Since I work from home and am alone all day (I love it, no complaints here), I get to listen to a lot of audio books and podcasts. Right now, I’m leaning more toward podcasts then audio books, and I want to share my current favorites with you.
I’ve written about podcasts I love before, but it changes so much based on what’s just come out, what I’ve recently discovered, or what my attention is drawn to during this season. So I feel like I might have to write these posts every once in a while. Plus, readers shared great recommendations last time I wrote about podcasts and I’m always on the lookout for more.
Terrible, Thanks for Asking
I’m still loving this one, and they just started a new season which is good because I missed Nora and Hans. Nora McInerny hosts this podcast on “talking honestly about our pain, our awkwardness, and our humanness, which is not an actual word.” I love the storytelling McInerny does and, I know this doesn’t sound like a positive thing, I cry listening to almost every episode. Life is hard and beautiful and Terrible, Thanks for Asking reminds us of that well.
My Favorite Murder
Dang it, I love true crime, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Georgia and Karen are smart, funny, vulgar, and MY BEST FRIENDS. I would normally steer clear of a podcast that goes over an hour, things tend to get slow and I lose interest, but they tell such interesting stories and get sidetracked with humor and honesty that I don’t even care if it takes them forever to tell a story. Stay sexy. Don’t get murdered. Elvis, want a cookie?
Dirty John
Have you listened to the story of Dirty John?? I listened to every single episode in one day–I could not stop. Dirty John tells the story of a family almost brought to ruin by a deranged drifter who tricked their mother into marriage. Researched and written by the LA Times, the podcast reads like a highly engaging news series. If you’ll be in the car with a few adults, download this series and listen to it together. You will lose your minds and yell at the people as they tell their stories. Then you’ll be shocked at the ending. (And good news! Dirty John was just renewed for a second season and will focus on another self-contained story.)
Girl’s Girls
I’m still enjoying Brittany Gibbons and Meredith Soleau talking about everything, literally everything. This isn’t the podcast for everyone, but if you’ve ever wondered what girlfriends talk about when they’re hanging out together, this would be a good start. I like to hear their points of view and stories even if I don’t necessarily agree with them all the time. But they’re fun, funny, and very similar to my real-life friends so it’s an enjoyable hour once a week.
Missing Richard Simmons
I wish there were more of these episodes, but when you’re hunting for the elusive Richard Simmons, there are only so many places you can go without actually including him. If you’re a child of the 80s, listen because the Richard Simmons story was probably your childhood. If you’re not a child of the 80s, listen because he was probably your exercise guru or was for someone close to you. His story, his life, and his disappearance are so interesting. I’m still holding my breath hoping one day I’ll see a new episode pop up in my podcast app and the news will be THEY FOUND HIM.
The Chris Loves Julia Podcast
I like to hear people talk about home design even though that’s weird to listen to something that is so visual. Go figure. I follow Chris Love Julia on Instagram and love their blog for design inspiration. They tell interesting stories, inspire me to look at my house differently, and seem to really like each other which is fun to listen in on.
The Road Back to You
This podcast was a short run to coincide with their Enneagram book release. It’s informative and engaging to hear Cron and Stabile talk about their book, their research, and their learning in regards to the Enneagram. They interview different numbers (also known as people…), talk about how to be in relationship with people different than us, and how to make sure we’re the healthiest version of ourselves. I highly recommend this podcast if you loved the book. (Specifically, I loved listening to episode 22 with Enneagram 8 Jo Saxton and any that featured married couples talking about how their numbers helped or hindered their relationships).
Typology
Speaking of the Enneagram, after the above podcast was over, Cron started his own, and it’s just as good. His guests are fun and knowledgeable, and I always feel challenged or encouraged by his episodes.
Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
I don’t know where to begin, Esther. How about this: everyone should be listening to this podcast. The first season is available on Apple Podcast and if you have an Audible account, you can listen to season two right now. Perel is a psychotherapist and bestselling author who counsels couples who agree to be recorded during their sessions. At first it feels too intimate and almost nosy to want to listen, but what you learn from each episode will, magically, relate to your own relationships. I left every single episode of Where Should We Begin? with more knowledge, empathy, and relationship skills than I started with. If you only listen to one podcast from this list, I’d hope you pick this one.
Young House Love has a Podcast
This is still on my list–a year in, I’m still listening and loving Sherri and John. They’re lighthearted and engaging, plus I get good home decor ideas and inspiration each time. I also like this one because I can listen to it when my kids are around. A lot of what I listen to isn’t appropriate for my kids, but this one is. And Harper LOVES this podcast too.
