staying in: recommendations for holiday spirit

Kind of feeling like it's going to be a long long weekend with how much I've already been home with a certain 7-year-old lately, but I'm doing my best to think up some things to make it feel a little more weekend-y, like planning some hikes and maybe a bonfire with our awesome new solo stove (thanks, mom and dad!). And most definitely diving into the holiday spirit: Christmas tree, wrapping presents, listening to seasonal music, the whole works. That'll definitely feel like a change of pace from the past few weeks at home!

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I'm not usually a huge Christmas holiday movie or book person, but there are a few things I've encountered lately that have me in the mood for even more. Nor am I usually a person to engage with Christmas stories or discussion before Thanksgiving - but in a Thanksgiving break where we're all supposed to be staying home, we might as well plug in the twinkle lights and curl up on the couch with a holiday something to listen to, watch, or read. A few suggestions for starting off the holiday spirit, for pretty much any age...

• Dash and Lily: it's cheesy YA holiday fare in the form of an 8-episode Netflix series, and it turns out that was just what my life needed right now. It also includes several scenes in a Christmas-decorated Strand bookstore that gives a glorious taste of the before-Covid times. I loved how the story unfolded across the episodes, and it was just a nice feel-good, snow- and holiday music-infused few hours.
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street: this middle grade book takes place in the days leading up to Christmas, as the passel of siblings in this family try to convince their landlord not to cancel their family's lease. And along the way you just get so much delightful holiday spirit through their enthusiasm and creativity, and through their close-knit Brooklyn neighborhood. It's very charming.
• Season's readings: this episode of the From the Front Porch podcast pairs books and holiday movies that have similar feels, and I loved all of the ideas, as one who hasn't watched/read a ton of holiday selections!
• Olivia Helps with Christmas: which we actually won't read till December, but I picked it up from the library as part of my book-a-day advent calendar planning, and I'm already excited because Olivia is the spunkiest and best.

 

The book I'm planning to cozy up with - The Hunting Party - isn't exactly Christmas spirit, since it's supposed to be an Agatha Christie-like mystery, but it takes place over the Christmas holidays, so at least it'll have the weather vibes? And what Christmas movie should I watch next?

Meanwhile, have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

listening lately

If "you are what you listen to", then if I stick to my usual NPR and current events podcasts, then what I am is an anxious mess, because if it's not about the election, it's about the pandemic, and gah. So this week I have been deliberate about not listening to anything newsy (and also looking at news sites only at appointed times...of which there were zero on election day itself), and I think it has been the right thing for mental health.

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Here is a very random assortment that has given my ears a little respite from it all in the last couple of days:

For some smiles

• "Samin Nosrat And Hrishikesh Hirway Are Just Here For The Cookies" on The Sporkful: in which the Salt Fat Acid Heat author and Song Exploder podcast host talk about their love of cookies, and what are the best kind of cookies. It is delightful.
• "Tell Him I'm a Good Kisser" by Lake Street Dive: I have been blasting music when waiting my turn in the afternoon school pickup line, and this particular song just makes me smile and want to groove.
  

For an escape

• "Doree's Hotel" on Forever35: it probably will seem super weird to someone who isn't a regular listener of this podcast, but lately the co-hosts have been taking imaginary vacations on the show, verbally walking through each aspect, like what the hotel bed is like and what they would order at the restaurant, etc. and it is SO soothing. So they did an entire episode for election week with 2 imaginary getaways - perfect escape that is lighthearted and silly but at the same time also might have made me audibly moan with pleasure.

For some big emotions but in a good way

• Celine Dion: Enough said.
• Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack: this isn't a Broadway show that I've seen, but I'm loving the music, and I definitely get the sense that it would be a show with big feels - I can almost get a cathartic kind of cry going just by singing along to a few of the tracks.

For some calm

• "The Third Gleam" by The Avett Brothers: this new album is quite mellow, and I have really been enjoying it in the evenings, especially now that it's dark so early.
• Sleep meditations by Kristin McGee: I haven't utilized the meditation section of the Peloton app much yet, but this week I appreciated the help in calming down and falling asleep. I love Kristin's yoga on the Peloton app too. 
  

