Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Stories from the Stage showcases ordinary people sharing extraordinary stories, spotlighting diverse tellers who share moments — from the everyday to the life-altering — that celebrate the similarities and differences that unite us. Stories from the Stage is hosted by Liz Cheng and Patricia Alvarado Núñez, executive producers and co-creators of the series. A two-time Signal Awards finalist.

For more information on our series, live events and how to submit a story, visit worldchannel.org/stories.

Josh Baker enters a dangerous world of fear, greed and betrayal as he sets out to uncover the truth behind one of the biggest missing-person cases of our time - the abduction of American journalist Austin Tice.

Josh - creator of two of the BBC's most award-winning and widely listened-to investigative podcasts, I'm Not a Monster and The Shamima Begum Story - returns for his most ambitious chapter yet, in a major new series from BBC Radio 4 and NPR's Embedded.

This is not the retelling of a closed case. It is a real-time investigation into a disappearance that has remained unsolved for more than a decade, conducted in close contact with Austin's family.

What started out as a personal effort to help a mother find her son has turned into a multi-year journalistic investigation stretching from the corridors of power in Washington DC to the depths of the Syrian security state.

Austin Tice is a journalist, law student and former Marine officer, who vanished in Syria in 2012. Since then, competing stories have emerged about his fate. In some, he is alive - held in a cell and waiting to be rescued. In others, he was smuggled out of Syria and hidden away. In the darkest versions, he died long ago.

His disappearance has reached the highest levels of power - from presidents to popes - yet remarkably little is known about what happened to him.

Investigative journalists Josh Baker and Sara Obeidat begin following Austin's trail long before the fall of the Syrian regime. Then everything changes. The regime collapses, and the black box of Syria's intelligence state opens. Sources step forward, unprecedented leaks arrive and doors to secret bases that had been sealed for years open. Josh and Sara speak to spies, search secret prisons and track down alleged war criminals in hiding, uncovering information that has never been made public and making discoveries that generate international headlines. The audience follows every breakthrough as the investigation closes in on those who may know the truth - while Syria is transformed and powerful interests compete to shape what happens next.

Some claim Austin was working for the CIA. Others say he was simply a young journalist trying to make his name in war reporting.

His fate has become entangled in secret negotiations and geopolitical power struggles that are still unfolding. At the centre of it all is his mother, Debra Tice, who has never stopped searching for her son.

There are people who know exactly what happened to Austin.

Some of them do not want the truth to come out.

So where is Austin Tice?

The best of all possible podcasts, Leibniz would say. Putting big ideas in dialogue with the everyday, Overthink offers accessible and fresh takes on philosophy from enthusiastic experts.

Hosted by professors Ellie Anderson (Pomona College) and David M. Peña-Guzmán (San Francisco State University).

Comedian Flame Monroe is on a mission to make everyone Laugh And Learn! Flame Monroe, a knowledgeable and expert comedian has the ability to find the good in all things with a clever way of making you laugh about it. Having recently released a thirty-minute standup comedy special, Monroe has found much popularity since the support of Comedian and Actress, Tiffany Haddish having hand-picked Monroe to perform for NetFlix’s Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready. And ever since, Monroe has all intent purpose to continue sharing her voice, but this time in a new way. Yes, you guessed it! A podcast. Embarking on a new partnership with The Black Effect Podcast Network and Executive Produced by Tiffany Haddish, ‘Laugh & Learn’ Podcast allows Comedian Flame Monroe to deliver teachable moments, thought provoking perspectives and a satisfying dose of fun and intellect to listeners every week. Listeners will get the pleasure of joining Flame and his/her team of correspondents, affectionately known as "Flamettes,". Allowing fans a moment to share genuine perspectives as the hosts discuss the latest in headline and local news, politics and pop culture. Through humor, wit, and heartfelt conversations, Flame Monroe aim to bring content that will entertain, enlighten, encourage self-confidence and bring an amusing joy full of laughter and inspiration influenced by the art of learning.

TMI is the dynamic, new video-taped podcast featuring activists Tamika D. Mallory and Mysonne, the General. Their show takes an uninhibited look at the social and civil rights issues, pop-culture and politics. Together, they underscore the importance of social activism, awareness, knowing your rights and having a voice. They want you to know that being in service to one’s community isn’t old school; it’s real, it’s happening and its needed now more than ever. Their aim is to push our culture forward so that together, we can make the world a better place right now…and for generations to come.

It's a family affair as Porsha Williams, (TV personality, host) her sister Lauren, and her mom Diane all get together on this weekly podcast to chat about love, life, motherhood, and everything in between. Every episode will have you crying with laughter as the three of them welcome you into the World of the Williams.