Society & Culture · NPR
by NPR
Life’s too short for small talk. Rachel gets right to the questions that matter most. Once a week, famous guests pull questions from a deck of cards and open up about the kind of stuff we all think about but rarely say out loud. Actors, authors, and thinkers are prompted to talk about everything from their insecurities and dreams to grief and God. Named one of the 10 best podcasts of 2024 by The New York Times, Wild Card stands out among celebrity interview podcasts. When modern life feels chaotic or overwhelming, listen to Wild Card for a joyful, grounding reminder of our shared humanity. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Wild Card.
Position in the Society & Culture chart (US), last 90 days.
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Where Wild Card with Rachel Martin ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 9, 2026).
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I love the guests and interviews I’ve heard on this podcast so far. Great choice of interviewees! Two ruses need reconsideration: the first time you listen, having the rules explained is fine. Upon the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, it’s a little unbearable to sit through all of that, but also to hear interviewees pick a card from three choices. Why pick a card from 3 downturned cards? You don’t need this—let your guests pick the top card (or from three upturned). Second—interviews are not about the host unless that host is famous and their presence is why guests come on the show. That’s why guests don’t choose the “flip” option (to flip a question on the host). Martin has had to awkwardly ask a guest if they want the card flipped. Guests don’t know who Martin is or want her opinion on a tough question—that’s info you want to hear from people you are close to in some way, not strangers. The audience wants to hear what guests have to say. I see why Martin would have thought that could be useful…but it misperceives the point of an interview. Lose some of the ruse and this will be an exceptional podcast.
I love Wild Card. I can’t stop listening and telling my friends how meaningful this podcast is for me. I find myself making that little noise made when I hear someone saying something that touches me deeply. Every episode has a different flavor, with Rachel’s constant guidance. Do yourself a favor and listen to.
This podcast launched around the same time as the New York Times’ “The Interview,” and I vastly prefer this one. Where “The Interview” is somewhat haughty, self-important, and indulgent to the point of parody, this podcast is fun, lighthearted, yet deeply sincere. It takes you placed you’d never expect and teaches you things you didn’t even know you didn’t know. I love it.
I started listening to this podcast as soon as it dropped, but since then it has become my go to calming and centering podcast. It already has conversations about the existential thing that I love to ponder and think about, and then when we’re in this crazy world of upsetting news every other day, it is the best escape. These are the things that really matter.
I tried, but I just can’t believe how bad this is. The idea is that guests choose a card with a question, and this is what they talk about. The questions are faux-deep and invite all sorts of self-centered, over-long answers about nothing. If you like to hear C-list celebrities prattle on, encouraged by a fawning host, this is for you. Otherwise, stay away!
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Daily updated Apple Podcasts rankings for the United States.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Wild Card with Rachel Martin, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
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