In a world filled with true crime and political podcasts, where do you turn for a daily dose of smart, insightful rambling? If you’re looking for something that dives into the worlds of design, technology, and the internet, you’re in luck. I’ve put together a list of 16 of my favorite podcasts for front-end developers, designers, and anyone fascinated by how our digital world is built.
These shows are a goldmine of information, offering everything from career advice and ethical design discussions to deep dives into privacy and accessibility. Featuring voices like Debbie Millman, Anil Dash, Adam Grant, and the legendary Roman Mars, these podcasts will change how you see the work around you—and the internet you live on.
The Unseen World of Design
99% Invisible is a tiny radio show about the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. With over 250 million downloads, Roman Mars and his team explore the thought and intention behind the things we rarely think about, from the design of flags to the psychology of public spaces.
Design Notes is a show from Google that looks at creative work and what it teaches us. Hosted by Liam Spradlin, it features unique creative professionals who share what inspires and unites them in their practice.
Design Matters is the world’s first podcast about design. Hosted by Debbie Millman, it’s an inquiry into the broader world of creative culture through wide-ranging conversations with designers, writers, artists, curators, and other luminaries of contemporary thought.
Method Podcast takes you behind the scenes of Google’s products. The show explores the design stories behind Google’s products and the people who make them.
Wireframe, from Adobe and Gimlet Creative, is a podcast about good design and the stories behind interaction design.
For the Web Devs
Syntax is a fun and sometimes funny podcast for web developers. Hosted by full-stack developers Wes Bos and Scott Tolinkski, each episode is packed with “Tasty Treats”—applicable tips and information to help developers in their careers.
ShopTalk is a live podcast with Chris Coyier and Dave Rupert about front-end web design, development, and UX. They bring on a special guest each week to talk shop and answer listener questions.
The Changelog offers in-depth interviews with the best and brightest in software engineering, open source, and leadership. Hosts Adam Stacoviak and Jerod Santo tackle their own imposter syndrome so you don’t have to.
Function is a podcast about how technology is shaping culture and communications. Host and Glitch CEO, Anil Dash, talks to the developers behind some of the world’s best-known apps, games, and services.
Command Line Heroes tells the epic true tales of how developers, programmers, hackers, and open-source rebels are revolutionizing the technology landscape.
The Internet, Uncut
Reply All from Gimlet Media is a podcast about the internet that is an unfailingly original exploration of modern life. Hosts PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman share stories about how people shape the internet, and how the internet shapes people.
IRL explores the idea that our online life is real life. Host Manoush Zomorodi dives into stories from the wilds of the web to get to the bottom of online issues that affect us all.
Darknet Diaries is a podcast covering true stories from the dark side of the Internet. It features stories about hackers, threats, malware, breaches, and privacy.
Recode Decode features one of tech’s most prominent journalists, Kara Swisher, as she hosts hard-hitting interviews with influential business leaders and outspoken personalities from media and politics.
Career and Life
Brave Not Perfect features interviews with changemakers from all walks of life who decided it was better to be brave, not perfect. Hosted by Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code.
UX Podcast is a twice-monthly digital design podcast sharing insights about business, technology, and people.
Work Life is a TED original podcast where organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to explore the science of making work not suck.
Happy listening! Now, get back to work.
