The best podcasts to listen to right now

Roger Bennett hosts "American Fiasco," a story that you don't need to be a World Cup fan to enjoy.

Great news: Malcolm Gladwell's "Revisionist History," where the bestselling journalist says he gives the past "a second chance," is back for a third season. And after hearing the first episode that dissects commas and semicolons in legal documents, we're very self-conscious about the way this caption was written.

The "30 for 30 Podcast" is spending one full season on an in-depth story about the controversial founder of Bikram Yoga.

"The Habitat," with seven episodes available April 18, is like "Real World" but on a fake planet Mars and with plenty of dry food. Six volunteers document their time spent in a space that's smaller than a tennis court, to give astronauts an idea of what it might be like to live on the red planet in the future.

"The Daily" from "New York Times" delves deep into one major topic of the day, often covering it via an unexpected voice or angle, and with sound from the scene. It gives you that "I just learned something fascinating" afterglow.

Somehow, the hosts of "Invisibilia" have created profound and often heartfelt podcast about something as ephemeral as “invisible forces that shape human behavior.” Season 4 could be their best batch of episodes yet.

"Today, Explained" will keep you awake for your drive home from work. It's a clever explainer of news of the day, pristinely edited to include background music and a number of expert voices.

On "Modern Love," actors read essays about love, loss and redemption, as the show says. "Modern Love" will give you, yes, all of the feels.

NPR's 'Rough Translation' is an international podcast the explores concepts like race, love and "fake news" overseas.

Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn and Food Policy Action's Monica Mills interview chefs, members of congress and food activists in this podcast focused on food policy.

Heavyweight

'Sincerely, X' presents Ted Talks from speakers who'd like to remain anonymous.

Having trouble making sense of the numbers in the news? NPR's 'The Indicator from Planet Money' breaks key figures about employment and economics down, three times a week.

'Battle Scars,' hosted by Thom Tran, scares raw stories from recent war vets.

'Rick and Morty' writers Dan Harmon and Jessica Gao have candid conversations about writing and race in Hollywood on their podcast called 'Whiting Wongs.' Yes, the show is self aware.

On 'What Really Happened,' documentary filmmaker Andrew Jenks learns the real story behind famous-but-maybe-not-entirely-accurate tales of Muhammed Ali, Britney Spears, Michael Jordan and more.

The podcast Reply All features a two-episode story, 'The Skip Tracer,' which follows one of the greatest bounty hunters in the world.

Glynn Washington hosts 'Heaven's Gate,' a show that takes 10 episode to share the story behind a cult whose members committed suicide.

Wondery and L.A. Times present the 6-episode series 'Dirty John,' a true story about figuring out the handsome doctor you met online might not be who he seems.

Broadway star Jonathan Groff stars in musical '36 Questions,' an audio-only show. It's a must-listen.

'Spooked,' hosted by 'Snap Judgment's Glynn Washington, is an 11-part series that runs through October 2017, and it features short, haunting tales told by the people who lived them.

On 'Conversations With People Who Hate Me,' Dylan Marron has candid and insightful talks with people who have left him nasty Internet comments.

On 'Locked Up Abroad,' people share true, thrilling stories about how their were imprisoned in a foreign country.

San Quentin State Prison inmates Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, along with artist Nigel Poor, produce a nuanced podcast about real life behind bars.

Abbi Jacobson hosts modern art podcast 'A Piece of Work,' a show that invites listeners to enjoy the MoMA with zero pretense.

Podcast 'LeVar Burton Reads' features the 'Reading Rainbow' host reading a piece of short fiction every week. It's a series of soothing bedtime stories for adults.

'Part-Time Genius' is a show for late-night philosophers with burning science questions, hosted by Mental Floss co-founders Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur.

'Wow in the World' is NPR's first podcast made specifically for kids "and their grown-ups," as they say.

The podcast 'Criminal' is about "people who've done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle." The episode that features this art is about a police dog named Talon.

How do you get back on your feet after an event that changes your life? And what if that event is you accidentally murdering your spouse? That's what nonfiction podcast First Day Back explores in its second season.

Tavi Gevinson, left, hosts the Rookie Podcast. The show features intimate conversations with stars (including Lorde, right) that are insightful for teen girls... and adults.

'Pen Pals,' from the producers of CBC Radio podcast 'Love Me,' is a comedy podcast of imagined conversations with well known characters. The voices may sound familiar: There are TV stars featured on the show.

