The 10 Best Canadian Podcasts of 2024.
The 10 homegrown podcasts that had Canadians hooked this year.
It’s that time of year again where the podcast industry starts to reflect on the year it’s had through awards ceremonies and “Best Of” lists.
I have my criticisms about the system of recognition in podcasting. At the end of the day, a lot of the credibility that a podcast can receive is rooted in popularity contests, personal bias, and subjective opinions. That’s why Pod the North and a carefully curated group of 7 contributing Canadian podcast entities are each sharing their top Canadian podcasts, along with their own, personalized criteria.
What podcasts are 2024’s 10 Best Canadian Podcasts?
It must be produced by a Canadian.
It must not be the contributer’s own podcast, or a podcast that they have produced.
The podcast doesn’t have to be “new”. It can have been released at any point, but must be something the contibuter listened to between November 2023 - October 2024.
To round out the Best Canadian Podcasts to a “top 10”, The Canadian Podcast Listener has also provided an early peek at their November 2024 report. They’re sharing the top English-language podcast and top French-language podcast most listened to by the 1,605 monthly Canadian podcast listeners.
Check out the Canadian podcasts that had Canadians hooked in 2024…
The 10 Best Canadian Podcasts of 2024:
Resurrection (Dane Stewart)
Selected by Kattie Laur (Pod the North)
My Criteria: To me, discovering a great podcast is something that hits you on a molecular level — that’s why every podcast listener’s cue is unique! I know I love a podcast when my face starts doing things: tearing up, furling eyebrows, smirking to myself like a creep. There are plenty of podcast genres and hosts that can do that to me, but this year one Canadian indie podcast in particular did all of those things and way more! My Canadian Podcast of the Year is expertly and intentionally produced, innovative in it’s approach to storytelling, and best of all, feels personal.
Why Resurrection stood out to me:
Over the summer I finally hit play on Resurrection, an independantly produced podcast from podcaster and playwrite, Dane Stewart. The podcast shares the profound and important stories rooted in the history of North America’s AIDS crisis.
I binged the first season over the course of a few days, and what I loved so much straight from get-go was the clear influence of theatre on the podcast. Dane knows how to tell a story, and he does so in such an impressive and candid way that is engaging, empathetic, earnest, and often quite funny. Resurrection trusts that it’s audience is clever and curious by skipping “Queer History 101” and unapologetically getting to the fascinating and important nuances that make up queer culture.
The first season follows Dane as he falls down the “rabbit hole” of a love story that he uncovered through a mess of handwritten letters and a practically-autobiographical 80-page play called “Mustang 01”. But through a combination of interviews, narrative scripting, intentional sound design, and careful voice acting, you discover that Resurrection is not only a love story, but a story about shame, reclamation, justice, and the power of art. I had constant goosebumps listening to this first season, and could not (and will not) stop recommending it.
The second season of Resurrection, which came out over the sumer, follows the stories from the front lines of the AIDS crisis, and of the people who shaped the earliest response in New York and San Francisco. The first season was surely a hard act to follow, but the second is a beautiful sequel. In what is no easy feat, Dane makes the story of each individual feel important and somehow familiar — not an ominous historical figure twice removed. It’s a masterclass in the craft of smart and perceptive podcasting; everything from the show’s ad-reads and interview style, to its writing and wide-ranging research. It’s a showcase of what it means when you’re the best person to tell a story. Listen here.
Daniel Bélanger: Rêve encore (La Fabrique culturelle)
Selected by Pierre-Jean Champoux (Phonique)
Pierre-Jean’s Criteria: To me, a good podcast should have depth and avoid being too linear. This means featuring multiple speakers who know the subject well and, when possible, incorporating archival audio to strengthen the message. Finally, carefully chosen music can help create smoother transitions, support the emotions conveyed, and make the listening experience more immersive.
