Podcasts are a fantastic way to learn more about programming, especially once you've grown past the newbie stage and feel stuck on how else you're supposed to improve. And not only are they insightful, but you can do other stuff while listening!
The hard part is finding the good ones, so we've done some of the heavy lifting for you. Here are some of our favorite programming-related podcasts that are still up and running at the time of writing this.
For maximum enjoyment, we recommend using one of the many high-quality podcast apps available on Android, on iOS/iPad, and even on Linux. Once you have one set up, scroll on down and check some of these out!
General Development Podcasts
1. Coding Blocks
Hosted by three professional developers, Coding Blocks is all about introducing the audience to all kinds of programming-related topics in a way that can be easily digested while commuting to work, cutting the grass, or making dinner.
Topics covered include best programming practices, explanations of design patterns, understanding tough algorithms and paradigms, coding for better performance, etc. It's good for all programmers, though there's a slight lean towards C# and .NET.
Episodes are 60 to 150 minutes long.
2. Software Engineering Daily
As implied by the name, Software Engineering Daily is an interview-based podcast that aims to cover all things under the scope of "software engineering" -- an admittedly broad subject, but that's the point. It's meant to give you a taste of everything.
Here's how the host describes it: "After every episode, you should feel like you are 1% better at understanding how software works." If you can be just a bit more informed and knowledgeable every day, it will snowball into greatness over the long run.
Episodes are 60 minutes long.
3. Programming Throwdown
Here's yet another podcast that covers a broad range of topics, except this one has an intensely practical viewpoint. Each episode of Programming Throwdown has a razor-sharp focus on a single thing, whether a programming language, an area of expertise, etc.
For example, episode 55 is about text editors for programmers: the different types that exist, the different philosophies that drive each one, and which ones you should use for maximum personal productivity. Past topic examples include Matlab, Unity, and even Udacity.
Episodes are 60 minutes long.
4. Arrested DevOps
DevOps, or development operations, is a kind of programming subculture that emphasizes the rapid and reliable building, testing, releasing, and maintaining of software that's frequently evolving. Arrested DevOps is about maximizing the efficiency of that.
This podcast has a heavy focus on the bigger side of the software industry where teams are large and chaos is prominent. That being said, solo indie developers can still learn a lot here depending on how serious you want to be with your projects.
Episodes are 60 minutes long.
5. Full Stack Radio
Despite how the term "full stack" tends to be used these days, Full Stack Radio is NOT about web development. It's simply a podcast about learning how to build great software products. Each episode features a guest but not exactly in an interview format.
Topics covered in the past include code architecture patterns, the impact of tiny decisions, adhering to simple design, how to market your products, and more.
Episodes are 30 to 60 minutes long.
6. CodeNewbie
CodeNewbie is a great podcast for anyone who's dealing with programming burnout or feeling like they aren't good enough to be a programmer. It features stories of people and what they struggled through on their own coding journeys.
In a word, it's inspiring. There's a lot of diversity between the guests that get featured on this podcast, which should also lend a lot of motivation if you feel like external forces are dragging you down.
Episodes are 60 minutes long.
7. Learn to Code with Me
Even though it's relatively new, Learn to Code with Me already has a shining five-star review on iTunes. This is an interview-oriented podcast that's hosted by a self-taught programmer who's still at the beginning of her own journey.
Whereas other podcasts tend to assume that you have at least a familiarity with various software topics, the key difference here is that it's aimed at coding newbies who have very little practical experience. Feel intimidated by other podcasts? Then this one's for you.
Episodes are 30 minutes long.
Programming Language Podcasts
8. CppCast
A lot of other languages have catapulted into the spotlight over the past decade, so many are surprised that C++ is still a language that's not only alive but thriving. What we have today is infinitely better than the C++ you might remember from the 90s.
The host of the CppCast podcast is the same one who wrote Exceptional C++ and C++ Coding Standards, so you can rest assured that he knows what he's talking about. The content can get a bit advanced at times, but if you love C++, this is a must-listen.
Episodes are 30 to 60 minutes long.
9. .NET Rocks
The programming world is full of polarizing technologies, but few are as polarizing as the .NET Framework. It was great news when Microsoft made it open source a while back, but even still, you either love it or you hate it. It's hard to be neutral.
.NET Rocks is the podcast for you if you're in the former group. There's a bit of everything for everyone here, whether you're a brand new student or an industry veteran. Just tune into the episodes that interest you and you'll be good to go.
Episodes are 60 minutes long.
10. Talk Python to Me
Talk Python to Me blows all other Python-related podcasts out of the water. The host is great, the format is great, the guests are great -- there's a lot to love about it, including the actual content, which is immensely useful for Python developers.
Python is a simple but weird language, making it easy to learn but hard to master, and that's why I love podcasts like this. Not only will you learn to "think in Python", so to speak, but you'll also learn about new tech and how to land jobs.
Episodes are 60 minutes long.
11. JavaScript Jabber
JavaScript used to be a front-end only language, but with the advent of NodeJS and all of that, it's now used all over the place for all kinds of things. As such, there's a lot to talk about, and that's why every serious JavaScript developer should tune into this podcast.
JavaScript Jabber is mostly an exploration of various JavaScript frameworks and technologies, but also delves into related subjects such as CSS, TypeScript, IDEs, databases, landing a job, and more.
Episodes are 40 to 60 minutes long.
Topical Development Podcasts
12. AppMasters [No Longer Available]
Thinking of developing mobile apps and aren't satisfied by the mobile development blogs out there? Then AppMasters, hosted by a successful app developer and marketer, could be the impetus you need to propel yourself to the next level.
This one presumes that you have an intermediate-to-advanced level of knowledge in mobile development. It's for developers who know how to make apps but aren't sure how to sell them or make them desirable to potential customers.
Episodes are 30 minutes long.
13. The Changelog
It's surprising how much of the world is moving towards open source development. There are many good reasons for it, of course, and it does come with a lot of potential benefits, so maybe it shouldn't be so surprising after all.
That being said, The Changelog is a podcast about all things open source. It has elements of news at times, but it isn't a strictly news-based podcast. Some episodes are topical, such as a recent one about decentralizing the internet with IPFS.
Episodes are 60 to 90 minutes long.
14. The Bike Shed
The Bike Shed is a strange name for a podcast primarily about web development, but it is what it is. Every episode, the three hosts invite a guest to talk about their experiences and the challenges they've faced while working with JavaScript, Ruby, Rails, etc.
But every once in a while, they'll host episodes on general programming topics that are more widely applicable, such as the wonderful 58th episode that discusses the differences between rewriting and refactoring and why you should care about both.
Episodes are 30 to 40 minutes long.
15. The Debug Log
Game development podcasts are hard to find these days, not so much because they're rare but because most so-called "gamedev podcasts" are more about game design than the actual development process.
And that's why The Debug Log is such a wonderful find.
This podcast is specifically about creating games using Unity, but the more conceptual episodes can be applied to other game engines, such as the episodes about version control or game prototyping.
Episodes are 40 to 60 minutes long.
Which Podcasts Are Your Favorites?
We hope you found at least one new podcast to enjoy in this list. But even if you didn't, don't stop here. There are many ways to find new podcasts and we firmly believe that podcasts are for everybody -- you just have to find the right ones.
Maybe programming podcasts aren't for you, in which case you may want to check out our list of best podcasts in 2015 or our compilation of podcasts for men, many of which are highly entertaining.
So tell us: which programming podcasts do you like the best? Are there any that didn't make the cut but you feel deserve a mention? Share them with us in a comment below!