With the current global situation and our new normal, I have been turning more and more to the books, blogs and podcasts that inspire me to stay busy and positive during these times. So read out to find about my favorite podcasts that are “a must” during quarantine.
There are different types of podcasts – the non-fiction narrative storytelling vs. the interview/panel discussion vs. the hybrid, to name a few. There are also different categories of podcasts, such as podcasts about food or about lifestyle or about careers. Some podcasts are very niche and some are more broad and yet others are more random. Long story short, there are a lot of podcasts out there – it’s about finding out what’s right for you.
Before I dive into my podcast recommendations, here are some tips on “how to listen” to podcasts. It seems silly, I know. But it took me a while to warm up to podcasts and here’s what I learned along the way:
1. Give each podcast a fair chance
I’m one of those people who gives up on a TV show when it doesn’t hook my attention within 1 min and 37 seconds. Podcasts can be even less likely to immediately reel you in with their ads or long intros, but I have learned to be more patient and give them a chance. I try to listen to 3 episodes of a podcast before I discount it as “not my type”. Some podcasts have different types of episodes, with interviews every Thursday and mini-episodes every Friday and monthly listener Q&A sessions. You might only like a certain type of episode in a podcast, or you might need to skip ahead to 10 minutes into an episode before you get to the good stuff.
2. But also, don’t force it
Ultimately, not every podcast is going to catch your attention and, quite frankly, not all of them should. Even more so than a good book or movie, a good podcast should be tailored to your likes and interests. So if you don’t find a particular genre interesting, don’t force yourself to listen to those podcasts!
3. Don’t hesitate to increase the speed
If you’re used to watching YouTube videos or lectures at 1.5x speed, then you can comfortably listen to a podcast at 1.25x. The lack of an accompanying visual makes it a little harder to increase the speed to YouTube level. This is why I suggest starting out a little slower than video speed and ramping up as necessary.
4. You might need to engage in active listening
It’s difficult to abosrb the podcast’s content if you treat it the same as instrumental study music. You might need to carve out time for it, to actively listen over morning coffee or on your daily walk. This might also depend on the type of podcast you’re listening to and the level of information you’re hoping to absorb. There are some podcasts that I can idly listen to while I am working. Some I attentively listen to while exercising or commuting.
5. Curate your podcast collection
Treat your podcasts like your YouTube playlists or Netflix recommendations. Subscribe to the ones you like. As you keep listening and discovering new shows, delete the ones you don’t listen to anymore. Take a second to rate and review podcasts, or maybe just read other people’s reviews (there might be some gold nuggets of information there, especially when trying to decide between two podcasts!)
Now to jump into my recommendations! I organized my recommendations into 5 categories: Career, Beauty, Food, Travel, and Entertainment. Within each recommendation, I’ve listed my #1 podcast pick as well as a few “If you like this, you might also enjoy…”. Happy listening!
CAREER
#1 on my all-time podcast list has to go to “How I Built This with Guy Raz“. I only discovered this podcast very recently, but I’ve been hooked from the start. In these podcasts, Guy dives into the stories behind well-known companies (think Sweetgreen, Lululemon, even our childhood favorite Dippin’ Dots). Just the fact that I was learning about companies that I support every day made this podcast fascinating to me. But even more than that – it’s about understanding the mentalities behind these entrepreneurs, the steps they had to take and the challenges they faced. No two success stories are the same, but all of them serve to inspire.
Noteworthy notes
Average episode length: 60 minutes
Podcast style: Interview discussion
My favorite episode: “Lululemon Athletica: Chip Wilson (2018)”
Just for this category, I have to list my top 2 because The School of Greatness cannot be ignored. In this podcast, Lewis Howes shares stories from inspiring business people, athletes, celebrities, and more to find out what made them … well, great. While the morals of some episodes may be obvious, it’s comforting to hear that these simple life lessons are what successful people swear by. I find this podcast to be a must-listen when I’m looking for motivation, or just feeling down and in need of an attitude change. What I particularly like about these episodes is that the description includes a “table of contents” so you can skip to the time points that interest you.
Noteworthy notes
Average episode length: 60-90 minutes
Podcast style: Interview discussions
Bonus: Every Friday, there are special 5 minute episodes that highlight a small tip or tidbit of information. I find these to be perfect listens when I just have a few minutes to breathe or want to take a short mental break during working hours (a necessity these days).
My favorite episode: “10 ‘Happy Habits’ Successful People Do Differently”
BEAUTY
Brooke DeVard was one of the first podcast hosts I listened to, and she certainly gave me unrealistic expectations on how soothing a host’s voice should be. Beauty is a well-saturated genre in the podcast field, but Naked Beauty stood out to me because of the easy banter Brooke has with her interviewees and the lack of “fluff” in her interviews. She dives straight into an introduction about the episode’s interviewee, then the interview, then a post-interview “lessons learned” which sums up the interview highlights. Brooke talks about beauty and skincare with her interviewees, but also about their self-care journeys and how they came to become the editor of a beauty magazine or the creator of a makeup line. Through “Naked Beauty”, I’ve learned some valuable skincare and self-care do’s and don’ts.
