So, if you saw my If We Were Having Coffee post recently I mentioned I was wanting to get into podcasts and asked for suggestions from you all while I was searching for other podcasts. OH MAN I think I’m addicted already and, like anything I’m newly addicted to, I’m just diving in and adding way too many to my list.
I typically listen to a lot of audiobooks in the car or while I’m cleaning or making breakfast or getting ready but I was just feeling like I wanted something different sometimes. So my car time and getting ready time and so on is now this constant Sophie’s Choice between music, audiobooks and podcasts.
So I think my issue with podcasts as of right now is when they have HUGE feeds of past episodes because I’m like OMG WHERE DO I START? DO I just jump in with the current one? Start from the beginning? I’m so the kind of person that gets twitchy if I don’t start something from the beginning but also I want to be on the current episodes. How do you all deal with this?? HOW DO YOU PODCAST?
So here’s the ones I’ve listened to as of right now (like a substantial amount of episodes) and some of my thoughts:
I randomly came upon this one in my searches and oh my god I love these girls! They are two long distance besties and I just want to join their squad, k? They are so funny, smart, interesting and like cool feminist chicks that have just really entertained me so far. I love how balanced they are — they give us a glimpse into their personal lives, talk about the silly and frivolous and also the important things like feminism and diversity and such. It’s a great mix of pop culture, politics, current events, awesome rants, etc. I’m so amused by them and I just feel like I’m chilling on my bed and painting my nails while on a three way call with my besties (which was so fun back in the day amirite?). Two besties catching up and talking about everything and anything. Definitely my entertaining podcast fix. I started at the beginning with their pilot episode and I so want to keep going and catching up but I also want to like be listening to their current episodes because of all the current events and stuff they talk about. But but even already there are “inside jokes” from other episodes I’ve noticed and I’ve only listened to like 7 so far.
Official about on their website: “Call Your Girlfriend is a podcast for all the long-distance besties out there, brought to you by Gina Delvac, Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow. Every other week, tune in as we discuss Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the beauty of caftans, menstruation news, Kimye, Pitbull, Hillary Rodham Clinton, casual racism, emoji, straight people, California, rom-coms, Lorde lipstick, and so much more.”
I mentioned in my If We Were Having Coffee post that I missed learning, like school learning. So a bunch of people mentioned this podcast in that same post when I asked for podcast recs so I thought it was a good fit for the learning AND the podcast need. I’ve enjoyed it so far and have learned some interesting things. Definitely great for history nerds like myself! I love learning about obscure things I might not have really heard about or that I didn’t know much about. I’ve found myself wanting to go research afterwards or even thinking, “OH MAN I WANT A YA HISTORICAL BOOK WRITTEN ABOUT THIS.” They have been doing podcasts since like 2005 so there are A ZILLION. The first episodes were super short like 4-8 minutes but now the more recents are like 30-40 minutes. I’ve been listening to just the most recent ones because you don’t really need to follow them in order at all. However, sometimes when I’m getting ready in the morning and only have like 10 minutes I’ll listen to two of the older episodes for a quick history fix. I also have been skipping some when they really just don’t interest me at all but I’m mostly open to learning about random things.
My friend Ellie was talking about this at book club and I was like OMG I AM SO ON BOARD. I really loved Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project so I really wanted to give this one a try. It’s about happiness and ways to add happiness to your life! I could always use that. I love the format and I love that it is Gretchen and her sister doing it. I typically listen to this one to start my morning off on an inspiring and good note. I started at the beginning just because they didn’t have THAT many in as they just started in April of this year. They are about 30 minutes each and I just find them to be a good way to start my morning. Nothing like EARTH-SHATTERING but I’ve found that I’ve enjoyed starting my day off this way and thinking about some of the things has boosted my mood and started my day off right.
Official description:
Other ones I subscribed to but haven’t started yet:
Serial
Totally Married
Stuff You Should Know
Tranquility du jour
Do you listen to podcasts?? Let me know what I should listen to!
P.S. My favorite book podcasts!
Meagan says
Love CYG and I seriously think that Happier changed my life. Seriously. Especially setting an alarm for bedtime, total lifesaver! I’m going to have to check out Stuff You Missed in History Class for sure!
Meagan says
Also just to tack on to your list: I loved Invisibilia! TED Radio Hour and This American Life are also worth a listen!
Krys says
Great podcast suggestions, I’m adding ‘Call your girlfriend’ to my list. Currently I subscribe to several CBC shows that I don’t listen to often on the radio.
– Krys
Libby @ Through the Wardrobe says
I love podcasts but I’m the same as you, I never know where to start with them once they’re downloaded – the beginning sounds logical but will I ever catch up if its a weekly thing! I am adding Call Your Girlfriend to my list as sounds like such a fun listen and I would definitely recommend Serial but I warn you it is addictive!! Get a friend to listen to it too – its great for debates and discussing the case.
Sarah @ Sarah Can't Stop Reading says
Stuff You Missed in History Class is one of my favorites! If you like history & NYC, The Bowery Boys is a great podcast. I also really like listening to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, which is a fun/funny way to stay up to date on current events.
Leah says
YAAAAAAAY!! SO thrilled you’re loving Missed in History! It’s definitely one of my all-time favorites.
Kat C says
I am obsessed with podcasts and lots of people I know seem to be obsessing too ! I work with this woman in her 60s who just discovered them and she always tells me the new ones she finds. This week she told me she discovered Night Vale. I need to listen to more podcasts by women so I will have to check some of your recs out.
