The world of podcasts continued to grow in 2016, providing some of the best entertainment and general information of any medium.

Podcasting isn't just for NPR anymore - there is now a podcast on just about any subject you can think of, where celebrities and everyday people can find their voice and a community of active listeners. 2016 was a huge year for podcasts of all kinds, but let's take a look at some of our favorites from the past year:

Keepin' It 1600

Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor, all former staffers for President Barack Obama, provided their take on the up-and-down 2016 election on Keepin' It 1600. The podcast has since taken a turn towards examining what's looming for the upcoming Trump presidency, offering a truly compelling listening experience.

Anna Faris Is Unqualified

Mom star Anna Faris has been doling out advice and chatting with various celebrities over the past year through Anna Faris Is Unqualified. The podcasts are often loose and fun, like hanging out with some chill friends while also giving a nice look into the personal lives of the celebrities we love.

My Favorite Murder

Hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, My Favorite Murder has quickly taken off as one of the more popular podcasts centered on crime. The hosts bring on friends to discuss their favorite stories with murder at the center, giving their unique takes on true crime.

2 Dope Queens

Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams host 2 Dope Queens, a podcast discussing everything from relationships to race to living in New York from the black female perspective. In a podcasting environment where the white male perspective is so often told, this podcast offers a fresh, hilarious perspective from two great comedians.

Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People

Comedian Chris Gethard takes calls from anonymous, everyday people on Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, frequently shortened to Beautiful/Anonymous. The podcast allows listeners to call in and tell their beautiful, complicated life stories, ultimately showing how connected we all are on a human level.

Homecoming

Fictional podcasts are on the rise, and perhaps none were more compelling than Homecoming, a psychological drama starring the likes of Oscar Isaac, Catherine Keener, David Schwimmer, Amy Sedaris and David Cross. The series centers on a military facility helping bring PTSD-ridden soldiers back into American life.

Comedy Bang! Bang!

It can be easy to overlook some of podcasting's older shows, but Comedy Bang! Bang! remained as fresh and gut-busting as ever in 2016. With insane recurring characters, games guests and host Scott Aukerman holding it all together, each new episode is a great escape from reality.

Rob Has a Podcast

Reality TV can also be overlooked at times, but Rob Has a Podcast, hosted by two-time Survivor contestant Rob Cesternino, keeps it fresh and relevant. Like with Comedy Bang! Bang!, the podcast frequently features recurring bits and fun guests, and gives the best comprehensive coverage of shows like Survivor and Big Brother of any reality podcast out there.

Revisionist History

Malcolm Gladwell digs into the past to reexamine subjects either overlooked or misunderstood through the course of history in Revisionist History. This was the podcast in 2016 to rethink your current feelings or discover something new.

You Must Remember This

Like with Revisionist History, the You Must Remember This podcast dug into the past in fascinating ways. Hosted by Karina Longworth, the podcast dives deep into Hollywood legend and lore, from Joan Crawford and Bette Davis to Judy Garland to the fascinating Charles Manson saga.

Tags: Podcasts