Steve Jobs implied it almost twenty years ago: There’s no better way to stay up-to-date than listening to a podcast. Well, reading or watching documentaries are outstanding ways to do so, there's no doubt about that, but the difference with podcasts is that you can listen to them at any time while doing basically anything else at the same time. You can't be ashamed of a full gaming all-nighter on a Wednesday if listening to “Talk Python to Me” got you from being a newbie to a Python maestro. You can also send your resume to Apple’s engineering department while learning where Silicon Valley is actually at. Endless knowledge at hand, for sure.

The tech world shifts faster than the internet’s Favourite JavaScript Framework accolade, and these podcasts will help you catch up with its speed. Step back from the grind, put on a podcast and make your spare time worth it: These top tech podcasts will keep you updated on everything you might need to know about technology. 

1. Neil on Software

Neil on Software is a bantering podcast that loosens up the rigid and cold tech world into what it is: Something fascinating that you can always learn about. Raw truths, highly opinionated statements and far-reaching tangents are all here. Dubbed “the soft side of software development,” listening to Neil is like conversing with a friend who doesn’t hesitate to say anything that goes through her mind — only you can never get her to talk unless it’s about JavaScript. Does he think this program is an absolute waste of time? He'll rant about it, with no filters or strings attached. Among the topics he touches upon are the very familiar:

• ChatGPT
• Happiness
• Crunch Culture, also known as Rockstar Games culture
• Should I Quit My Current Job Before Getting a New Job
• Twitter
• Good Types of Product People
• Crazy Ideas for a Better Future

 Give this technology podcast a listen — you’ll come back later to give out props.

2. Talk Python to Me 

Talk Python to Me is perfect for MTV devotees, Guitar Hero nerds, and all-around developers who want to cover the whole spectrum of Python. From space science to keeping secrets in Python apps, everything inch of Python is satisfied. The host doesn’t only give his opinion and advice, but interviews and discusses with other Python experts and fanatics that come from diverse backgrounds. The podcast is not specifically a walkthrough, as guests discuss their Python exploits, giving listeners ideas to harness its full potential.

3. The Changelog 

Hosted by Adam Sacoviak and Jerod Santo (two developers themselves), The Changelog is a weekly podcast covering open-source technologies and the people behind them. This is what makes the program stand out from the rest. This show is controversial from influential leaders to hackers and never leaves strings hanging. Want to hear how a 16-year-old hacker joined Yo — the 2014–2015 hit messaging app and hands-down the best-branded app of all time — as their first engineer and founded Hack Club? Then this podcast is the right one for you. Yo, you playing this one already?

4. Thoughtworks Technology 

Thoughtworks Technology is panelled by the most intelligent senior technologists you will ever listen to. They discuss all leading and innovative technologies, taking a deep dive into gripping topics from the tech world and often being joined by other experts from the tech industry. From revolutionary database design to green software engineering, the topics discussed will always impact your work and your daily life. You’ll see new episodes every other weekend, which will undoubtedly light up new ideas. 

5. Techmeme Ride Home 

The Techmeme Ride Home podcast is a daily podcast that provides a summary of the day’s tech news in just 15 minutes. It covers a wide range of topics, including AI, VR/AR, and other “future” technologies.

Besides the obvious benefit of being so well-informed that you can outsmart Alexa's virtual assistant with your knowledge of the latest tech news, a frontend or full stack developer could benefit from Techmeme Ride Home by having the latest tech news at their fingertips. Consider what it would be like to be the programmer who, while everyone else is still using 2D photos, has already integrated virtual reality 3D models into their online store. 

6. In Machines We Trust 

In Machines We Trust, hosted by Jennifer Strong and the team at MIT Technology Review, are talking about all the things you always wondered about Artificial Intelligence but don’t dare dive into — such as the hard cold fact that the UBI is pretty far away, and even if AI progresses with lanky strides, you’ll still have to commute to pay your bills. AI, automation and the consequences of introducing machines to our most sensitive information are some of the many topics covered in this series of episodes. Do we really trust machines? What future awaits us? Was the 2014 film Ex Machina accurate? Listen to find out.

7. Waveform 

We all know the feeling of getting a new keyboard or gadget for our computer and rushing to try it. But if you’ve run out of cash and got to dream through other people, Waveform will fill that need for you, as hosts Marques Brownlee and Andrew Manganelli will discuss all kinds of equipment and pretty much anything tech companies are putting out. These people love their gadgets, but don’t compromise their hot takes just for an exclusive preview. While these lads landed their deserved internet stardom by trying gadgets out, Waveform is, you guessed it, not as visual. Instead, the podcast focuses on a variety of topics within the tech industry, ranging from hardware and software releases to broader discussions on the future of technology.

8. B2B Tech Talk with Ingram Micro 

If you listen to B2B Tech Talk with Ingram Micro podcast, you’ll surely be one of the first to learn about developments in tech focused on the B2B scene. Covering a great range of topics, like cloud evolution, the future of AI and IoT, apart from others. New episodes are released every weekday. If you want to impress that obnoxious salesperson that spams your team meetings attempting to explain to you why C++ is a superior language, grab a hold of this podcast and strike them surprised with tech sales jargon.

9. Clockwise 

Clockwise is a fun and dynamic podcast to listen to. Hosts Dan Moren and Mikah Sargent invite special guests to join them weekly in a rapid, significant and educational discussion about recent relevant tech issues. Four people cover four topics in each interview, which lasts about half an hour each. The perfect quick listen to fit into some spare time in your day. 

10. Syntax

Hosts Scott Tolinski and Wes Bos host Syntax, one of the highest-rated podcasts on Apple Podcasts. Throughout over 320 episodes, they share development techniques and tools during discussions that range through plenty of topics, including libraries and frameworks among others. They also interview the field's top developers and cover front and back end techniques. Syntax is the rare snapshot into the present state of front end development; it’s both a log and a time machine. Some examples of trends in front-end development that have been covered on the Syntax podcast include:

• New CSS features such as relative units, style queries, trig functions, live transitions, view transitions, text-wrap balance, cascade layers, CSS nesting, animation composition, and more
• Hosting providers and where to host your app
• The use of video and audio in tech stacks for developers working with these media types

You get the essence of it: If you scroll through the episode list, you’ll notice how the trends in development have shifted over the last years.

11. Coding Blocks 

Coding Blocks is hosted by a group of experienced software developers who cover a broad range of different topics within the world of Programming. The hosts are approachable and genuinely interested in connecting with their listeners. What’s more, they committed ultimate 2023 infrastructure heresy and questioned if microservices are real. “What a nerve,” some would say, but the chaps running Coding Blocks actually offer insightful and valid points to challenge the seemingly set-in-stone ideas around, well, microservices. At least they don’t bring up the buzzwords “data lake,” “AGI” and, for real, “serverless” to get their points across.

12. Hanselminutes 

Hanselminutes is fresh air for developers. Scott Hanselman, the host, interviews experts in the field of software development and discusses various programming-related topics, tools, and technologies that will be of great help. Their debates provide incredibly actionable and compelling content, spotlighting the best tools and tactics to help you improve as a developer.