I LOVE podcasts. I just love them. Whether I want to laugh, cry, be scared, or be inspired, there is an option for any mood. When I was commuting an hour each way every day for work, podcasts and audiobooks were my lifeline. My little sliver of alone time. And one where zero contributions were required of me. Pure bliss.
I can’t always manage to find dedicated podcast time, but I do try to squeeze them in during my daycare pickups, while on a walk, or when doing administrative tasks.
Here are my current top seven podcast recommendations for any mood:
1. If you want to laugh: “Smartless”
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett. Need I say more? This trio of real life friends interviews a “surprise guest” each episode. They started the podcast early during the pandemic when they couldn’t hang out with each other in person, and needless to say, it took off. They’ve since done live tours and have merch — the real deal! I love their banter and the conversations they have. Some of my favorite episodes include Jon Favreau (141), Tracee Ellis Ross (135), and Bradley Cooper (100).
2. If you want your mind blown: “We Can Do Hard Things”
Glennon Doyle, her sister, Amanda Doyle, and her wife, Abby Wambach, legit blow my mind every single episode with their minds, thoughtful questions, and deep reflections. They have beautiful, interesting guests who truly get you thinking and challenge you to consider various perspectives. Some of my favorites include Sonya Renee Taylor (168), Chanel Miller (92), and any episode featuring Dr. Becky Kennedy.
3. If you want to question everything: “You’re Wrong About”
I’m super curious and I love (slash hate?) learning about things I thought I knew but then realized I was conditioned or socialized to think one way about it and was way off. It’s infuriating and refreshing at the same time. “You’re Wrong About” is a funny, fact-based podcast reconsidering people or events from the past. I found this one via one of my other favorites, “Maintenance Phase,” which I also recommend if you want to unlearn everything we ever knew about diet culture. Some of my favorite “wrong abouts” are Baby Jessica, True Crime, and McDonald’s Hot Coffee.
4. If you want to nerd out: “Questlove Supreme”
I love music, particularly hip-hop and R&B from the ’90s, but generally anything with a good beat. “Questlove” is a mind boggling encyclopedia of music history. The crew from QLS has amazing guests and asks the BEST questions in this long-form podcast. I love this one if I happen to have a long drive, since some topics span two episodes because of how much there is to cover. Some of my favorites have been Jimmy Jam, Q-Tip, Mark Ronson, and Mariah Carey.
5. If you want self-care: “Forever 35”
I am someone who washes my face every day and wears moisturizer, and that’s about it. I don’t have a whole pile of products, I don’t like baths, I’m not a Sephora insider. But a couple of friends recommended this podcast, and I really enjoy it. If you like the calming sounds of the famous SNL sketch, Delicious Dish, you will love the calming voices of Kate Spencer and Doree Shafrir. I like that they make self-care accessible and realistic and not about spending one billion dollars. I have gotten some good recommendations from there, but mostly I just like the chatting and Costco references. Some of my favorite guests include Hitha Palepu, Jasmine Guillory, and Bozoma Saint John.
6. If you want to cry it out: “All There Is”
Ooof. Don’t start this one if you aren’t in the mood for a good, deep cry. Have the tissues handy and don’t plan on being on camera for Zoom meetings for a few hours. If you’ve ever experienced loss or grief, I promise you this one will HIT. It started with Anderson Cooper documenting his last moments with his mom, Gloria Vanderbilt, and then beginning the process of sorting through her things. He brought in various guests to help him think through the process of grieving in different ways. It is raw and real and there are a lot of tears. My favorite episodes are literally all of them.
7. If you want wicked good advice: “Wicked Good Momcast”
If you haven’t already, you need to check out our very own Wicked Good Momcast — for Boston moms, by Boston moms. It is funny and genuine and relatable. Some of my favorites are Episode 5 featuring Mimi Lemay, discussing doulas with Dashanna Hanlon, and learning more about family building with Resolve New England.
