Ever since the world hopped on Serial, podcasts have replaced your iTunes playlists. They are a great opportunity to seize your travel time and turn it into something worthwhile. Instead of refreshing Instagram, you can listen to success stories, love stories, and murder stories. It’s like bringing your TV on the subway. A few of my favorites.
This American Life
This Monday my train troubles extended my commute by an hour. Normally, this would make me mad. Fortunately, there was a new episode of This American Life. The stories they share are captivating. They find people from the craziest walks of life, and manage to make you laugh and cry in the same episode. If you like John Oliver, you’ll find all the sh*t she talks about on this podcast months before.
Start with: The Middle of Nowhere
More Perfect by Radiolab
You might know a thing or two about a few Super Court cases. Most likely, you can’t recount 99% of them. More Perfect humanizes the textbooks, and narrates the stories you never knew about– but play a huge effect on how we live.
Start with: The Imperfect Plaintiffs
Lady Lovin’
Your boyfriend won’t want to listen to Lo, Greta, and Jilly…but you will. The ladies of Lady Lovin are 3 best friends in their late twenties/early thirties in NYC. They are writers, comedians, & DJs with really cool friends that they interview each week. Spend a month listening to their weekly episodes and you’ll probably feel like you know them personally. I’m 100% certain Greta and I would be best friends IRL.
Start with: #47 The Coveteur or #45 Meet Dr.Angela, our favorite OBGYN (podcast app)
Death, Sex & Money
The way they put it –Death Sex and Money covers the things we think about a lot, and don’t talk about enough. The host, Anna Sale, has the unusual ability to make people talking about dark topics feel at ease. She asks the hard questions about not-so-glamorous circumstances. Since I started listening, I haven’t skipped an episode.
Start with: Dead People Don’t Have Any Secrets
girl boss radio
Sophia Amoruso has had a sh*tty year. Her first company, Nasty Gal, declared bankruptcy and she recently got a divorce. Despite being on the cover of Forbes early on in the year, 2016 has been a dumpster fire for her. That being said, Girl Boss is thriving. Sophia interviews some of the most interesting and inspiring women in business. I find myself taking notes in the middle of her episodes
Start with: Yesi Ortiz, Radio Host Power 106
guys we f****d
If you listen to podcasts, you’ve probably listened to GWF. If you’re reading this because you want an introduction to podcasts, you need to listen to GWF. Korinne and Krystyna are standup comedians living in NYC. They say things to thousands of people that you can barely get yourself to whisper to your partner. They interview
Start with: YOU GOT CHEATED ON BY A GUY IN JAIL? or ARE PEOPLE IN ISIS HAVING SEX?
STRANGERS
I’ll admit– at first I was a little turned off by the voice of the narrator in strangers. She doesn’t have the soothing tone of Anna Sale with DS&M. However, I don’t think I’ve laughed and cried this much at any other podcast. Every story starts out with two strangers. In the most recent episode, the woman went over meeting her husband, having her son, noticing something abnormal about him, & the insane road that followed. Strangers will remind you love is real, while narrating unimaginable pain.
Start with: Matjames and Tyler: Flee, Flood, Float.
2 dope queens
There is sooo much to love about Jessica Williams (Daily Show) and Phoebe Robinson (Soooo Many White Guys.) The 2 Dope Queens are standup comedians in NYC with an incredible rapport. The episodes are lighthearted, funny, and usually include several other standup comedians. Definitely worth a listen.
Start with: Hamilton Adjacent
Modern Love
If you love a good romantic movie– you’ll be addicted to the love stories in the NYTimes Modern Love column gone podcast. Every episode is completely unique and will make you feel all the feels.
Start with: To Fall in Love, Do This (30)
What are your favorite podcasts?
