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.
Thank you for sharing. I have never listened to podcast but I think that I will need to start listening! 🙂
You’re welcome. And YES! Definitely give them a try. I absolutely love them 🙂
Love love love (!!!) Invisibilia! I haven’t heard of the other ones though, but will have to check them out!
Yes! Definitely do. They are all so fantastic 😀
This looks like a neat collection of podcasts. I’m always looking for new things to listen to 🙂
Definitely give them a try – they’re each a little different, so you’re bound to find one (or more!) that you like 🙂
I haven’t heard of any of these podcasts but I really want to get into listening to podcasts more often. I feel like it could be a good thing!
Yeah – I just love listening to them. It’s such a great way to learn new things, hear new perspectives etc. at any time of day – even when you’re sitting in traffic, walking the dog, whatever!
Thanks for this list! I was just thinking that I needed some new podcasts!! YAY!! 🙂
Oh great! I hope you enjoy 🙂
I love podcast! I’ll check these out!
Great! I hope you enjoy 🙂
Thanks for sharing these! I’m interested in Magic lessons for sure. Always looking for new suggestions 🙂
Wonderful! I think you’ll love Magic Lessons. Elizabeth Gilbert is phenomenal 🙂
I love this! I need some new podcasts to listen to!
Fantastic! I think you’ll enjoy them 🙂
I will be listening to these in the car for sure!!!
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy 🙂
I’m obsessed with listening to podcasts, but I’ve never heard of these! I’m definitely going to check them out.
Wonderful! Thanks, April. What are some of your favorites? I’m always looking for recommendations!
These all sound like amazing podcasts!! I’ve never listened to any of them but now I will be adding some of them to my list!
Wonderful! I’m sure you’ll enjoy them 🙂
This is a great list for podcasts I NEED to listen to! I do have to admit I haven’t jumped on the podcast wagon yet (yes, ok, you can digital slap me for that 😂) but this list really helps me out and don’t have to Google which podcasts are worth listening to. Thank you so much for sharing this! And also, great idea on listening these when one is doing the laundry, ironing, etc..! 🙂
I’m so glad you found the list helpful! Yes, definitely jump on the bandwagon-there is something for everyone ☺️
Magic Lessons sounds so so good!
It is! I absolutely love it.
The moth sounds interesting! I haven’t listened to a story-based podcast before. Sounds fun!
It is! It’s so much fun. Definitely give it a try. Each episode is different, so the content is always fresh 🙂
Thanks for sharing! When I find some time, I will add these podcasts to my must-listen list 🙂
Great! I hope you enjoy 🙂
I used to listen to podcast’s all the time and somehow I got out of the habit. I keep thinking I want to get back into it as I really do miss them. Thanks for the inspiration – I am 100% going to check out The Moth, as I love NPR.
Oh yeah – if you love NPR, you will definitely love The Moth. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
I’m a podcast lover myself and can’t wait to try Magical Lessons. Thanks!
Wonderful! I think you’ll love it. Elizabeth Gilbert is so fantastic. What are some of your favorites?
Just subscribed to The Moth – thanks for the recommendation!
Fantastic! I think you’ll love it 🙂 I’d love to know what you think after you listen to a few.
Listened to a couple Moth episodes on my commute. Loved it!
Hooray! I am so excited to hear that; it totally makes my day. Thanks for checking back in 🙂
I already love Stuff You Should Know. Adding Magic Lessons to my podcast list. I currently listen to Catholic Stuff You Should Know, Freakonomics, Milk Street Radio and Hardcore History. These are lifesavers if you have long commutes!
Hooray!!! Thanks so much for these new ideas; they all sound right up my alley 🙂 Enjoy Magic Lessons – Elizabeth Gilbert is phenomenal.
Love this post! I’m always listening to podcasts in the car or cleaning up the house. I’ve never heard of these four so I’m excited to try them.
Oh that’s great! I hope you enjoy them 🙂 What are some of your favorites?