Why Daniel Bélanger: Rêve encore stood out to Pierre-Jean:
I chose the podcast Daniel Bélanger: Rêve encore because it perfectly aligns with what I look for in a good podcast, and it also allowed me to rediscover an album I love, one that has shaped Quebec’s musical history.
What I appreciated most about this series was the sound quality and the care taken in the editing. Each episode flows smoothly and softly, making for a very enjoyable listening experience. Another highlight is the variety of speakers. We get to hear a range of perspectives without ever feeling overwhelmed. Each guest is introduced clearly, at the right moment, ensuring a perfect balance.
The overall structure of the series, as well as that of each of the five episodes, is well thought out. The pacing keeps the story moving while holding our attention throughout. And to top it all off, the archival audio is not only well-selected and relevant but also adds real value to the series! Listen here.
The Worst Podcast (Canadaland)
Selected by Sarah Burke (Women in Media Network)
Sarah’s Criteria: As someone who works closely with a network of podcasters working through a variety of topics and formats, one common thread that I need to feel to be interested as a listener, is vulnerability. You can have a huge celebrity reading ads that aren’t aligned with their ‘brand’ raking in millions of dollars, but money isn’t the only way to define success in this business. What makes your audience stick around? What makes your audience curious to come back for more?
Why The Worst Podcast stood out to Sarah:
Through a string of unlikely conversations, you’re left puzzled but addicted. Most podcasts are…easy to anticipate. This one is not.
Filmmaker-turned-podcaster Alan Zweig and lovable sidekick and producer, Kattie Laur, take listeners through what they call ‘honest conversations with notable people,’ but with a twist. The interviewer (Zweig) isn’t interested in preparation or research about his guests. In fact, you’ll take joy in hearing him fall apart in front of them.
It's not at producer Kattie’s fault - you’ll even hear him sigh with irritation as she attempts to walk him through potential themes and topics for an upcoming guest. Alan and Kattie have a rare and hilarious chemistry amidst their distinguished guests; it’s the type of chemistry that is too natural to script. However, the true art of The Worst Podcast is how Zweig waltzes around Kattie’s prompts, on the brink of a tantrum until the moment the guest arrives. Somehow, though, the interview is always entertaining, informative, and filled with vulnerability.
And please, a moment for other important elements of a podcast in this audio-first format. The theme music reminds me of the television show Californication and peaked my interest right away. Zweig really is sort of a Hank Moody type. He doesn’t give a fuck, and he knows it pisses everyone off. Even the show art is absolutely perfect; a simple black and white image of Zweig scrunching his face as if he’s saying, “absolutely fucking not,” with his hands in the air with disgust. He thinks podcasting is the worst, so no doubt, you’ll hate his podcast, too.
I am simply blown away by this mismatch of characters and topics that I have caught myself belly laughing alone in my one-bedroom condo. This is the podcast I didn’t even know I needed.
The Ryan Holtz Show (Ryan Holtz)
Selected by Sherley Joseph (Black Canadian Creators)
Sherley’s Criteria: For me, a standout podcast is like a perfect cup of coffee — it needs to hit just the right notes. First off, authenticity is non-negotiable. If the host and guests aren’t being real, I’m tuning out faster than you can say “next episode.” I love a show with engaging conversations—something that pulls me in, challenges my thinking, or makes me feel like I'm eavesdropping on a chat I don’t want to miss. And finally, sound quality—let’s be real, ear fatigue is real! Even the best content can’t save a podcast that sounds like it was recorded in a tin can. My ears, everyone's ears or reading the caption deserves better!
Why The Ryan Holtz Show stood out to Sherley:
Let’s be honest: we’re drowning in interview-style entrepreneur podcasts these days. But Ryan's show is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just about chatting with celebrities or businesspeople; it’s about personal growth and living your best life. Ryan is a Black man sharing his truth which we rarely see in traditional media let alone in Canada. He dives into topics about culture, news, and self-development while throwing in some pop culture references.
