Home > Guide > Best Wondery Podcasts

Wondery is a high-quality podcats provider launched in 2016. If you're a podcast enthusiast, Wondery will be your happy home. The free Wondert app provides podcasts across all genres, and you can enjoy ad-free listening with a Wondery+ subscription. Here we collected a must-list of the top 10 Wondery podcasts to help you get started with Wondery. Several handy podcast downloaders also included. Just read on.

Part 1: The Best 10 Podcasts on Wondery

#1: Dirty John

Dirty John tells the true crime tale of John Meehan, a charismatic con artist, and his web of deceit. Los Angeles Times journalist Christopher Goffard stumbled upon Meehan's story while investigating a possible murder in Newport Beach. His research unveiled a disturbing narrative centered around Meehan's manipulative relationship with businesswoman Debra Newell, whom he swiftly married after meeting on an online dating site. The podcast explores themes of abuse, manipulation, and the reactions of those entangled in Meehan's schemes. Praised as one of the best podcasts of 2017, Dirty John has won multiple awards for its gripping storytelling.

#2: Business Wars

Business Wars dives deep into the most intense corporate battles and rivalries. How did Netflix dethrone Blockbuster? What sparked the Nintendo vs. Sony showdown? And what's the deal with raisin cartels? Hosted by David Brown, this award-winning Wondery podcast breaks down the strategies, tactics, and personalities driving these business feuds. Fans rave about how even the densest topics become captivating listens. Game Looney wrote on Dec 1st, 2023, "The writing for this engrossing show is so well done that even those subjects which on the surface sound like they might be a snoozefest end up being just as engrossing as the no-brainers."

Explore the stories behind the world's biggest companies—from rideshare and food to entertainment. Discover the leaders, the bitter feuds, and the brilliant decisions behind their massive successes or dramatic failures. Business Wars has won the Webby and iHeartRadioPodcast Award for the Best Business and Finance Podcast in 2019 and 2020. Don't miss out on this fan-favorite series.

#3: Small Town Murder

Another true crime podcast, but with a unique twist! Hosted by James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman, Small Town Murder dives into lesser-known murder cases from small towns across the United States. With a blend of dark humor and detailed research, the hosts explore what makes these towns unique, the circumstances that led to murder, and the specifics of each case.

Perfect for long drives, quick commutes, or afternoons filled with grisly intrigue, this podcast takes you from Dickinson, North Dakota, to Conway, South Carolina, uncovering the stories behind the crimes. Small Town Murder offers two types of episodes. The longer ones can last up to three hours, while "STM Express" episodes are about an hour each. New episodes drop three times a week, providing plenty of content to enjoy. Each episode stands alone, so you can jump in at any point without missing a beat. If you're a fan of humorous true crime, Small Town Murder is for you.

#4: Dr. Death

Dr. Death is a gripping true crime podcast that uncovers the unsettling story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon whose negligence and incompetence caused numerous patient injuries and deaths. Hosted by journalist Laura Beil, this podcast dives into the medical system's failures and the quest for justice for his victims.

Join science journalist Laura Beil as she investigates real doctors with dark secrets in this captivating podcast. Once respected in their communities, these doctors betrayed the trust of their patients in shocking ways. The podcast's compelling storytelling even led to its adaptation into a TV series on Peacock.

Dr. Death is a true crime podcast that tells the story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon caused numerous mediacl accidents due to his rekkless and inability. The host, science journalist Laura Beil, dives into the

#5: Smartless

Looking for a new podcast that blends insightful interviews with a comedic twist? Check out SmartLess, hosted by Hollywood favorites Jason Bateman (Ozark, Horrible Bosses), Will Arnett (Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman), and Sean Hayes (Will and Grace, Broadway star). Every week, one of these comedy giants surprises the others with a mystery celebrity guest, keeping the conversations spontaneous and hilarious.

