The last time I discussed all the podcasts I’m “listening to now” was in February 2016. In that post I also gave step-by-step directions for how to listen to podcasts on an iPhone.
SO, in this post I’m assuming you know how to listen to podcasts, but in case you don’t, (you’re not alone) then click above for help.
Even though my current list of podcasts is long, I am always looking for recommendations for the following reasons: #1. Some podcasts are sporadic with their episodes as in only once a month or less. #2. I need a break from certain voices and topics sometimes. #3. I suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out) when it comes to podcasts and books.
When do I have time to listen to this massive list of podcasts? I’ve answered this before, but I want to say it here. #1. I listen when I’m driving, walking, cooking, and putzing around the internet. #2. I don’t listen to music much anymore except with my kids. #3. I do not listen to every episode of all the podcasts below, or I may listen to one guest on an episode and skip the rest. #4. I’m a podcast junkie. What else can I say?
THE 13 PODCASTS I’M LISTENING TO NOW (in alphabetical order)
#AmWriting With Jess & KJ: I like KJ Dell’Antonia and Jess Lahey’s practical discussions about writing longform and shortform nonfiction and fiction. Favorite current episode: “From A to Book.”
By The Book: Two friends read self-help books together and strictly follow the advice for a few weeks then report on their findings. It’s funny and smart. Favorite current episode: “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” (maybe wasn’t as magical as they’d hoped)
Dear Sugars: Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond give great advice about all kinds of relationship issues. This one is now produced by the NYT. Favorite current episode: “When Friendships End.” Also the ones with Esther Perel as the guest.
Happier in Hollywood: Two friends who have been writing partners for almost two decades talk about their work and life. (One is Gretchen Rubin’s sister and co-host in the podcast below.)
Happier with Gretchen Rubin: One of my first podcasts and still one I listen to regularly. I like the realistic tweaks for efficiency, practicality, and yes–happiness. Favorite current episode: “September Is the Other January, the Fun of Post-It Notes, and What “They” Think.”
Judaism Unbound: Out-of-the-box discussions of the organized and not-so-organized Jewish community. Favorite current episode: #85, “B-Mitzvah Revolutions”
Modern Love: The popular NYT column “Modern Love” read by actors then discussed later with the authors and the editor, Daniel Jones. Favorite episode of all time: “#31, “The Race Grows Sweeter.”
Pop Culture Happy Hour: Writers from NPR, led by “Monkey See” blogger Linda Holmes, discussing books, TV, and film. Favorite recent episode: “Game of Thrones”
Radio Atlantic: Journalists from The Atlantic talking about current issues. Favorite current episode, “What are Public Schools For?”
Slate’s Double X: Noreen Malone, Hanna Rosin, and June Thomas discuss current issues through a feminist lens. Favorite recent episode: “Under His Eye Edition.” I assume a Harvey Weinstein episode is coming soon. Double X doesn’t update too often, sadly.
Unorthodox: Three Jewish writers I like from Tablet Magazine discuss current and age-old issues with revolving Jewish and non-Jewish guests. Favorite recent episode: “My Big Fat Jewish Wedding.”
Edited in 2021 to say I had 13, but I had to erase one that is longer around and the site is gone, too.
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28 Responses
Oooh, love this list! I’m all about the self-help book and Dear Sugar. I used to listen to them but took a break because there were too many on my list! Love that you are going to be on The Friend Pod!! The real question is when are YOU going to start your own podcast? 🙂
Hallie Sawyer recently posted..Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Chia Porridge
I took a Dear Sugar break for a while too. And then so did they. So now I’m all caught up and ready for more.
Such a great list! Quite a few are new to me which is super fun! A few others that I love are All the Books, Get Booked, From the Front Porch, The Podcast, Sorta Awesome and The Rewatchables.
Ooh, many of those are new to me!
I love many of these podcasts and appreciate the new ones to check out too! I think you like musicals, so if you haven’t already, you might listen to 36 Questions. It’s only three episodes so it’s great when you need a break from a regular one. It stars Jonathan Groff (the original King George from Hamilton) as one half of a couple and it combines musicals and podcasts, so what can be better than that?! It’s kick-started my interest in fiction podcasts which I have never listened to before. I’m deep in a supernatural/paranormal one right now which is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a nice change of pace!
I LOVE musicals. I will for sure check that one out. Thanks! (And of course I know who Jonathan Groff is! Way before Hamilton. I’m THAT kind of musical person.)
You’re my friendship guru so I will subscribe to that new podcast asap.
We already have 3 in common.
BUT there is a great friendship episode on the Sorta Awesome podcast (probably 12 – 18 months old) that was AMAZING. I actually need to re-listen myself.
I will check out the Sorta Awesome Podcast, which I had never heard of. Thanks!
This is awesome– thanks for posting your list. Can’t wait to check these out.
Thanks for reading it!
What a great list! Happier in Hollywood is probably my favorite new podcast of this year — one I consistently listen to. I find it has both good takeaways and distracts me a bit from my feed that tends to be heavy on news and politics. I’m also loving What Should I Read Next? from Anne Bogel, of the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog, and the Edit Your Life Show.
Happier in Hollywood was a surprise hit for me, too. I didn’t know if it would be too repetitive with Happier, but I really like the dynamic between Elizabeth and Sarah. And I like their Midwest sensibilities in the belly of LA.
I’m always looking for new podcasts, so thank you for this list!
I just learned about this podcast, but I haven’t had a chance to listen to the first episode yet: http://hurryslowly.co/
“Hurry Slowly is a new podcast — hosted by Jocelyn K. Glei — about how pacing yourself is the key to avoiding burnout, improving your productivity, and activating your creative mind.”
I’ll let you know if it’s worth adding to your list.
Yes– report back, please!
I always love your recommendations. Cannot wait to check some of these out! Thanks.
Thanks for visiting, Rudri!
Very fun! I love podcast recommendations. I am a huge Gretchen Rubin podcast fan, and love Modern Love – but I haven’t listened to your favorite episode so now I’m excited to find it 🙂
I’m a huge KM Weilland fan b/c she talks story structure like a true jedi master. She’s GOOD.
I just discovered “Thread” – I think you’ll like it b/c you love books.
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Please report back when you’ve listened to to The Race Grows Sweeter. It’s so excellent, both the story and the reading of it.
Oh! And you got me into KM Weiland this weekend during my walks. Wow, it’s a lot to take in, but I appreciate that each episode is 6 minutes or so once you bypass the intro. She has a really pleasant voice, too.
I just can’t trade in my audiobooks for podcasts, although I do listen once in awhile. And I will definitely listen to the one you are on…I’m confident you will not sound the least bit moronic.
Thank you! It airs tomorrow! I haven’t heard it and am very worried about how much I probably say “like.” Sigh.
Oh, this is tempting. I listen to single podcast episodes now and then when people recommend them specifically to me (read: force me to listen to one they know I’ll love), but I find it so difficult to give up my audiobook time for podcasts. Because like you said, podcasts are endless, and I’m greedy about books. I’m curious, are podcasts your main go-to, or do you also do audiobooks? (I listen to books at most of the times you mentioned for your podcasts.)
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I for sure go to podcasts more than audiobooks right now. I’ve been listening to Crossing to Safety for what seems like forever. I think it depends on the book and the narrator–if both are great I will easily fall behind on the podcasts.
Great list, Nina. For something different, I recommend the Curiously You podcast with Jen Holmes (publishes weekly, I believe) and the Behind the Boss Mask podcast with Victoria Klein (currently on a break, but all the back podcasts should still be accessible).
Oh thank you for those!
Thanks for the list, Nina. I’m a big podcast fan. I listen to them on road trips, while cooking, and sometimes when I can’t fall asleep. I’d add: NYT Book Review, The New Yorker Fiction, The Hilarious World of Depression, and Terrible, Thanks for Asking.
I forgot about Terrible Thanks for Asking! Thanks for the reminder and for the other ideas.
I am still such a Freakonomics fan! It is always my go-to podcast. But I am excited to learn about the Happier one with Gretchen Rubin. I hadn’t heard about that before but it sounds right up my alley! 🙂