Get them in your ears: The 18 best podcasts of 2018 you simply must binge right now.

Podcasts are kind of the greatest things to happen to our phones in the past three years, don’t you think?

From the latest gripping true crime listen, to the weekly pop-culture and news wrap ups that will catch you up on the world around you, there’s just so much listening potential it can actually be overwhelming.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

The Mamamia team has chosen their best pod picks of 2018, in our quest to only bring you the best of the best. Now, of course, we can’t help but shout out our own audio offerings but we also understand there are many other worthwhile podcasts out there.

So without further ado, get ready to find your new podcast obsession, you can thank us later.

The Cut on Tuesdays

How iTunes describes it… “The Cut on Tuesdays brings you women’s voices on culture, style, sex, politics, and people: It’s everything The Cut can’t stop talking about. Join host Molly Fischer every week for arguments, obsessions, dissections, reflections, confessions, and other deep dives. From New York Magazine and Gimlet Media.”

Why Clare loves it… “Every week this podcast examines a different topic, whether it’s the politics around pubes or the link between domestic violence and mass shootings. It’s clever and compelling and a great mix of light and shade.”

Hamish & Andy

How iTunes describes it... "'Hamish & Andy' is a podcast that began its life as a band of three men, travelling from village to village in the 1700s, asking locals to gather round to listen as they discussed big issues of the times and provided light refreshments. The advent of The Internet saw the podcast's audience skyrocket, and now that we're well into the 2000's the podcast is heard in dozens of countries worldwide, although due to logistical reasons, the listeners must now provide light refreshments for themselves."

Why Luca loves it... "There's something special about a pair of Aussie blokes you can make the most serious grump laugh out loud. They don't swear, they don't make jokes at the expense of their listeners, and they generate segment ideas at an incomparable right. I refresh my pod app for their show every week. 11/10 funnies."

Chat 10 Looks 3

How iTunes describes it... "A peripatetic podcast in which Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb discuss what they're reading, watching, cooking, listening to or irrationally exhilarated by."

Why Jess loves it... "There's not much not to love about listening to two of Australia's most accomplished journalists chat all things cooking, baking, book, film and television recommendations, journalism, their careers and whatever else might be peeking their interest. The banter is great, their recommendations fascinating and the podcast is genuinely laugh out loud funny.

The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds

How itunes describes it... "Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds picks a subject from history and examine it."

Why Clare loves it... "This American history podcast is hosted by two comedians. One of the hosts gives a detailed run down of the story (e.g. the entire life story of Donald Trump), to the other host, who is completely naive. The best bits come from the reactions to the story, and the level of disbelief of what can actually be historical fact."

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness

How iTunes describes it... "A weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye, Gay of Thrones) is curious about. Come on a journey with Jonathan and experts in their respective fields as they get curious about anything and everything under the sun."

Why Chelsea loves it... "Each week JVN talks to an expert about a topic that I would've sworn I didn't care about, but after listening I care SO much. Highlights for me include his interviews with successful woman in male-dominated industries like comedy and NASCAR driving, as well as deep dives on American politics and really interesting episodes on the meanings of words and why American English is so different."

The Dream

How iTunes describes it... "What if we told you that with zero experience and only a few hundred dollars down, this podcast could change your life? Well, we’d be lying. This season on The Dream, Jane Marie dives into the world of pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, and all the other businesses that require their members to recruit their nearest and dearest in hopes of a commission. Join us as we trace the path of get-rich schemes from Jane’s roots in rural Michigan all the way to the White House."

Why Jessie loves it... "Even if [it] doesn’t sound all that compelling, I’m going to implore you to just trust me. I didn’t think it sounded all that interesting either. But I’m hooked."

Dolly Alderton's Love Stories

How Itunes describes it... "In this new podcast series, author and journalist Dolly Alderton will be talking to guests about their most defining relationships: the passion, heartbreak, longing, familiarity and fondness that have formed who they are."

Why Laura loves it... "Love Stories with Dolly Alderton is one of the most beautiful podcasts produced in 2018, it’s basically a hot chocolate for your soul. The conversations between Dolly and her guests are raw, emotional and incredibly funny and I dare anyone not to tear up with happy tears when the hosts do. I really enjoyed how each episode explored different kinds of love and relationships, not just romantic stories but loves stories between friends, sisters and children. It’s a podcast series you can easily listen to twice, in particular, the episodes featuring Vanessa Kirby, Marian Keyes and Sara Pascoe."

You Beauty

How iTunes describes it... "Do you scroll through beauty posts on Instagram and feel completely overwhelmed? Do you wish you had your very own beauty whisperer to tell you what works and what doesn’t? Then this is the podcast you've been waiting for. Each week beauty guru Leigh Campbell and beauty tragic Kelly McCarren will answer your questions. They'll tell you which bargain products work and which ones are worth splurging on. And they'll be rummaging through the beauty bags of famous people to find out what they know that we don't. You Beauty - the podcast for your face."

Why Jess loves it... "I'm obviously a little bit biased, but I love a good perve into the beauty routines and makeup bags of other women. From Mamamia's own Leigh Campbell to television presenter Yumi Stynes each episode is funny, informative and dangerously bad for my wallet. We also hear its got a cracker of a Facebook group and a pretty fancy pop-up store at Sydney Airport's T2 domestic terminal."

Unravel - Season 2 Barrenjoey Road

How iTunes describes it... "Unravel True Crime is a podcast where, each season, some of Australia's best journalists investigate unsolved crimes. Season 2 is Barrenjoey Road."

Why Jessie loves it... "It was about a story I'd heard in bits and pieces from women older than me. It had really effected that generation, as they remembered a girl on her way home, being abducted, murdered, and never returning home. It changed the way they lived their lives. The podcast provides a thorough narrative as well as compelling theories about what happened to Trudie Adams in 1978."

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

How iTunes describes it... "Lifelong fans of true crime stories Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark tell each other their favorite tales of murder and hear hometown crime stories from friends and fans."

Why Amy loves it... "I love My Favourite Murder because not only are the stories they cover insanely interesting, from murders to just stuff people have found in walls, but the two hosts are just so funny that i'm constantly holding in a complete body laugh most mornings on a packed North Shore train."

No Feeling Is Final

How iTunes describes it... "Usually when we talk about suicide we say those four magic words: 'just ask for help'. But Honor Eastly knows it’s not that simple. At times heartbreaking, and desperate – but also darkly funny, and charming, No Feeling Is Final is a story of difference, identity, and why we should stay alive."

Why Lize loves it... "Honor Eastly is so open and raw about her mental health struggles in No Feeling Is final. This podcast is refreshing and eye opening and so fantastically produced."

How I Built This with Guy Raz

How iTunes describes it... "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built."

Why Nat loves it... "I've been addicted to this podcast this summer. The simple format of his podcast and the variety of guest he has on the show is really interesting. A lot of the time you know of these successful brands and businesses but don't know the actual story of how they came to be. My two favourite so far have been the interview with Zumba creators, Beto Perez and Alberto Perlman and beauty mogul, Bobbi Brown."

Invisibilia

How Itunes describes it... "Unseeable forces control human behavior and shape our ideas, beliefs, and assumptions. Invisibilia—Latin for invisible things—fuses narrative storytelling with science that will make you see your own life differently."

Why Bella loves it... "Invisibilia forces you to think deeply about human behaviour and the functions of the brain in ways you've probably never considered. A lot of it is quite heavy subject matter - but delivered with balance (there's enough light banter to break things up). The interviews are sensitive, and the real life stories are incredibly emotive. I haven't been able to stop thinking about a few of their episodes all year and will tell anyone who will listen."

This Podcast Will Kill You

How iTunes describes it... "This podcast might not actually kill you, but it covers so many things that can. Each episode tackles a different disease, from its history, to its biology, and finally, how scared you need to be. Ecologists and epidemiologists Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke make infectious diseases acceptable fodder for dinner party conversation and provide the perfect cocktail recipe to match."

Why Amy loved it... "It's a new favourite. It’s these two women talking about diseases. Sounds strange but it’s great and they make ‘Quarantinis’ (like drinks) to go with each episode."

Wine for Normal People

How iTunes describes it... "A podcast for people who like wine but not the attitude that goes with it. We talk about wine in a fun, straight-forward, normal way to get you excited about it and help you drink better, more interesting stuff."

Why Jess loves it... "This podcast is exactly as its name would suggest, it's the lesson in vino for the average enthusiast who just wants to better appreciate their glass of wine without the snobbery. Learn what the basic wine terms like acidity, tannins and terroir actually mean and get the answers to those questions you've always wanted to ask, but felt to shy too."

The High Low

How iTunes describes it... "A weekly pop-culture / news podcast brought to you by Dolly Alderton & Pandora Sykes - the former co-hosts of The Pandolly Podcast."

Why Laura loves it... "It’s so funny, insightful, packed with great interviews and the two best hosts. It’s a perfect mixture of serious and silly. It's also a good way to start conversations because whenever I’m at an event alone I can just say to a random group of women 'so...how about The High Low this week?' and then we have heaps to talk about."

The Thread With OZY

How iTunes describes it... "Explore history’s interlocking lives and events. Turn back the clock, one story at a time. Discover how various strands are woven together to create a historic figure, a big idea or an unthinkable tragedy. From OZY Media. History. Unwound."

Why Lize loves it... "The Thread season one is all about John Lennon’s death and Lenin in Russia. It reminded me of the best bits of my year 11 modern history class and made me think something fierce."

What was your favourite podcast of 2018? Did we miss any on our list? Tell us in a comment.