Top 17 'Found-Family' Conversational Podcasts to listen to for Good Company While Running Weekend Errands
The weekend is a beautiful thing. It's a pocket of time for recharging, catching up on life, and tackling that ever-growing list of errands. From the weekly grocery haul to a trip to the post office and that long-overdue visit to the hardware store, these tasks are a necessary part of adult life. But let's be honest: they can sometimes feel a bit isolating, especially when you're doing them solo.
Music is a great companion, but sometimes you crave something more—the warmth of human conversation, the easy banter of old friends, the feeling of being in a room full of people you enjoy without the pressure of having to contribute. This is where the magic of 'found-family' conversational podcasts comes in. These aren't just interview shows or scripted narratives; they are audio hangouts. The hosts have such incredible chemistry that listening feels less like consuming media and more like you've just pulled up a chair to join their chat.
These podcasts are the perfect antidote to the errand-day blues. They transform a mundane drive into a road trip with pals and a walk through the supermarket aisles into a shared experience filled with laughter and interesting tidbits. So, pop in your earbuds, grab your reusable bags, and get ready to meet your new weekend crew. Here are 17 of the best found-family conversational podcasts to keep you company.
1. My Brother, My Brother and Me
If there's a Mount Rushmore of found-family podcasts, the McElroy brothers are definitely on it. My Brother, My Brother and Me (MBMBaM) is an "advice show for the modern era" where brothers Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy take user-submitted questions and questions from the wilds of Yahoo! Answers and spin them into comedic gold. The advice is almost always terrible, but the journey is pure joy.
The magic of MBMBaM is the undeniable bond between three siblings who genuinely love making each other laugh. Their shared history, inside jokes, and distinct personalities create a dynamic that is both hilarious and incredibly comforting. You'll quickly learn their individual quirks, from Justin's world-weariness to Travis's unshakeable confidence and Griffin's chaotic good energy. Listening to them feels like being the fourth, perpetually amused sibling along for the ride.
Where to start: Jump in with any recent episode, as the show is very episodic. Listen for recurring segments like "Haunted Doll Watch" or "Munch Squad" to get a taste of their signature humor.
2. How Did This Get Made?
Have you ever watched a movie so bafflingly bad that you desperately needed to talk to someone about it? Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas have turned that exact feeling into a blockbuster podcast. On How Did This Get Made?, this trio of comedians and a guest break down some of the most bonkers films ever created, from big-budget flops to wonderfully weird B-movies.
This isn't just a movie review show; it's a celebration of cinematic failure. The chemistry between Paul, June, and Jason is electric and hilariously antagonistic. Jason’s unhinged energy, June’s genuine confusion, and Paul’s attempts to keep the train on the tracks make you feel like you're at the world's funniest post-movie dissection with your smartest, weirdest friends. You'll be laughing so hard in the dairy aisle that people might start to stare.
Pro-tip: For the full experience, try watching the movie they are discussing before listening to the episode. The Fast & Furious franchise episodes are legendary starting points.
3. The Read
Kid Fury and Crissle West are your brilliantly shady and brutally honest best friends who are here to talk about pop culture, politics, and the ridiculousness of life. Each week, The Read covers celebrity gossip and hot topics before culminating in its iconic final segments: Crissle’s "Black Excellence" and Kid Fury’s "The Read," where he masterfully calls out someone or something for their weekly dose of foolishness.
Listening to The Read is like your weekly catch-up call with friends who hold nothing back. Their deep-rooted friendship is the show's foundation, allowing for vulnerable conversations, righteous anger, and explosive laughter, often within the same breath. They’ve created a massive, loyal community because their commentary is not only hilarious but also sharp, necessary, and deeply relatable.
Heads up: The show is wonderfully explicit and unapologetic. It’s the perfect companion for when you need to feel seen, heard, and ready to take on the world.