SmartLess features a wide range of guests, from Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks to Gen Z icons Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, basketball legend LeBron James, and US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. You'll also hear from Hollywood stars like Halle Berry, George Clooney, Ryan Reynolds, and Jennifer Aniston, as well as comedy legends such as Tina Fey, Conan O'Brien, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, and Chelsea Handler. With its unique format and genuine camaraderie among the hosts and guests, SmartLess is perfect for anyone who loves fast, funny, and clever conversations. If you've ever wondered what it's like to meet a celebrity and instantly come up with great questions, this podcast will be a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

#6: Morbid

Morbid is a podcast for true crime fans who enjoy a good laugh. This show offers a lighter take on the often too-serious genre of true crime. By adding humor to the crime stories, Morbid makes the content more digestible and entertaining. It's perfect for those who love true crime but don't always want the heavy, gruesome narratives typical of the genre.

This unique style has earned Morbid a dedicated following. In 2022, it ranked as the number 10 most popular podcast in America. The show blends organic conversation with structured episodes, staying on topic without long-winded tangents. It maintains the essence of a proper podcast without veering into audiobook territory. Fun, entertaining, and informative, Morbid checks all the boxes. True crime enthusiasts can get their fix with a side of quirky personality and laugh in this one-of-a-kind show.

#7: American History Tellers

American History Tellers is a unique podcast that brings U.S. history to life through the eyes of those who experienced it. Hosted by history enthusiast Lindsay Graham, the show collaborates with top historians to present history in a narrative format. Unlike traditional sources, this podcast immerses listeners in the lives of people from the past, making them feel as if they are witnessing historical events firsthand.

Graham and his guests vividly recount what it was like to live through iconic moments in history, giving a voice to ordinary people and making the past relatable and engaging. Whether it's the anxiety of an FBI knock during the Cold War or the impact of Prohibition on a waiter's tips, American History Tellers turns historical facts into compelling stories. This podcast aims to change the way you think about history, proving that it’s far more than just a series of dates and facts—it's a collection of human experiences. Tune in to discover history like never before, and see how the events of the past shape the present.

#8: How I Built This

If you're inspired by the grit and determination of entrepreneurs, you need to listen to "How I Built This," hosted by Guy Raz. This podcast dives deep into the world of entrepreneurship, uncovering the stories behind the world's most successful companies and the innovative minds that built them. Each episode offers a treasure trove of insights into how these business moguls got their start and navigated their way to the top. From the inner workings of Silicon Valley to global corporate giants, "How I Built This" covers it all.

For example, one episode features Twitch founder Emmett Shear, who turned his passion for video games into a platform with 31 million daily visitors, eventually selling it to Amazon for nearly a billion dollars. Another episode tells the story of Stacy Madison, who turned a humble hot dog cart into Stacy's Pita Chips, a $250 million business acquired by PepsiCo.

The podcast also explores diverse industries, showcasing interviews with people like comedian Jimmy Fallon. Known for hosting a primetime TV show, Fallon also runs his own production company and writes children's books, proving that entrepreneurship can take many forms. Tune in to "How I Built This" for a compelling look at the journeys of today's most ambitious entrepreneurs.

#9: Wow in the World

Wow In the World is an exciting podcast for listeners ages 5 to 12 to discover fascinating and surprising phenomena. It illuminates the wonders of science, technology, discovery, and inventions in a way that's as entertaining as it is educational. Mindy Thomas, the co-creator, cohost, and head writer, believes that kids thrive at the intersection of imagination and curiosity. She crafted this podcast to engage curious minds precisely at that level. Her cohost, Guy Raz, is a journalist and radio host who The New York Times has called “one of the most popular podcasters in history.” Together, they create a delightful and engaging listening experience.

The podcast offers different episode formats like “WeWow” and “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” Each episode is packed with information that captivates children and keeps them coming back for more. Mindy and Guy guide listeners through shows that blend careful scientific research with fun. Topics range from mysterious planets to fascinating facts about time. Wow In the World is a fantastic way to reduce screen time while learning something new and enjoyable. And it's not just for kids—adults will find it just as engaging.

#10: Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages

If you're looking for a top-notch children's storytime podcast, look no further than Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages. This podcast offers entertaining, delightful, and child-friendly tales that are perfect for kids (and parents too). Each episode brings something new and exciting. Your children will hear stories of bravery, triumph, and fun, including beloved classics featuring characters like Winnie the Pooh, as well as unique, original stories they've never heard before.

