Most Successful Female Podcast Hosts in the World
Podcasting has become one of the main ways people get their stories, news, and inspiration. And many of the voices leading that shift are women. Their shows pull in loyal listeners because they speak with honesty, curiosity, and real perspective.
Some started small with a single idea and a basic mic, while others arrived with years of storytelling or public work behind them. Below are a few women whose podcasts have become standout successes.
Aminatou Sow & Ann Friedman – Call Your Girlfriend
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Launched in 2014, Call Your Girlfriend built a following around conversations between long-distance friends discussing current events, feminism, and pop culture. The duo popularized “Shine Theory,” their philosophy of mutual support among women. Although the show ended in 2022, its influence continued to be felt in essays, books, and sold-out tours.
Anna Palmer – Women Rule
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Anna Palmer is the co-founder and CEO of Punchbowl News, the Washington-focused news community she launched after leaving POLITICO. She also hosts the Daily Punch podcast, where she breaks down power dynamics and congressional news. Before Punchbowl News, Palmer built a major reporting career at POLITICO, co-writing the POLITICO Playbook newsletter and covering top political figures.
Doree Shafrir & Kate Spencer – Forever35
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Forever35 debuted in 2018 and gained recognition for its emphasis on self-care beyond traditional beauty routines. Episodes often include interviews with authors, therapists, and healthcare experts. Both hosts are published authors and former journalists.
Amy Siskind – The Weekly List
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What started as a digital record of democratic norms during the Trump presidency evolved into a podcast that served as real-time documentation. Siskind delivered each episode with a steady, detailed approach that listeners trusted. The show was cited by major media outlets and used in academic research, reflecting its value as a civic resource.
Bridget Todd & Anney Reese – Stuff Mom Never Told You
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Produced by iHeartRadio, Stuff Mom Never Told You covers topics on gender, race, and women’s rights. Episodes are research-intensive and span a range from pop culture to historical analysis. Todd and Reese have hosted the show since 2017, continuing the legacy of the podcast’s original 2009 format under the HowStuffWorks brand.
Phoebe Robinson & Jessica Williams – 2 Dope Queens
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2 Dope Queens, created by comedians Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams, began as a podcast and evolved into a four-part HBO special. The show featured stand-up, interviews, and commentary on topics such as racism, dating, and representation. It ranked consistently among iTunes’ top podcasts before ending in 2019.
Nora McInerny – Terrible, Thanks for Asking
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Nora McInerny launched Terrible, Thanks for Asking in 2016 after facing a series of personal losses. The podcast looks at grief, resilience, and the many ways people move through hardship, and guests receive space to tell stories that do not fit tidy recovery arcs. Produced by American Public Media, it now stands as a steady and respected voice in mental health storytelling.
Alix Spiegel, Lulu Miller & Hanna Rosin – Invisibilia
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Invisibilia dug into human behavior by mixing psychology and storytelling. Spiegel and Miller co-created the show, and Rosin joined in later to expand its reach. Each episode functioned like a radio essay. It breaks down abstract topics like beliefs or fear using science and first-person accounts. NPR ended the show in 2023.
Greta Johnsen & Tricia Bobeda – Nerdette
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Nerdette, launched by WBEZ Chicago in 2013, features interviews with authors, scientists, and public figures. The show has included guests such as Tom Hanks, Margaret Atwood, and Roxane Gay. Known for making intellectual curiosity accessible, it has been praised for its consistent mix of serious and light topics.
Beckett Graham & Susan Vollenweider – The History Chicks
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Before podcasts about women’s history were widely available, Graham and Vollenweider were already producing episodes on figures like Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth I. They relied on primary sources and treated their research with care. They blended analysis and narrative in a format that still feels intimate, even after over 200 episodes.