Podcasts, newsletters and Youtube channels every PhD student should follow

The journey for a PhD student demands constant focus and energy to stay at the absolute frontier of their field. According to our survey results, Outlier Experts—high-caliber domain specialists—blend rigorous research with high-level supplemental content, citing the Lex Fridman Podcast, MIT OpenCourseWare, and 3Blue1Brown.

On Outlier, we recruit high-caliber domain experts and PhD students to refine generative AI models. We surveyed our Outlier Experts in September 2025 to identify the exact resources they prioritize. This guide is your curated list of the podcasts, newsletters, and YouTube channels recommended directly by them. Use it to stay informed and connected, maintaining the necessary rigor of your research—a critical skill for working with AI.

How PhD students stay informed: what the data says

Our survey of Outlier Experts confirmed a fundamental truth: top experts rely on academic-first habits, blending peer-reviewed sources with specific, high-quality supplemental media.

The most common discovery methods include:

• Reading research papers on sites like arXiv.org and Google Scholar

• Attending professional conferences

• Using established professional networks

The content below is the media that these highly specialized contributors use to supplement their deep research, making it ideal for the focused PhD student.

Top podcasts PhD students are listening to

Analysis of the data shows Outlier Experts have a strong preference for a mix of big-picture, long-form intellectual interviews and highly specialized, science-focused shows. 

Top YouTube channels for PhD students

The Outlier Experts survey found that contributors often use platforms like YouTube for general information and news rather than for deep research. However, a select few channels were cited as essential resources for high-level technical refreshers and academic lectures.

The most popular YouTube channel recommendations from our survey include:

1. 3Blue1Brown: Renowned for its clear and visually intuitive explanations of complex mathematical concepts, including linear algebra, calculus, and neural networks. This channel is particularly valuable for PhD students and researchers working in quantitative fields.

2. MIT OpenCourseWare (MIT OCW): Provides free, high-quality full-course lectures from one of the world’s leading technical universities. MIT OCW is an excellent resource for filling knowledge gaps or reviewing foundational concepts outside your core specialty.

3. The Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS): Offers lectures and talks from the frontiers of theoretical research, often featuring leading scholars in physics, mathematics, and related fields.

These YouTube channels are valuable because they help develop the critical skill of evaluating complex, interdisciplinary information—a skill that is increasingly important across research and academic fields.

Newsletters PhD students should follow

Based on the survey results, Outlier Experts follow these newsletters and research platforms:

Top professional journals (newsletters/online editions):

• Nature

• Science

• Quanta Magazine

• Cell

• Physical Review D (common among physics and math experts)

Research platforms:

• arXiv.org & Google Scholar — frequently used via email alerts for new preprints and citations.

The common thread among these sources is rigor. Journals represent the most reliable, peer-reviewed, and current research, while platforms like arXiv provide access to cutting-edge preprints. For a PhD student, these resources are vital for tracking emerging data, identifying shifts in academic consensus, and ensuring your research remains at the frontier.

Keep learning, keep leading: join Outlier’s Expert community

By actively using academic and professional platforms, you cultivate the highly valued skills of analysis, rigor, and staying current at the research frontier.

Outlier is a platform for flexible, part-time opportunities where we connect your high-level expertise directly to the challenge of building smarter generative AI. You'll perform intellectually stimulating tasks like correcting complex scientific errors and creating sophisticated training prompts.

Here’s how to get started:

• Sign up on Outlier.ai and share your academic or professional background.

• Get matched with projects that fit your field—physics, biology, linguistics, data science, and beyond.

• Become familiar with project guidelines to understand task requirements and evaluation methods.

• Start contributing to AI reasoning, accuracy, and data quality improvements.

Convert your deep subject-matter expertise into paid contribution on a flexible, part-time schedule that supports your research and academic commitments. 

Join the Outlier community of experts today.

FAQ

Which YouTube channel is best for students? 

Based on our Outlier Experts survey, the best educational channels for advanced students focus on high-quality, dense information. The survey cited 3Blue1Brown for visually intuitive math and concepts, and MIT OpenCourseWare (MIT OCW) for free, full-course lectures that help fill knowledge gaps in quantitative fields.

How to be an excellent PhD student? 

Excellence as a PhD student relies on strategic prioritization: prioritizing primary research and peer-reviewed materials (like arXiv.org), using high-quality supplemental media for learning during downtime and continuously applying analytical skills.

What are the three types of podcasts for students? 

Advanced students typically utilize three main types of podcasts for growth:

• Interdisciplinary: Deep, long-form discussions bridging technology, science, and philosophy (e.g., the Lex Fridman Podcast).

• Performance: Content focused on optimizing health and function for high-level work (e.g., Huberman Lab Podcast or The Drive).

• Niche-Specific: Highly specialized shows that dive deep into a single academic discipline (e.g., PodCat or Materialism).

Who is Lex Fridman? 

Lex Fridman is a research scientist at MIT specializing in AI and robotics. He is best known as the host of the Lex Fridman Podcast, which features in-depth, long-form interviews with leading thinkers in science, technology, and philosophy. The podcast is widely recognized for its thoughtful and intellectually engaging discussions.