Time Magazine recently released their ambitious ranking of “The 100 Best Podcasts of All Time.” However, one glaring omission has sparked intense debate across social media and podcasting circles.
The Joe Rogan Experience, widely regarded as the most popular podcast on Earth, failed to make the cut. This decision has raised eyebrows given the show’s undeniable cultural impact and massive audience.
The exclusion becomes even more striking when you consider the numbers. According to recently revealed Spotify data, Rogan’s show boasts an impressive 14.5 million followers on the platform alone. It is nearly three times more than the next most followed program, TED Talks Daily. These followers were accumulated in just four years since his exclusive Spotify deal began in 2020, demonstrating remarkable audience loyalty and growth.
“This number represents the number of users who have decided to ‘follow’ a show on Spotify — it doesn’t represent a show’s total audience or the performance of an episode,” Spotify noted, yet the figure still represents a significant marker of listener engagement and interest.
The podcast community has evolved dramatically, and Rogan’s influence extends far beyond a single platform. His YouTube subscriber base reaches 16.4 million, while his personal Instagram following climbs to 18.9 million. Industry insiders consistently describe his reach as so substantial that “the scale for success has to be adjusted because he casts a shadow over all other podcasters.”
What makes Time’s omission particularly noteworthy is the apparent ideological composition of their selected list. A careful analysis reveals a striking pattern. Roughly 30-40 of the 100 chosen podcasts lean progressive or left-of-center in their content, hosts, or editorial perspective.
Shows like Code Switch, The Daily, The Ezra Klein Show, and Nice White Parents represent clear progressive viewpoints, while others like Criminal, Heavyweight, and You’re Wrong About carry softer but discernible left-leaning tones.
Meanwhile, explicitly conservative or right-leaning podcasts are virtually absent from the list. The Bill Simmons Podcast and New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce represent about the closest the list comes to non-progressive content, and even these are primarily apolitical sports and entertainment shows rather than conservative commentary.
This ideological imbalance raises questions about the criteria used for selection. Were podcasts evaluated purely on artistic merit, cultural impact, and technical excellence? Or did editorial preferences play a role in determining what constitutes the “best” podcasting has to offer?
The Joe Rogan Experience has undeniably shaped modern podcasting culture. Rogan’s long-form interview format has influenced countless creators, and his ability to draw massive audiences for three-hour conversations has redefined what’s possible in the medium.
Time Magazine’s list does include several excellent programs that deserve recognition. Shows like Serial, This American Life, and Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History have genuinely advanced the art form and storytelling possibilities within podcasting. The inclusion of innovative programs like Everything Is Alive and Welcome to Night Vale demonstrates appreciation for creative experimentation.
However, the absence of the medium’s most popular show from a “best of all time” list inevitably invites skepticism about the selection process. In most artistic mediums, cultural impact and audience engagement factor significantly into historical assessments of importance and quality.
The podcast industry has demonstrated that massive reach isn’t the only path to financial success. Shows like Chapo Trap House earn $175,900 per month with just 127,000 Spotify followers, proving niche audiences can support sustainable businesses. Yet when creating a definitive historical list, completely ignoring the medium’s most influential and popular creator seems like a significant oversight.
Can truly objective assessments exist when political and cultural divisions run so deep? Time’s list may have succeeded in sparking exactly the kind of conversation that keeps podcasting relevant, even if their selections remain highly debatable.
