Podcasts have exploded in popularity over the course of the last decade. What was once a niche entertainment option is now mainstream, providing enjoyment to millions of Americans each month. 

The popularity and reach of podcasts is truly amazing. Just look at these statistics from Oberlo.com:

• Currently, there are more than 850,000 active podcasts.
• More than half of Americans over the age of 12 regularly listen to podcasts.
• Nearly 75% of podcast listeners say they tune in to learn new things.
• The average podcast listener tunes into seven programs a week.

True crime and political podcasts might get the majority of news coverage, but there’s a whole world of listening options out there, including programs specifically geared toward clinical researchers and data scientists.

If you’ve been wanting to hop on the podcast bandwagon, but weren’t quite sure where to begin, we’ve compiled a list of our 6 favorites. Keep reading to see which podcasts made the cut.

1.) The Drug Discovery World Podcast. Drug Discovery World is a quarterly business review that primarily focuses on the pharmaceutical industry, including topics like chemistry, drug development, informatics, personalized medicine, and research.

The bi-weekly podcast takes popular scientific articles from the print publication and provides additional in-depth coverage. Each episode runs between 15-30 minutes, making it easy for even the busiest professional to consume and digest.

2.) The Readout Loud By Stat. STAT is one of the leading online health and medicine publications. Established in 2015 by John W. Henry, founder of the Boston Globe, it provides in-depth coverage of the health, medical, and life sciences industries. 

The Readout Loud is STAT’s weekly biotech podcast hosted by Damian Garde, Rebecca Robbins, and Adam Feuerstein. Each episode runs 30 minutes and provides extensive coverage on relevant topics like vaccine testing and rollout, medical research, health policy, and more. If your schedule is packed and you only have time for one program on our list, this is the one to go with.  

3.) Data Skeptic. Do large data sets send your pulse racing? Are well-researched statistics the reason you get up in the morning? If you answered yes to either of these questions, the Data Skeptic podcast is for you.

Hosted by Kyle Polich, a former data scientist and lead algorithms engineer, Data Skeptic explores the fascinating world of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and statistics. Although this show is more tech-focused than medical, the topics covered are relevant to anyone who enjoys science or research.

There are more than 200 episodes to choose from, but recent highlights include “Earthquake Detection with Crowdsourced Data” and “Decentralized Information Gathering.” 

4.) The Clinical Trials Guru. If you’re passionate about clinical research and the clinical trial landscape, this is a program you don’t want to miss.

Founded in 2010 as a resource for research clinics, The Clinical Trials Guru podcast now provides an important source of information for clinical research organizations (CROs) as well as pharmaceutical sponsors and vendors. 

Each episode runs between 45 minutes and an hour. Though that might seem like a commitment, the content is so helpful, time flies. 

Unsure of which episode to start with? We recommend “Why 2021 Is the Year for You In Clinical Research”  or “Healthcare Worker Uses Transferable Skills for Job Interviews in Clinical Research.”

5.) MPO - MedTech Matters. If you develop, manufacture, or test medical devices, tune in to MedTech Matters. This weekly podcast, produced by Medical Products Outsourcing, is an excellent resource for timely, relevant information.

Each episode runs between 20-30 minutes and covers various topics, including recent headlines, product design insights, and tips for outsourcing services. In addition, many installments feature one-on-one interviews with scientists and executives who are driving the next wave of medical innovation.

6.) Pharma Talk Radio. Pharma Talk Radio is a podcast funded and produced by life science research firm The Conference Forum. This program is particularly relevant for clinical researchers and the teams who support them.

Aside from covering breaking news and trial data, Pharma Talk highlights an array of important topics few others do, including emerging biotech challenges, leadership tips, and advice for getting trial participants more involved. With more than three years worth of content, you’re sure to find something interesting to stream.  

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does highlight some of our favorite programs. Is there a podcast you love that didn’t make our top six? Then we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the form below and click the “submit comment” button. Thank you!