Ever since starting my first office job I have been searching for ways to entertain myself while working on the computer. I quickly discovered that Podcasts are a great alternative to music that keep my brain active and engaged. I have learned SO many random and interesting facts from these shows I regularly find myself quoting them in conversation (to both the entertainment and annoyance of my friends). But hey, I enjoy what I learn so much I just want to share it.
Since I'm fairly new to the world of Podcasts, I have discovered most of my favorites through my friend's recommendations. That's why I decided to write this post. For the people who have been curious about Podcasts but don't know which ones to check out, or have not heard of them before and are now intrigued, I have for you my favorite shows, along with some of my favorite episodes from each. Enjoy!
Stuff You Should Know was the first Podcast that I really got into. I can listen to these guys for hours. Chuck (AKA "Chuckers") and Josh not only talk about interesting, albeit random topics, they do it in an entertaining, sometimes downright hilarious way. They have this bro-mance dynamic going that for some reason I really enjoy. From this show you can expect a brief, open-minded lesson on basically any topic they can think of. If you have ever found yourself wondering how something works, from Barbies to cocaine, they have probably done a show about it that's worth a listen.
Favorites: How Barbie Doll Works, How Lewis And Clark Worked
Stuff Mom Never Told You covers every imaginable female related topic. I fell in love with this Podcast because these ladies address very real, modern questions and issues faced by women today, and they do it in an educated, classy, and quite frankly bad-ass way. They are fearlessly feminist but defend their opinions with layers of research and facts. Although this show is clearly geared toward women, anyone interested in contemporary topics seen from a women's point of view will find this show engaging and thought-provoking.
Favorites: Exotic Beauty, Are Disney Princesses Good Role Models?, How Long Should You Wait To Have Sex After Meeting Someone?
This American Life is my current favorite. They tell a variety of stories each week, with a chosen topic broadly linking each together. Sometimes the stories are laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes they are humbling, at times they are hard to listen to, but all of them document a reality of the American experience. Sometimes these topics are addressing a contemporary issue faced by society as a whole, and sometimes they are deeply personal. From this show, I have learned that there is an interesting story in the most unlikely places. That within families, workplaces, houses, neighborhoods, and personal histories across this country there is a vast network of experiences. Some are completely different from your own, others are strangely relateable. I really enjoy getting an brief yet intimate glimpse into the lives of the people that contribute to this show.
Favorites: 129 Cars, Harper High School, Part One, Harper High School, Part Two, The Psychopath Test
Serial is a spinoff of This American Life that has gotten a lot of media attention lately. The overall feel of the story telling is similar to This American Life, however it follows the same story week after week. Serial is currently covering the story of Adnan Syed, who was found guilty of murdering Hae Min Lee, a girl he dated in high school back in 1999. People who knew him before the murder claim there is no way a likable, popular, and charismatic kid could have committed such a disturbing crime, and there are definite gaps in the story he was convicted on. However, the jury did not hesitate to put him in jail. It plays like a murder mystery TV show, and is equally addicting. Each week I find myself eagerly awaiting, Thursday when new episodes air.
Favorites: Haunted, Lucy, Galapagos
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