When all of my friends told me to start listening to podcasts, I was a little bit skeptical. I have always loved listening to music when I’m walking from class to class or doing homework. Going into my freshman year of college, the music was just not working anymore. Certain songs were on repeat too much and I would always just stare at my phone trying to find a good playlist. When I started to listen to podcasts, it was totally life-changing for me. I loved getting invested in the crime stories or being informed on the news, both pop and political, or comedy podcasts that would make me fall on the floor laughing.
Podcasts have become a new form of entertainment for all in 2019. They are essentially a form of radio that doesn’t include too many commercials and caters to many different audiences. Podcasts are good for students who need something to listen to while studying or walking around campus. There are podcasts for everyone, whether you are interested in crime, need some motivation, or just want some tips on how to lead a better lifestyle. Here are some suggestions to find your perfect podcast!
For learning about what is happening around us:
The Daily is a podcast from The New York Times, hosted by Times political journalist Michael Barbaro, that offers updates on what is happening in the world on a daily basis. The episodes are about 20 minutes long and go in-depth about one story with interviews from various sources or the listeners can learn about different perspectives from one argument. At the end of every episode, the host also recaps other headlines that have happened on that day. This is perfect for those who love to catch up on the news but don’t always have the time to read the paper and go on news websites via their phone.
For motivation and helpful tips:
Work in Progress is perfect for those who are looking to feel empowered on what to do with their life or those who want to listen to a variety of empowering people. Hosted by Sophia Bush, Work in Progress features interviews with various people she is inspired by. Some of the interviewees include Gloria Steinem and Chelsea Handler. The episodes are about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 30 minutes long and have conversations that are intimate, but not intrusive on the guests’ lives. Sophia talks about the moments where she realized it is okay to be a work in progress and be put together at the same time.
Raising the Bar is a podcast for any entrepreneur out there who wants to start their own business or is in the midst of doing so. Alli Webb and her brother Michael Landau are founders of Drybar; a chain of salons that have the sole purpose of giving blowouts. Alli and Michael give listeners advice on how to risk everything for their business. The co-hosts also talk about products/brands they love and have casual conversations as a brother and sister would.
For your murder mystery mind:
Serial details the true story of an 18-year-old girl who was killed in 1999. The girl’s ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was found guilty for her murder and sent to prison. The podcast explores all the details of the trial to find out if Adnan is guilty or not. Each episode is about an hour and includes interviews from various witnesses that took the stand and maps out the time schedule for the murder. There are also 2 other seasons that detail the story of a man being held captive by the Taliban for 5 years and cases with the Justice Center Complex in Cleveland. If you are a murder mystery fan, I would definitely check this podcast out!
For comedic relief:
Call Her Daddy is for anyone looking for some comedic relief and seeking a new understanding of their romantic life. It follows Alexandra Cooper and best friend Sofia Franklyn while they live in their 20s in NYC. It is a funny, relevant, and informative podcast to help women take charge and the hosts share their experiences so women can connect on what they are going through with a laugh. The dynamic duo helps guide women through the crazy dating world and touches on taboo topics that not many podcasts talking about. The hour-long episodes leave the listeners feeling empowered with their life and crying with laughter by the end.
Music is a good option to provide entertainment when you have your headphones in, but podcasts give listeners entertainment and knowledge all in one. These podcasts help me find motivation, keep me updated, or give me a good laugh and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Happy Listening!