When it comes to music, everyone has their own taste, genres and top five songs they would play at a party. One navigates their Spotify with ease, knowing exactly what to play at different points throughout their day. Podcasts offer a more uncharted territory. It is harder to know who makes the best ones, if you want to be listening to the newest psychology science or the dating advice of a twenty year old influencer. After roughly four years of dabbling in the podcast scene, I have a well formed idea of the podcasts a university student should be listening to, whether it be while folding their laundry, on their way to class, or in a 30 minute lineup at the Starbucks in the CHEBB.
Anything Goes By Emma Chamberlain
Society follows, engages with and eats up pretty much anything Emma Chamberlain gives her opinion on. It is no surprise to me that her podcast is a fan favorite as well. Anything Goes is one of my favorite podcasts because it offers a relaxed listening experience. I put this on when I am in the bath, walking to practice or doing things around the house. One of her best episodes, in my opinion, is simply called “sex.” Emma aims to impress no one with her candid opinion of how the media portrays sex as something it isn’t. She talks about how awkward it can be, why it is not something to rush into doing, and how it isn’t something to be embarrassed to talk about.
The Daily by TNYT and The Journal
If you’re someone who isn’t a fan of reading the daily paper but likes to stay informed, these two daily podcasts focus on daily stories in the American media. The Journal primarily focuses on finance and politics with The New York Times incorporating more stories from the media like the Elon Musk Twitter scandal. Both are productive additions to any morning routine.
WorkLife with Adam Grant
Anyone who pays attention to organizational psychology knows who Adam Grant is. A professor at the Wharton School of Pennsylvania, Grant interviews some of the world’s professionals on the science behind making work enjoyable. This podcast requires more attention to reap the benefits of listening, but can overall shift and improve our opinions on psychology in the workplace.
The Psychology of Your 20’s
I must be honest, this podcast came to me randomly with the very first episode I listened to titled “how to be happy: single and alone in your twenties.” It struck a chord with me as it attacked similar issues Chamberlain speaks on but from a psychological perspective. It also incorporates science into the conversation surrounding the reasons fewer people in our generation are getting into relationships. It is a comforting podcast that reminds you of all the other people going through the same quarter life crisis as you, while allowing you to take away some new psych knowledge after listening.
The more you listen to podcasts, the more you learn what style you like. My father would not be caught listening to anything by Emma Chamberlain, but he greatly enjoys listening to organizational psychology with Adam Grant. Everyone’s taste is different, just like music. However, I think these podcasts are the perfect starting line for a university student who needs to laugh every once in a while, but is still looking to understand more about the world and the people around them.