ByKat Hours Updated
Comments 46 Comments

What Are Your Favorite Podcasts?

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

young professional woman listening to headphones

We haven't had an open thread on favorite podcasts in a looong time (well, 2017 and 2015, but for podcasts that seems crazy long), so let's discuss. What do you think are the best podcasts for smart women? (Another Q: how much are you listening to podcasts now that your commuting time is significantly reduced due to coronavirus pauses and quarantines?)

Personally, I tend to listen to podcasts mostly while walking or driving (I usually prefer to read if I'm taking public transportation), but I just found a great time to listen to podcasts or other audio: while I'm playing my stupid iPad game at night! (Delicious World, if you must know. Siiiigh.) I also sometimes listen to podcasts or audio classes while making dinner or cleaning. A lot of the ones I listen to mostly swing between educational, self-care, parenting, and just pure silliness — so don't look for career/professional advice too much here.

(I've often thought of doing a podcast for Corporette, maybe with Auntie M as my wingwoman — maybe alternating answering reader questions with talking about some of the usual things we talk about here. Would there be any reader interest in that?)

2021 update: here's the latest reader discussion about podcasts for smart women…

Kat's Favorite Podcasts She Recommends for Smart Women

Anyway, some of my truly dorky podcasts that I like are:

  • Throughline, by NPR — this is about as educational as it gets with me. They'll take an issue and look at the history of a topic, and it's so fascinating. So, for example, to look at the opioid epidemic they explained how morphine and heroin have been handled through history.
  • Fated Mates — I started listening because one of my favorite romance authors (Sarah MacLean) (affiliate link) was reviewing books by another of my favorite romance authors (Kresley Cole and her Immortals After Dark series), but the show has grown past the IAD series and now looks at a ton of great romance books. I can't tell you how many good reads I've found through MacLean and her cohost, romance critic Jen Prokop. And it's great to think about how romance books (and heroines) have changed through the years — kind of like taking a gender studies class through the lens of romance books. Yes please. 
  • Losing 100 Lbs. with Corinne Crabtree — I don't have 100 lbs. to lose, thankfully, but this is a great podcast in general if you want plain talk (lots of swearing!) about weight loss, binges, control, and more from a woman who has lost 100 lbs. I liked her podcasts so much I signed up for her program, so I mostly listen to member-only podcasts from her now.
  • TiLT Parenting — I kind of suck at reading parenting books, but I've found that when there's one I want to read, the author has been interviewed on this podcast — and it's more of a fun, easy introduction to a subject.
  • Articles from The Atlantic — The Atlantic sometimes has audio versions of their articles, and if I hear friends and/or readers talking about a very long one I'll sometimes try to listen to it while making dinner or playing my game.
  • Online classes I listen to periodically — I've paid for all of these, but there's an audio component that I'll try to listen or re-listen to when I get a chance: Marie Forleo's B-School, Elite Blog Academy by Ruth Soukup, as well as a few courses from Amy Porterfield and the guys at Yoast. 
  • Free online business podcasts I should listen to more because they're really good: Internet Business Mastery, Glambition Radio with Ali Brown, Build Your Tribe with Chalene Johnson, This is Your Life by Michael Hyatt, How I Built This by NPR
  • Political podcasts that are too good not to mention (but I've been taking a break for a year plus at this point): Trump, INC. by WNYC Studios (so good!), Why is This Happening with Chris Hayes, Gaslit Nation. NOT a podcast, but when I'm up to it I'll try to listen to the audio of Rachel Maddow (available for free the next day, or live via TuneInRadio, for those of you who've cut the cord). 