NPR’s podcast ‘Up First’ presents a 10-minute A.M. newscast from the hosts of ‘Morning Edition.’

'S-Town' goes from investigating a rumored murder, to unearthing plenty of mysteries about a man's life and an Alabama town.

Payne Lindsey investigates an 11-year-old murder case in Tenderfoot TV's 'Up and Vanished.' Since airing, the podcast has ignited interest in the case and led to the arrests of two suspects.

Here's a story, from the creator of 'Tanis,' about an alternate reality game that might cause players to go insane. 'Rabbits' is the serialized mystery of Carly's search for her friend, who participated in a game known as Rabbits before she went missing.

'Missing Richard Simmons' aims to find the fitness guru who's been MIA for three years, while also revealing more about the man in the bedazzled tank tops and short shorts.

What inspired this piece of music? That question gets a thorough answer, by songwriters, themselves, in the music podcast 'Song Exploder.'

Podcast 'Flash Forward' is for the sci-fi fan who thinks practically. The show, hosted by Rose Eveleth, comes up with a fictional future scenario, and then talks with experts on the real-life implications of that new thing. For example: How would the existence of artificial wombs impact our culture? Fascinating stuff.

On 'The Allusionist,' Helen Zaltzman brings language lovers on adventures about everything from small talk to romance novels.

If you're answer to "How are you?" is "Terrible, thanks for asking," then this podcast is for you. Podcast host Nora McInerny's tender and candid storytelling turns sob stories of loss into engaging tales of life and love. 'TTFA' feels like a warm, tear-stained hug.

The 'Secrets, Crimes and Audiotape' podcast presents an immersive adaptation of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' right before Hulu releases a series based on the classic novel.

If hearing about severed body parts doesn't bother you, 'Hollywood & Crime' is a worthy listen. In the show's first season, it's tackling as-yet-unsolved Black Dahlia murder, which took place 70 years ago.

Gimlet Media podcast 'Startup' had plenty of access to controversial former American Apparel CEO Dov Charney, which made for a candid and insightful fourth season of their show.

The Hilarious World of Depression, hosted by John Moe, presents frank (and funny) conversations with comedians who suffer from clinical depression. The insightful show aims to help people with depression feel less alone.

In 'With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus,' comedian and actress Lapkus ('Jurassic World,' 'Orange is the New Black') has her real guests play fictional podcast hosts. She plays a guest on their show, in the improvised audio show that goes in unexpected directions.

On 3-part WBEZ podcast 'Making Oprah,' host Jenn White uses interviews (yes, with Oprah and others) to tell the story of how a local TV co-host became one of the most influential people in the country.

The creators of 'The Jinx' present 'Crimetown,' a riveting Gimlet Media show about corruption in different cities, starting with Providence, R.I. Tagline: "You can never tell the good guys from the bad guys."

Catherine Keener, David Schwimmer and Oscar Isaac voice characters in the meticulously-produced Gimlet thriller 'Homecoming,' which runs for six episodes.

New podcast 'Broadway Backstory' tells behind-the-scenes stories of hit Broadway musicals. Host Patrick Hinds features Lin-Manuel Miranda in his first show to talk about the 'Hamilton' scribe's first hit, 'In the Heights.'

The 'Presidential' podcast, from 'The Washington Post' editor Lillian Cunningham, has an insightful episode on every single U.S. president. Yep, even the ones you forgot about.

On 'Crybabies,' Sarah Thyre and Susan Orlean have their guests explains what pieces of music, movies and theater make them cry.

'Lore' is our podcast pick this week. Listen if you dare!

We recommend CBC Radio's 'Love Me' podcast.

Jenna and Bodhi Elfman are the voices of Franny and Jim, a couple that has to figure out whether they're still in love in audio drama "A Beautiful Spell."

New podcast 'FOUND' wil have you caring more about the lives of strangers.

A 'GRTTWaK' speaker reads his own writing to a live audience, and for podcast listeners.

'Science Vs' is in its first season.

Unimpressed with your downloaded podcasts? Try listening to the GymCastic podcast.

This is the logo for Gimlet Media show 'Reply All,' which is our podcast pick of the week.

Mike Rowe, best known for hosting 'Dirty Jobs' has has the audio show 'The Way I Heard It,' which is perfect for podcast listeners that lack the attention spans for hour-long stories.

The show uses science to answer questions like "Why now?" Specifically, "Why has sexual harassment has come to the forefront of public debate at this moment in time?" Answers often include intimate interviews.