Italian podcasts: They inform, entertain and explain, which is why podcasts are so popular. This is reflected in the increase in listeners, as well as the evolution of video podcasts and growing investment in the sector by companies. According to research by Deloitte, there were 1.7 billion monthly listeners worldwide in 2024. An interesting aspect is that Generation Z is driving the increase in listeners, as they tend to prefer podcasts to social media.
According to Spotify data, in the United States, 47% of podcast streams among users aged 13-17 come from international programmes, a sign that young people choose podcasts to stay informed but also to learn about different cultures and think from a global perspective. Another significant figure concerns global advertising investment, which, according to estimates by Warc (World Advertising Research Centre), reached $4.8 billion in 2024 (+13.2% in 2023) and is expected to exceed $5 billion in 2025.
However, this article is dedicated to discovering some of the best Italian podcasts. The following list contains titles that we recommend you listen to, perhaps also to practise your understanding of the language.
Tech Italian podcasts
Il Disinformatico – Over 100 episodes available focusing on news from the world of technology. Clear explanations and advice, but also techniques and tricks to avoid pitfalls and, above all, fake news circulating on the web. Launched in 2006 as a weekly programme on Rete Tre, the third channel of Radio Svizzera Italiana, the project has become a podcast over the last two years, with episodes lasting around 20 minutes, useful for learning about the evolution of the tools and technologies we deal with every day. Il Disinformatico is hosted by Paolo Attivissimo, a well-known debunker in Italy, thanks to his blog Attivissimo.me. The podcast can be listened to on the RSI website, as well as on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Mister Gadget Daily – The evolution of a radio programme dedicated to technology, this is a daily podcast with episodes focusing on the news of the day. It is enjoyable to listen to, thanks to the topics covered, the style and the voice of Luca Viscardi, a tech speaker and journalist who also stars on one of Italy’s most popular radio stations. The episodes last a few minutes, covering various facts and a brief in-depth analysis of the main topic. Ideal for listening to during a break at work, it is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Space Italian podcasts
Houston – If you want to know everything about the difficulties of space missions, the answer is the podcast created and hosted by Valentina Guglielmo together with Paolo Ferri. Crises and failures have influenced scientific research because, as the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), which produced the podcast, reminds us, the conquest of space has not been a series of successes but a laborious succession of unexpected events to be faced and problems to be solved. There are 15 episodes, ranging in length from 20 to 40 minutes, which can be listened to on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and on the INAF website.
Verso lo Spazio – A guide to discovering the main scientific and technological achievements of humanity, seasoned with the irony of Adrian Fartade and Luca Perri, two of the best-known science communicators among Italians under 40. From Earth’s orbit to the Moon’s, from past space missions to the most recent ones, from the ground to the upper atmosphere, from the Moon landing to the importance of recycling, the podcast is a 16-episode, 60-minute journey through the evolution of humankind and the progress of science. It can be listened to on Audible, Amazon’s podcast platform.
Cybersecurity Italian podcasts
Red Hot Cyber – The latest addition to the website of the same name, the Red Hot Cyber podcast tackles cybersecurity issues with experts who help those from other fields understand the difficulties of a complex sector. News, insights and commentary ranging from cyber hacktivism to national security, with a focus on the dark web and analysis of problems affecting vital structures such as hospitals. Topics are addressed in clear language in episodes lasting less than 10 minutes (one new episode per week), which can be listened to on Spotify and YouTube.
Seemposium – A podcast that discusses cybersecurity through the minds, expertise and experience of those who live it every day. This is how the product created by R3verse Security, the community dedicated to cybersecurity professionals, came about. The topics are more technical and specific than other competing podcasts, with the two hosts welcoming an expert to each episode to talk about offensive security, hardening, bypass techniques and similar topics. The episodes last over an hour, are released once a month and can be listened to on the R3verse Security YouTube channel and Spotify.
Entrepreneurship Italian podcasts
Impact Girl – Designed for women of all ages and backgrounds, Cecilia Sardeo’s podcast (a digital entrepreneur for over ten years) talks about how to grow your business without sacrificing your personal life and other daily commitments. Covering digital marketing, mindset and content creation for different platforms, the podcast is an opportunity to learn about useful tools and strategies to improve your professional career. The episodes vary in length, and many feature managers, entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes, chefs, influencers and writers. The podcast can be listened to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hacking Creativity – This is an interesting podcast because it focuses on the relationship between business and creativity. The idea of the two creators, Federico Favot and Edoardo Scognamiglio, is to offer multiple innovative ideas and develop creative solutions for managers and entrepreneurs. This is precisely why the podcast attracts both those who work in creative fields and those who have a more analytical vision and want to acquire a spark of unpredictability. Practical advice and tools help you think outside the box and identify unexpected solutions to hone your problem-solving skills. Weekly episodes, with lots of guests and plenty of fun, can be listened to on the usual platforms.
Science and Finance
Scientificast – A podcast that cannot be categorised under a single heading because it brings together scientists and researchers who decipher science and explain it to the general public. This is no easy task because explaining what neutrinos are and what nanoplastics involve and translating studies that combine physics, biology, chemistry, engineering and computer science requires extraordinary expertise and skill. With 560 episodes available, Scientificast can be listened to on Speaker, Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Inconsciamente – Analysing the human brain to explain the reasons behind choices, beliefs and obsessions. Where rationality disappears, and the mind travels on autopilot, we can sometimes be deceived… by our own brains. The voice of Federico Buffa, Italy’s most talented and famous storyteller, guides us through Inconsciamente, the podcast that delves into the secrets of the human mind to learn how to recognise and unmask the moments when cognitive biases lead us to make the wrong decisions. Episodes are approximately 20 minutes long, with stimulating topics and very interesting explanations. Available on Speaker and Spotify.
