If I had a dollar for every time a comedian started a podcast, I wouldn’t need to be writing this list. I’d be off on some exotic island on my private jet, sipping cocktails and chilling on the beach. But the harsh truth is that I’m not a millionaire and comedians just won’t stop with the podcasts. So we may as well check them out. This year, we found a bunch of new podcasts to follow religiously, while a few older ones reminded us just why they’re so beloved.

Without further ado, here are DeadAnt’s picks for the top podcasts that had us coming back for more through 2023.

10. Comedy Bang! Bang! – Scott Aukerman

Scott Aukerman, comedy writer and co-creator of Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, has cemented his big name in the podcast industry with his alt-comedy podcast Comedy Bang Bang. A co-founder of the Earwolf Podcast Network, Aukerman has transformed Comedy Bang! Bang! into one of the most anticipated podcasts since its debut in 2010. Featuring some of the biggest names in comedy—including Sarah Silverman, Reggie Watts, Bob Odenkirk and Gary Gulman—the show’s open-door policy adds a surprise element to the proceedings of every episode resulting in some great crossovers, games and comedic revelry. With over a decade’s experience in the game, Aukerman’s hosting abilities greatly complement his guests’ impeccable improv skills. As a result, they have built a dense world of inside jokes, recurring characters and catchphrases. It might seem daunting to dive in, but they make it incredibly easy for a new listener to get hooked and in no time you’ll be part of the intimate Comedy Bang! Bang! lore.

9. Pen Pals – Rory Scovel & Daniel Van Kirk

In an age where we are perpetually connected through social media apps, comedians Rory Scovel and Daniel Van Kirk are bringing back the lost art of letter-writing on their podcast Pen Pals. In each episode, the hosts read out letters sent in by their listeners, usually centred on a particular theme.

Equal parts wholesome, heartfelt and silly, Pen Pals is a refreshing break from the usual comedy podcast where the hosts are always reaching for the laughs. With its sincere attempts to give genuinely helpful advice, intermixed with the occasional breezy joke, listening to Pen Pals feels like hanging out with two incredibly affable friends.

8. Beyond the Laughs – Punit Pania

Punit Pania’s Beyond the Laughs is a treasure trove for anybody looking for insights into Indian standup comedy. In each episode, Pania sits down with a comedy heavy-weight and digs deep into their creative process, dissecting and analysing their approach to the craft.

More than just idle green-room chit-chat, the conversations on Beyond The Laughs can get quite serious, with comedians discussing the challenges of performing comedy in an increasingly sensitive world, censorship and what really grinds their gears in “the scene.” In intimate conversations with Devesh Dixit, Jaspreet Singh, Nishant Suri and Sourav Ghosh this year, Pania and his crew offered us a rare peek into these comedians’ off-stage personalities, letting them talk shop without being worried about dishing out the laughs. 

7. Good For You – Whitney Cummings

Whitney Cummings is just so incredibly prolific that her career will provide an excellent case study for some future comedy researcher. The comedian has multiple critically acclaimed specials to her name, has acted in a number of successful sitcoms and films, and been part of numerous iconic writers’ rooms. Despite all these achievements, in 2019 she decided that the one thing missing from her résumé was a podcast. And so we have Good For You.

In the four years since its launch, Cummings’ comedy podcast—which is both silly as well as intellectually stimulating—has brought viewers up close and personal with some of the biggest names in standup comedy, including Bill Burr, Taylor Tomlinson, Anthony Jeselnik and Vir Das. She occasionally ventures further afield as well, with pop culture phenoms such as Dave Grohl and Hillary Duff also joining in on the fun. Making full use of her quick wit and unique perspective, Cummings packs every episode with hard-earned nuggets of knowledge and wisdom, as well as a ton of laughs.

6. The Really Good Podcast – Bobbi Althoff 

TikTok influencer-turned-comedian Bobbi Althoff launched The Really Good Podcast in June this year. Althoff leans into her deadpan persona as she interviews some of the biggest names in pop culture on the podcast. From basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal, to business mogul Mark Cuban, Althoff has managed to rope in some really big guns. The conversations occasionally go off the rails into some very awkward places, treating us to a lot of good ol’ cringe humour. 

