Sometimes I can find myself scrolling for hours, looking for a podcast that matches the vibe that I am searching for. After stop-starting 20 episodes, by the time I have found something appropriate, I have arrived at my destination. Usually left with a hole in my knowledge of: a guide to productive morning routines, all the best cafes in Thailand or what Derren Brownâs dream meal is. Hopefully, with this insight into my favourite podcasts, you will never have to experience this same feeling! Â
Whether it is commuting to lectures, on the bus, or just for some background noise, nothing hits like a good podcast. Saying this, not every podcast is appropriate for any circumstance. If I am home alone, the last thing I want is to terrify myself with a true crime podcast. So, to make life easier I separated the article into 2 sections. Easy listening â these are my guilty pleasures that are failsafe, home alone listen. And, informative â my way of staying up to date with the world affairs, maybe not so easy to listen to but still has its time and place.
Informative Podcasts
Letâs start with the informative podcasts. Every morning, as I walk to my labs I listen to the Times News Briefing for that morning. It can get intense keeping up to date with all the goings on in the world, but this 5 minute daily podcast keeps you informed with the most important headlines of the day. Another way of keeping up to date is with the âThe Rest isâŠâ podcasts, which have different series depending on what you are looking for. My personal favourite is The Rest is Entertainment. I have found it a healthy way of hearing celebrity gossip and on top of this learning about the entertainment industry from different perspectives. There is also a âThe Rest is Politicsâ podcast, that I am yet to venture into, but I hope to be on that level soon! True crime is a controversial topic, but I feel like sometimes it can be done better and more respectfully than other times. The Serial podcast has a few great series that had me hooked and I wish I could go back to listening to for the first time.
Easy Listening Podcasts
Somewhere in between informative and the easy listeners is my faveourite and most listened to podcast: Off Menu. Hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster, the Off Menu Podcast has a different guest each episode who gives details about their dream starter, main, dessert, side and drinks (not in that order). Maybe as a self-proclaimed foodie, I love hearing about food for an hour, but even if that doesnât peak your interest, the hosts and guests also bring lots of laughs and an insight into celebrity life. Some more of my guilty (but not really that guilty) pleasures are Here for the Craic, Inner Monologue and Match Made in Manhattan. These are the podcasts that youâll catch me smiling to whilst hiking up The Travellator or listening to whilst cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Match Made in Manhattan follows the dating lives of 3 friends in New York, I feel like I have been on a journey with them all through dating horror stories, crazy nights out and the occasional successful dating app match. A special shoutout to Her Campus St Andrewsâ own podcast Wine(ing)! It is always fun to listen to what other people have been up to in St Andrews and it feels like being on facetime with one of your girlfriends. It truly fills a void that was in my podcast lineup!
And there we have it… Whether youâre looking for a laugh, gossip or inspiration then hopefully there is something here that will make your morning walks a bit more interesting. Happy listening!