The Breakdown

The Breakdown has been a staple of crypto podcasting since 2018, racking up around 2,000 episodes that consistently manage to make sense of market chaos. Originally built by NLW (Nathaniel Whittemore), who became one of the most trusted voices in the space, the show transitioned to new host David Canellis in early 2026. That handoff has been a mixed bag -- longtime fans miss NLW's distinctive storytelling, while others appreciate the fresh perspective. Produced by Blockworks, the show drops episodes semi-weekly with a mix of solo explainers and guest conversations. The explainer episodes are the real draw here. Instead of just reading headlines, the host contextualizes developments -- connecting stablecoin regulation to macro policy, or explaining why a seemingly minor protocol change actually matters. When the format works, it feels like having a well-read friend walk you through the week's most important crypto events. Guest episodes bring in builders, regulators, and analysts for longer-form conversations that go beyond surface-level takes. The 4.9 star rating from 733 reviews reflects years of goodwill built up under its original host, so new listeners should keep in mind the show is in a transitional period. Still, the Blockworks production backing ensures consistent quality and access to top-tier guests. For daily listeners who want signal over noise in crypto markets, The Breakdown remains one of the more reliable options in a very crowded field.