Kate's Favorite Podcasts for Smart Women

I asked Kate what her favorites were, and these were her notes…

  • Reply All — This is one of my favorite podcasts, and I highly recommend it! The tagline used to be “A podcast about the internet,” but the topics have gone beyond that, and there’s a nice blend of serious, investigative reporting and funny, silly subjects (with lots of contagious laughter) among the episodes. Here's a good one to start with: The Case of the Missing Hit.
  • Pop Culture Happy Hour — The hosts and their occasional guests have great conversations about movies, TV, music, and more, with a nice combination of fun chats, strong opinions, and cultural criticism.
  • Science Vs — The podcast’s own description is a good summary: “Science Vs takes on fads, trends, and the opinionated mob to find out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between.” Topics have included everything from consumer DNA tests to the history of forced sterilization to the death of President Garfield. (Lately, they’ve been covering coronavirus.)
  • How I Built This — I really love the interviews with entrepreneurs (mostly well-known ones) that Guy Raz does in this podcast. I never get tired of hearing how people built their businesses from nothing and made them a success. 
  • Random coronavirus podcasts — Yeah, as if I don’t already talk, think, write, and read enough about COVID-19, sometimes I listen to podcasts about it, too. (Sigh.) If you’re like this too, I recommend Coronavirus Daily and Six Feet Apart (both hosted by journalists), and America Dissected: Coronavirus (hosted by a doctor who is a former city health commissioner), 
  • Past favorites that I haven't listened to lately but would definitely recommend: This American Life, Welcome to Night Vale, Fresh Air, Thirst Aid Kit
  • Podcasts I've heard great things about but haven't tried yet: Wind of Change, Catch and Kill, Hidden Brain, Invisibila, Mom and Dad Are Fighting, Yo, Is This Racist?, Lovett or Leave It, The Wilderness

Let's hear from you guys — what are the best podcasts for smart women in 2020 — the ones you recommend to your friends and family? 

46 Comments

  1. Lead singer syndrome! Shane Told (the host) is just a genuinely nice dude and I love listening to him interview other punk/metal/hardcore icons.

  2. HBR Women at Work, How to Money, Best of Both Worlds. Storytelling: first Season of Serial, The Shrink Next Door, Dirty John.

  3. Learning stuff: Freakonomics, Planet Money, The Documentary (BBC), People fixing the world, Invisibilia, 99% Invisible, The Anthropocene reviewed, Latino USA, Slow Burn, Serial

    Good storytelling and human interest (for lack of a better term): This American Life, Radiolab, Death, Sex and Money, Dolly Parton’s America, Where Should we begin?, Note to self

    Politics: 60 minutes (which is less than 45 minutes in audio, ha!), Left Right and Center
    Entertainment/Comedy: BBC Friday Nigh Comedy, Judge John Hodgeman, Delete this, Dear Hank and John, Beef and Dairy Network, My Dad wrote a Porno

    Niche: The Allusionist (linguistics), Behind the Rind (cheese!), The West Wing Weekly, Gilmore Guys (both discussing the show episode by episode), Ear biscuits, Jordan Jesse Go (just, people chatting), Oh No Ross and Carrie (fringe science and conspiracy stuff)

    People talking about mildly interesting things that helps me fall asleep: Gardeners’ Question Time, IoT Podcast

  4. Serious question: When do you all listen to podcasts? I can’t just sit still and listen, and if I’m doing something else my mind wanders! Help!

    1. Same. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an entire podcast episode in my life. I also can’t do audiobooks.

    2. I’m not a huge podcast person, but loved Serial. I would listen during commute, while walking the dog, while lifting, etc. It has to be the right kind of podcast tho.

      1. I tried so hard with Serial but I got impatient and ended up googling the whole story. S-Town was the only podcast I’ve ever managed to get through and probably only because I was listening to it during a very long road trip.

        1. Wait I have no idea why I said serial. I meant criminal lol. Phoebe Judge’s voice is so soothing to me and I love the format.

          1. She just has the best, most beautiful voice. I’m still not 100% sure what ASMR is but I think it might just be Phoebe Judge reading an instruction booklet.

    3. I listen to podcasts in the mornings while getting ready–in the shower and while straightening my hair and doing makeup. I also listen in the car during my commute or while running errands. I also listen to podcasts while doing the dishes, cleaning, or working in the yard, if DH and Kiddo aren’t around.