Noteworthy notes
Average episode length: 60 min (with special 20 min episodes that feature beauty tips & tricks)
Podcast style: Interview discussions
My favorite episode: “Never Let Them See You Sweat ft. Maya Allen, Marie Claire”
If you liked this, you might also enjoy…
- “The Beauty Closet” by Goop (Favorite episode: “Miranda Kerr: CEO, Victoria’s Secret Vet, and Clean Beauty Pioneer”)
- “Forever35” hosted by Kate Spencer and Doree Shafrir: They have 60-min episodes as well as 30-min mini episodes!
FOOD
What I love about The Splendid Table is that each episode features an interview with a culinary expert in which he or she answers listeners’ cooking questions. It just feels so relatable, from the answers to common cooking questions to the easy banter between Francis Lam and his interviewee. A chef I am not, but my cooking knowledge has grown impressively through many episodes of The Splendid Table.
Noteworthy notes
Average episode length: 50 min
Podcast style: Interview discussion
Favorite episode: “707: Christina Tosi and Bryant Terry Answer Quarantine Cooking Questions” (in which I learned a lot about the effect of temperature on eggs)
If you liked this, you might also enjoy …
- “Gastropod” co-hosted by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley: This show is more for those interested in the science and history behind food, like the invention of the beloved mac and cheese.
- “Home Cooking” hosted by Samin Nosrat: If you enjoyed Netflix’s “Salt Fat Acid Heat”, this podcast is perfect for you! It’s a four-part mini-series dedicated to cooking and creativity in the kitchen during quarantine.
TRAVEL
While I have an extensive list of favorite travel blogs (including this one), high-quality travel podcasts have been more elusive. As a woman, I truly enjoyed listening to Women Who Travel. Co-hosts Lale and Meredith dive into what it’s like to travel as a woman. I especially enjoy their “We Answer Your Frequently Asked Travel Questions” episodes because they provide helpful tips on how to plan safe and economical travel.
Noteworthy notes
Average episode length: 40 minutes
Podcast style: Interview discussions and Q&A sessions
My favorite episode: “Packing Tips from a Maximalist and a Minimalist”
If you liked this, you might also enjoy …
- “Zero to Travel” hosted by Jason Moore: This is a more informational podcast for the aspiring nomad and more inclusive of both genders.
ENTERTAINMENT
Crime Junkie was introduced to me on a long road trip, and it has quickly become my favorite commute podcast. Ashley and Brit dive into a different mysterious death or missing story or murder with every episode, setting the scene and unpacking a full investigation with an impressive amount of evidence. They conclude a lot of the episodes to still be mysteries, but that doesn’t make the story any less interesting. While the topic of murders and kidnappings are grim by nature, Ashley and Brit do an excellent job of keeping it as lighthearted and conversational as possible.
Noteworthy notes
Average episode length: 45 minutes
Podcast style: Nonfiction narration
My favorite episode: This was a hard one to select, but I would have to say “Missing: The Beaumont Children” as it was the episode that hooked me.
If you liked this, you might also enjoy …
- “Serial” hosted by Sarah Koenig: Each season narrates a true story, following multiple characters and all the twists and turns. It’s one of the most gripping podcasts I have binge-listened, to say the least.
- “The Dropout” by ABC News: This one-season podcast details the story of Elizabeth Anne Holmes and her company Theranos. It includes exclusive interviews and detailed insights into the journey from self-made billionaire to criminal.
Other recommendations
And finally, some other highly-recommended podcasts because there are just too many entertaining podcasts out there for you to listen to:
- “Decoder Ring” hosted by Willa Paskin: Each episode explores a different cultural “mystery”, such as the emergence of the “gender reveal party”. Not every episode piqued my interest, but the ones that did were both fascinating and factual.
- “Potterless” hosted by Mike Schubert: This podcast may not be for those who view Harry Potter akin to a religious tome, but Mike’s commentary as he makes his way though the HP franchise is nothing short of hilarious. Without this podcast, I would never have wondered why someone would employ “exploding dustbins” as magical mode of protection.
- “Dying for Sex” hosted by Nikki Boyer: Follow the story of Nikki’s best friend Molly and her sexcapades in the wake of a diagnosis with Stage IV breast cancer. This podcast is a little bit about sex, a little about friendship, and a lot about making the most of every day.
Liked these podcasts? Here are some book recommendations that are a must during quarantine.