Not only is this podcast entertaining, but many episodes also impart valuable lessons, making it a trusted source for safe and age-appropriate storytelling. While it's called a "bedtime" show, Stories Podcast is great for any time of day. Play it before nap time, bedtime, or even during car rides. Each episode is around 25 minutes long—just the right length to capture and keep young children's attention. Enjoy short, engaging stories multiple times a day!

---

Part 2: How to Download Wondery Podcasts for Free?

Do you want to download Wondery podcasts without Wondery+ subscription? Here we recommend a free podcast downloader tool -- TunePat Music One. This music all-in-one tool allows you to download free podcasts from 100+ websites, including BBC, TED, Podbean, NPR, ESPN, The Verge, Wondery, and Podbay, among others, giving users access to a wide range of content from various sources. It's completely free and offers a user-friendly experience for podcast lovers.

With TunePat Music One, you can quickly download individual podcast episodes or entire series. You also have the option to save popular podcasts in MP3, MP4, or other audio formats, depending on what's available from the source. The platform ensures high-quality sound, matching the original audio. What's more, TunePat Music One also provides advanced features to download podcasts, albums, and playlists from streaming music services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, TIDAL and more.

Step 1 Download and install TunePat Music One on your computer, click on "Podcasts" from the left panel. Use the search bar at the top to find a podcast by name or author. If you're unsure of the exact name or have no specific target, you can browse by genre and select a podcast from the list.

When you move your mouse to a podcast, you can see the Play and Download button. You can also directly click on the podcast cover to check more episode details, then you can browse and download single episode.

Step 2 Click the "Download" button next to the episode you wish to download, or use the "Download All" button to get the entire series. TunePat will soon list the podcasts in a playlist, click the "Add" button to proceed. The output format depends on the original source of the podcasts, most of the time you will get MP3 or MP4 downloads. If you want other formats, you can also try the Format Converter under Tools.

Step 3 The downloading will start with a fast speed, please wait patiently. The download time will depend on the length of the episodes. Once finished, the download folder will open automatically. Now you can enjoy these podcasts for free and transfer them to any device for offline listening.

---

Part 3: How to Download Wondery Podcasts from Spotify?

Downloading your favorite Wondery podcasts for offline playback is easy with Spotify Premium. But what if you're using a Spotify Free account and want to download Wondery podcasts? That's where TunePat Spotify Converter comes in handy. This user-friendly tool allows you to download Spotify/Wondery podcasts, songs, albums, playlists, audiobooks, and radio for offline listening without any restrictions.

Moreover, TunePat ensures that all converted audio files retain their original ID3 tags, preserving important metadata. Plus, the built-in Tag Editor in TunePat's Tools module lets you customize your audio files to suit your preferences. Enjoy the freedom to personalize your offline listening experience with TunePat Spotify Converter!

Step 1 Select the Output Source

Run TunePat Spotify Converter on your computer. It has two audio sources, the Spotify App and the Spotify Web player. To download music from Spotify App, you need to install Spotify desktop app on your computer first. This mode provides better audio quality compared with web player, while web player supports 10x conversion speed which is usually faster than app.

Step 2 Search for the target podcast and open it for parsing.

Now you can search for the Wondery podcast on the Spotify app or web player, just enter the podcast name or browse under Podcasts & Shows module. Open the target podcast, then you will see a floating blue "Click to add" button. Tap on it to load the podcasts list.

Step 3 Add Spotify podcasts to TunePat for conversion.

After parsing, the content of this podcast will be displayed in a list. You can manually check the episodes you like and click "Add" to enter the conversion page. Then click "Convert" to start downloading Wondery podcast.

Step 4 View Downloaded Wondery Podcasts

Now, you just need to patiently wait for the conversion to complete. Once done, the download folder will pop up automatically. You can now check the downloaded Wondery podcasts on your computer and enjoy offline playback on any device.

Conclusion

In this article, we have introduced two tools to download Wondery podcasts. If you want to download Wondery podcasts for free, TunePat Music One is an excellent option. It offers a Podcast downloader tool for over 100 websites at no cost, although the choices are limited. By upgrading to the paid version, you can download unlimited podcasts from Wondery, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and more.

For Spotify users who want to download songs and playlists, TunePat Spotify Converter is a great alternative. It supports only Spotify audio sources but comes at a lower price and gets the job done efficiently. Choose the tool that fits your needs and give it a try!