      In normal times, I probably spend 2-3 hours per week listening to podcasts. Now, it’s probably about 1 hour. I spend zero time on my hair and makeup, I’m not really going places, and DH and Kiddo are always around.

      1. Similar here. I listen when I am getting ready in the morning and when I am cleaning. If I go on walks I listen then, too.

    4. While cooking dinner, getting ready for the day, winding down from the day, while I work, while I knit or chill. I probably listen to a podcast or audiobook 10 hours a day. Then, I listen to my history podcast while going to sleep. So make that 11 hours a day.
      10 years ago I never listened to talk radio, but my husband does all the time, so I started listening through him. It took me awhile to get to sustained listening, and sometimes I still tune out, but I love having people around me and podcasts/audiobooks have been essential to me for years.
      I like having people talking in the background like other people enjoy music. I suppose that is the secret.

      1. Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head. I dislike podcasts because I hate talking sounds. I can’t even have the TV on unless I’m actively watching it. Music is my preferred background soundtrack, particularly instrumental stuff.

    5. Only when walking for exercise, either outside or on a treadmill. The mental distraction helps me accomplish the physical goal. And when I’m craving a particular podcast I’m interested in, I don’t let myself listen to it without moving.

    6. I used to listen to podcasts during my horribly long commute. Now I listen while I’m cooking & cleaning around the house.

    7. While cleaning up after dinner
      Folding laundry
      Cleaning out my closet or my office

    9. I listen while I cook, clean, in the car, when I can’t be bothered to focus on the TV, when I am doing rando adminstrative tasks at work . . .

    10. Thanks, all.

      If I had a long commute I would love to listen in the car but I am blessed to live close to work. Other than that I listen form time to time while cooking, but less since we got a TV in the kitchen… ;)

    11. Literally any possible moment. What else am I gonna do, be alone with my thoughts? No thank you.

  5. I love The Rewatchables. It’s like sitting around with three friends talking about a good movie, and they know it REALLY well. I don’t listen to every episode, only ones for movies I love. Most recently I listened to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and While You Were Sleeping, and also dove into the archives to listen to When Harry Met Sally and Ocean’s 11. I’m all about the fun movies right now.

    I listen to podcasts when doing chores — folding clothes, doing dishes, cleaning the bathroom. Also on walks. I can’t listen to podcasts when I’m doing anything that requires focus.

    1. I like The Rewatchables too. I also like Unspooled, which covers the American Film Institute’s top 100 films list. It’s a great excuse to go back and watch a lot of classic movies, some of which I never would have bothered doing otherwise but really enjoyed. I listen to podcasts all the time- when getting ready, when doing chores, when exercising, when commuting, when browsing websites like this one. I also listen to a bunch of general news, culture, and politics podcasts from NPR, Slate, and Vox like NPR Politics and Pop Culture Happy Hour, the Political and Culture Gabfests, and The Weeds and Ezra Klein Show.

  6. NPR Short Wave, a daily science podcast.

    The Indicator from Planet Money. Daily economic indicator, with background on what the number actually means.

    NPR Politics Podcast, enough that I actually follow them on Facebook. The national correspondents for politics, economics, science and almost anything else that NPR covers are regular guests. Since everyone is working from home, their respective dogs & kids sometimes also make appearances. The Friday feature of “Can’t Let It Go”, about something from the previous week that has held onto their thoughts, is one of the best & funniest things I’ve heard.

    Pop Culture Happy Hour, as a brain break.

    Only A Game, looking at sports from a view of science, history and culture. Example: Dr Anthony Fauci was the captain of his high school basketball team, and he continues to run or walk 5 miles every day. What about his personality made him the captain and transfers to being the most respected member of the response team 50 years later?

  7. Current list includes: This Podcast Will Kill You, Freakonimics, the Ezra Klein Show, Planet Money, Lore, BBC’s Global News, and Revisionist History.

    In the Before, I listened during my commute and while on the treadmill or bike at the gym. Also while doing chores on weekends. Now I listen while working from home, because I can actually focus on a project for an entire hour without multiple people stopping by my desk every 15 minutes for “just a minute” with a “quick update” that could have been a freaking email. I don’t always pay attention to all the podcast details if I listen while I’m working, but the general taking in the background helps me avoid household distraction.

