International Podcast Day: Our Shortlist of 5 Must-Listen Saudi Podcasts
Celebrate International Podcast Day with Saudi Arabia’s top 5 podcasts. Smart shows for learning, careers, and creative growth on YouTube.
Podcasts have quietly become Saudi Arabia’s favorite classroom. They’re where people learn, think, and get inspired whether on the road, in the gym, or between meetings. Today, 60% of the Kingdom tunes in weekly, making Saudi Arabia one of the most active podcast communities in the world. And discovery looks different now. Most listeners aren’t finding shows through apps. They’re finding them on YouTube. That shift has turned podcasts into full experiences: thoughtful storytelling meets strong visuals.
So if you’re ready to turn your scroll time into learning time this International Podcast Day, here’s a quick guide to five standout Saudi podcasts worth your attention.
1) Fnjan - Thmanyah
Fnjan is the gold standard for long-form Arabic conversation. Calm, thoughtful, and deeply researched. Each episode feels like a well-run seminar, where big ideas become practical and everyday topics get the depth they deserve. Guests include ministers, CEOs, researchers, and artists, offering a wide lens on Saudi Arabia’s evolving landscape of policy, markets, culture, and personal growth.
Why We Like it:
It treats attention with respect. Every conversation is carefully structured: smooth pacing, sharp questions, and production that feels cinematic. Thmanyah’s video-first design (chapters, framing, and editing) makes episodes easy to follow and even easier to share.
🎧 Listen: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anghami
2) Petroly
Petroly, hosted by Ahmed Attar, sits at the intersection of careers and the real economy. It’s clear, steady, and packed with lessons you can use immediately. The show explores how real careers unfold across industries like energy, tech, and operations, revealing what decisions and trade-offs shape them.
Why We Like it
The host asks builder-style questions, "What did you try first? What failed? What worked?", that draw out practical insights from every guest. Each conversation feels like a mentoring session, helping you see how successful professionals think, plan, and adapt.
🎧 Listen: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
3) The Mo Show
The Mo Show is your friendly, English-language on-ramp into Saudi stories. Through warm, structured interviews, host Mo Iqbal brings you conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, and public-sector leaders who are shaping the Kingdom’s future.
Why We Like it
It bridges audiences beautifully, welcoming locals, expats, and global listeners alike. Each episode captures Saudi Arabia’s evolving culture and innovation scene in a tone that’s engaging yet grounded. It’s like a “state of the nation” feed, told through the people driving change.
🎧 Listen: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
4) Basics of Marketing
Short, focused, and actionable. This is Saudi Arabia’s top marketing education engine in podcast form. Each 10-15 minute episode, hosted by Ameer Albahouth, tackles one core concept, like positioning, pricing, or distribution, and wraps up with a clear play you can run immediately. The show also zooms out to discuss real-world trends, brand strategies, and case studies from companies shaping today’s marketing landscape.
Why We Like it
It turns theory into tools. The examples are local, the language is clear, and the format fits into any commute or coffee break. The show makes marketing feel simple, practical, and repeatable.
🎧 Listen: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
5) Abajora Podcast
Abajora is an Arabic podcast hosted by Lubna AlKhamis that explores storytelling, literature, philosophy, and culture. Most episodes are solo reflections or monologues where Lubna shares insights from poetry, essays, historical events, and personal observations. You’ll hear thoughtful analysis, literary quotes, and philosophical ideas, often set to music and ambient sound, creating an immersive experience that encourages reflection, mood, and deeper understanding of the world.
Why We Like it
It’s a podcast that doesn’t just inform, it feels. By weaving poetry, essays, historical context, and music together, Abajora transforms listening into a meditative experience. The result is intellectual depth, emotional resonance, and cultural authenticity, rare in today’s fast-moving media landscape.
🎧 Listen: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud
How to Get the Most from These Shows
Make your podcast time intentional, not accidental. Try this:
- Mix Deep + Tactical.
Add two “big-picture” shows (like Fnjan and Petroly) and one “tactical” show (Basics of Marketing). You’ll balance mindset with method. - Use Chapters Like a Syllabus.
Don’t feel pressure to finish every episode. Jump straight to segments that match your goals (career pivots, pricing, creative routines) and revisit later. - Follow the Clip.
Found a great reel or short? Treat it as a trailer. Click through to the full episode for context and nuance. - Take Notes You’ll Reuse.
Create a doc called “Podcast Notes” with three headings: Frameworks, Tactics, People to Follow. Add one line per episode. You’ll build a mini playbook before you know it. - Share One Takeaway.
After each listen, send a friend or teammate one insight and timestamp. Teaching one thing helps you remember it, and positions you as a signal finder.
Final Word
International Podcast Day is a great reason to refresh your queue. But the value lasts far beyond one day. Pick one episode from each show. Give it a gym session or two commutes. If it clicks, subscribe. If not, try the next!
Because the right podcast doesn't just fill time. It shapes how you think, work, and grow.