One of his latest episodes, “Heal What Hurts You, So You Don’t Bleed On People That Didn’t Cut You,” really hits home. You can feel his authenticity as he opens up. Plus, his experiences as an entrepreneur and father make him so relatable.
The production quality of The Ryan Holtz Show is outstanding—both in audio and video. Listening feels effortless, like hanging out with a friend rather than tuning into a scripted podcast. Ryan’s got the personality, voice, and even the looks that could easily make him a television star. Oh, and don’t get me started on his episode with George Stroumboulopoulos—my dream guest! In episode 221, they chat about “an epic conversation surrounding culture, storytelling and the ART of being your authentic self even when it is not COOL”.
Ryan’s positive energy is contagious. His motivational content encourages listeners to strive for personal growth, and his choice of guests keeps things interesting. The show often feels like a late-night talk show, which is perfect for anyone looking to be inspired. It’s no wonder it’s often the highlight of my day!
Alright, Now What? (Canadian Women's Foundation)
Selected by Linda Morra (Getting Lit With Linda)
Linda’s Criteria: I love it when a podcast speaks directly to my life. A (so far) seven-season podcast produced by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Alright, Now What? does that: it offers a deeply relevant, educational perspective on women’s lives in Canada.
Why Alright, Now What? stood out to Linda:
The host, Andrea Gunraj, speaks with an impressively wide range of speakers from distinguished authors to academics to lawyers and more---all of whom offer meaningful and often moving stories that inspire me on a swath of issues, from women’s health, to aging, to money management, to gender-based violence. Gunraj is great, asking a few, streamlined questions without being obtrusive: she gives space in the episodes to the women who have stories they urgently need and want to share.
The episodes are short, smart, and pithy, which you can listen to on the run. And I’m often running off somewhere, trying to get too much done in too little time, while still trying to learn about intersectional feminism and systemic roots of inequality! Give a quick listen to the episode on “Defamation Law and Sexual Assault” (trigger warning) with author/professor Mandi Gray, as an example of what the podcast offers—the insights in that episode are startling and revealing!
Canardian (Pod the North)
Selected by Jess Schmidt (Rooked: The Cheaters Gambit)
Jess’s Criteria: Canardian is the only show in my podcast app where I’ve listened to every single episode - AND I had a 100% listen-through rate of each of those episodes, all the way down to the end credits. I was excited to listen, and every episode I listened to made me want to listen to the next one as soon as I could get my paws on it. I recommended it more than any other show to other people in life – I found myself recommending episodes based on the guests, the concept itself, and the specific cities and towns featured in it that I know my friends and family would relate to and enjoy.
Why Canardian stood out to Jess:
Canardian is thoroughly and completely an excellent show – it’s funny, niche, and well-produced. The packaging is thoughtfully designed, from the artwork through to the incredibly catchy theme tune. You can hear that Kattie and her guests are having an excellent time, and the stories that are told and questions being asked cut to the core of what being a Canadian is in a way that’s usually almost impossible to fully capture…and yet, somehow this show does it.
To me, it upholds all of the best parts of what being not just a Canadian, but a Canadian indie podcaster is: it’s earnest and genuine, but doesn’t shy away from complicated topics or feelings. Being proud of our country isn’t always a straightforward thing for Canadians – but the warmth and love that goes into this show makes me feel seen as a Canadian in a way that’s utterly unique. I came into this show ready to love it, and was still blown away by just how obsessed with it I am – and that’s why to me, it’s the best Canadian Podcast of the Year.
Big Lash Energy (Jayna Marie)
Selected by Devin Adrande ()
Devin’s Criteria: When considering which podcast was my Canadian Podcast of the Year, I was looking for the podcast that did something different and stood out to me. For me, this often happens when a show has strong writing, thoughtful sound design, and pulls together its subject matter in an unexpected way. It's a podcast that makes me feel excited about the variety of styles and formats that are possible.
Why Big Lash Energy stood out to Devin:
If there's one Canadian podcast that surprised me the most this year it's Big Lash Energy. When I discovered it, I didn't think it would be something I'd get that into. But as soon as I hit play I was shocked.
