9 Python Podcasts to Level up Your Coding Skills

Podcasts are a great way to get a dose of Python knowledge. And you can skill up while doing your daily chores! These are my picks for the best Python podcasts in 2021.

A Python podcast is an amazing tool for people short on time. When you learn the Python programming language, you need to have a trusted source of up-to-date information. But finding the right source takes time and can be hit or miss. Sometimes you think you’ve hit the jackpot – but it turns out it was a dud. You lose time. You get discouraged. Your skills stagnate, and maybe your career does too. Well, I’m here to help.

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I love to listen to educational podcasts. It makes the washing up go quickly. But podcasts not only help me keep my apartment clean, they make me feel like I've learned something useful during that time!

And let’s be honest – learning Python is a good choice. If you aren’t convinced, check out this article.

In today’s post, I've gathered a list of the industry’s finest Python podcasts, made by people who keep their finger on the pulse of technology and share what they’ve learned.

It doesn’t matter if you are a Python beginner, if you’ve just finished our Learn Programming with Python track, or if you are a seasoned veteran. I will help you choose the right Python podcast for your skills and interests.

What Is a Podcast and How Can it Help Me Learn Python?

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Podcasts are popular. There are currently about 1.96 million podcasts; around 57% of people in the US have listened to a podcast at least once.

source: edisonresearch.com

To me, that makes a lot of sense. Throughout the ages, people have been telling stories. Sure, we like to read books and watch videos. But listening to a person who’s passionate about their topic is something else. From a young age, before we learn to read and write, stories shape us. And you know what? It turns out that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts or figures alone.

That’s where the podcast magic happens. The hosts and guests aren’t ranting about a topic or reading a bunch of facts. They are telling stories: their personal experiences, findings, and ideas.

The stories people tell us vary in length and tone. That's why when we find the right podcasts, we tend to stick with them. We’re engaged and invested. We join in the conversation.

Top 9 Python Podcasts

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Based on all of the above, it may sound like podcasts are more entertaining than educational. Can they really help you learn Python?

They sure can.

Here is a list of podcasts that are all a good way to learn about Python. I present them in no particular order. They include interviews with the Python community, backstage stories, and tales of teaching Python. Some are long, some are short. All have one thing in common: people are recording their experience in the industry, people who want to share their stories and grow the Python community.

Among this list, I’m sure you’ll find at least one podcast that resonates with you. Check them out:

1.    Talk Python To Me

Hosted by Michael Kennedy, this weekly podcast is about the Python industry and the people involved in it. It also covers other related topics like MongoDB, AngularJS, and DevOps. Each episode has a laid-back atmosphere, features a guest, and lasts for about 45 minutes.

You can listen to Talk Python To Me on iTunes and Google Podcasts; you can also watch it on YouTube, where you can see the team interact with each other. Give it a go.

2.    Python Bytes

If you are looking for a podcast that focuses on developer news, this one is for you.

You don’t have to scan Reddit or Twitter for the latest updates. Michael Kennedy and Brian Okken have got you covered.

Python Bytes hooks you up with what's going on in the industry every week – and, as the name suggests, in bite-size pieces! It’s not an educational podcast per se, but I find it very useful. It saves me a lot of time and mutes my FOMO!

Listen to Python Bytes here.

3.   The Real Python Podcast

Launched in March 2020, this is a fairly young addition to the podcast world. Hosted by Christopher Bailey, The Real Python Podcast offers coding tips, interviews, and genuine conversations with guests from the Python community. Here you’ll find Python programming best practices, career tips, and other stories about software development.

This podcast is published regularly on Friday mornings, so it’s a nice way of finishing the workweek. The episodes are around one hour long. You can listen to them on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and Castbox.

I wonder if they wrote a Python script for publishing the episodes ;)

4.    Podcast.__init__

Tobias Macey, the host of this podcast, brings us weekly stories from the Python community. This show provides information and insights from projects, platforms, and practices. These will be useful for engineers, business leaders, and data scientists.

The interviews focus on personal experiences, challenges, and motivations. The stories are engaging and very relatable. Each episode has a detailed description and a list of useful links. You’re sure to learn something and get a fresh viewpoint from fellow Python enthusiasts!

You can listen to Podcast.__init__ on its website, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

5.    Test and Code

Looking for a podcast with a broad range? Test and Code talks about software engineering, development, testing, and Python programming. When the story revolves around Python, it goes into implementation specifics. In around thirty minutes, you can learn about Python packaging, Tox, Pytest, and unittest.

You can listen to language-agnostic topics, such as data science, test-driven development (TDD), public speaking, mentoring, feature testing, NoSQL databases, end-to-end testing, automation, continuous integration, development methods, the Selenium framework, the testing pyramid, and DevOps.

That's a lot of knowledge. :)

Head to the Test and Code website and listen to the podcast there, or choose from one of nine platforms.

6.    Teaching Python

Most of us reading this article know the challenges of learning Python. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to teach Python programming?

Kelly Paredes and Sean Tibor run the Teaching Python podcast. Here you can listen to stories of failure, frustration, and educational wins. It’s all based on their experience in learning Python to seventh- and eighth-grade students in a Florida school.

The episodes are about 50 minutes long. Even if this one doesn’t spark your interest right now, give it a try. It’s an intriguing listen.

Teaching Python is available on its website, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

7.    Early Access PyCharm

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can be helpful. It lets you run and edit your scripts. This podcast goes behind the scenes and shows you the creation process of PyCharm, an IDE designed specifically for Python. The hosts pick the brains of members of the PyCharm team and share their ideas and stories about their work.

Episodes are short (about 12 minutes long) and published every month. You can listen to this JetBrains podcasts on Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and Spotify.

8.    Profitable Python

In this podcast, host Ben McNeill interviews Python developers and others in the community. Aside from learning new things, we can find the motivations, ideas, and opinions of the guests on various topics. Profitable Python features stories of learning, creating content, coding, and entrepreneurship. The guests vary from community advocates and online tutorial creators to die-hard developers.

This one will make a good listen for current or aspiring Python freelancers! Find it on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Podbean, RadioPublic, and Spotify.

9.    Django Riffs

Web development? Python? Django web framework? Yes, please! As the name suggests, Django Riffs dedicates its microphones to exploring Django’s features. If you tune in, you'll learn all about building web apps.

An always-appreciated podcast feature is the notes attached to each episode. You can find these on the Django Riffs’ website. At the time of writing, the latest episode is from February 2021.

So far, we’re 12 episodes in. There are many more to come! Check out host Matt Layman’s website and learn some web app development! 

Podcast Pro Tip

After you’ve found the right Python podcast, there are two ways of listening to it on your phone: you can stream or download the episode. When you download it, you will be able to enjoy it without interruptions (e.g. because your Internet connection dropped out).

Most apps have a built-in feature that removes downloaded episodes after a certain amount of time. You don't need to worry about running out of storage space!

Make 2021 the Year You Learn Python!

There you have it: nine Python podcasts you should try in 2021. Whether you are taking a walk, doing the dishes, or doing some other everyday chores, you can enjoy stories from Python developers.

If you are completely new to Python and would like to learn programming, I recommend starting with our Python Basics track. Start thinking like a developer, learn the basics, and enter the IT world.

Whatever you do, learn Python!