I’ll also suggest Invisiblia and add Planet Money since you said you liked the learning ones.
I also like Swoony Boys (the audio quality isn’t great though) , Book Riot and Dear Bitches, Smart Authors as my book-ish podcasts.
Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally says
I used to listen to so many podcasts but after a long period of not listening I just started getting back into it. I listened to one episode of Call Your Girlfriend, loved it and then forgot what it was called. But now I am subscribed. THANK YOU! I’ll have to check out a few of the other ones you mentioned as well.
ashley says
Oh! Thank you for the new podcasts! I’m JUST getting into them by listening to ones that Steph Perkin’s recommended. But mostly I’ve been listening to Another Round, Best of Friends and sometimes This Creative Life with Sara Zarr and First Draft with Sarah Enni.
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
I haven’t listened to podcasts in a while, but those all sound so good! I used to listen to The Nerdist (geeky celebrity interviews), which I enjoyed a lot.
Nadia says
I have the same problem with choosing what to listen to when I’m driving. I was on an audiobook kick at the start of this year, which then transformed into a podcast obsession, and months later here we are.
I listen to Welcome to Night Vale (so much love for this one <3), Serial (eagerly awaiting S2), Last Name Basis. From the Book Riot team: All The Books, Book Riot Podcast, Dear Book Nerd, Reading Lives. And sometimes: Bookrageous, This Creative Life with Sara Zarr.
Shannon @ River City Reading says
I’m a little bit of a podcast junkie (it’s the reason I can’t do audiobooks – I spend all my headphone time listening to podcasts instead), but a few of these are new to me! Call Your Girlfriend sounds similar to Slate’s Double X podcast, which I love. Another favorite is Literary Disco, which is bookish but also just a great, hilarious trio of friends that keeps me laughing endlessly.
Carrie Mesrobian says
I am in total love with Death Sex & Money w/ Anna Sale:
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/deathsexmoney/
Inge @ Bookshelf Reflections says
I have never listened to a podcast in my life, but I’ve definitely been looking for things. I think I’ll try out the one by Gretchen Rubin, as I read The Happiness Project earlier this year and I really enjoyed it! It doesn’t need to be earth-shattering, but if, like you say, it’ll give me that extra boost to make something of my day, I’ll be pleased.
Erin says
Definitely going to check out your recommendations!
If you listen to Serial and enjoy it I’d also recommend Criminal 🙂
Sierra says
I used to force myself to listen to some Bible podcasts, and recently I’ve tried Jenna Marbles’ and Julien Solomita’s cast, but I’ve never quite found a podcast that clicked with me or made me want to explore the format more. Something about the lack of visuals makes me just tune out…I’m the same way with audiobooks if I’m not reading along. But I’m saving this post for ideas if I ever decide to try again!
Becca says
I mainly lurk, but I have to say you NEED to watch Serial. It’s so good! You can finish it over a few days (or less) because it will SUCK YOU IN.
Nicole @ Reading Books With Coffee says
I am obsessed with podcasts, so I’ll try to keep it short! I’m definitely adding Call Your Girlfriend to my list! I second the Welcome To Night Vale recommendation, as well as Dear Bitches, Smart Authors and the Book Riot podcasts.
Something about Call Your Girlfriend makes me think of Pop Culture Happy Hour and Greetings From Nowhere! I like Good Job Brain for random trivia and The History Chicks for women in history.
I usually jump in with whatever the most recent episode is, but if a podcast has less than 10 or 15 episodes, I’ll usually start from the beginning.
Yousor says
Podcasts are cute because they make you feel like you’re taking part in the conversation! I checked out SERIAL after a friend recommended it to me and that was the very first podcast I listened to. I absolutely loved it and I strongly recommend it.
Deanna says
I am OBSESSED with podcasts right now. The stuff you missed in history sounds like a really interesting one so I think I’ll add it to my massive list! I’m actually starting a monthly podcast feature where I talk about and feature a podcast I’m listening to so this post gave me more options.
I have the same problem where I have to start from the beginning, so I start listening to all the backlogged episodes. I don’t know if I would recommend this. For stuff like Night Vale I think you should do this since it’s more of a radio show, but for ones where they interview or just shoot the shit, I think you’ll be okay to start right in.
Topaz @ Six Impossible Things says
Ahhhh, podcasts! I actually only recently got into them, but I’ve been listening to them every day while I jog, and seriously, they’re SO much fun (which is a little odd for me, because I actually can’t stand audiobooks. For some reason my mind tends to wander, but I’m totally fine listening to podcasts?? Weird but true). I’ve been loving HAPPIER + SERIAL – and by the way, it’s vitally imperative that you listen to the latter. Podcasts are such a lovely way to get our daily dose of information, inspiration, and entertainment.
Blair says
So I just started Serial today… And finished it! No shame; it’s that good! You’ve got to listen to it ASAP. I couldn’t stop! You’re gonna love it!
Melissa W. says
A really good one is Mike Duncan’s A History of Rome; really well researched and Mike has a really good delivery; you will not be disappointed.
Audrey says
I was redirected here from your latest Coffee post, and I swear I’m 10 minutes into Call Your Girlfriend and I am IN LAHV. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the recommendation, I’m looking forward to enjoying 35 episodes of this excellency 🙂
Krista says
You need to listen to LORE!!! If you are interested in folklore and legends this one is absolutely amazing and addicting. There is only about 18episodes so far. Also, SERIAL is so flipping amazing. I was addicting from the very first episode. I became obsessed with the story and the people.