From early-morning commutes to post-call decompression, podcasts have become embedded in our daily routines. Based on popularity, peer recommendations, and critical reception, the following selections are among the most frequently cited and respected medical podcasts curated with board-certified physicians in mind—ranging from evidence-based updates to narratives that humanize the practice of medicine.
1. The Curbsiders: Internal Medicine Insights With Personality
Format: Expert interviews
Frequency: Weekly
Focus: Clinical updates, diagnostic strategies, and practice-changing pearls
Hosted by a panel of academic internists—including Matthew Watto, MD, and Paul Williams, MD—The Curbsiders delivers interviews with thought leaders in internal medicine. Topics range from complex disease management to practical primary care strategies. Each episode features take-home points, literature citations, and downloadable show notes—ideal for busy clinicians, residents, and students seeking efficient, evidence-based learning with a dose of personality.
2. JAMA Clinical Reviews: Authoritative Evidence at Speed
Format: Research summaries with expert narration and occasional interviews
Frequency: Biweekly
Focus: Practice guidelines, clinical trials, and systematic reviews
Produced by the Journal of the American Medical Association, the podcast delivers concise, peer-reviewed summaries of recent research published in JAMA and its specialty journals. Recent episodes have addressed GLP-1 receptor agonists, telemedicine policy, and perioperative risk calculators.
The show maintains JAMA’s hallmark editorial rigor and evidence-based approach, making it a trusted audio resource for physicians seeking timely, clinically relevant information.
3. EMCrit: Critical Care Without the Noise
Format: Solo commentary and guest interviews
Frequency: Variable
Focus: Emergency and intensive care medicine
Hosted by Scott D. Weingart, MD, EMCrit delivers a clinically intense, fast-paced perspective on critical care. Dr. Weingart emphasizes evidence-informed decision-making, physiological reasoning, and high-acuity care. Each episode is frequently accompanied by detailed show notes and free open-access medical education (FOAMed) resources.
4. The Nocturnists: Humanizing the Physician Experience
Format: Storytelling
Frequency: Seasonal
Focus: Physician narratives, burnout, and vulnerability in medicine
Created by Emily Silverman, MD, The Nocturnists explores the emotional dimensions of medicine through first-person stories told by clinicians. Episodes delve into themes such as moral injury, reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic, and moments of clinical uncertainty. Its strength lies in fostering empathy and connection among health care professionals.
5. The Podcast by KevinMD: Conversations That Matter
Format: Interviews
Frequency: Daily
Focus: Policy, wellness, innovation, and physician voices
Hosted by Kevin Pho, MD, the podcast features conversations with a diverse range of frontline clinicians, policy leaders, and health care innovators. Recent episodes have explored topics such as artificial intelligence in medicine, malpractice reform, and the hidden curriculum in medical training.
6. Behind the Knife: Surgery From the Source
Format: Panel discussions, journal club
Frequency: Weekly
Focus: Surgical education, techniques, and board preparation
Behind the Knife has become a resource for surgical residents and practicing surgeons. Episodes feature in-depth analysis of landmark studies, operative techniques, and oral board review scenarios. Its ABSITE review series is widely used in academic training programs for high-yield exam preparation. The podcast also includes interviews with leaders in academic surgery, offering mentorship and long-form discussions on career development and professional growth.
7. This Week in Cardiology: Concise Commentary on Cardiac Headlines
Format: Solo analysis
Frequency: Weekly
Focus: Clinical trials, cardiology guidelines, practice trends, and critical interpretation of evidence
Each week, cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. John Mandrola breaks down the biggest developments in cardiovascular medicine. From late-breaking trials and guideline changes to nuanced takes on overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and the art of clinical judgment, This Week in Cardiology delivers sharp, evidence-based analysis with refreshing clarity and skepticism.
8. The Drive With Peter Attia, MD: Where Longevity Meets Medicine
Format: Long-form interviews
Frequency: Weekly
Focus: Metabolic health, prevention, and performance medicine
Hosted by Peter Attia, MD—a former surgeon turned longevity-focused physician—his podcast explores the intersection of scientific rigor and personal health optimization. Episodes address topics such as apolipoprotein B targets, mitochondrial function, and strategies for preventing cognitive decline, with frequent references to primary research and expert guests.
9. Explore The Space: Bridging Healthcare and Society
Format: Interviews and thematic series
Frequency: Archive (2015–2024)
Focus: Healthcare culture, leadership, equity, and public discourse
Hosted by Mark Shapiro, MD, Explore The Space examines the intersection of healthcare and society through conversations with clinicians, public health experts, and thought leaders. Topics include gun violence prevention, climate change, gender equity, and leadership in medicine. The show also features the popular #MedLasso series, blending pop culture with reflective medical commentary.
Though no longer in active production, the archive remains a rich resource for clinicians seeking to understand the broader cultural forces influencing medicine today.
The Bottom Line
In an era of digital saturation and CME fatigue, podcasts offer physicians a flexible, engaging way to stay connected with clinical science, community, and personal growth. Whether supplementing evidence-based knowledge, reflecting on lived experiences, or exploring diverse career paths, these podcasts provide accessible, peer-respected formats that align with the realities of modern practice.
Did we include your go-to podcast—or miss a hidden gem? We’d love to hear what you’re listening to. Share your favorites or suggest new additions to help us keep this list fresh and relevant by emailing kerri.miller@conexiant.com.
