Podcasting is officially taking over the radio world. According to myndset.com and convinceandconvert.com, in 2015 there was over 180,000 active podcasts, and 67 million monthly listeners in America. If you haven’t logged onto your Podcast app or checked out the Spotify podcast section, you’re missing out on a whole new niche of culture. Podcasts are kind of like the Netflix of radio; they’re on demand, and there’s a wide variety of shows, from news and talk shows to fiction and how-to. Sometimes, sifting through the insane array can be disorienting. If you’ve never listened to podcasts before, there are a ton of lists on the interwebs that have podcasts for every interest. But, if you’re looking for a list of the raddest, most relevant podcasts for college women, you’ve came to the right place.
1. Millennial
Millennial’s a start-up project of recent college graduate Megan Tan, which quickly blew up and skyrocketed into podcast fame. She’s kind of living the dream, as she went “from passion project to full-time job,” but she’s also incredibly honest about her struggles and uncertainties. The podcast starts as a documentary of relevant adulting problems Megan faces, through the lens of being a millennial. After the first season, though, the focus broadens to telling many millennials’ stories. Some episodes cover long distance dating, filing your taxes, being a woman in Cuba and unpaid internships. Each episode is funny, honest and incredibly in-depth. Some stories will leave you giggling, and others you’ll still be thinking about months later. Great for: anyone who has big dreams and wants to figure out how to make them happen.
2. Stuff Mom Never Told You
A spinoff of the popular show How Stuff Works, this podcast is a “research-driven rundown of the ever-evolving challenges facing women today and throughout history, paired with smart, strategic solutions to further women’s lives, careers, and activism,” according to the show’s website. Stuff Mom Never Told You is hosted by Emille Aries, a “political organizer turned award-winning women’s leadership expert,” whose career advice has landed her Forbes articles and TED talks. The other host is Bridget Todd is a writer and political activist. Topics covered include feminism, PDA, welfare and the cultural appropriation of being “exotic.” Great for: women who are fired up about equality, feminism, and being awesome.
3. Modern Love
Anyone who’s a New York Times fan will love this podcast. Taken from the newspapers “Modern Love” column, the episodes feature readings and talks with the essayists. Exploring intimately the ins and outs of love and heartbreak, this podcast’s truly beautiful. Modern Love has NYT level of sophistication, but with all the honesty and vulnerability of the others on the list. Great for: anyone who needs evidence that love still exists outside of rom coms.
4. Sexpert with Mia Renee
Sexpert is hosted by Mia Renee Cole, a current student at UNC Chapel Hill. She, while studying Spanish and French, is badass enough to also be producing the podcast at the same time! The show is a “sex positive podcast,” with the goal of chatting about sex and taboos that aren’t taught in the lackluster sex-ed classes. Episodes are chatty and entertaining, honestly making it fun and easy to learn about how to be safer and better at sex! Great for: anyone who likes sex or is curious.
5. Serial
This’s one of the most popular podcasts in the world and for good reason. Serial, created by the minds behind This American Life, is a season-long murder mystery, that’s based on a true story. Sarah Koenig investigates and interviews everyone involved; she’s basically a badass, female Sherlock Holmes. If you need a reason to procrastinate an essay, you’re welcome. Great for: watchers of Criminal Minds and/or lovers of murder mysteries.
Happy podcasting, collegiates!