The Top Podcasts About Philadelphia

Learn about the healing power of crystals, meet the museum founder celebrating the everyday lives of African American women and get a lesson in auto repair from a team of all-women mechanics — and that’s just in the first episode! Love + Grit , VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s podcast, debuted in early 2020 to give an insider’s look at the Philadelphians people should know, the foods they should try and the attractions they should explore in our always-evolving city. Three seasons and dozens of episodes later, they’re still at it, with recent guests including Philly Fashion Week founder Kevin Parker, chef and activist Kurt Evans, and YOWIE owner Shannon Maldonado. Tune in on Apple, Spotify, Google and Stitcher for unexpected delights.

Independent online publication Artblog takes a closer look at Philly’s arts scene on Artblog Radio , profiling performers, curators and artists who shape the city’s creative space. Hear from the Spiral Q co-directors whose puppetry performances advocate for social justice; listen to Humaira Abid discuss immigrants’ experiences as part of her Center for Art in Wood exhibit; and head into a percussion lesson with a Venezuelan-born, Syrian-raised musician who’ll teach anyone ready to learn. Artblog Radio episodes are available on Apple and Spotify — no easel or palette necessary.

Meet some of the most fascinating people in Philadelphia as they sip beer with The Philly Blunt hosts Reef the Lost Cause, Johnny Goodtimes and Violations Greg. Each bi-weekly episode introduces listeners to people like Cornbread, the world’s first tagger credited with (and sometimes critiqued for) starting a street-art movement; Saté Kampar chef-owner Ange Branca ; and PHILADANCO! founder Joan Myers Brown. Check out the latest episode on Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher.

Most people can name a handful of famous Philadelphians. (Kevin Hart, Tina Fey, Bradley Cooper and Will Smith come to mind.) Philly Famous Podcast shines a light on slightly less-famous Philly-area folks like NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (raised in Chester County ) and Jeffrey Townes, aka DJ Jazzy Jeff. Tune in on Apple or Spotify to hear from music industry executive Ryan Press, rapper Philly Freeway and standup comedian Eleanor Kerrigan.

Philly Who? spotlights Philadelphia doers involved in some of the most interesting projects and movements in the city. In addition to better-known guests like musician Chill Moody and La Colombe founder Todd Carmichael, listeners can get to know Lindsey Scannapieco, the woman who helped turn South Philadelphia’s former Bok Technical High School into a beloved arts, food and public space; Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, whose restaurants like Abe Fisher and Zahav have been recognized by James Beard Awards; and Philadelphia Flyers Senior Director of Communications Sara Schwab, who does her best to explain Gritty. A fun feature: Listeners can nominate Philadelphians they want to hear from. Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher.

A great listen for anyone with “a little nerd in them,” So Curious! is a science-y podcast from The Franklin Institute . As you might expect from the folks that gave us The Giant Heart , this series goes big: Each season features multi-episode explorations of the science behind a given topic, from sex, love and relationships to mental health. Comedian Kirsten Michelle Cills and hip-hop artist The Bul Bey — both Philly natives — host laid-back conversations each week with “smart people” (aka scientists, researchers and experts) to laugh and learn. Curious? Give a listen on Amazon Music, Apple, Spotify and more.

One of the newest Philly podcasts on the scene, The Statue focuses on Rocky Balboa, “the greatest Philadelphian who never lived.” Correction: It focuses on the Rocky Balboa statue that stands proudly in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art . A production of WHYY Digital Studios, the six-episode series, hosted by Paul Farber, director and co-founder of Monument Lab, digs into the history of the statue, why millions of people visit it each year and what the statue says about how some stories are memorialized over others.

Philadelphia artist and curator Conrad Benner hosts a podcast to complement his popular Streets Dept brand and blog, which produces and celebrates public art and street art around the city. Aired in seasons, the podcast features one-on-one interviews with creative minds in Philly and beyond. Guests have included Tunisian-French graffiti writer and muralist eL Seed, BlackStar Film Festival creator Maori Karmael Holmes, and local poet and recording artist Ursula Rucker. Press play via SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Google Play or Stitcher.

This lighthearted exploration of everything food-related in Philadelphia is presented through the entertaining banter of award-winning chef Eli Kulp and radio producer Marisa Magnatta. Topics range from “a funnel cake shocker” and vegan meatball wars to “spice cabinet archaeology.” Tune in on Apple and Spotify.

This cravings-inducing podcast is perfect for people who love food but might find traditional reviews a bit stuffy. Jawn Appetit highlights notable Philadelphia restaurants and helps listeners navigate the city’s culinary scene. Learn about what to shop for at Di Bruno Bros. and how chefs around the city have used their food to elevate social movements. Tune in via Apple or SoundCloud — and have snacks prepared.

Want to learn more the Delaware River’s history as a hotbed for pirates? Or perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering why South Philadelphia has so many funeral homes? Hosted by Tony Trov and Johnny Zito, owners of the nostalgic Passyunk Avenue shop and brand by the same name, the South Fellini podcast addresses these burning  questions and more. Tune in on Apple, Google, and SoundCloud.

Did you know that the oldest operating theater in the United States is right here in Philadelphia? The Adventures in Theater History podcast features episodes exploring the origin of the Walnut Street Theater and so much more. Host Peter Schmitz, an actor, dialect coach and history teacher, delves into topics like local performances by Indigenous people in the 19th century, and the real-life drama surrounding controversial plays. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Podchaser and Pandora.

On The Alley Cast , the team at the Elfreth’s Alley Association delves deep into the real-life stories behind the people who’ve lived or worked in the historic houses on one of Philly’s most famous (and photogenic) streets . Season one, which covers stories from 1762 to 1967, focuses on the women of Elfreth’s Alley, and touches on dressmakers, the Great Migration, Quakerism, and female-headed households of the 18th and 19th centuries. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, and more.

Found in Philadelphia only just joined the local podcast scene in 2019, but it’s already steeped in history. Hosted by Lori Aument, who has a master’s degree in historic preservation, the podcast dives into stories of the city’s invisible history, beginning with the Germantown anti-slavery protest of 1688. Plug in your headphones and consider listening to this episode on a walk through the neighborhood. Found in Philadelphia is available on Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher.

Hosted by producers Brian Seltzer and Sabrina Boyd-Surka, the Jawncast podcast from KYW Newsradio shines a spotlight on “unique and unexpected stories out of Philadelphia.” Listeners learn how to climb a greased pole (if you know, you know), and take a deep dive into the lives of mushroom farmers of Kennett Square , the Mushroom Capital of the United States. Tune in on Apple, Google and Audacy.