As someone who consumes 3-4 hours of podcasts a day, my timeline has become bloated with content that started with promise, only to lose creative steam. Does that stop these tired hosts from posting? No. Instead, they double down with increased content to wring as much advertising revenue as possible out of this medium. Which I completely understand…creatives need to eat too. So when a show like Search Engine comes along, I’m reminded why I fell in love with this medium in the first place. It’s one of the rare shows that drives me to scroll past pages of podcast releases, most of which will age into obscurity before I hear them, in hopes that I’ll find the morsel I crave above all others. It’s a great day when Search Engine drops. PJ Vogt is a unique voice, whose personal style is both engaging and informative, without informing us against our will. His research is compelling, his conversational approach is fresh, and he’s able to cross all demographic boundaries. When PJ laughs out loud, so do I. When he feels anxiety, I feel it with him. I discovered PJ on Reply All after hearing one of the greatest podcasts of all time, “The Case of the Missing Hit.” I’ve played that show for literally dozens of people, it’s that good. Since starting Search Engine, I’ve been mesmerized by Berghain even though I’m not gay, been gripped by a mysterious Buckingham pool even though I’m not an Anglophile, and purchased a Smarter Scrubber even though I rarely grill food. That’s the power of Search Engine. You won’t be disappointed.

This show is incredibly entertaining with great topics to dive into and really get your gears turning. I would consider myself agnostic when it comes to US politics but after hearing the episode of “National Debt”, a topic I am really interested in, just became a jam at Trump, who’s only been in office for 100 days at the time of this writing. How can I take this seriously? Sadly, I won’t be tuning in any longer.

What are the best podcast out there always look forward to the next episode.

This is one of the best podcasts out there. The questions and topics—whether serious or silly—are always engaging and thought-provoking. They’re presented in a way that really makes me think. PJ and his team are incredibly talented at what they do. Thanks, guys!

It's just such an interesting show and the production is phenomenal

podcast had become one of my primary sources of information and this one is both entertaining and informative. Five star stars!

PJ always seems to ask the questions that I want to ask, and then some questions that I didn't know I wanted to ask.

I consider this podcast essential listening, do yourself a favor and get on board. Thanks for the art.

Incredibly detailed and well-researched show. It’s my family’s new favorite. We especially loved the Viruses in the Air episode, and the history of the Wells family (coming from someone who works in public health). Bravo! Can’t wait for more episodes.

Love how interesting each and every episode is. I love the guests that PJ brings on and love the format of the reporting. Also, listening to PJ is always so fun!

Similar to having “comfort” TV shows, I also have comfort podcasts where I love listening, regardless of today’s topic. Reply All was my favorite podcast of all time for both the subject matter and the hosts - and I loved their dynamic together. I listened to every episode. I’m so happy to have another PJ - podcast. I admit, I dont always find the subject matter as compelling- but I listen to about 85% of the episodes because there is something about PJ’s delivery and laugh. My favorite was the multi-part episodes about fentanyl and why it ends up in so many drugs and causes so many deaths - something seemingly bad for drug dealers/makers. It was a great subject and great delivery. Keep up the good work.

thry do their research and save me time plus they are entertaining!

Such a fascinating podcast. As a longtime lover of the Reply All podcast, it's so great to have PJ back doing a very similar kind of podcast -- just about way more than the Internet and technology. Great deep dives on so many topics!

PJ Vogt is back with his thoughtful and fascinating takes that will surprise and move you to think and feel in different ways. One of my favorite podcasts out of hundreds I listen to.

One of my favorite podcasts on this planet! The episode on the USA Made grill scrubber is exactly what the world needs right now. Keep up the good work!

Potato

PJ is just too dumb and insipid to carry the show, which is a shame because the format works really well (although it’s hardly original…). It helps that the whole format is based on PJ talking to people who are much smarter than him, but it only makes his shortcomings as a host more glaring. He postures as some tech expert but to talk about tech in 2025 requires a spine and ideally a moral compass. The last thing we need is one more Just Asking Questions guy. I should have given up when Search Engine posted a tone deaf episode about hating work… with no mention of their history of union busting and targeting their employees. Listen to Hyperfixed!

The producers of this show must have a similar media diet to me because they often cover topics that were already done well by others. I didn’t listen to the flying while fat episode for a while because Ronald Young Jr’s podcast, Weight for It, did such a great job and I didn’t know what PJ could add. Well, turns out he was just going to basically re-air the Weight for It episode. That’s just lazy, and it’s not the first time I’ve felt this way about Search Engine. Also, PJ, the media doesn’t have a “liberal bias”, it has a fact-based bias. Check yourself.

Great reporting and great storytelling. Thank god PJ is still on the internet, the world needs this.

I’m constantly sharing episodes with my friends and find myself thinking and talking about them. The latest one on AI and homework is like a happy smorgasbord for my brain.

I missed this style reporting!!! So glad you’re back!

Most unique podcast out there - PJ and team make any topic and question to answer a fascinating ride

It is the best of the best I listen to many podcasts and it is my favorite I started listening to it on my 98th birthday and it has been the best years of my life

I just listened to PJ fail to argue an incredibly simple point against a 14 year old future tech bro who refers to himself as Playboy Farti. I then unsubscribed. If you’re wondering who made Reply All such a good show, Search Engine is evidence that it was NOT PJ.

But I can’t because of your laugh. Please, please stop. It makes me want to punch my phone. I have misophonia (a sensory processing disorder related to certain sounds. in fact, it makes me want to cry I hate it so much. I am so interested in so many of the topics but that Hahahahahahahahahahahaha kills me. Please.

Loved PJ from his previous show. He goes really in depth on some cool topics. Makes you feel like you’re talking to your friend while he sits on your couch and tells you a wild story.

i cannot get away from this podcast, my brain is always bringing me back to it. Im obsessed and im not usually a big podcast person. 5/5 LOVE.

I heard about the episode about inflation on another podcast so I was planning to listen to the first 10 minutes of that episode and proceeded to listen to almost every episode of Search Engine. I’ve been interested about the two sides of the drug trade since reading Chasing the Scream and their two part about fentanyl was incredible. I haven’t reviewed a podcast since 2010, but the episode about belief in God made it feel necessary to praise PJ and the producers for a phenomenal show. The incredible amount of work they put into finding a pool in Buckingham Palace was amazing. Hearing the guru of radio programming Ira Glass give agency to those of us obsessed with work was gratifying. New favorite podcast.

I have loved this podcast so much since it launched, and was so thrilled to have PJ making things again. Clearly a person who loves his work which is wonderful and moving. But to do an episode about whether a person can “just work forever” or parent and it’s just two podcast industry men, one of whom is a notorious workaholic and noxious boss? Your curiosity almost always takes you further than that, PJ, and that episode made me feel so sad and alienated. It’s such a lost opportunity to ask people whose stakes are… I’m sorry, real, how they think about the work versus family question. Specifically maybe a woman? Or a person WITH children? Or frankly a person with other substantial and meaningful caregiving responsibilities (because guess what podcast boys, care work comes for us all.)

This is one of my favorite podcasts. Highly recommend it

Over the past year this has easily become one of my favorite games podcasts! It’s thoughtful, funny, & very informative. Keep up the great work PJ!

It is so nice to be able to hear PJ’s voice and laughter again. This podcast tackle some interesting. Topics has been very entertaining so far. I hope he has another long run of podcast.

The title above is not a troll. PJ’s personal joy is the grace behind the sometimes dark and intense topics this awesome podcast covers. Even the lighter hearted stories are meaningful and profound to me. Great story telling, delightful host, provocative subject matter. Looking forward to more episodes.❤️

PJ Vogt’s journalism and artistry is rare and beautiful. Part of it is his mastery of context, he sets the stage for a good story so well that I love listening to stories he does that wouldn’t interest me in any other show. His love for the work, unique perspective and rich vocabulary makes his show a delight

I enjoyed it when it was an amusing Corky show but now it's more of a therapy session for the host when things in the world don't go the way he wants it.

Thank you, sincerely and truly and wholly. I’m so grateful this exists ⚡️♥️

Sometimes it’s nice to just listen to a random topic. This show is a nice mix of a little of everything. It’s well researched, well thought out, well produced, and PJ and his guests are fun to listen to. It’s become a favorite podcast of mine.

I am here for PJ’s laugh.

I love this show!! Topics are always interesting, even when I don’t expect it, PJ is a great host and the theme music rocks

PJ is a fun, curious host tackling questions at all levels of importance. I absolutely love the format of the show, the range of questions PJ tries to answer, and the unique mix of answering interesting questions while not taking oneself too seriously

I like the content of this show but the dude needs to annunciate better. He slurs his speech like a drunk person.

One of the best produced, best written podcasts out there. Great storytelling and in depth investigation into curiosities in this world. I never miss an episode. Great. Just great.

Search Engine helps me feel better about the weird questions and confusions swirling in my brain. Not because it answers anything, but because I know there is a community of listeners and creators that are also wondering and just trying to make sense of it all. The show is rarely predictable and always satisfying. The guests and experts are varied and knowledgeable and willing to admit their own known unknowns. If AI is replacing the other type of search engines, I hope that this podcast remains as human as possible. And in case you are wondering, Incognito Mode is very worth it. So invest your $ and your time in this podcast and these creators.

There are many podcasts with this kind of premise; this is by far the best one.

I listened to Reply All for years and generally enjoy PJ. Is he a little insufferable in an “NPR voice” way? Yes. But I mostly have fun listening to this podcast. That said, this week’s episode about working versus having a family left me cold. To not acknowledge the POV of a mother/primary caretaker felt really shortsighted and frankly exclusionary. This show has always been a little navel gazey, but this episode felt a bit disgusting. I get that PJ was working some personal stuff out that created additional bias, but this is a huge issue in the US that deserves a more thorough approach. I’ll probably listen to future episodes, but this one was a real doozy and made me view the host in a less flattering light. I suggest hosting a follow up episode that explores the struggles of childcare and what having a child means for women in the workforce, even in 2025.

PJ has a gift in turning seemingly random questions/topics into timely, interesting, and frequently heartfelt stories. Awesome content

Give it a shot, even if you didn’t like “Reply All.” I didn’t, but Search Engine is in my top 3. I can’t wait for the next episode. It’s intelligent but approachable. Interesting topics. It’s something you can share with people you struggle to find entertainment to enjoy together. It’s fun and casual but still professional and in-depth. If you like to just get the gist of something while you do dishes or walk the dog, this is a good podcast for you. If you like to get all the facts and really think about it, there’s plenty for you to sink your teeth into. I’ve listened to most episodes more than once, just to make sure I absorb it all. I love it so much I pay for it.

You know what they say: “Turn your passion into a job and you’ll never be able to tell if you’re working or not for the rest of your life.”

PJ asks delightful yet thoughtful questions in interviews that are too addictive to miss

Lives up to its name, covers a huge breadth of topics. Well-researched stories. Suitable for those curious about many things in the world, but if looking for a show with a sharper focus, probably better look elsewhere.