In only five months since the first episode aired—featuring comedian, podcaster and actor Rick Glassman—the show has managed to rake in over 30 million views and is well on its way to hit the one million subscriber mark.

5. The Internet Said So – Aadar Malik, Kautuk Srivastava, Neville Shah & Varun Thakur

They’re back, baby! It’s not a DeadAnt podcast list without three-time DACA winners The Internet Said So. The most consistent podcasters on the Indian comedy circuit, Aadar Malik, Kautuk Srivastava, Neville Shah and Varun Thakur have discussed a whole gamut of topics over their four-year streak. Are they finally going to run out of things to talk about? The magic eight-ball says, “Signs point to no.”

Having worked together for the better part of a decade, the four comedians have such palpable chemistry that it’s always a joy to see them go off at each other. Thanks to Srivastava’s absurd food choices, Thakur’s mimicry, Aadar’s lesser-known but mind-blowing facts, and Shah’s obsession with Aaron Sorkin, they have amassed a TISS Army that’ll chakka jam the entire country if the podcast ever shuts down.

4. Our Last Week – Anuvab Pal and Kunaal Roy Kapur

What happens to the stolen toasts at hotel breakfasts? Is it imperative for people to use the same cutlery at a party? And what exactly can performers do to attract larger audiences? These are just some of the questions that comedian Anuvab Pal and actor Kunaal Roy Kapur have answered in their hilarious podcast Our Last Week. 

After a brief hiatus, the self-proclaimed ‘neuro-science researcher’ and ‘physicist’ (Pal) and ‘renowned philosopher’ (Kapur) got back into the game, this time offering viewers exclusive merchandise and bonus episodes for the cost of a Patreon subscription. The duo definitely know how to make a mountain out of a molehill, and their whimsical riffs on everyday questions make for top-notch comedy, week on week. If you’re looking for something light and easy to listen to while doing your chores or right before you hit the sack, this is a safe bet.

3. Blocks – Neal Brennan

In 2022, Neal Brennan released his incredible Netflix special Blocks, in which the comedian explored the metaphorical “blocks” that came in the way of his happiness. An extension of his special, Brennan debuted this podcast in December 2022, bringing on his friends and colleagues to discuss their own happiness-obstructing mental blocks. 

This year, Brennan was joined by the who’s who of standup comedy, including Judd Apatow, Iliza Shlesinger, Hasan Minhaj and David Letterman. If you want to see your favourite international comedians drop their guard and discuss the things that make them feel lonely, isolated, and like something’s wrong, with incredible candour, you’ve got to check out Blocks.

2. Bad Friends – Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino

What started three years ago as a fun little project with a minimal production budget has grown into a comedy behemoth, with over a million subscribers, sold out live tours and a star-studded guest lineup. Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee’s camaraderie, lightning fast zingers, and elaborately structured comedy bits allow this little podcast to punch way above their weight class, giving big-budget big-name shows such as Office Ladies and Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend a run for their money.

With over 40 years of standup comedy experience between them, the two hosts are a fount of hilarious anecdotes about comedy legends such as Sam Kinison and Bill Burr, which they intersperse in between conversations about up-and-comers in the American standup scene and endless jokes. Between Lee’s zany sense of humour, Santino’s wit and their crew’s ad libs, Bad Friends is the Monday stress-buster you need every day of the week.

1. Take Your Shoes off – Rick Glassman 

Award-winning actor Rick Glassman puts all his talents to the test on his podcast Take Your Shoes Off, which he produces and directs himself and edits it alongside lead editor JonMichael Pereira. Shot in the cosy setting of his home, Glassman brings on one iconic comedian after another and gets them to spill intimate details about their professional and personal lives, even as he constantly segues into bits and silly gags, many of which involve the podcast’s goblin mascot (animated by Tom Bates).

We could write a long spiel about how the podcast showcases Glassman’s many skills. But really, just watch the show’s 100th episode and you’ll get exactly why we love it. His interview with Kristen Bell, the star of the hit animated movie Frozen, is gate-crashed by an unsuspecting delivery person with particularly bad timing. Glassman turns that embarrassing faux paus into a masterclass in improv comedy. It’s like an M. Night Shyamalan film, but in a good way.