I started getting into podcasts around last year. I’ve been trying to find new and different podcasts that so I can add a little more variety in what I routinely listen to. Some of these are pretty well-known and others, not so much, but they’re definitely all podcasts that I have learned and benefitted from. I’m sure you will too.
Life Kit
I recently discovered Life Kit and I am so glad I did! I feel like this is the exact podcast I need as a college student carving my path to independence. This podcast is by NPR and I feel like the name speaks for itself! The podcast gives life tips and advice ranging from how to start composting to parenting and each episode is pretty short and to the point! They also feature guests who are specific to that field of interest yet the content is not overly complicated. Oftentimes, they summarize the tips learned at the end of the episode, so it’s easy to know what’s important to remember. I literally learned how to buy a car in about 20 minutes LOL.
A lot of times (almost every time) I find myself learning about topics I never knew to think about in the first place. I seriously think this podcast has episodes on just about everything.
Dare To Lead
I’ve mentioned Brené Brown in multiple posts, but that’s because this podcast has been super eye-opening for me! Brené Brown is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, Dare to Lead, which focuses how we can use what leaders and those who invoke change do, to become better leaders ourselves. I definitely find the podcast form a little easier to listen and learn from everyday, just because I can do other things while listening. She features authors, doctors, and more on her podcast and the topics range greatly—from emotional granularity and toxic positivity, to embracing vulnerability and acknowledging what you don’t know. I will say though, the episodes are fairly long (at least an hour) so I don’t always end up finishing an episode in one sitting.
When I started listening to the podcast, I was definitely not expecting the topics covered to be so broad. The way that the podcast is delivered also prevents it from being something cheesy or cliché. It’s definitely changed my perspective on what needs to be addressed to become not only a better leader, but also just a better person.
Untangle
Untangle is a podcast I came across while specifically looking for new ones to listen to. This podcast is from the app, Meditation Studio by Muse, which I have not used before (but I do want to start meditating at some point). My favorite episodes include the ones featuring Dr. Steven Gundry which focused on the relationship between your gut health and your brain, as well as the episode featuring Dr. Rubin Naiman and the way he explains his understanding of sleep and its relationship to ourselves during the waking hours.
I really love how unique the topics covered are. Overall, I get a sense that this podcast focuses on just generally improving your health and well-being through the advice of experts without over-advertising their products. It’s a really good balance, and I find myself getting sucked into an episode. I also like that the hosts ask questions that I would ask myself as a listener and that the guests featured really break down the topics their discussing rather than the conversation being hard to follow.
Not Overthinking
This was one of the first podcasts I started listening to. Not Overthinking is hosted by brothers, Ali and Taimur Abdaal. They intro their podcast as one about “happiness, creativity, and the human condition” which is accurate as a listener. But overall, it’s a pretty casual (much more than the description implies) conversation and feels like you’re just listening in on friendly banter. Being an overthinker myself, I tend to find that I don’t get into specifics in a regular day-to-day conversation with most people I know. It’s nice to feel a sense of comradery with fellow overthinkers and be able to dive into a specific topic. Sometimes I find myself agreeing or disagreeing as if I’m actually part of the conversation.
I do think sometimes, the two go a little overboard and try to over-analyze a topic where it seems to me there has been a clear conclusion about whatever the subject is, but I mean there’s no harm there and that seems to be the point! I like the fact that it seems organic and unfiltered, which is something to keep in mind when listening to the podcast. Especially with more recent episodes, it doesn’t seem to be designed to necessarily be politically correct, but rather just spewing out thoughts and current opinions that may even change by the end of the podcast. It is definitely on the longer end as well though, so it’s not one of those episodes where you can finish listening to it in one sitting.
The Daily
I’m sure this podcast has been heard of before. The Daily by The New York Times seems to be the least biased podcast regarding current events, politics, social causes, and more (take that with a grain of salt considering it is still involving current events). I definitely think that I have learned a lot about the world from just listening to a 20-30 minute podcast every so often.
I really like that specific individuals are featured and there is a minimal amount of emotion involved. They tend to be structured where the host, Michael Barbaro, is asking the featured guest simple questions regarding a topic. Some interesting topics I have learned more about include the corruption behind nonprofits operating homeless shelters in New York, the political and power conflict in Myanmar, the Presidency in the US, and more. With that being said, if there are similarly formatted podcasts like this that are more neutral, I would love to know!
Short Wave
I love how “bite-size” the content is. Short Wave is a very light-hearted yet informational podcast involving ten to 15 minute episodes that revolve around various science-related topics. I also love how diverse the topics are, ranging from from Coronavirus, to Venus, to purple urchins! Being a STEM major, I have had my fair share of textbooks and scientific articles, etc. But this podcast lets me step away from the usual science I learn, and allows me to enjoy learning random, fun tidbits about very different areas of science.
I also love that it also features various individuals from completely different science backgrounds, yet they’re not throwing in a bunch of scientific vocabulary but rather explaining concepts and discoveries casually and in an exciting way!
That’s all I have! These are a few podcasts I’ve been listening to that I personally enjoy the most! Hopefully you can learn something new from at least one of these if not all.
