Whether I’m walking to my next class, trying to get a workout in, or even cleaning my apartment, I’m most likely on Spotify and listening to a podcast. Over the past few years, the number of podcasts I have listened to has increased dramatically. What started as a simple way to entertain myself at the library, has quickly spiraled into an obsession. Listed below are five podcasts that I absolutely adore.
Beauty:
Fat Mascara
Hosted by beauty editors, Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Goldstein, Fat Mascara is my go to podcast to get a dose of all things beauty. In listening to this podcast, I’ve found myself making more conscious decisions about the brands I shop and the types of beauty content I’m consuming. They have interviews with a number of experts in the beauty world, including makeup artists like Patrick Ta and Nam Vo, and beauty brand founders like Jerrod Blandino of Too Faced and Charlotte Cho of Soko Glam. Other episodes include interviews with dermatologists, podiatrists, and plastic surgeons to explore the scientific components of beauty. Each episode concludes with a “Raise the Wand” to products that Jess and Jenn have been using and loving.
Episode Highlight: “Red Lipstick Rules”
Breaking Beauty Podcast
Hailing from Canada hosts Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins are long-time beauty editors and lovers. The mission behind Breaking Beauty Podcast is to deliver “the damn good stories behind today’s best-selling beauty products and how they came to be.” Their show is broken down into two components. “The Damn Good” features interviews with industry leaders like Tomi Gbeleyi, founder of Makeup For Melanin Girls, and Anastasia Soare, founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills. Each of these episodes explores what it takes to enter into the beauty industry and the inspirations that propelled each founder forward. The second component is “The Glow Down” which is the review portion of the podcast in which Jill and Carlene highlight products and offer their honest insights.
Episode Highlight: “Tata Harper Skincare Founder Tata Harper”
Comedy:
Girls Gotta Eat
The relationships in your life are all vastly different and incredibly important in defining who you are. Hosted by Raina Greenberg and Ashley Hesseltine, each episode of Girls Gotta Eat plays like a conversation you are having with your best friends about partners you’ve had, or dates that ended in complete comedic disaster. Episodes cover romantic relationships as well as friendships, but they also highlight the fact that the most important relationship you have is the one you cultivate with yourself.
Episode Highlight: “The Most Iconic TV Couples (And Why They’re Bullsh*t)
The Unofficial Expert with Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin
The Unofficial Expert podcast with hosts Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin make it so easy to get wrapped up in whatever story they are telling. Whether it’s about an interaction in an Uberpool, or recounting the shenanigans that occur when traveling Europe alone, each episode has left me nearly in tears. The experts they feature use their own experiences, as well as their professions, to discuss a wide range of topics like Sex and the City, honesty, housewives, and bad luck. Sydnee and Marie are hilarious in their delivery and each episode is a delight.
Episode Highlight: “Friendship Expert (w/ Ilana Glazer)
Culture:
Up at 2:38 A.M
Two midwestern boys currently attending Ole Miss, Brady Cairns and Luke Fox, share their thoughts on what is happening in pop culture. Their podcast, Up At 2:38 A.M., discusses topics like the ever-growing number of streaming services, Lil Nas X and all of his successes, and monumental movies like Avengers: Endgame. Most recently, the podcast has even moved to YouTube. Episodes explore what in pop culture is important to these two college students and are voiced with comedic flare. And yes, The Bachelorette Finale was discussed at length.
Episode Highlight: “Leave Spider-Man Alone Please”