Chris’ Channel Guide for YouTube
I love YouTube.
I don’t really “smash that like button,” I’m not someone who “rings that bell,” and I don’t comment very often — but I do watch, and I watch a lot!
So in this blog, I want to walk you through some of my favourite channels/sub-genres on YouTube and highlight some awesome creators along the way!
For each channel, I’ll include a link to their channel and highlight a video so you can get a taste of what they do and how they operate!
This guide is as much about introducing content into your “algorithm” that steers it toward some pretty excellent communities as it is about highlighting incredible channels. So pick and choose as you’d like!
So now, in no particular order — and with no specific pattern…here we go!
Small Disclaimer: There might be some creators that get political or otherwise talk about their personal beliefs. Those beliefs in no way reflect my own. I’m just here for the content.
Also, you can find a list of additional channels that didn’t make the “main” cut at the bottom of the page!
Chapter 1: Maker Channels
Maker channels are defined as “people who make stuff on YouTube.” So if you like seeing how things are built, being entertained by absurd builds, and generally learning a little along the way — these are some channels for you!
StuffMadeHere
This channel is relatively self-descriptive…stuff gets made there. The presenter is well-spoken and knowledgeable, and the projects are outlandish and silly, but the content is gold!
Simone Giertz
Simone Giertz, the former “Queen of Shitty Robots,” turned professional maker is a fantastic channel if you enjoy a slower pace, less focused on the purely engineering side — and more on expressing creative and hilarious ideas through the medium of building.
Fireball Tool
Aside from ogling all the pretty tools, the presenter does an excellent job of walking through his thought process — and showing what a bit of ingenuity can bring to any build!
Bonus “Smaller” Channel: Thea Ulrich
Thea Ulrich doesn’t have a lot of videos, but the ones she has are great. The highlighted video is a fantastic watch, even if you don’t know Mark Rober, as her energy and passion for making things are a joy to watch!
Chapter 2: Music
Now, you might think I mean musicians — and I wouldn’t blame you for it — but we’re going deeper. That’s right: Music theory! So prepare yourself for video essays about music and music theory!
Adam Neely
Neely is a pioneer in the “musical theory video essays” sub-genre — and was the inspiration for several incredible musical channels. Armed with a Berklee music education, a bass, and a love of jazz.
Neely focuses primarily on European/Western music theory but has some great videos discussing and exploring all corners of our musical world.
Also, if you’ve ever wondered about polyrhythms, Neely is your man!
12tone
12tone appears as a hand that draws fun cartoons and teaches you about music. The highlighted video shows 12tone’s ability to discuss more serious topics elegantly while providing a quality breakdown of an incredible song.
Rick Beato
Beato is a staple in the YouTube music community. Not afraid to throw shade and always teaching you something — Beato has been killing it for years!
Cory Wong (and the Wongnotes)
Cory Wong and the Wongnotes is a great way to get introduced to several amazing musicians. Packed with talent and laughs, there’s nothing better if you’ve got some downtime.
Bonus “Smaller” Channel: Anuja K
Anuja is an example of a music channel that steps outside traditional western music — and if you have a passion or interest in music, I highly recommend her channel!
Chapter 3: Edu-tainment
Educational YouTube is great, and entertainment is great….
These channels are a solid mix between the two, but if you’re looking for more “purely” educational channels — don’t worry; they’re coming up!
ElectroBOOM
Sadaghdar brings entertainment like no one else. There’s a lot to learn along the way as well! If you’re interested in electronics or electricity — you’ll love ElectroBOOM.
Numberphile
Numberphile (part of the Brady Haran suite, all of which are great channels) is on its face a channel about numbers on some brown paper. However, the more you watch — the more you realize that this is a great way to keep up with a fun and exciting cast of characters (who just so happen to be incredible mathematicians)! In addition, Numberphile is a great way to introduce people to maths gently and to inspire them along the way!
A few other highlights from the Haran suite:
Veritasium
Hot take: I don’t love Muller’s content.
I know, I know.
“Then why are you linking it?!” you might ask. Fair point.
Muller’s content is one of the most exciting jumping-off points into deep dives and crazy corners of the YouTube-o-sphere that exists today!