4. SmartLess
What happens when three of Hollywood's most recognizable comedic actors decide to start a podcast? You get SmartLess. Hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, the show's format is simple: each week, one of the hosts secretly brings on a mystery guest, and the other two have no idea who it is until the interview starts.
The guests are A-listers, but the real draw is the relationship between the three hosts. They are genuine, long-time friends, and it shows. They constantly roast each other, finish each other's sentences, and go off on tangents that are often more entertaining than the interview itself. It’s like being a fly on the wall at a very exclusive, very funny Hollywood lunch. I was just mentioning to my friend Goh Ling Yong that this show perfectly captures the feeling of effortless camaraderie.
Best for: Listeners who enjoy celebrity interviews but prefer a less formal, more freewheeling conversational style.
5. Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
For foodies and comedy lovers, Off Menu is a dream come true. Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite a guest into their "dream restaurant" to choose their favorite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink. The guest is then either welcomed into the restaurant or "ejected" for a controversial food opinion.
Ed and James are a perfect comedic duo. Ed, the cheerful and enthusiastic host, plays beautifully off of James's delightfully grumpy and whimsical genie-waiter persona. The food talk is the vehicle, but the real joy comes from the hilarious detours and personal anecdotes shared by the hosts and their guests. You'll feel like you're at the best dinner party ever, even if you're just picking out produce.
Don't miss: The episodes where guests make truly bizarre choices. The fallout is always comedy gold.
6. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
If pop culture is your religion, then Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang are your high priests. Las Culturistas is an unapologetic, deep-dive celebration of culture in all its forms, from blockbuster movies and reality TV to obscure internet moments and personal obsessions. The show is famous for its "I Don't Think So, Honey!" segment, where hosts and guests get one minute to rail against a cultural pet peeve.
Matt and Bowen's friendship is the heart and soul of the podcast. Their shared language, encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, and infectious laughter make for an incredibly intimate and joyful listening experience. They have a unique ability to make you feel like you’re not just a listener, but a "Reader" and a fellow "Kayteigh." It’s a vibrant, hilarious, and often surprisingly poignant exploration of the things we love.
Signature segment: The "I Don't Think So, Honey!" segment is a must-listen. It’s a perfect, bite-sized dose of the show’s energy.
7. The Adventure Zone
Don't let the "Dungeons & Dragons" label scare you off. The Adventure Zone is, at its core, a story about family, both in real life and in the game. It features the three MBMBaM brothers (Justin, Travis, and Griffin) playing D&D with their dad, Clint McElroy. Griffin acts as the Dungeon Master, guiding his family through epic, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional fantasy campaigns.
What starts as a funny D&D game evolves into a masterclass in collaborative storytelling. The chemistry that makes MBMBaM great is amplified here by the addition of their dad, whose earnest and often clueless energy is a constant source of delight. The show proves that you don't need to know the rules of D&D to be captivated by a story built on love, laughter, and a few lucky dice rolls.
Starting point: The first campaign, "Balance," is widely regarded as one of the best podcast audio dramas ever created. Start at Episode 1 and get ready for an adventure.
8. Dungeons and Daddies
If The Adventure Zone is a heartwarming family sitcom, Dungeons and Daddies is the chaotic, R-rated Saturday morning cartoon. The premise is simple: four suburban dads from our world are flung into a fantasy realm on a quest to rescue their lost sons. This is not a BDSM podcast, a fact they hilariously and frequently have to clarify.
The four hosts (Anthony Burch, Matt Arnold, Freddie Wong, and Will Campos) have an impeccable comedic rhythm built on years of friendship and collaboration in the web video world. Their commitment to their characters and their willingness to completely derail the Dungeon Master's carefully laid plans results in pure, unadulterated chaos. It’s a story about fatherhood, friendship, and trying your best, even when you have no idea what you’re doing.
Good to know: This is another D&D podcast where knowledge of the game is completely optional. Just come ready to laugh at dad jokes and terrible decisions.
