Drowning out the sound of dishes
My podcast recommendations for intellectual conversations and a bit of delight.
I’m not a devotee to resolutions, but I have set a few intentions. I imagine you may have some goals for the days and months ahead too. So, instead of going deep today, let’s start the new year with something a little lighter: podcast recommendations.
Just in case … a podcast is sort of like listening to NPR or talk radio. To me, the difference is you can pick the host, genre, topic, story, etc. you like and then, like a Netflix binge, listen for hours and hours. (FYI: Some podcasts are actually more like listening to a lecture or two friends talking. I won’t be recommending any of those.)
I didn’t start listening to podcasts until just before going to graduate school in 2018 — mostly because I wanted to understand what my classmates were talking about (and creating).
Once I started listening, though, I was hooked. The medium even made washing the dishes infinitely more tolerable and, daresay, enjoyable.
Some podcasts helped me get through pretty tough times. Others made me laugh and cry. Many of the shows and topics were part of what inspired this newsletter in the first place.
I’ll break my recommendations into two categories: those more delightful and those more emotional and psychological. Skip over the ones you aren’t interested in and, please, leave a comment if you have recommendations for me. If nothing else, going through the list will give you insight into some of the things I plan to write about this year.
For a little more delight in your life
I recommend all things Phoebe Judge. This North Carolina based journalist and podcast host has what I think is a soothing voice and the stories she chooses to explore are usually filled with intrigue and delight. Her show This is Love isn’t necessarily about romantic or familial love — it includes love for animals, nature, and ways of life.
Two memorable episodes to get you started: “Something Large and Wild” and “Ugly Club.”
Judge also hosts the sometimes disturbing, sometimes delightful, always surprising true crime show Criminal.
This episode, “Family Money,” is about a well-off woman who is a little too trustworthy of her relatives. You may have read about the case elsewhere, but, if not, give it a listen:
For moments of delight focused on nature — or what happens when humans interact with it — check out Overheard at National Geographic. Hear reporters and photographers at the publication discuss their experiences and dive into some niche topics.
My favorite episode is about rats. I listened to it while soaking up some sun last year and still remember how impressed I felt at the intelligence of these rodents. (Though I still don’t want them in my house.)
Unlike the magazine, listening to Overheard doesn’t require a paid subscription, making some of National Geographic’s reporting accessible to those who may not be able to get it otherwise.
There are episodes on whale songs, what makes a musical genius, the inspiration for Black Panther’s women warriors, what science tells us about living longer, and how it could be a good thing when kids start lying.
For help and inspiration navigating life’s tough questions
One of my favorite topics to discuss is psychology — probably because I’m still working on figuring myself out — so these are the types of conversations I like to listen to as well. Some are just plain interesting while many have been helpful in my personal growth journey. Most offer validation and reassurance for the things in life that often feel most isolating.
A Slight Change of Plans is about how our perspectives change, surprising realizations we have, and reframing our beliefs. Or, as host Dr. Maya Shankar puts it, it’s “A show about who we are and who we become in the face of a big change.”
I found this episode really inspiring when I was trying to decide whether or not to stay at my last job. I listened to a lot of shows on the subject of quitting, the Great Resignation, and career transitions. This is a standout: “The Science of Quitting.”
To stay on the workplace theme, my next recommendation is The Anxious Achiever hosted by entrepreneur Morra Aarons-Mele. She interviews business leaders who face mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. Episodes often explore how managers can help facilitate psychological safety and healing in the workplace.
Hearing Morra and her guests discuss their issues with workplace boundaries, burn-out, perfectionism, and the struggle to speak up as an introvert has made me feel less weird about my own issues around work and workplace culture.
“How to Stop the Cycle of Overachieving” is a good episode to start with to see if you like the show.
You may have already heard of Death, Sex & Money with Anna Sale. It was name an iTunes ‘Best Podcast of the Year’ in 2014. The show was “born out a desire for open and honest conversations about the things that we ‘think about a lot, and need to talk about more.’”
If you know me, you know that speaks to me. I’m all about reducing stigma around talking about tough topics (we’ll explore why this may have started as a boundary issue some other time).
The show recently did a series on estrangement: ending friendships, cutting off family members, leaving religion and what it is like to be the one who is cut off.
For more conversations that are a little more general audience regarding psychology and spirituality, I recommend Life Examined and Hidden Brain.
When an episode of Life Examined isn’t about spirituality, Jonathan Bastian’s still makes the listening experience feel spiritual. I enjoy the conversations and topics, but also the zen state the show can put me in. Typically, I find it very calming.
Hidden Brain hosted by Shankar Vedantam is about what shapes human behavior and decision making. And, because this may be the year you’re thinking “New Year, New Me,” here is another episode on the topic of authenticity:
That’s all, folks. I hope your ears enjoy what you hear. And don’t forget to share your recommendations with me.
Editor’s note: typo fixed post-publishing. Judge’s voice is soothing!
Since you're a journalist, you might enjoy You're Wrong About. It goes back through major media stories and de-bunks them. They do often talk about how media plays a role in how we got it wrong or exaggerated certain aspects of the stories.
My podcast recommendation is Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People (also known as Beautiful/Anonymous) Comedian Chris Gethard takes one hour phone calls. Chris can’t hang up. The callers can if they choose. They stay anonymous. The episodes cover a wide range of topics and can range from light hearted, funny, and chit chatty to raw, emotional, and heartbreaking. One of my recent favorites is the episode titled “Library Boy”. Plus, Chris hails from our beloved home state of NJ, so we’ve got to support our Jersey brethren! Chris is also an outspoken advocate for mental health and therapy which comes up often and I think relates to your newsletters. Hope you check it out and enjoy!