International Podcast Day is the perfect excuse to hit play – and what better way to celebrate than by highlighting the best branded podcasts of 2025? 

From health and wellness to entrepreneurship, finance, travel, and beyond, branded podcasts are proving that storytelling can inform, inspire, and build trust in ways most traditional marketing channels can’t. 

Take a look at the numbers:

• 46% of brands see podcasts as a more effective tool for establishing authority compared to other mediums
• 72% of brands report lead generation as a main benefit of their podcast post-launch
• 76% of brands cite thought leadership as a main goal of their podcast pre-launch 
• People are nearly as likely to listen to a branded podcast as they are a celebrity show

In this curated list, we’re showcasing some of the most compelling branded podcasts this year — as voted by the Quill team. Each show offers unique insights, practical tips, or simply a well-deserved dose of entertainment. 

We pulled together a Spotify playlist of our favorite episodes so you can jump right in. Keep reading for why each show made the cut.

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1. Duolingo Podcasts by Duolingo 

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Duolingo’s Spanish podcast shares real stories told in simple Spanish, with English narration to guide you along. Hosted by Martina Castro, co-founder of NPR’s Radio Ambulante, the show helps English speakers learn naturally through context and storytelling

As a marketer, I can't help but give Duolingo the credit it's due. Their podcasts are brilliantly designed — they’re easy to slot into my everyday routine and I love that I can feel productive while learning Spanish without it feeling like a chore.

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2. Countermeasures by Emergent BioSolutions

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Every eight minutes, an American dies from an accidental overdose. 

Countermeasures introduces you to the people working to change that, like community advocates, first responders, public health experts, and those with lived experience. Through their stories, the podcast sheds light on the realities of the opioid crisis while sharing resilience, solutions, and hope. 

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3. SickKids VS by SickKids Foundation

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

SickKids VS takes you inside the discoveries that are changing kids’ health. Each episode starts with a powerful question—like whether a $5 kit can save a newborn’s life or if doctors have found a new way to treat leukemia—and follows the researchers and clinicians working toward the answers. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the breakthroughs shaping the future of care.

SickKids VS is a fan favorite among the Quill team. Fatima Zaidi, our Founder and CEO, says: “What I love about SickKids VS is the way it uncovers how life-changing breakthroughs often begin with a single question. Each episode brings you closer to the discoveries and the people behind them, a true reflection of why SickKids is recognized as one of the world’s top children’s hospitals.” 

Dillon Moore, our Senior Editor and Video Engineer, loves the podcast because it “tells powerful stories of pediatrics and children dealing with medical issues.” He shares, “I think I cried 4 or 5 times during the latest season.”

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4. Powering Travel by Expedia Group

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Powering Travel, from Expedia Group, is where travel leaders swap insights on the trends, tools, and ideas shaping the industry. Each episode dives into fresh data and real-world solutions, so whether you’re running a global brand or finding new ways to connect with travelers, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways to help you stay ahead.

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5. The UpFlip Podcast by UpFlip

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

The UpFlip Podcast takes you inside how successful businesses are built and run, as well as how you can apply those lessons to your own company. With the team behind 150+ videos and 50M views on YouTube, UpFlip brings practical insights, real stories, and actionable advice from entrepreneurs who’ve turned ideas into thriving companies.

Quill’s Director of Audience Growth, Eric Babakhanian, loves the podcast because “It goes beyond surface-level storytelling—each episode breaks down the real mechanics of how businesses grow, making the advice feel both practical and inspiring. Unlike many branded shows that focus too heavily on the sponsor, UpFlip lets the entrepreneurs’ stories take center stage, which is a strategy other brands can leverage to build credibility and trust.”

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6. Fissionary by NEI

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Big questions like how to fight the climate crisis and secure energy independence don’t come with easy answers—but nuclear energy might be closer than you think. 

Fissionary brings together scientists, researchers, influencers, and even a pageant queen to share fresh perspectives on what a world powered by clean nuclear energy could really look like.

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7. Merging Into Life by AAA Northeast

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Merging Into Life tackles the real challenges of adulthood—finances, travel hiccups, car issues, and tricky life decisions. 

Hosted by experts who understand the ups and downs of figuring things out as you go, the podcast offers practical advice to help you navigate life’s unexpected twists with confidence and clarity.

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8. Sunday Scaries by Headspace

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Sunday Scaries helps you start your week calm, focused, and ready to take on Monday. Hosted by Headspace teacher Rosie Acosta, each episode guides you through a short meditation designed to ease Sunday night worries, shift your mindset, and set a centered tone for the days ahead.

Our Head of Content Production, Quincy de Vries, loves the podcast because “It’s a great reset for the week ahead, and can help you feel centered instead of stressed on Sunday night. I also love that it's short (usually under ten minutes), so I can listen anytime.”

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9. Dior Talks by Dior

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Dior Talks dives into the Dior Lady Art project, where international artists reinterpret the iconic Lady Dior bag. Hosted by fashion journalist Katya Foreman, each episode explores the creative process, inspiration, and stories behind these unique works, offering a clear look at how art and fashion intersect. 

