10 Podcasts That Prove India’s Got Stories for Every Mood
As we step into our 10th year, we’re delighted to introduce a spotlight series: 10 inspiring articles that have sparked our imagination. Each piece challenges conventional thinking and offers bold, new perspectives. With this series, we aim to spark fresh ideas and start new conversations.
Aarohi Roy
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Think of podcasts as that one friend who always has a story up their sleeve. The one who makes your metro ride less painful, your Sunday chores less dull, and sometimes even your brain a little sharper without you realising it. Unlike TV shows that need your eyes glued to the screen or Instagram reels that vanish in a blur, podcasts let you live, laugh, learn and still keep your hands (and eyes) free. It’s like entertainment that moves with you.
And here’s the fun part: India’s homegrown podcast scene isn’t just catching on, it’s thriving. Creators are cooking up everything from comedy that has you snort-laughing in public, to crime thrillers that make you double-check the locks, to conversations so relatable you’ll swear the host has been eavesdropping on your life.
Ready to swap endless scrolling for storytelling that sticks? Here are 10 Indian podcasts you’ll actually want to spend time with.
Hosted by Mae Thomas, this one’s like a backstage pass to India’s buzzing indie music scene. Expect laughter, cheeky banter, and some very real conversations with musicians who are shaping the sound of tomorrow. If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes on in the lives of your favourite homegrown artists, Mae’s got you covered.
2. Dostcast
Think of Dostcast as India’s living room of conversations. Politicians, philosophers, performers, everyone gets a chair here. With Vinamre Kasanaa at the helm, no subject is too off-limits and no chat too wild. It is unfiltered curiosity that swings from serious to silly, often in the same breath.
3. Empire by William Dalrymple and Anita Anand
What makes empires rise, fall, and leave their mark on history? William Dalrymple and Anita Anand spill the tea on revolutions, epic power plays, and rulers who shaped, and shook, the world. From the British Empire to Ancient India, history has never been this addictive.
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This one is for the wanderlusting soul. Every episode takes you on a journey across India, narrated by travellers who have lived it. From misty mountains to bustling bazaars, these stories do not just describe places; they transport you there. Warning: You may start packing your bags mid-episode.
5. Indian Noir
Love a good scare or a crime mystery that makes you hold your breath? Indian Noir is your jam. Critically acclaimed and binge-worthy, it blends chilling storytelling with gripping atmospheres. Perfect for late-night listening, just maybe leave the lights on.
Hosted by Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan, this is not really about silence at all. It is about saying the things women are usually told not to. Expect unapologetic hot takes, hilarious rants, and conversations that are as dramatic as they are liberating.
Step inside the world of writers and see how stories really take shape. From the spark of an idea to surviving rejection, this podcast dives into the creative process of authors across genres, from history and romance to crime and business. It reveals the creative secrets behind the books you can’t put down.
Hosted by Nikhil Taneja, this show flips the script on masculinity. With guests from all walks of life, it opens up tough but necessary conversations on toxic masculinity, vulnerability, feminism, and everything in between. It is refreshing, funny, and quietly revolutionary.
Ever argued with friends that spiralled into a full-on debate? That is this podcast, but smarter. From modern dating to politics to culture wars, the team at The Swaddle dives headfirst into topics you are probably already arguing about in your WhatsApp groups.
10. The Mohua Show
The Mohua Show is where inspiring stories meet candid vulnerability. Entrepreneurs, artists, activists, and change-makers share their journeys, the doubts, the breakthroughs, and the messy middle. It is heartfelt, uplifting, and a reminder that everyone has a story worth telling.
Aarohi Roy is a Content Strategist who works with Don’t Be Content to help plan out branding, marketing and content strategies for all clients. Aarohi believes that content is simple, and it is all about telling stories that people can remember.
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