Sometimes it feels like every single person with a ring light and a microphone has a podcast now. Scroll through your Spotify or Apple Podcasts feed, and you’re bombarded with faces you’ve seen on TV, in movies, or on your For You Page, all promising to "spill the tea" or give you "unfiltered" life advice. It’s overwhelming, right? And the truth is, a lot of them are just… well, vanity projects. Just because someone is famous doesn't mean they have interesting things to say for an hour every week.
But here’s the flip side: when a celebrity podcast is good, it’s really good.
The audio space has become a powerful place for authentic storytelling, especially for voices that have historically been sidelined in mainstream Hollywood. We’re talking about Black, Latinx, Asian, and LGBTQ+ creators who are taking the mic to control their own narratives. These aren’t just PR stunts; they are safe spaces, comedy goldmines, and cultural touchstones that actually deserve a spot in your rotation.
If you’re tired of the same old "dudes talking in a basement" energy and want something that feels like a FaceTime with your funniest, smartest friend, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve curated a list of celebrity podcasts centered on minority voices that aren’t just background noise—they’re essential listening.
Why Representation in Your Earbuds Matters
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about why we’re focusing on these specific voices. Podcasting is intimate. You literally let these people into your head. When you listen to creators from diverse backgrounds, you aren’t just being entertained; you’re expanding your worldview.
For Gen Z especially, authenticity is the currency. We don't want polished, script-read interviews. We want to hear about the messy, complicated, beautiful reality of navigating the world as a person of color or a queer person. These podcasts offer that "I feel seen" moment that is so rare in traditional media. They validate experiences, celebrate culture without explaining it to outsiders, and prove that our stories are universal.
Ready to refresh your feed? Here are the shows bringing the flavor, the drama, and the heart.
1. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
The Vibe: Pure, chaotic pop-culture worship.
If you aren’t listening to Las Culturistas, are you even participating in culture? Hosted by the incredible Bowen Yang (you know him from SNL and Wicked) and his best friend, comedian Matt Rogers, this show is a weekly explosion of queer joy and sharp cultural critique.
Why It’s Worth It:
Bowen and Matt represent a specific intersection of gay and Asian-American identities that is often reduced to stereotypes on screen. On the pod, they are fully, unapologetically themselves. They define "culture" in the broadest, funniest terms possible. One minute they’re dissecting a Real Housewives feud with academic precision, and the next they’re discussing the trauma of high school gym class.
Their segment "I Don't Think So, Honey"—a one-minute rant about something annoying in culture—has become legendary. It’s cathartic, it’s hilarious, and it feels like the conversations you have with your best friends at 2 AM.
Best For: When you need a laugh so hard you might drop your phone, or when you need to feel like you’re part of the coolest friend group in New York.
2. Baby, This is Keke Palmer with Keke Palmer
The Vibe: Motivational speaker meets your chaotic older sister.
Keke Palmer is an icon. From being a child star to the meme queen of the internet ("Sorry to this man"), she has stayed relevant because she is undeniably authentic. Her podcast, Baby, This is Keke Palmer, is an extension of that electric personality.
Why It’s Worth It:
Keke has been in the industry for decades, and as a Black woman in Hollywood, she has stories. But what makes this podcast special is her genuine curiosity. She brings on everyone from her mom to Vice President Kamala Harris, and she treats them all with the same level of respect and inquisitiveness.
She dives into topics like mental health, navigating fame, and the history of Black entertainment. It’s not just fluff; she asks the questions we’re all thinking but are too afraid to say. Keke creates a space where Black women are celebrated, heard, and allowed to be multifaceted. Plus, her voice is basically a serotonin boost.
Best For: Your morning commute or walk to class. It’s high energy and will leave you feeling ready to handle whatever the day throws at you.
3. En La Sala with Becky G
The Vibe: A cozy, Spanglish safe space.
Global superstar Becky G took her platform and built En La Sala (In the Living Room) specifically to highlight Latinx voices and issues. While seasons come and go, the archive of this show is a goldmine for anyone navigating the bicultural experience.
Why It’s Worth It:
Becky G keeps it 100% real. She tackles heavy subjects like mental health in the Latinx community, LGBTQ+ rights, and the politics of being a "no sabo" kid (someone who struggles with Spanish). It feels intimate, like you’re actually sitting in her living room sipping cafecito.
For Latinx listeners, it’s incredibly validating to hear a massive pop star talk about the same identity struggles you face at home. She brings on guests ranging from politicians to her own family members, bridging the gap between generations. It’s a beautiful example of using fame to uplift your community.
Best For: When you’re feeling a little homesick or disconnected from your roots. It’s comforting, warm, and deeply relatable.
4. Sibling Rivalry with Bob the Drag Queen & Monét X Change
The Vibe: The funniest family argument you’ve ever heard.
If you watch RuPaul’s Drag Race, you know these two titans. Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change are not actually siblings, but they might as well be. Their chemistry is unmatched, largely because they spend half the episode arguing about completely trivial things.
Why It’s Worth It:
Beyond the shade and the reading, Sibling Rivalry offers a crucial perspective on the Black queer experience. They talk about everything from dating and race relations to politics and poverty, often switching from hilarious to heartbreaking in the span of a sentence.
They don’t code-switch. They don’t water it down for a straight audience. They are boldly, loudly, and proudly Black and queer. In a world that is increasingly hostile toward drag artists and trans people, hearing Bob and Monét thrive and laugh is an act of resistance. It’s a reminder that joy is a valid form of protest.
Best For: When you’re doing chores or getting ready for a night out. Their energy is infectious, and you’ll find yourself arguing back at your headphones.
5. Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
The Vibe: An explosion of glitter and knowledge.
You fell in love with Jonathan Van Ness (JVN) on Queer Eye, but their podcast, Getting Curious, is where their intellect really shines. JVN is non-binary and has become a massive advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, HIV awareness, and self-acceptance.
Why It’s Worth It:
The premise is simple: JVN gets curious about a topic and brings on an expert to explain it. But because it’s JVN, the topics range from "How do bugs work?" to "What is the history of hair?" to deep dives into geo-politics.
JVN approaches every subject with a lack of ego that is so refreshing. They aren't afraid to ask "dumb" questions, which usually turn out to be the exact questions the listener has. It’s educational, sure, but it’s filtered through JVN’s lens of fierce positivity and inclusivity. They ensure that experts from diverse backgrounds are featured, decolonizing the way we learn about history and science.
Best For: When you want to learn something new but don’t want to feel like you’re in a lecture hall. It’s brain food with a side of hair flip.
Why Your "Subscribe" Button Matters
Okay, so you have some new recommendations. But why does it actually matter if you tune in?
In the digital age, numbers talk. Algorithms are biased. They tend to push content that looks and sounds like what has worked in the past (read: white, cisgender, male). When we actively seek out, subscribe to, and review podcasts hosted by minority creators, we are sending a signal to the industry.
We’re saying that we want diverse stories. We’re saying that Black, Latinx, Asian, and Queer voices are profitable, valuable, and necessary. By supporting these shows, you help ensure that the next generation of creators gets a microphone, too.
Plus, let’s be real—the content is just better. These hosts are bringing fresh perspectives, new jokes, and insights you literally won’t find anywhere else. They challenge the status quo just by existing in these spaces.
Don’t settle for boring audio. Your time is too valuable to listen to another lukewarm take on the same five topics. Curate your feed to look like the world you want to live in—diverse, colorful, loud, and authentic.
(Image via