10 Podcasts for Perfect Escapism

Sometimes reality could use a Do-Not-Disturb sign. Whether you’re craving an absurd laugh, a journey to far-off worlds, or just some background banter that won’t remind you of your inbox, the right podcast can whisk you away. Here are nine witty listens—from immersive dramas to ridiculous comedies—perfect for disappearing into when you need to disconnect and unwind.

1. Welcome to Night Vale - A twice-monthly community radio show for the fictional desert town of Night Vale, where the bizarre is routine and the mundane becomes magical. Tune in for deadpan news updates about mysterious lights in the night sky, friendly five-headed dragons, and the annual PTA meeting that might summon a spirit or two. Surreal, witty, and surprisingly cosy, it feels like a campfire story told from the Twilight Zone. The perfect escape when real life feels a bit too normal.
2. My Dad Wrote a Porno - What do you do when your dad self-publishes a disastrously bad erotic novel? If you’re Jamie Morton, you grab two friends, open a bottle of wine, and read it aloud to the world. This outrageously funny podcast has Jamie narrating the saga of Belinda Blinked while his co-hosts howl with laughter and disbelief. It’s crude, it’s absurd, and absolutely addictive. The global cult of My Dad Wrote a Porno proves that sometimes the best way to de-stress is to disappear into a fit of laughter at someone else’s awkward literature. 
3. Business Wars: Vegas Casinos - Not every escape needs to be laugh-out-loud absurd; some are built on glitz, strategy, and a little danger. This mini-series from Business Wars dives into the high-stakes world of Las Vegas: the rivalries that shaped it, the deals that nearly broke it, and the legends who made casino culture what it is today. It’s all delivered with cinematic polish and dramatic flair, tracing the rise of Sin City from mob-run cash cow to billion-dollar brand.It’s an audio escape that pairs perfectly with a late-night Negroni or, for those looking to match the mood, a spin on the tables with the Mr Vegas wager free welcome offer. High risk or not, you’ll enjoy the ride. 
4. Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster - Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster play genie waiters in this smash-hit food podcast, inviting celebrity guests to order their dream menu of starters, mains, desserts, and everything in between. The result is indulgent and gleefully unpredictable; one moment you’re hearing about a nostalgic curry, the next you’re in a debate over cake vs. cheese boards.
5. Everything is Alive - In this quietly mind-bending gem, every episode is an “interview” with an inanimate object. Yes, really. A tooth fairy pillow, a can of cola, a bar of soap. Each speaks with a distinct personality and surprisingly poignant humour. The improvised conversations are absurd yet strangely illuminating, as these objects muse about their quirky “lives” and perspectives. It’s whimsical, witty, and oddly heartwarming. By the end, you’ll find yourself empathising with a lamppost or laughing with a grain of sand. If escapism is about seeing the world anew, Everything is Alive offers a charming, wonderfully odd new lens.
6. Armchair Explorer - If your idea of escape involves adventure but your budget (or schedule) keeps you at home, let this acclaimed travel podcast be your ticket. Host Aaron Millar brings on world-renowned adventurers to recount their most thrilling journeys, enhanced with cinematic music and sound design. One week you’re trekking through the Amazon jungle; the next, you’re climbing a Himalayan peak at dawn or diving with great white sharks off Australia. The storytelling is so vivid you can practically feel the mountain breeze or desert sun. It’s adrenaline-pumping, awe-inducing stuff with zero airfare needed.
7. LeVar Burton Reads - Sometimes the sweetest escape is a well-told story. LeVar Burton, whom you might know as the beloved host of Reading Rainbow or Star Trek’s most charming engineer, invites you to relax as he reads a short story. That’s it, that’s the podcast: one glorious piece of fiction, handpicked and performed in LeVar’s velvety-smooth voice. From whimsical fantasy adventures to thought-provoking sci-fi tales, each episode is like a perfectly brewed cup of tea for your imagination. It’s soothing, transportive, and delightfully low-tech: just close your eyes and let LeVar’s narration carry you to whatever world awaits.
8. Comedy Bang! Bang! - For pure, unadulterated silliness, this long-running improv comedy show is king. Host Scott Aukerman sits down with “celebrity guests,” but here’s the twist: more often than not, those guests are fellow comedians in disguise as the most bizarre characters imaginable. You might hear from a time-travelling philanthropist, an eccentric minor superhero, or who-knows-what fever dream of a personality. The faux talk-show conversations careen off the rails in the best way, full of in-jokes, catchphrases, and absurd detours. It’s chaotic, it’s clever, and it’s frequently hysterical. 
9. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend - The premise: after decades of interviewing stars on late-night TV, comedian Conan O’Brien discovered he never actually became real-life friends with them. Solution? Start a podcast to chat more deeply (and weirdly) with his celebrity guests. In each episode, Conan’s razor-sharp wit and self-deprecating charm coax entertainers, musicians, and even former first ladies into hilariously candid conversations. Free from network censors and talk-show time slots, Conan lets loose, occasionally stirring emotions we rarely see on his late-night show.
10. No Such Thing as a Fish - Fancy filling your brain with delightfully useless knowledge? Join four quick-witted Brits (researchers from the BBC’s QI programme) as they serve up the weirdest facts they’ve uncovered each week. From bizarre historical anecdotes to mind-boggling animal trivia, every fact sparks a round of hilarious banter and one-upmanship among the hosts. One minute you’re learning that pigeons can tell Monet from Picasso, the next you’re snorting at a pun about medieval rabbit warfare. It’s smart, silly, and supremely bingeable. Importantly, it’s escapism that leaves you feeling a tiny bit smarter (or at least armed with excellent pub conversation). In a world of hard news and heavy podcasts, No Such Thing as a Fish is a refreshing splash in the shallow end of information—and we’re here for it.

The Getaway Plan

Each of these podcasts offers a different flavour of getaway, be it through belly laughs, accurate storytelling, or captivating chats. So the next time you need a break from reality, just press play. Slip on your headphones, and let the world melt away because you’ve got ten new places to be.