9. No Such Thing As A Fish
For those who love to collect fascinating, bizarre facts, this podcast is for you. No Such Thing As A Fish is a weekly show from the researchers behind the British panel show QI. Each of the four hosts—Dan Schreiber, James Harkin, Andrew Hunter Murray, and Anna Ptaszynski—arrives with their favorite fact they've learned that week, and the others riff off it.
The dynamic is like being at a pub quiz with the cleverest, funniest team imaginable. Their collective knowledge is astounding, but it’s their charming, witty, and distinctly British banter that makes the show so listenable. You’ll learn about everything from the history of the fork to the mating habits of obscure insects, all while feeling like you're part of their very smart, very funny club.
Perfect for: Turning a boring wait in line into a session of "huh, I never knew that!" You’ll come away from every episode with at least four new cocktail party-ready facts.
10. The TryPod
Fans of The Try Guys' YouTube channel will feel right at home with The TryPod. Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang bring the same adventurous and hilarious energy from their videos to this audio format. They dive deeper into the behind-the-scenes of their projects, share personal stories, and riff on whatever is on their minds that week.
The podcast feels like a more relaxed and unfiltered version of their video content. Their long-standing friendship and business partnership create a comfortable, lived-in atmosphere. They transition seamlessly from debating the merits of a fast-food item to discussing serious personal challenges, all with the support and humor of true friends. It’s the ultimate "hanging out with your buddies" podcast.
Episode tip: Look for their "Try Guys Try" episodes where they recount their experiences with a new challenge, or episodes where they give unfiltered life advice in "Guilty Pleasures."
11. Keep It!
Hosted by Ira Madison III and a rotating cast of co-hosts, Keep It! is your weekly dose of pop culture and politics, served with a healthy side of wit and shade. The show dissects the week's biggest moments where entertainment and society collide, from awards shows and celebrity drama to the latest political absurdity.
Ira and his co-hosts have a razor-sharp perspective and a deep love for the culture they critique. The conversations are fast-paced, insightful, and incredibly funny, feeling like the best discussion you've ever overheard at a coffee shop. The recurring segments and inside jokes make you feel like you’re part of a very cool, very informed friend group who always has the perfect take.
Listen for: The titular "Keep It!" segment, where the hosts sound off on something or someone that needs to just stop. It’s always a cathartic and hilarious highlight.
12. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
While technically an interview show, Armchair Expert earns its found-family stripes through the incredible dynamic between host Dax Shepard and his co-host/producer Monica Padman. Dax engages in long-form, deeply personal conversations with his guests, exploring the "messiness of being human."
The real magic happens in the margins. The banter between Dax and Monica before and after the interview, and Monica’s fact-check segment at the end of each episode, are where their friendship shines. They challenge each other, support each other, and disagree like siblings, creating a warm and authentic framework around the main conversation. It makes the whole show feel less like an interview and more like you're listening to two friends process a fascinating conversation they just had.
Why it works: The fact-check isn't just a list of corrections; it's a whole second conversation that adds depth, humor, and a grounded perspective to the celebrity interviews.
13. Why Won't You Date Me? with Nicole Byer
Comedian Nicole Byer is perpetually single, and she wants to know why. In her podcast, Why Won't You Date Me?, she invites a fellow comedian, an ex, or a friend to explore her dating life and the wild world of modern romance. The result is one of the most sex-positive, hilarious, and heartwarming podcasts out there.
Nicole's infectious laugh and brutally honest personality make her feel like an instant best friend. While she is the only permanent host, her rapport with her recurring guests builds a larger sense of community. She creates a space where no topic is off-limits, and every conversation, no matter how wild, is grounded in a search for genuine connection. It’s the perfect companion for anyone navigating the highs and lows of dating.
Great for: A dose of pure, unadulterated joy. Nicole's energy is a guaranteed mood-lifter for any tedious chore.
