10 Best Podcasts of 2020

Radio shows and podcasts co-exist, and while they sound similar they are actually not the same. In this article, we will share some differences between podcasts and radio shows, then we will give you a recommendation of the best podcasts to listen to in 2020. Also, we'll show you how you can download your favorite podcasts.

Part 1: What’s the difference between podcasts and radio

If you listen to a radio show and a podcast without knowing which is which, you most probably cannot tell them apart because the way both are presented is almost similar. However, the truth is podcasts and radio shows are not the same, and there are important differences between the two mediums. For starters, radio shows are on-air (which basically means they are broadcasted at specific schedules), while podcasts are on-demand (which basically means they can be played whenever one desires). Without further ado, here are some key differences between radio shows and podcasts.

1. Radio shows do not require the internet, while podcasts are dependent on the internet. For decades, the radio has been completely independent of the internet because it uses radio waves as a medium of communication, as such the device needs a radio antenna. However, podcasts are delivered through platforms that are completely depended on the internet.

2. Radio shows are broadcasted at specific schedules, while podcasts can listen at anytime. What this means is if you miss a radio show by a few minutes, you will probably miss out on some of the things talked about. That is why you most often hear repeat elements on radio shows. However, with a podcast everything starts at the same point, which is the beginning of an episode. As such, podcast publishers make the beginning of a podcast very crucial because listeners can decide if they want to listen to it or not. Moreover, listeners can pause and resume listening at any time.

3. Radio shows have time constraints while podcasts do not. On the radio, everything is strictly scheduled, which is why most radio shows have specific timetables. What that means is if the hosts have a lot of compelling content, they have to be faster in covering it, so that they can finish it all. However, with podcasts the hosts can talk as much as they want and cover as much as they want without worrying about time.

4. Radio shows have differences when it comes to music and rights issues. On radio shows, we most often hear lots of music playing, either in the background or on short breaks. However, that is not always the case with podcasts, because the publishers need to acquire rights (copyright laws), which can be expensive. For this reason, it is seldom to hear music in podcasts.

5. Radio shows generally appeal to masses, while podcasts focus on niches. Generally, radio shows appeal to masses as they cover a wide range of topics, including sports, finance, paranormal activities, general news, or any other interesting topics. Radio stations do this because they are limited by the station format and geographical reach. However, podcasts are not limited by these two factors, because they are dependent on the internet and subscribers. Podcasts also limit to specific niches because it makes them easily discoverable, which will not be the case if they cover a wide range of topics.

Part 2: 10 best podcasts of 2020

Podcasts can turn dull moments into enjoyable ones, and it does not matter if you are listening to them while commuting, when you are driving, when you are doing some sporting activities or when you are cleaning your house. So what then are the best podcasts of 2020? We are here to present the best comedy podcasts, the best history podcasts, the best motivational podcasts, pretty much the best podcasts out there. Here is the list:

1. ‘Everything is Alive’. This podcast tells the history of an inanimate object through the words of the thing itself. It is a bit wild, but it is so far the best podcast of 2020. It is soon going to be in its third season.

2. ‘Comments by Celebs’. The creators and hosts of this podcast are Julie Kramer and Emma Diamond. This is one of those podcasts which can be considered as comedy. The hosts dive into all things Hollywood, Instagram and so much more.

3. ‘InCharge with DVF’. DVF, a fashion icon is in charge of this podcast, and each week she talks with a host female guest to talk about women, and what it means to be a woman in charge. It is a pure motivational podcast for women.

4. ‘In Bed With Nick and Megan’. Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, who had been a couple for 2 decades star in this podcast. They record each episode while in bed, and in some cases they invite some of their celebrity friends for candid conversations. This podcast is perfect for couples.

5. ‘Office Ladies’. If you are a die-hard fan of Them Office’, one of the greatest comedies from Showtime, then this podcast is for you. Jenner Fischer and Angela Kinsey host this podcast, and they break down each episode of the show by giving exclusive behind the scenes information of it.

6. ‘Chasing Cosby’. Bill Cosby is one of the greatest actors and comedians, but we all probably know that he drugged and sexually assaulted women for decades without being caught. It is a heavy and gripping listen. You can get to know what these women have had to live with, and how Cosby evaded justice for a long time.

7. ‘Keep It’. This podcast is hosted by Ira Madison, Aida Osman and Louis Virtel. They discuss how pop culture intersect with politics and society. It can be more appealing to the younger generations.

8. ‘The Alarmist’. Blaming someone for something probably brings a level of satisfaction with it. This podcast is all about the ‘blame game’. The host Rebecca Delgado-Smith sits with guests every week to discuss who is to blame for history’s biggest mishaps.

9. ‘Foxy Browns’. For women of color, this podcast talks about their beauty and wellness in a world that is mostly confined to western beauty standards. The hosts are Priyanka Matoo and Camilla Blackett.

10. ‘Darknet Diaries’. Our world is becoming much more dominated by technology, and this podcast talks about all things that involve cybercrime, and the dark side of the internet. The host of this podcast is Jack Rhysider.

Part 3: How to download audio from a podcast using Music Recorder

While podcasts and radio shows sound similar, they are generally not the same as we have highlighted above. The biggest point to note is that podcasts are mostly encrypted by DRM, and what that means is they can only be played on authorized devices. But what if you want to play the podcast on a non-authorized device? Maybe on an old iPod that you use for exercise, or in your car when you are driving? For those and many other reasons, we developed Music Recorder, a practical tool that you can use to legally record and save any music, podcasts or audio files. This software program spots a very clean user interface, which makes it easy for both beginners and advanced users to operate it. As a professional recording tool, you can save any podcast, song, or any audio file while preserving 100% of the original quality.

For now, we will show you how to record the best podcasts if you have no idea on how to do so. Please download and install this software then follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the Leawo Music Recorder program

Set the audio source by clicking the “Add Source” button from the bottom left corner. After that, choose “Record Computer Audio” in the Audio Settings panel since in order to record a podcast from any service on a desktop application or a website. For other sources, click “Record Audio Input”.

Step 2: Customize the audio output settings

Set the output directory for saving the recorded podcast file(s) under the “General” tab. On the “Format” tab, you can choose the preferred output format which includes MP3 and WAV audio formats (the former will save your storage, while the latter consumes more storage because of higher quality).

Step 3: Lastly, start recording your podcasts

When you have finished tweaking your preferred settings, the final step is to record the podcasts. Click the “Record” icon which is red, and podcast that is playing should start recording immediately. When you have finished recording, click the “Record” icon to stop.