Before the end of last year, I never got into the habit of listening to podcasts. I always associated myself as a visual learner, and I could never absorb information as well if I didn’t have a visual to accompany it as well. I’m the kind of person to turn on English subtitles for an English movie just to catch every bit of dialogue. But this year, I’ve gotten into the routine of listening to podcasts. Each of them can be fit to accommodate your morning routine to catch up on news or learn something new while getting ready.
1. The Daily by The New York Times
The Daily is hosted by Michael Babaro from the New York Times and each podcast delves into one particular news subject. It’s hosted every weekday, and comes out at 6 am EST on the dot. Michael Barbaro, a news journalist, invites various journalists and guest speakers on air to share their experiences about the relevant news story. He interviews these experts, and even complex issues can be broken down into easy to understand bits for listeners. Each episode is 20-30 minutes long and can be fit into a get-ready routine.
2. Morning Edition by NPR (National Public Radio)
The Morning Edition is every weekday by the NPR, a 24-hours public radio available worldwide. It has continued on for three decades and condenses the past day’s news in a short 10-minute segment. The reporting is supplied by NPR reporters as well as journalists all around the world.
3. Ted Talks Daily by TED
Ted Talks Daily is a collection of Ted Talks from TED and TEDx conferences around the world. Each episode ranges from 8-15 minutes long, and covers a wide range of issues such as culture, science, climate change, identity, history, business, and more.
4. The Daily Show With Trevor Noah: Ears Edition
If listening to journalists is difficult in the morning, listen to Trevor Noah from Comedy Central who breaks down recent news in a funny way. Each episode is a compilation of highlights and extended interviews of Trevor Noah’s Daily Show. Each episode is around 20-30 minutes long and can start your day off with lots of sarcasm, jokes, and impersonations.
5. Today, Explained by Vox
Hosted by Sean Rameswaram, Today, Explained is a 20-25 minute podcast that comes out at the end of the day. Vox journalists on the air break down the news and add additional details to the day’s hottest news. With a twinge of humor, Rameswaram helps listeners understand some trending news pieces today. Their slogan, “No filler, all killer,” is true to a T when the show hosts are direct and straightforward in the commentary, often bringing up points that listeners did not expect.