10 Must-Listen Podcasts for Those Learning German 

Learning German can be both rewarding and challenging. Listening to podcasts is a highly effective way to enhance your language skills. They offer a convenient and immersive experience, helping you improve your understanding of German through various topics, from everyday conversations to cultural insights.

Here’s a list of 10 fantastic German podcasts designed to boost your listening skills, expand your vocabulary, and deepen your understanding of German culture. Some are specifically tailored for learners, while others are aimed at native speakers, ensuring there’s something for everyone!

1. Gemischtes Hack 

“Gemischtes Hack” is a popular German podcast hosted by comedians Felix Lobrecht and Tommi Schmitt, known for its witty banter and humorous take on everyday topics. The podcast covers a wide range of subjects, from personal anecdotes to social commentary, making it both entertaining and insightful. 

Why do we like it? The hosts’ playful and engaging style keeps listeners hooked, providing a fun way to improve your German language skills while staying entertained. 

Some of the most popular episodes include: 

• #45 LIFEHACK 

• #67 EHRE 

• #01 GEMISCHTES HACK 

• #02 BEREICHSLEITER 

You can listen to “Gemischtes Hack” on various platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Sound Cloud, and Podtail. 

2. lingoni GERMAN Podcast 

Want more straightforward learning with extra materials to practice what you’ve just listened to? Then lingoni GERMAN is right for you! 

Our podcasts are designed to help you improve your German skills through engaging and practical content. Each episode covers a variety of topics, from everyday conversations and grammar explanations to cultural insights and vocabulary building. 

Our podcasts are structured to cater to different proficiency levels, making it easier for you to follow along and enhance your listening skills and German vocabulary effectively, no matter where you’re at on your language journey! 

As a bonus, our podcasts cover real-life scenarios (such as finding an apartment in Germany) so you can prepare yourself for everyday life in Germany! 

Some of our favorite episodes include: 

• Alltagsdeutsch: Small Talk 

• Reisen & Urlaub: Am Flughafen 

• Fahrradfahren vs. Autofahren 

• Wohnungssuche mit Jenny & Jacqueline 

You can listen to all of lingoni GERMAN’s podcasts in the lingoni GERMAN app! 

3. Süddeutsche Zeitung 

Looking for more advanced material? Süddeutsche Zeitung delivers in-depth news coverage from Bavaria, across Germany, and around the globe. The content is likely too demanding for beginner German speakers, but it presents a valuable challenge for more advanced learners. 

SZ Podcasts features a concise daily news podcast called “Auf den Punkt.” This podcast briefly summarizes the most important news stories each day, making it perfect for those who want to stay informed but are short on time. It typically runs for about 10 minutes and covers a range of topics from current events to sports and more. 

For more detailed analyses and in-depth discussions, the SZ Podcasts also include other podcasts like “Das Thema,” which dives into various subjects every two weeks. You’re a huge football fan? Then check out “Und nun zum Sport,” which focuses on significant football topics weekly. 

In summary, we think these podcasts will be more helpful for learners: 

• Auf den Punkt 

• Das Thema 

• Und nun zum Sport 

You can listen to Süddeutsche Zeitung’s podcasts on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and their official website. 

4. German Stories 

Are you a beginner or intermediate-level German learner? The German Stories podcast is a fantastic resource for learning German through engaging narratives. These episodes are designed to immerse you in the German language through continuous storylines, making learning easier and more enjoyable. 

“German Stories” features authentic dialogues, dynamic transcripts with instant translations, vocabulary lists, and interactive exercises to practice what you’re learning! 

Some popular podcast episodes include:  

• Episode 10: “Türkei, Türke, Türkisch” (Turkey, Turk, Turkish) 

• Episode 12: “Paul sucht ein Date” (Paul is looking for a date) 

• Episode 8: “Ein Familienfoto” (A family photo) 

You can listen to these episodes on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or directly from the German Stories website​. 

5. DW Deutsch Lernen 

Deutsche Welle (DW) offers an array of podcasts specifically designed to aid German learners at various levels. These podcasts cover a wide range of topics, including current events, culture, and language learning tips, making them a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their German skills. 

The podcasts include slowly read news segments, cultural insights, and educational content tailored to different proficiency levels. Each podcast is tailored to help learners grasp German vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar through real-world contexts. 

One huge bonus? Being a public broadcaster, DW provides these resources for free, making high-quality language learning accessible to everyone. 

We can recommend: 

• Slowly Spoken German (for beginners and intermediate learners) 

• Deutsche Im Alltag: Alltagsdeutsch (for more advanced learners at the B2-C2 levels) 

• Jojo sucht Glück – a video series for intermediate learners 

To access the language learning-specific podcasts, you’ll need either an app for RSS feeds or iTunes. Find the list of podcasts here! 

You can also check out DW’s variety of other podcasts in German on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the DW website.  