Next I'm kind of tempted to go back to some old David Sedaris audiobooks for some laughs. Any other suggestions for me?

listening lately

First week of school is going great for Hendrik, but new covid protocols for dropoff and pickup mean way more time than I would like just sitting in line in the car. But to reframe it to something more positive: at least it's prime time to listen to something good. Here are some great new selections in podcast land that I can recommend for just such a time:

Nice White Parents: from the creators of Serial, this 5-part series starts with the premise that "if you want to understand what's wrong with our public schools, you have to look at what is arguably the most powerful force in shaping them: White parents." With a case study of one New York public middle school, it discusses how intentions to build a better school system can get skewed or misguided when White parents get involved... It's really well reported, and also especially fascinating at the time that I've been reading a lot more fiction and non-fiction about race, segregation, etc.

Million Bazillion: in his 6 months (!) at home, Hendrik got very into lunchtime podcast listening (a habit I encouraged, because then I could go listen to or read my own thing!), and he's a sucker for trying any other podcast that his favorite one (Brains On) includes a promo for. This new one is from the NPR Marketplace team, a podcast about helping money make sense for kids, on topics like where money comes from, why things cost how much they do, what ads are all about, and how/why to save money. He finds it quite interesting, and honestly I'm even learning a few economic tidbits in the parts I've overheard. 

The Michelle Obama Podcast: I mean, she could be talking about anything, and it would just make me so happy to have Michelle back in my ears (after spending hours with her, listening to Becoming, I feel like we got really close), but in addition the guests and the conversations are great! (Only on Spotify, FYI.)

America Dissected: Peter has listened to this one for a while, from the Pod Save America network and hosted by Dr. Abdul El-Sayed about issues related to healthcare policy and public health in the US, but done in a way that is very interesting and accessible. The current season is very coronavirus-focused (unsurprisingly); I listened to a recent episode where he interviewed Dr. Fauci, and I thought his interview and insights were great, so I've been listening to some other episodes now as well, including topics like back-to-school safety, how epidemiology works, etc. The information and style appeal to my doctor husband, but also to a non-medical person like me who is interested in healthcare access for everyone and things like that.

Books Connect Us: produced by the publisher Penguin Random House, this podcast was started at the beginning of the pandemic to interview authors from home and talk about how we can stay connected through these times, particularly through books. I like how you get a peek into authors' lives in terms of their process and then on top of that how they are handling the disruptions and uncertainties of the current times. Interesting behind the scenes, but also comforting to know that I'm not alone in juggling these things. I pick and choose episodes based on recent new releases I have read - especially liked the ones with Emma Straub (All Adults Here) and Kate Stayman-London (One to Watch), but they've talked to a huge range of other authors including Taylor Jenkins Reid, Nic Stone, R. Eric Thomas, Curtis Sittenfeld, Elizabeth Gilbert, Abbi Waxman, and tons more.

What have you been listening to lately? If school dropoff continues to take 40 minutes instead of last year's 15 minutes, I might need more ideas!

listening lately

I'm pretty behind on podcast listening, now that I rarely walk the dog solo, or drive anywhere in the car - but that does make it even more exciting when I get a chance to listen to an episode that I really enjoy.

While I haven't been trying out many new podcasts lately, I have encountered a few particularly enjoyable and/or informative episodes from my regular lineup that deserve a mention:

2020 Summer Reading Guide Special on Sarah's Bookshelves Live: always love a summer reading guide. Also really loved the recent episode with an interview of a literary agent - such a fascinating behind the scenes.

Samantha Irby on The Sporkful: interviews on this podcast are always fun because they've got a different lens than you'd normally get with other podcasts, looking at the person's relationship with food or thoughts on cooking or things like that. It's always entertaining but can also go deep. Writer Samantha Irby is a funny lady, and hearing her infectious laugh on this episode made it even better.

Help in a Crisis from Michael Lewis' Against the Rules: I'm pleased that season 2 of this podcast is launching and have liked the 2 episodes released so far (if you like Malcolm Gladwell's podcast, you'll probably like this one too). But I especially want to recommend this bonus episode, which gives some insight into the food crisis that poor people are/will face in the COVID-19 crisis.

Ask a Scientist - Bird Bonanza from Brains On: Hendrik is way into this podcast right now, lots of great science topics for kids. He of course especially loved this bird-related episode, in which they talked with a couple of official ornithologists - and even I found it pretty interesting myself.

Jill Lepore on How a Pandemic Ends from The New Yorker Radio Hour: though it made me tear up a bit, I found this historical perspective so worth listening to, talking about a "stay home" campaign during the polio outbreak. And the second part of the episode, interviews with 3 mayors across the U.S. about their current concerns and the challenges of reopening their cities, was very good food for thought too.

A Book A Day + Keeping a Log + