I have a long commute to work and most of the time I listen to audiobooks, but this year I’ve also added in podcasts to the mix. They’re so fun! My criteria for a podcast is: has to be light & upbeat, not explicit, and I can’t be annoyed by anyone’s voice. Here’s what I have on rotation.
Must Listen
Joy the Baker – my first podcast love and still my favorite. Joy and Tracy just chat about random things and answer questions from listeners. I feel like I’m talking with friends when I listen, and I frequently laugh out loud.
Book Riot – this is relatively new but it’s so great! Jeff and Rebecca talk about news and happenings in the world of books and publishing. They are the editors of Bookriot.com which is a site I love, and they’re also super personable and entertaining. If you’re a reader you should definitely check it out.
Simple Mom – hosted by Tsh of the blog of the same name, with a rotating list of guests. They talk about blogging, motherhood, media, food, fashion, and all kinds of things. I relate to most of it and it feels like another chat with friends.
Give it a try
It’s A Thing – this is kind of fun and quick. Tom and Molly each talk about one trend they’ve noticed that has lately become a “thing.” Totally unscientific and with a southern California bent, but still interesting and light. I think they’re on break right now but they say they will be back!
Freakonomics Radio – I’ve never read the book but it’s hosted by the authors and they talk about all sorts of subjects. It’s super interesting and I’ve learned a ton; enough to impress my trivia-obsessed husband. :) The more I listen to this one the more I like it.
Radiolab – This can be hit or miss for me, because some of them are too serious for my liking, but I have heard some truly great stuff on it. I guess it’s kind of sciency-based, but sometimes they just have short stories or other random things.
That’s all I have in rotation right now, but do you have any more to suggest I try?
From Amanda:
I didn’t know The Simple Mom had a podcast! Yay yay yay!
From Kelly G:
Whete do you get your podcasts and audiobooks? Do you pay for them all?
From Peter:
My girlfriend is working on convincing me to listen to Joy the Baker.
I recently started listening to this one: http://www.earwolf.com/show/how-did-this-get-made/ (Lots of swearing though.)
I actually didn’t really start listening to podcasts until after I started doing my own.
From Nora:
I haven’t ever listened to a podcast. I guess I’m weird?
I’m intrigued by the book one so I’ll have to check it (and their site) out!
Thanks for the recs and sorry I don’t have any to contribute.
From Melanie:
Ooh, Freakonomics has a podcast? That might be enough to motivate me to figure out how to listen to one-ha!
From Sarah:
Ooh – I bet the freakonomics podcast is good! It’s a Thing sounds interesting, too. I listen to a lot of the same podcasts you do, and I also really enjoy This American Life.
From dad:
I might try the freakonomics one, sounds good, tx for the tip