In a world of podcasts that tend to follow a lot of the same formulas, BLE stands apart. Producing a show that is primarily a solo show without guests isn't easy and can be difficult to make really engaging. BLE is a masterclass in doing so. Jayna Marie is naturally so charismatic on mic, but it's the writing and prep she does ahead of time that makes every episode shine so brightly. With the help of her talented editor, the pacing, vibe, and sound design makes for such dynamic episodes. It's a space where Jayna is dedicated to empowering women and creating a community where all of her listeners feel unstoppable. She hustles tirelessly to always put out high quality episodes and isn't afraid to be vulnerable with the stories she shares, while also finding creative ways to tell them.
The Midnight Choir (The Rover Media)
Selected by Stephen O’Grady (Podcast Delivery)
Stephen’s Criteria: Podcast Delivery wouldn't exist were it not for a couple of Montrealers with extra time on their hands coming together to start a newsletter while living in Vancouver. Being from Montreal also meant that keeping tabs on Chris Curtis was simply the norm so when he started The Midnight Choir with fellow journalist Isaac Wylde, it quickly found its way to my regular weekly rotation.
Why The Midnight Choir stood out to Stephen:
There aren't a lot of no-bullshit weeklies that cover the important facets of life in Montreal, Quebec, and the world outside one of the most culturally unique corners of North America. From the complexities surrounding language, to the rights of minorities the world over, The Midnight Choir isn't going to shy away from covering the important news that we all deserve access to.
The Midnight Choir demonstrates what it's like to create an independent investigative news podcast and platform all with an unparalleled level of authenticity. The Rover recently broke news about an illegal dumping scheme in Kanesatake that went unchecked for years. This is the type of indepently produced news we need more of.
While The Midnight Choir's subject matter might appear to be niche in that it follows regional news and politics for Montreal and the province of Quebec, there's a case to be made that it delivers something to learn for those outside of the region. It's also been a great way to stay on top of what's going down at home while living on the west coast.
The Midnight Choir debuted in March 2024 and has 30 episodes under its belt. You can support The Rover, The Midnight Choir, and independent investigative journalism in Quebec at therover.ca
Canadian True Crime (Kristi Lee)
Selected by English Canadians (Canadian Podcast Listener Report 2024)
The Criteria: The Canadian Podcast Listener surveyed 1,605 monthly podcast listeners in September of this year. In addition to asking about their platform(s) of choice, listening habits, and response to advertising, a core component of the study is allowing podcast listeners to name up to 10 podcasts they have listened to in the past month.
Our picks for ‘Canadian Podcast(s) of the Year’ are based on how well homegrown content is competing in an ecosystem with no shortage of competition from outside the country. A brief summary report will be available at the end of November, but for access to the comprehensive subscriber-only report, contact us at canadianpodcastlistener.ca.
Why Canadians love Canadian True Crime:
It’s hard to compile a list of top podcasts without touching on the True Crime genre, and ours is no exception. Our Canadian podcast of the year in the Anglophone category is Kristi Lee’s Canadian True Crime. Our subscribers will know this as a frequent inclusion in CPL’s top 10, and this year it jumped ahead of American podcast juggernauts Crime Junkie and Dateline NBC to take the True Crime Crown.
Mike Ward Sous Écoute (Mike Ward)
Selected by French Canadians (Canadian Podcast Listener Report 2024)
Why Canadians love Mike Ward Sous Écoute:
Our Canadian podcast of the year in the Francophone category is the controversial Mike Ward Sous Écoute. Whether or not you agree with his content, Mike Ward reaches two and a half times as many Francophones in Canada as The Joe Rogan Experience using a medium that doesn’t have Canadian content requirements. The idea that CanCon can flourish in an unregulated space is an encouraging thought for the Canadian podcast landscape as a whole.
🙌 woooo! Loved being a part of this, thanks so much for all you do Kattie!!