4 Podcasts You Need in Your Life

I am a big fan of podcasts. Whether I’m on a run, cooking dinner, mowing the lawn, or driving to work, I am always listening to something. And the more I listen, the more I realize they offer so much more than simple entertainment.

Podcasts Help You Learn New Things

The wide array of podcasts out there today is absolutely incredible. I promise you, there is something for everyone. Want to increase your productivity and time management? Check out the I’m Busy Being Awesome podcast! Do you want to know how the sun works or why we can’t find Amelia Earhart? Check out Stuff You Should Know. Are you interested in key political issues of the day? Tune in to The New Yorker’s Politics and More. From financial advice to pro wrestling (seriously), and happiness guides to random history facts, your choices for podcasts are virtually endless.

Podcasts Help You Expand Your Horizons

One of the things that I love the most about podcasts is the wide variety of people, opinions, and ideas available to you at the press of a button. With our society growing increasingly divided, reaching out and exploring different beliefs, seeing another’s perspective, and simply opening our eyes to new possibilities is exactly what our world needs right now.

And podcasts provide it for free!

Podcasts Help You Multitask (the right way) 

As I’ve discussed in other posts, science has proven that multitasking usually hurts more than helps your productivity. And if you’re answering emails, reading spreadsheets. and checking posts on Facebook, I completely agree.

Listening to a podcast while cooking dinner, however, is a completely different story. When I mowed the lawn last Sunday, for example, I learned about the chaos theory and how it changed the universe…so that’s pretty cool.

Alright, I’ve raved enough about the wonders of podcasts. Now for the good stuff.

Without further ado, here are my top four podcasts that I think you’re going to LOVE. Enjoy!

The Moth

Ideal for: Those looking for a good story

The Moth Podcast is a branch of The Moth Radio Hour on NPR. Essentially, it is this weekly series where everyday people get up on a live stage and tell true stories about their lives without any kind of script, notes, prompts, etc. The stories vary in length, and each show creates a wonderful combination of hilarious, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking stories that hit you right at your core.

Latest show that had me shaking with laughter:

The third story from the episode Doctors, Judgements, Dictators

Invisibilia

Ideal for: Those looking to discover something new

Invisibilia is a collection of completely captivating podcasts about the “intangible forces that control human behavior – things like ideas, beliefs, assumptions, and emotions.” Throughout the show, LuLu Miller and Hanna Rosin share these incredible stories of humanity, combined with new and exciting science, which helps us better understand how we all think and live. It’s pretty awesome.

Shows that had me hooked:

How to Become Batman and Frame of Reference 

Magic Lessons

Ideal for: Those looking to (re)discover and nourish their creativity

Magic Lessons is a podcast by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat.Pray.Love). Gilbert works with individuals struggling to unlock their creativity by helping them figure out what it is they want to do, what’s holding them back, and how they can break through those barriers. She focuses on finding that elusive work-life balance for which we all strive, and she does it with humor, inspiration, advice, and passion.

The thing that I love the most about this podcast is that she finds a way to make these individual sessions applicable to every listener. With each story I heard, I found myself relating to the situations, the challenges, and the fears. I also found myself motivated at the end of each episode to tackle my next project.

For anyone with a love of writing, blogging, photography, comedy, painting, poetry, dance, and creativity in general, this podcast is for you.

Show that had me hooked:

ALL OF THEM! I like the formatting of Season 2 a bit better than Season one, but every show is magic (no pun intended). If I had to choose ONE, it might be Episode 201 from July 29, 2016.

If you’re especially hooked on Gilbert’s work, she also released a book called Big Magic, which is this beautifully honest discussion of creativity and the creative process.

The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connection, and Courage

Ideal for: Those looking to live life wholeheartedly without shame or regret

Admittedly, this one is not a podcast but rather an audiobook by Brené Brown. If you haven’t heard or read anything by Brené Brown before, pause, go watch this 20 minutes Ted talk, and then come back. I’ll wait.

Okay, welcome back. So now that we’re on the same page about the amazing-ness that is Brené Brown, we can continue. My friend Megan (from Left in Knots) shared this audiobook with me last January and it completely turned my world upside down. Through humor, storytelling, real-life experience, and research, Brown cuts to the core of vulnerability, which, though often associated with fear and shame, “is also the birthplace of joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity, and love.”

As an added bonus, if you’re new to Audible and you sign up for an account, you can get the book for free! (This is not a sponsored post, I just really believe in her work and this is a way to save you money :))

So there you have it – 4 podcasts you need in your life NOW.

I’m Busy Being Awesome Podcast (Bonus!)

I must include a shameless plug for my own I’m Busy Being Awesome podcast.

Ideal for: Those looking to increase their productivity, manage their time, and start reaching their biggest goals.

In the I’m Busy Being Awesome podcast, I use lots of storytelling and examples to help teach my favorite strategies to boost your productivity, complete your to-do list, work toward your goals, and have time for self-care.

And importantly, we don’t just stop at strategy. We also uncover the roadblocks in your way, find the thoughts that are holding you back from taking action, and identify the mindset that will get you moving forward. If you’re ready to start up-leveling your life and taking action today, be sure to give this podcast a listen.

Most Popular I’m Busy Being Awesome Episodes:

• How to Find More Time in the Day
• The Strategy You Need to Keep Good Habits
• How to Set Your Priorities and Get Things Done Now
• Top 5 Secrets to Make Time Blocking Work for You
• How to Love Your Job
• How to Banish Overwhelm

Question:

Which podcast sounds most interesting to you? Are you a regular podcast listener? Which podcasts have you hooked? Let me know below – I am ALWAYS looking for new suggestions.