There’s no denying it: Podcasts are in. It seems that every celebrity, YouTuber or blogger is starting their own podcast, or at least appearing in someone else’s. I used to think of podcasts as something my grandparents only listened to. Why simply listen to someone when you could see them on TV or the Internet? Now, podcasts are all the rage, even with the younger demographic. After fighting the hype, I caved and started listening to a podcast, and now I’m hooked.
Why the sudden interest in podcasts? According to Forbes, 112 million Americans listened to podcasts in 2017, and that number is up 11 percent from 2016. Podcasts are easy to find on the Apple Podcasts app, Spotify and other mediums. Not only are smartphones on the rise, but so are smart cars. All the new cars being manufactured have Bluetooth capability. People are turning away from radio talk shows and are instead moving towards podcasts since they can be easily played through a car’s speaker with Bluetooth.
With all the podcasts on air in our current culture, which ones are the most applicable for college women? Here are some of my recommendations.
1. “The Morning Toast”
This podcast is a great way to start off your day. In “The Morning Toast,” Claudia Oshry and Jackie Oshry catch listeners up on all the latest news, celebrity gossip and their own personal anecdotes. The banter between the sisters is incredible, and luckily, they release a podcast every weekday at 10:30 am. You can find them anywhere you find podcasts AND on their Youtube channel where you can see them recording IRL. You’ll want these girls to be your best friends.
2. “Thick And Thin”
One of my favorite YouTubers is Katy Bellotte. She’s living my dream: a successful college graduate, has an amazing post-grad job and lives in her own apartment in NYC. Her podcast “Thick and Thin” is about her life in the Big Apple, her dating life and her advice for others. She’s relatable, yet wise beyond her years. She posts weekly and is very in-touch with her listeners via her Instagram page (@katybellotte), so follow her there to make recommendations for the podcast.
3. “Bad With Money”
The host of this podcast, Gabby Dunn, is an alum of BuzzFeed. Her wit, humor and creative skills are all in her podcast about money and finances, a topic I shy away from or get bored with. She talks about the stock market, health care and more topics that seem complex, but Gabby will help you through. As we approach the “real world,” it’s important to learn about finances, and we should have fun while doing it!
4. “Stuff You Should Know”
As one of the top podcasts on Spotify, “Stuff You Should Know” is all about, well, things we should know. Do you know why safety pins are so great or how maps work? Probably not in as much detail as the hosts Chuck and Josh do. If you ever wanted to be a trivia champ or wow your friends with facts, this is the podcast for you. Maybe you’ll never be asked survival cannibalism (May 11th, 2016’s podcast), but you’ll know that you know, and that’s all that matters. Also, fun fact, Mark Ruffalo actually recommended this podcast to his followers on Twitter, so it’s definitely worth a look after being recommended by our fave Marvel sweetheart.
5. “Guys We F****d”
“Guys We F****d” is an anti-slut-shaming podcast that is all about sex on the surface, but explores more complicated issues like gender norms, feminism, and confidence, all topics that relate to young women. Hosts Corinne and Krystyna are hilarious (they are the comedy duo Sorry About Last Night). The podcast comes out weekly, but if you can’t get enough, they released merch and have a book. They are seeking to make the world a more sex-positive place one podcast at a time.
6. “Gals On The Go”
“Gals on The Go” is another podcast from the Youtube community. Danielle Carolan and Brooke Miccio are both students at the University of Georgia. They go through trials and tribulations that we all go through, like exams, college boys, networking and trying to balance school and a social life. They share their tips, experiences, and my favorite part, an inside look into the life of an “influencer.” Not many influencers talk about their jobs, but Brooke and Danielle are transparent and answer their listeners’ questions. They post every Wednesday.
7. “The History Chicks”
“The History Chicks” is the first podcast I’ve ever listened to. As a history major, I took a particular interest in this show, but I believe everyone will love it. Beckett and Susan talk about exclusively famous women of history. They’ve discussed women from Ancient Rome to the present day. My favorite episode was on Marie Antoinette; they did a great job of showing the “real” Marie, not the “let them eat cake” version. One of the best ways to be a proud woman is to learn about impactful women that have come before us, and “History Chicks” is a great way to do so.
Podcasts are a great way to make road trip, a run or even a walk to class more entertaining. Finding one you love is easy, and who knows, maybe you’ll start your own!