For someone who is just getting into them, there are so many podcasts in the world that it can be incredibly overwhelming. After all, with so many options, how do you know which podcasts are high quality and line up with your interests? If you are a new podcast listener, here is our guide to navigating the podcast world, including how to pick accurate and reliable sources.

As we’re in the middle of election season, podcasts are a great way to have information presented to you in an understandable and condensed way. However, it’s hard to know where to find unbiased information about the election, a topic that’s incredibly polarizing. One place to start is seeing if a news site you trust also creates podcasts. Many newspapers and channels, like The New York Times, CNN, and The Washington Post produce audio content in addition to written articles. Alternatively, if you find a news podcast, but are unsure about its reliability, searching up the person or group that creates it online is a good way to see how they’re likely to approach the subject. Finding the podcast’s bias rating from listeners is also an effective way to determine its reliability.

Once you’ve found a reliable source, there is a diverse range of podcasts to explore. From investigative journalism to historical comedy, here are our top picks of reputable podcasts to check out from each genre.

Political Podcasts

One informative political podcast we recommend is “Left, Right & Center,” which is a discussion of recent political news with guest speakers from the three main political perspectives: conservative, moderate, and liberal. Additionally, “On the Ballot” is a facts-based, nonpartisan podcast that helps listeners learn about politics, provides facts, and allows its audience to establish their own opinion

True Crime Podcasts

Another classic genre of podcasts is true crime, which is a favorite among teenagers for its thrilling and suspenseful content. With over 300 episodes, “Rotten Mango” is one of the best-known true crime podcasts, diving into two different cases every week. Through detailed and illustrative language, podcast host Stephanie Soo structures her episodes like a movie, which helps listeners empathize with the victims and also learn more about cultural nuances across the world. For example, in Episode 261, which covered the Sewol Ferry Tragedy in South Korea, Soo explained the deeply ingrained respect for authority and Han grieving culture in South Korea, immersing listeners into the victim’s experiences. Soo does not simply recount the tragedies, but spreads awareness on important issues in today’s society.

Comedy Podcasts

For those looking for a witty and lighthearted listen, comedy podcasts offer the perfect way to cheer you up. One of our favorites is “Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out.” In this podcast, Birbiglia, a renowned comedian and storyteller, interviews fellow comedians and creatives, giving listeners a behind the scenes look into creative life and the entertainment industry. Each episode is filled with humorous and heartfelt reflections and contains insightful conversations with featured guests.

Educational Podcasts

Of course, we can’t forget about educational and news podcasts. This genre branches into a variety of different types, from purely informative to investigative or storytelling. Among the informative podcasts, you can learn history lessons on “You’re Dead to Me,” and random fun facts on “Stuff You Should Know.” If you’re looking for a podcast that combines both storytelling and investigations, “This American Life,” is a thought-provoking choice. Ira Glass, the host, centers each of the podcast’s 800 episodes around a spontaneous theme. Split into different “acts,” the episodes explore each theme through true stories, interviews, and investigations. Recorded since 1995, Glass talks to different people each week: Palestinian exchange students, strangers visiting the Iowa State Fair, or two girls who were switched at birth. You never know who or what to expect.