacts of AI and social media on our societal norms, individual rights, and the very fabric of democracy, we hope to enlighten you with insightful and interesting perspectives on the many new ways to participate in the democratic process. more

The story behind your social media feed, from BBC correspondent Marianna Spring and investigative journalist Matt Shea. Top Comment investigates what's blowing up online. From global events that go viral across social media, to bizarre moments that spill into real life, Marianna and Matt unpack the trends, theories and digital chaos shaping our world.You can also hear Marianna's previous series for the BBC in this feed, including Marianna in Conspiracyland, Why Do You Hate Me?, Disaster Trolls, Death by Conspiracy? and War on Truth. more

Peace talks for the culture wars.In an era of polarisation, propaganda and pile-ons, AntiSocial offers an alternative: understanding, facts, and respect. Each week, Adam Fleming takes on a topic that's generating conflict on social media, blogs, talk shows and phone-ins and helps you work out what the arguments are really about. more