Take, for instance, the video I’m highlighting. The video itself is fine, the presentation is high quality, and there are no critical inaccuracies. Sure, the information is watered down, and there is some “strategic simplification” here and there. The real value, however, is in the comments—chains of YouTube video responses — and responses to the responses.
In short, Muller’s content is acceptable — but the content it inspires is *incredible*, and I owe those videos for showing me a lot of other fantastic channels.
Tom Scott
There’s not much to say — Tom Scott; give him a watch.
Also, he has a newsletter!
Chapter 4: “Science” (…it’s mostly Physics)
Science YouTube is one of the best places on the website. YouTube is filled with brilliant and talented people giving free information!
While I’m skipping some of the titans, which you probably already know, there’s an undergrad worth of lectures you can watch from the top-rated universities in the world available FOR FREE on YouTube. Some examples here:
Quantum Physics I — from MIT OpenCourseWare.
Intro to Biology — from MIT OpenCourseWare.
Information Theory, Pattern Recognition, and Neural Networks — from Cambridge (delivered by David MacKay)
All this to say, if you ever wanted to do serious deep dives on topics — including listening to lectures (also usually supplemented by the course texts): You can find it all on YouTube.
With that out of the way — let’s move on to some fantastic channels!
Sabine Hossenfelder
With an impeccable German wit and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, Hossenfelder creates content that is (for the most part) thought-provoking and insightful. She can explain complex topics in easily digestible ways and has a penchant for making any topic interesting!
Fermilab
Fermilab, with the presenter Dr. Lincoln, is a channel that does excellent reviews/recaps and sometimes the occasional deep dive into all things Physics!
MinutePhyiscs
For quick hits of Physics explained with examples and illustrations — MinutePhysics is an excellent place if you’re having your morning coffee and need something to do while you wait for it to cool!
Chapter 5: Maths
Yes. Maths. On YouTube.
Stick with me. If you like math, machine learning, Physics, science, economics, or building/engineering/tinkering, you’ll love Math YouTube.
It’s like Numberphile, but denser!
StatQuest with Josh Starmer
Starmer brings a refreshingly childish glee to statistics and mathematics. While you’re not going to walk away from his videos with a profound understanding of the math that powers the world — you’ll learn something from his videos. I would recommend these for newcomers, as they’re relatively simple — but if you’re having an issue conceptualizing certain concepts, this is a great way to build your intuition!
3Blue1Brown
Sure, you might argue this should be in edutainment — but I think the primary focus of Sanderson’s channel is to educate in a “fun” and illustrative way, as opposed to delivering entertaining content with a side-effect of learning.
Michael Penn
If you’re a fan of “person standing in front of a blackboard patiently walking you through complex mathematics,”. Look no further. This is the guy.
Chapter 6: Food, yes…Food.
Okay, hear me out: FoodTube.
It’s got everything you’d want: Drama, food, recipes, and food.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. These are just a few of my favs.
Adam Ragusea
Ragusea is a character in his own right, but the videos are plenty — and almost always entertaining. From recipes to history lessons and everything in between. If you like food and you don’t find his on-screen persona irritating. Ragusea is a great watch!
Alex
A charismatic French chef going on culinary adventures. This channel speaks for itself and is always a joy to watch.
Adam Liaw
Not sure what’s with all the Adams, but Liaw is a fantastic chef who cares about production quality and presentation and teaches about the origins of the foods he cooks.
Maangchi
Maangchi is a tiny package with a huge personality and a font of amazing recipes and videos!
Internet Shaquille
With punchy commentary, a crude sense of humour, and the cooking skills to back it up. Internet Shaquille is a breath of fresh air in the YouTube Chefs community!
Well, that about wraps it up for now — thanks for reading, and as promised, here’s a list of the things that didn’t make the cut!
Makers:
BONUS CANADIAN (PG13): AvE
Music:
Edutainment:
Science:
Maths:
Food:
Great suggestions! We have a lot of channels in common, but there's plenty of channels for me to check out here, thanks Chris!
Depends now I am listening to different types of music for a different purpose @Alan Dershowitz noting the effects @Andrew Weissmann