  8. Second The Rewatchables, which is just fantastic for movies you know and love.
    My other favorites: Conan O’Brien needs a friend (his whole team is great, and the interviews have me in tears laughing), Best Friends with Nicole Byer & Sasheer Zamata (my fake best friends), Bad on Paper (Grace and Becca are my other fake best friends), Endless Thread (deep dives into really random, interesting stories), Proof (deep dives into really random, interesting stories about food), The Weirdest Thing I Learned this Week (a super girl-power podcast from the ladies at Popular Science about really random, interesting facts; I feel like this is a theme in my podcasts), Brought to you by (the stories behind well-known brands), Joe Exotic (I thought this was better and less sensational than the series, I mean the story is sensational enough as it is), The Dream (particularly the first season, about MLMs), and Dolly Parton’s America.

  9. Misc/Comedy: Unhappy Hour with Matt Bellasi, The Dollop, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, By the Book (two friends read self help books, then follow the advice for 2 weeks), Reply All (about the internet & internet culture), Anna Faris is Unqualified, The Mortified Podcast . Pheobe Reads a Mystery

    True Crime: Cold (Susan Cox Powell’s disappearance), Criminal, Court Junkie, Dateline, A Date with Dateline (Dateline recap show), Real Crime Profile (crimial profilers from US & UK), Strictly Stalking (women tell stories of being stalked and what they did to deal with it, often with little police help or guidance), Hollywood Crime Scene

    History: History of Rome, Revolutions (both by Mike Duncan), You Must Remember This (old Hollywood history), The Europeans (current politics/culture in Europe)

  10. I listen to audibooks all the time but especially like podcasts for car trips with another person, who might not have 6 hours already invested in my book. This American Live and Radiolab are my go-tos for one-off episodes. I also listened on my own to a few multi-part fiction podcasts, Homecoming, The Horror of Dolores Roach and Within the Wires.

    I just heard one episode of More Perfect, a spin-off of Radiolab, about the Supreme Court; this one, called Object Anyway, was about the Batson case that prohibited prosecutors from using race in making peremptory strikes of potential jurors. It sounds arcane but it was fascinating, and my non-lawyer SO really loved it.

  11. You’re Wrong About! Similar vein to Revisionist’s History (also amazing) – but more hilarious.

    1. Yes! You’re Wrong About is so good. Also Brain Candy and Stuff You Should Know.

  12. I listen to pods 80% to not have to think, but my favorites are Forked Up (Thug Kitchen), How Did This Get Made, You’re Wrong About, This Podcast Will Kill You, Sooo Many White Guys, Dying for $ex, various American Scandal series, Mobituaries, Ridiculous History, and at the moment, The Darkest Timeline (for Community Fans).

  13. This Day in Esoteric Political History — only about 15 minutes, and Jody Avrigan has a lovely voice

  14. Royal Blood (a well-done podcast that tells stories about royals and their horrible deaths)
    Who? Weekly (a lighthearted podcast focused on the bizarre category of celebrities that make you go “who?” like reality stars etc. not at all mean-spirited, just funny and sometimes has great takes on the concept of celebrity in general)
    The Daily (podcast from the new york times that does an interesting dive into a relevant story with interviews etc. I look at the topic each day and decide if I’m in the mood)
    NPR News Now/Up First (News Now is 3-5 minutes, released multiple times a day, and great to listen to if I take a break from teleworking to make a coffee, put a load of laundry in, etc. Up first is about 20 minutes with stories to know for the day)
    Inside the Hive (from vanity fair. I haven’t been in the mood lately because it focuses on current events)
    Swindled (I love a good scam!)

    I have a lot less time for podcasts than I used to now that I don’t have my commute,but I’ll occasionally put in earphones and listen to one while I bake or clean.

