Immerse yourself in Spanish through podcasts that are engaging, authentic, and recommended by learners. We’ve classified them by theme and level, based on Reddit and trusted community consensus.
Why Podcasts Help
- Real-world Spanish you can listen to anytime.
- All accents covered: Latin American, Spain, news commentary, and more.
- Adjustable speed makes them adaptable to your level.
Tip: Use apps like Overcast to slow down or speed up playback (1.5×–2× is great for advanced learners).
Quick Picks
- Duolingo Spanish Podcast – Ideal beginner-friendly bilingual storytelling.
- Radio Ambulante – Top-tier narrative journalism in Spanish.
- El Hilo – Clear, weekly news breakdowns.
- La Cruda – Highly addictive Argentine storytelling.
By Category
Storytelling & Culture
- Radio Ambulante – Deep, Latin American stories. Transcripts available. Recommended by advanced learners on Reddit.
- Las Raras (Chile) – Human stories with cultural depth; often cited for B2 learners.
- Simple Stories in Spanish – Short stories with transcripts—great for beginner/listen-read practice.
- Tres Cuentos – Same episodes in Spanish and English for comparative listening.
News & Current Events
- El Hilo – Weekly Latin American news stories with deep context and clear delivery.
- Practice Español – News audio plus transcripts and vocabulary glossaries.
- Hoy Hablamos – Daily episodes including grammar; slow, clear Spanish (B1+).
True Crime & Mystery
- Historias Innecesarias – Irreverent historical true stories with cultural flavor.
- El Verdadero Robo del Siglo – Argentine true crime narrative at native speed.
- Leyendas Legendarias – Mexican legends, paranormal tales, and strange history, with a comedic twist.
Comedy & Conversation
- Entrelíneas de la Vida – Reflective essays and conversational musings (Spain).
- Esto Pasó Posta – Modern, edgy stories from Argentina.
- Internet Me Arruinó – Humorous takes on digital culture (Argentina).
Grammar & Structured Learning
- Duolingo Spanish Podcast – Stories with narration in both English and Spanish for early learning.
- Spanish Obsessed – Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels with notes and transcripts.
- Coffee Break Spanish – Lesson-style podcast; Reddit says Season 1 is great for true beginners.
- Spanishland School Podcast – 10-minute daily grammar/vocab lessons in clear Spanish.
- Charlas Hispanas – Covers multiple accents and includes grammar explanations.
- Notes in Spanish – Built by learners for learners, with multi-level series and practice packs.
Bilingual & Learner-Friendly Narration
- Duolingo Spanish Podcast – English narration helps beginners follow Spanish storytelling.
- Españolistos – Bilingual discussion between native Spanish and English host; learner favorite.
- Spanish and Go – Travel and culture talk in slow Spanish with occasional English support.
Podcasts with Transcripts
- Duolingo Spanish Podcast – English and Spanish transcripts provided.
- Radio Ambulante – Spanish and English transcripts for every episode.
- Notes in Spanish – Printable transcripts and clap programs available.
- Hoy Hablamos – Episode transcripts and vocabulary via subscription.
- Simple Stories in Spanish – All episodes transcribed online.
- Spanish and Go – Offers interactive transcripts for members.
FAQ
1. Can podcasts replace grammar study? They’re powerful input tools—but pairing them with speaking or structured study (like BaseLang or iTalki) is ideal.
2. How do I know which themes suit me? If you love real stories, try storytelling; for vocab and structure, grammar podcasts; for laughs, comedic podcasts.
3. Do I need transcripts? They’re priceless for review—especially for complex shows like Radio Ambulante or Notes in Spanish.
4. Which Spanish accents are easiest to understand? You’ll often hear people say that Colombian accents are easiest, but think about which type of Spanish you’ll be using. If you live in Spain, focus on European (peninsula) Spanish.
5. When do I speed up playback? Once you’re catching ~80% at normal speed, try 1.5×–2× for advanced-level training.
6. How many should I listen to? Start with 2–3 from different themes, rotate regularly to expose yourself to fresh vocabulary and formats.
Best Podcast Apps for Language Learners
Not all podcast players are equal. For Spanish learning, you want apps that let you easily adjust speed, replay segments, and (ideally) show transcripts or synchronized text. Here are the top recommendations:
- Overcast (iOS) – Best for learners. Features Smart Speed (removes silences naturally) and Voice Boost (levels out volume). You can speed up in small increments.
- Pocket Casts (iOS & Android) – Smooth speed control (0.5× to 3×), skip silences, and cloud sync across devices.
- Castro (iOS) – Great for organizing a large podcast library and offers granular speed control.
- Podcast Addict (Android) – Feature-rich with precise playback speed adjustments and bookmarking for difficult sections.
- Spotify – Convenient if you already use it, though less precise than dedicated players (only whole-number speed steps like 1×, 1.2×, 1.5×).
- Podcast Player – Simple option for beginners with standard speed and skip functions.
Pro Tip: Most learners prefer 0.8×–1× for tough shows and 1.5×–2× for comfortable ones. Use silence skipping (Smart Speed) to maximize exposure without increasing cognitive load.