I’ve logged 746 hours of listening on my podcast aggregator application, Stitcher, and that probably just covers the last couple of years. Before Stitcher, I downloaded podcasts to my iPod or iShuffle (remember those?) and somehow managed to burn through every episode of This American Life while I “enjoyed” a summer internship.
Podcasts make a lot of mundane tasks — like tree trimming, laundry, grocery shopping, and other day-to-day chores — more enjoyable. Podcasts give you the opportunity to learn something about the world, yourself, or a stranger, and sometimes just give you a chance to laugh.
Five new podcasts you need to check out:
Invisibilia
The title is Latin for “all the invisible things.” This show explores all the elusive influences — love, technology, power, ideas — that shape our lives. It mixes a little science in with interviews and personal observations.
Episode to Try: “The Secret History of Thoughts”
Home of the Brave
The pleasant-voiced Scott Carrier — an award-winning writer and regular contributor to This American Life — runs Home of the Brave and does pretty much whatever he feels like with it. Each episode follows its own formula, length, and storyline, whether new or old.
Episode to Try: “The Cover Up”
StartUp Podcast
Have you ever dreamed of striking out on your own? Starting your own business and becoming your own boss? StartUp can relate. Follow Alex Bloomberg’s journey of starting, well, this podcast startup. Yeah, it’s pretty meta.
Episode to Try: “How Not to Pitch a Billionaire“
Slate’s Double X Podcast
This one has been around a while, but the current panel includes some of my favorites: Noreen Malon, senior editor at New York, Hanna Rosin, senior editor and founder of the podcast, as well as June Thomas, Slate’s culture critic and editor of Outward, Slate’s LGBTQ section. They discuss feminist issues, current events, and pop culture, where they agree to disagree on many topics but also give great recommendations.
Episode to Try: “Selfish in Thailand Edition”
Serial
Serial tells one story in 12 episodes in an attempt to get at the truth of an issue. Seems like a simple enough idea, but, as listeners learn, the truth can get complicated. It’s like listening to a true crime version of Twin Peaks, and it’s highly addictive.
Episode to Try: “The Alibi”
Five classics I’ve never stopped listening to:
WTF with Marc Maron
His interviews feel like overhearing a conversation between two old friends, even when he’s never met the guest before. Maron is funny, charming, and refreshingly honest, and at times he doesn’t shine the best light on himself. I often fantasize about someday sitting in his garage being interviewed by him (you know, when I become famous).
Episode to Try: “Episode 111 | Louis CK: Part 1” (I cry every time I listen to this.)
RadioLab
Radiolab magically blends science and philosophy into one show, resulting in many mind-blowing observations.
Episode to Try: “Colors”
Savage Lovecast
Dan Savage gives real sex advice to anyone who asks. This show will help open your mind to what is going on in the bedrooms of strangers.
Episode to Try: the current “Micro-Episode” is a good place to start.
The Splendid Table
I’m an avid food lover, and I have tried a number of delightful food podcasts. At one point in time, I even made my own podcast episode called Foodstuffs, but nothing holds a candle to the glory that is The Splendid Table. Lynne Rosetto Kasper interviews chefs, cookbook authors, and farmers, and even gives call-in-advice, all in one show. It’s the ultimate foodie podcast.
Episode to Try: 555: “Ramen Slurp”
This American Life:
This mothership of American podcasting spawned a generation of honest storytellers and launched the careers of David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, and David Rakoff, among many others.
Episode to Try: this is like picking a favorite puppy; I can’t even think straight. Just choose one already.