Here’s why Dior Talks has Quill’s Creative Director, Brittany Nguyen’s vote: “It's an interview podcast that's not limited to one language. The host speaks in English, but Dior is speaking to artists from different backgrounds and around the world. Those guests who don't speak English, you'll hear them speak in their native language, and then another voice comes in, translating what the guest has said. It demonstrates that if you're a global brand but appealing to an english-speaking market, you shouldn't limit yourself to only fluent english-speaking guests, especially Dior who's at the intersection of fashion and art.” 

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10. The CFO Show by Vena

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

The CFO Show, hosted by Vena’s CFO, gives finance leaders real insights on tackling today’s biggest business challenges. 

Through bi-weekly interviews with top finance and business experts, learn practical strategies, how teams are evolving, and what it takes to drive organizational impact. 

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11. Lenny’s Podcast

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

On Lenny’s Podcast, you’ll get insider access to world-class product leaders and growth experts, all sharing concrete, actionable advice to help you build, launch, and grow your own product. Each episode is packed with tactical insights, real-world examples, and strategies you can put into action.

Stephanie Andrews, our VP of Product, loves the show because: “It’s an extremely valuable show for product managers and provides useful tips, ways of thinking, and perspectives from the interviews recorded. It's unique to branded shows because it is ultimately a part of a larger ecosystem around Lenny's content, like his newsletter, books, etc. So, although it may not be what most may consider to be a traditional example of a branded show, it is elevating Lenny's brand and amplifying his content generation, while providing significant value to his audience, which positions him as a thought leader in the product space. 

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12. Healthcare in Action by THL

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Healthcare in Action dives into the innovations reshaping the U.S. healthcare landscape. 

Hosted by THL Healthcare experts Jon Lange and Josh Nelson, each episode features conversations with business leaders, innovators, and technologists who are using cutting-edge solutions to improve patient care and transform the way healthcare works.

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13. A Better Way to Money® by Northwestern Mutual

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Ever catch yourself wondering if there’s a smarter way to save, spend, or splurge? 

A Better Way to Money®, from Northwestern Mutual, is here to help you figure it out. With a lineup of expert guests, the show tackles everything from saving for your first child to decoding retirement strategies, helping you uncover blind spots and make your money work harder for you.

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14. The Ramsey Show

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

The Ramsey Show is all about taking charge of your money (and your life), no matter how many financial missteps you’ve made along the way. Join Dave Ramsey and his team of experts as they tackle listeners’ money questions, offering straight-shooting advice, proven strategies, and tough love. Whether you’re looking to get out of debt, save for the future, or just make smarter financial choices, this show gives you the tools and confidence to take control.

Here’s why CJ Amanambu, our Web Developer, loves the show: “The Ramsey Show turns real financial struggles into entertainment while building genuine trust for their brand. I feel that, unlike other branded shows that are basically extended commercials, The Ramsey Show creates moments people actually want to share. Brands can leverage the same genius they've applied in how they've built an entire media empire by giving away free advice that naturally leads listeners to their paid products when they're ready for more help.” 

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15. The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast by Orgain 

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast is your go-to guide for cutting through the noise in health and nutrition. Hosted by Dr. Ginger Hultin, an integrative dietitian and cancer nutrition specialist, each episode dives into trending topics, debunks myths, and unpacks the science behind what we eat. 

With insights from passionate experts, this podcast gives healthcare professionals and health-conscious listeners practical, evidence-based tips to make smarter choices — and maybe even enjoy the journey to better health along the way. 

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16. Small Business Big Impact by Meridian 

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Ontario’s small businesses may be modest in size, but their ambitions are anything but. In this branded podcast, Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, puts a spotlight on the entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to run a small business. From navigating unexpected hurdles to celebrating game-changing wins, each episode shares the grit, creativity, and determination that fuel Ontario’s most inspiring business stories.

Here’s why our Senior Producer, Sabrina Sciscente, loves the show: “This podcast does a fantastic job of celebrating local entrepreneurs by highlighting the stories of Ontario’s small business owners. By combining business strategy with personal journeys, the show truly captures the heart that's driving these entrepreneurs.”

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17. Marketing Against The Grain by Hubspot

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In Marketing Against The Grain, HubSpot’s CMO Kipp Bodnar and SVP of Marketing Kieran Flanagan take a deep dive into marketing trends, growth strategies, and innovation. Each episode goes beyond the usual tips and recycled advice, exploring fresh ideas and real-world tactics that marketers can actually put to use.

Our VP of Marketing, Alison Osborne, says this is one of her favorite podcasts because “It’s such a great example of a show that balances thought leadership with practical, tactical takeaways. As a marketer, I love how it pushes you to think differently about growth while still keeping it grounded in real-world experiments and data. It’s the kind of content that is inspiring, engaging, and actionable (which is exactly what I think a branded podcast should be).”

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Happy International Podcast Day! 

Branded podcasts have come a long way, and the shows on this list prove just how creative, informative, and engaging they can be. 

From uncovering breakthrough research to sharing practical business tips, exploring finance, or highlighting inspiring local entrepreneurs, these podcasts show brand storytelling done right. 

To keep up with the latest in branded podcasting, join the group of marketers and podcasters who subscribe to The Branded Podcaster for their bi-weekly dose of all things audio.