6. Baywatch Berlin 

“Baywatch Berlin” is a German-language podcast by Deutsche Welle that explores various aspects of German society, culture, and current affairs. It offers German learners authentic language practice through natural-paced conversations and enhances cultural understanding.

The podcast covers diverse topics, making it a valuable resource for improving listening skills and vocabulary in a real-world context for any German language learner.

Its accessibility and engaging content make it one of the best podcasts for language learning and developing your knowledge about German culture.

We can recommend these episodes (although all of them are pretty great): 

• Episode 23: “Becoming German: Integration and Identity” 

• Episode 17: “Berlin’s Tech Scene: Startups, Innovation, and Challenges” 

• Episode 10: “The Fall of the Berlin Wall: 30 Years On” 

You can listen to “Baywatch Berlin” on several platforms, including: The Baywatch Berlin website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on the Deutsche Welle app. 

7. Minkorrekt 

If you’re into science, then we have the perfect German podcast for you! “Minkorrekt” is a German podcast known for its blend of humor and analytical discussions on a wide range of topics, including science, language, and societal issues. 

“Minkorrekt” is hosted by the German duo Michael Büker and Reinhard Remfort, who are known for their witty and analytical approach to discussing various topics on the podcast. 

The podcast offers natural German conversation by native speakers, helping learners improve their listening skills and understand everyday expressions. It explores various topics to broaden vocabulary, shares cultural insights and encourages critical thinking with a skeptical approach. 

“Minkorrekt” offers an enjoyable and informative format that enhances language learning and deepens cultural understanding of German and the German people. This podcast would be great for a more advanced speaker, but might be too difficult for a beginner or intermediate German learner. 

We can recommend the following episodes:

• Folge 222: Angsthasen 

• Folge 200: Erfindergeist 

• Folge 160: Der Mond 

• Folge 219: Schafskälte 

You can listen to “Minkorrekt” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other Podcast websites. 

8. Mit Verachtung 

The German podcast “Mit Verachtung” is a show where hosts Casper and Drangsal (and their guests) discuss a variety of topics, including music, pop culture, and personal stories, often with a humorous tone. 

For German language learners, “Mit Verachtung” can be useful for several reasons: The podcast features natural, conversational German, which can help you understand how the language is used in everyday situations. You also can become familiar with colloquial expressions and slang, which are important for understanding and participating in informal conversations. 

The podcast’s humorous and entertaining style makes learning German enjoyable while helping you to improve your language skills. 

We can recommend the following episodes: 

• Episode 1: “Hallo Verachtung 

• Episode 65: “Die mit den Händen reden” 

• Episode 66: “Die mit den Kindern reden” 

You can listen to Mit Verachtung on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Deezer, or with an RSS feed.  

9. Easy German 

The “Easy German” Podcast is a valuable resource for learning German through natural conversations and discussions on various topics. Designed as part of the broader “Easy German” project, it features unscripted conversations between native speakers, often spoken clearly and at a slower pace to aid comprehension. 

Many episodes include transcripts and translations, which help listeners follow along and build vocabulary. The podcast covers diverse topics, offering insights into everyday life, culture, and current events in Germany, making it both educational and engaging. Overall, it’s a great tool for improving listening skills and understanding German culture. 

This could be useful for all learners, whether you’re at a lower or higher level, although very advanced speakers may find it a bit too slow or easy. 

We can recommend these episodes: 

• Episode 321: “Hilfe, ich werde 40!” 

• Episode 274: “Die besten Tipps für deinen Deutschunterricht” 

• Episode 185: “Deutsche Küche: Was wir wirklich essen” 

• Episode 142: “Das Leben in Berlin: Warum lieben wir diese Stadt?” 

You can listen to Easy German’s podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and Pocket Casts. 

10. Fest & Flauschig 

“Fest & Flauschig,” hosted by Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz, is a popular German podcast known for its casual and humorous conversations covering current events, pop culture, personal stories, and societal issues. 

Their fun and humorous conversations expose learners to colloquial German, helping you improve listening comprehension and grasp cultural nuances. Fest & Flauschig’s varied topics and lively style make it both enjoyable and educational, fostering motivation and deeper engagement in language learning for German learners. 

This is a podcast for more advanced learners, though intermediate learners could also benefit from listening. On Spotify, the transcript pops up on your smartphone so that you can read along and see the words you hear. 

We recommend these episodes for German learners: 

• Episode 100: “Das große Jubiläum” 

• Episode 75: “Der lange Samstag” 

• Episode 50: “Die goldene Mitte” 

You can listen to Fest & Flauschig on Spotify and Podtail. 

In Closing 

Learning German can be challenging and rewarding, but podcasts are an effective way to enhance your skills. The podcasts mentioned above offer a convenient and immersive way to improve your understanding of German, covering a wide range of topics from everyday conversations to cultural insights. Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced German speaker, a podcast exists for you. Happy listening!