    1. Swindled is rad! I will have to check out Royal Blood. Sounds rights up my alley – thanks!

  15. Ahh, so many!

    The High Low: I am obsessed with Dolly and Pandora. They strike exactly the right balance between serious news and frothy frivolity.
    Routines & Ruts: Profiles and interviews w/creatives on their routines
    A Thing or Two with Claire and Erica (previously A Few Things when they still had Of a Kind): They have a charming, low-key banter about inconsequential but addictive things (like mugs, sweet potatoes, and online boutiques) that is perfect for the background when I’m getting ready and don’t want to listen to anything that requires all my attention.
    Sometimes Tim Ferris, depending on the guest. LOVED his recent ep with Elizabeth Gilbert.
    Ezra Klein, depending on the topic and guest. I think he is an excellent interviewer.
    Ctrl Alt Delete: interviews with women in media, publishing, and other interesting digital careers
    The Mash-Up Americans: interviews with inspiring “mash-ups” — multicultural people
    Staying In with Emily and Kumail: because they are adorable, funny, full of good entertainment recs, and you can tell how much they love each other
    Home Cooking: only four episodes, but such a sweet tribute to the ups and downs of cooking in quarantine
    Switched on Pop: deep dives into why pop music is good from a musicologist

  16. When I was commuting, I liked Up First from NPR. Now, I mostly just listen to podcasts when I go to the grocery store (and wait in the 30 min long line to get into the store…).
    I like Milk Street Radio for talking about food.
    Twenty Thousand Hertz is full of random information about sound–sounds odd but is actually very interesting.
    The Allusionist is all about words and how they came to be.
    The Alarmist is hilarious and perfect for my anxious self; they analyze history’s great tragedies and try to pin the blame on someone.
    Planet Money from NPR is interesting as well (I dont listen to Freakenomics so not sure how it compares).
    If anyone is interested in British royals, I enjoy Pod Save the Queen. I also like the India Hicks podcast, where she talks to her mother who is a cousin of the Queen and whose father, Lord Mountbatten, was the last viceroy of India.

  17. News/Politics: Left, Right, and Center; LRC Presents All the President’s Lawyers; Pod Save The World; Pod Save America; Lovett or Leave It; What a Day; The Daily; ugh, I have to cut down on the politics podcasts.

    Entertainment/Movie History: KCRW’s The Business; Indiewire’s Screen Talk; How Did This Get Made?; You Must Remember This. While I disagree with nearly everything he says, Bret Easton Ellis gets some pretty amazing guests.

    Loved Believed and The Dream.

    CBC podcasts are usually excellent (especially Finding Cleo, the Cat Lady one, and the recent Satanic Panic ones), and KCRW is a public radio station with some really great podcasts too (apart from the ones I mentioned above).

    Stuff You Missed in History Class can be good, Unsolved Murders is interesting, as is the Cults (Parcast Network). I’ve listened to plenty of My Favorite Murders but it’s a little repetitive after a while.

  18. Guys, doesn’t anyone listen to the Joe Rogan experience? He is my favourite and I listen to them all the time.

  19. I haven’t listened to a podcast since I stopped commuting, but my faves:

    * I Hate It But I Love It (snarky/feminist take on the movies “you love and hate simultaneously”)
    * 10% Happier (mindfulness and meditation – I pick and choose episodes, but you don’t have to be a regular meditator to benefit from/enjoy it)
    * Dirty John (even if you saw the Bravo show, this is worth the listen)
    * Nerdette
    * Call Your Girlfriend (or at least, the parts when Ann does interviews. Something about Aminatou gets on my nerves, so I frequently skip over her parts)
    * Clear & Vivid (you never thought you wanted to hear Alan Alda do a podcast, but you do)
    * West Wing Weekly (not just fanboys talking about the show – some interesting insights into how TV is made and how politics work)
    * Breaking Beauty (not heavy-hitting, but interesting insights into the beauty industry)
    * Nthing recs for The Daily and Up First

  20. Ologies is my current favorite. Deep dives into sciency things in an approachable, fun format. The host manages to make things I never thought I’d want to spend an hour learning about really fascinating. Bisonology! Who knew?

Comments are closed.