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Apple Shares List of Best Podcasts of 2021

Apple today posted a press release to celebrate the best podcasts of 2021. The list includes the best and most popular podcasts from 2021, as decided by the Apple Podcasts editorial team.

Each year, Apple recognizes the best and most popular podcasts for their exceptional content, unique ability to engage audiences, and innovation in craft, spanning production, presentation, sound design, and more, that expand the definition of podcasting and deepen its impact on listeners worldwide. This year, Apple Podcasts Best of 2021 features shows and creators that provided listeners with a powerful sense of connection in a challenging and uncertain time, curated by Apple Podcasts’ world-class editorial team.

Apple named “A Slight Change of Plans” with Maya Shankar as “Best Show of the Year.” The show features stories about all sorts of change, from Tiffany Haddish discussing how she navigated the foster care system and discovered that she had a rare gift that would change her life, to John Elder Robison, who underwent experimental brain treatment to try and increase his emotional sensitivity.

“Anything for Selena” with Maria Garcia named “Newcomer of the Year.” The show explores Latino fatherhood, belonging, identity, and language through storytelling and cultural analysis.

In addition to Best Show of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, Apple recognized a curated collection of shows and episodes that defined and reflected 2021.

Shows

  • “A Kids Book About: The Podcast” with Matthew Winner
  • “Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain”
  • “Good Inside with Dr. Becky”
  • “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang”
  • “Pantsuit Politics” with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers
  • “Teenager Therapy” with Gael Aitor, Kayla Suarez, Mark Hugo, and Thomas Pham
  • “The Experiment” with Julia Longoria
  • “The Midnight Miracle” with Talib Kweli, yasiin bey, and Dave Chappelle
  • “This Land” with Rebecca Nagle
  • “U Up?” with Jordana Abraham and Jared Fried

Episodes

  • “A Friendly Ghost Story” from “Invisibilia” with Yowei Shaw and Kia Miakka Natisse
  • “Bubba Wallace” from “Club Shay Shay” with Shannon Sharpe and Bubba Wallace
  • “Glorious Basterds” from “Storytime with Seth Rogen”
  • “How Do I Love Someone?” from “WILD” with Megan Tan
  • “My Parents, Ellen and Tom” from “Forever is a Long Time” with Ian Coss
  • “The Body Mass Index” from “Maintenance Phase” with Michael Hobbes
  • “The People in the Neighborhood” from “Still Processing” with Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris
  • “The Symphony” from “The Midnight Miracle” with Talib Kweli, yasiin bey, and Dave Chappelle
  • “The Unwritten Rules of Black TV” from “The Experiment” with Hannah Giorgis
  • “This Strange Story” from “9/12” with Dan Taberski
Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.