Heaven’s Gate
I just started this one, and I’m not sure about it yet. I was in high school when Heaven’s Gate was the top story on every news outlet in the country, and I’m very intrigued with the idea of cults. This series gives the history of the group, introduces us to the people who died, and interviews the families left behind. So much of this just seems ridiculous, but it’s super interesting too. Also, did you know Heaven’s Gate didn’t start off with the idea of mass suicide to catch a ride on Halley’s Comet? Yeah–no one really joins a cult with death as the goal, and Heaven’s Gate didn’t begin like that either.
Not Terrible with Jess Hooker
My friend Jess has recently started sharing her stories on a podcast. They’re hard to hear because she talks about setbacks and heartbreak, but you’ll relate easily to them too. If you’ve ever struggled with life not turning out the way you planned (hello, everyone), I’d invite you to listen to Jess.
Death, Sex, + Money with Anna Sale
After reading Hillbilly Elegy and being moved by it, someone on Instagram recommended the “Opportunity Costs” series by the Death, Sex, + Money podcast. I haven’t listened to anything else but that series, but I LOVED it. I’m really interested in social class, privilege, race, and money right now, and these stories added to the evolving narrative rolling around in my head.
On Being
I’ve recently subscribed to On Being with Krista Tippett. I’ve not listened to many, but this one keeps coming up again and again when people talk about podcasts they love so I want to see what all the fuss is about.
The Goal Digger Podcast
I just began listening to Jenna Kutcher’s podcast. I don’t know why I have an aversion to business talk and planning, but I do. I don’t want my blog or my writing to turn into a business in the sense I’m trying to sell you something or make money so I’ve always thought these things weren’t for me. But in thinking through my place on the internet, I’ve become more interested in how my message is received, who my audience is, and how to best serve those two things. So now I’m interested and less against business podcasts. For now, at least. I might change my mind and go back to disliking them in a month. That’s just who I am.
Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
Do your kids listen to podcasts? They should. There are so many great kid-focused podcasts. My kids don’t watch much TV or get a lot of iPad time, but I will let them listen to audio books or podcasts as much as they want. Ellie listens to Harry Potter books every single day. She’s read them all and loves to go back and read them or listen to them again. When I was her age, I was jamming to Amy Grant, but Ellie’s favorite background noise is Harry Potter. Harper digs this science podcast for kids. They’re short (about 15 minutes) and teach her so many great things about animals, physics, and the world. The girls got science kits for Christmas and love nothing more than a science lesson so I’ll support and encourage that love as long as they let me.
Story Pirates
Another fun kid podcast we’re listening to is Story Pirates. We listen to this in the car or while the girls are playing. I especially love this one because professional voice actors read stories written by kids. The stories are silly, serious, fun, interesting and a million other things–but that kids are actually writing them is so encouraging to my budding writers. The creativity and excitement this podcast brings to our household is infectious.
Okay, that’s a good list, if I do say so myself. What do you love to listen to?
the next right thing by Emily P Freeman
I just subscribed today and I’ve listened to FIVE episodes–thank you for the recommendation. 🙂
I, also, enjoy “My Favorite Murder.”
For the documentary lover- “The Documentary” by BBC World Service
For the short, true story and skeptical side of you- “Radiolab” by WNYC Studios
For the history lover- “Hardcore History” with Dan Carlin (50+ hours of history and you will not get bored even once! I’ve been through it three times now. Yes, I’m a nerd…but also a 5 on the Enneagram so collecting random information is a way of life:) )
This is a good list, thank you! I actually told Chris “Hardcore History” sounds like something he would like.
Thank you for this list as I was looking for new podcasts to listen to! I just subscribed to Terrible, Thanks for Asking and Where Should We Begin. Blessings. 🙂
Yay! Those two are so good. Let me know what you think after you listen!
Large Marge Sent Us
Two sisters who grew up in the 80’s/90’s and talk about movies from those decades. It is awesome and hilarious! They are great! Each episode is a different movie!
That title made me laugh out loud. I used to say that ALL the time.
Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
I LOVE Typology! I’m a type 4 on the enneagram 🙂 icalso love That Sounds Fun with Annie F Downs and Emily P Freeman’s The Next Right Thing.
I started listening to The Next Right Thing this morning and I LOVE it. I’ve listened to a few That Sounds Fun episodes when she has someone on I love. Thanks for the recommendations, Whitney. 🙂