The Very Best Podcasts For Your Next Road Trip 2023!
Buckle up your seatbelts and pack some snacks because we’re hitting the road and going on a podcast adventure. Here at GoGet we love a good road trip. Whether it’s a multi-day adventure with kids or an exploration of some of Australia’s most unusual road trips we’re all about revving your engine and GoGetting out there.
Podcasts are the perfect companion for any long car drive and we’ve put together a list of the GoGet teams’ very best ones. From urbanism to pop culture, true crime to comedy, we’ve got something for you.
And if you’re a relative newcomer to podcasts and have missed out on some of the podcast O.G.s, check out our 2019 podcast faves.
Shameless
An Aussie success story! Hosted by Melbourne-based duo Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews, Shameless describes itself as the podcast for smart people who love dumb stuff. Tackling pop culture, celeb gossip and current affairs, it’s the perfect mix of thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny. If you love unfiltered conversations and having your perspective challenged, this is the one for you.
Dolly Parton’s America
Even if you’re not a country music or Dolly Parton fan (though how can you not be?!), this is a fantastic listen, even if it’s been out for a few years now. Jad Abumrad explores the life and career of the legendary singer-songwriter and delves into her cultural impact over the years as one of the only artists who appeals across the age, demographic and political spectrum. It’s an incredible deep dive into the life of an extraordinary person, and features interviews with friends and collaborators as well as the delightful Dolly herself. If you weren’t a Dolly Parton fan to begin with, you’ll absolutely be one by the end.
The Huberman Lab
If you're into neuroscience and the inner workings of your brain, this one is for you. The host, Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman, shares tips on how to sleep better, manage stress and form habits among other interesting topics. It's a fascinating exploration of the workings of the human brain,that will have you saying "wow, I never knew that!" Episode 2: Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake and Episode 53: The Science of Making & Breaking Habits are a couple of GoGet faves.
Things I Got Wrong at Trivia
Who doesn't love a good trivia night? This hilarious show features guests who share their most embarrassing trivia moments and is the perfect feel-good listen on a road trip with friends. And who knows, you might even learn something to avoid a trivia humilitaiton at your next trivia night.
The Frankston Murders
This is a little less cheery, but is an absolutely fascinating listen nonetheless. This nail-biting true crime pod tells the story of a string of murders that took place in the Texan town of Frankston in the 1980s. It’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat during long stretches of highway, though maybe don’t listen to it at night.
Monocle 24: The Urbanist
It might not surprise you to know that the GoGet team geeks out when it comes to urban planning, and this is one of our faves. With an audience of city mayors, planners and architects, this is Monocle’s guide to making better cities. Each episode explores different cities around the world, and the challenges and opportunities they face in terms of urban design. It's a fascinating look at the ways in which cities shape our lives, and how we can shape them in turn. Listen out for episode 9 which is a quick exploration of the Sydney Opera House and the Down Under focused episode 230.
Off Menu
British Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite celebrity guests to share their dream meals. It's a fun and delicious podcast that will make your mouth water and your eyes stream with laughter. The episodes featuring Ronnie Chieng, Bob Mortimer, Jamie Oliver and Claudia Winkleman are GoGet favourites, but they are all fantastic.
A British Scandal
Fans of the hilarious My Dad Wrote a Porno will recognise Alice Levine who co-hosts this podcast with Matt Forde. British scandals have changed the course of history from toppling governments, to bringing down the great and the good. Or not so good as the case may be. The pod explores famous British scandals, from the Profumo scandal to the Murdoch phone hacking and the disappearing, and re-appearing) canoeist. We loved their deep dive into the Litvinenko Affair and the mind-blowing look into the rise and fall of Robert Maxwell (father of the equally infamous Ghislaine) in particular.
The Dropout
This one is a few years old now, but if you haven’t heard it, it’s well worth a listen. It’s one of those stories that you can’t believe is true. The podcast tells the story of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, a health tech start-up that promised to change blood testing forever. Spoiler alert: all was not as it seemed.
Scam Goddess
Do you love true crime, just without all the grisly murders? Look no further. Host Laci Mosley takes you on a hilarious journey through some of the biggest scams and rackets in history. From the (in)famous Fyre Festival to Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, Scam Goddess has got it all.
Can I Tell You a Secret
Another one for fans of true crime. This podcast from the Guardian sees journalist Sirin Kale investigate Matthew Hardy, a prolific British cyberstalker. The six-part pod explores how Hardy wreaked havoc across the internet and the lives of those he came in contact with online over the course of 11 years. It’ll make you think twice about how much info you share online.
The Signal
The Signal is a daily news podcast from the ABC that breaks down the biggest stories of the day. It's perfect for keeping up with current events while on the road.
But are you Happy?
Another Aussie podcast, this is brought to you by the Mamamia team. In each episode, host Clare Stephens talks with high-profile Australians who appear to have it all and asks all the questions you’ve always wanted to know the answers to. It’s a fantastic concept that is beautifully executed.
Switched on Pop
If you're a music lover, you'll love Switched on Pop. Hosts Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding break down the science behind popular songs and explore the cultural significance of pop music. Inspired by Sloan’s use of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” to teach music theory, it’s an informative and entertaining podcast that will make you appreciate music even more. If you lose yourself in conversations about the narrative arc of Taylor Swift’s albums, or want to understand what happens to an artist after they trend on TikTok, listen in.
The Constant: A history of getting things wrong
From dubious ancient science to modern-day misunderstandings, host Mark Chrisler explores the weird and wonderful things that people have done wrong. Hearing about the incredible ways people have messed things up can’t help but cheer you up on a long drive. The episodes on the Foolkiller submarine are a highlight.
Table Manners
British singer Jessie Ware and her mom Lennie invite guests to their dinner table for a chat and a meal. It's like eavesdropping on a fun and relaxed dinner party that you really want an invite to. Listen out for the Dolly Parton, Elizabeth Olsen, Dan Levy and Emilia Clarke episodes.
Strong Towns
We did warn you that we were urban planning geeks! Host Chuck Marohn explores the challenges facing American cities and towns and offers solutions for building strong and sustainable communities. It's an important and informative podcast for anyone interested in urban planning and development.
Drunk Women Solving Crime
This one does exactly what it says on the tin. Hosts Hannah George, Catie Wilkins, and Taylor Glenn get drunk and try to solve crimes. It'll have you laughing out loud as you rack up the highway miles.
Remember, the perfect GoGet car for your next trip is waiting for you; round the corner, by the hour.
No Membership? No problem! We’ve got the perfect plan for you!