14. Trash Taste
For fans of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture, Trash Taste is a must-listen. Hosted by three massive YouTubers in the space—The Anime Man (Joey), Gigguk (Garnt), and CDawgVA (Connor)—this podcast is a weekly, two-hour-plus hangout session where they talk about… well, everything.
While anime is the starting point, the conversations often spiral into hilarious debates about food, travel, cultural differences, and embarrassing life experiences. Their friendship, forged by being three expats living in Japan, is the show's core appeal. They have the easy, teasing rapport of college roommates, and listening to them feels like you've been invited to their exclusive otaku club. It's a prime example of how niche conversational podcasts can create a powerful sense of belonging.
Best for: Longer errands or a weekend deep-clean. The episodes are long, but the freewheeling conversation makes the time fly by.
15. Critical Role
Critical Role is the undisputed titan of the D&D podcasting world, and for good reason. It features a cast of A-list voice actors—Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Taliesin Jaffe, and Ashley Johnson—playing Dungeons & Dragons. What sets it apart is the sheer level of talent and emotional investment at the table.
This is more than a game; it's an epic, improvised fantasy saga brought to life by master storytellers. The cast members are all dear friends in real life, and that love and trust allows them to take incredible creative risks. As Goh Ling Yong pointed out, it’s a show that demonstrates how collaborative play can forge some of the most compelling narratives. You'll celebrate their victories and weep at their losses, all while feeling like an honorary member of their adventuring party, Vox Machina or the Mighty Nein.
Warning: This show is a commitment. Episodes are regularly over four hours long, and the campaigns span hundreds of hours. But for many, it’s the most rewarding listening experience out there.
16. The Last Podcast on the Left
If your tastes lean toward the dark and macabre, welcome home. The Last Podcast on the Left covers all things spooky, from serial killers and cults to aliens and cryptids. Hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski tackle these grim topics with a surprising amount of deep research and a whole lot of gallows humor.
The host dynamic is the key to making the heavy subject matter palatable. Marcus provides the meticulously researched narrative, Ben acts as the everyman grounding the conversation, and Henry brings the chaotic, character-driven comedy. They feel like the weird friends you had in high school who were obsessed with horror movies, and their morbid curiosity is infectious. They find the humor in the darkness without ever losing sight of the facts.
Good to know: This podcast is not for the faint of heart. The topics are graphic and the humor is dark. But if that’s your thing, you’ll find no better companions.
17. Lovett or Leave It
For a dose of political commentary that won't make you want to crawl into a hole, Lovett or Leave It is the perfect choice. Hosted by Jon Lovett, a former presidential speechwriter, this weekly show is recorded in front of a live audience and functions like a comedy game show for the week's news. Lovett is joined by a rotating panel of comedians, journalists, and politicians to break down the headlines.
The show's found-family feel comes from its recurring cast of "Friends of the Pod." You get to know the personalities of frequent guests, and their chemistry with Lovett makes the show feel like a raucous, politically savvy party. Lovett’s sharp wit and the panel's hilarious takes make staying informed feel less like a chore and more like a fun, communal activity. It’s a brilliant way to process the news cycle with a healthy dose of laughter and righteous indignation.
How to listen: You can jump in at any point, as each episode is a snapshot of that week’s news. It’s a great way to catch up on politics while you catch up on your shopping.
Your Weekend Errands Just Got an Upgrade
The right podcast can do more than just fill the silence; it can provide genuine companionship. These 'found-family' conversational podcasts offer a unique sense of connection, turning a lonely drive or a mindless task into a shared experience filled with laughter, learning, and camaraderie. You get all the benefits of a great hang with friends, with the simple push of a play button.
So next time you head out the door with a to-do list a mile long, don't just grab your keys and wallet. Take your new friends with you. You might just find that you start looking forward to your weekend errands.
What are your go-to conversational podcasts for good company? Drop your favorites in the comments below—I’m always looking for new friends to add to my rotation!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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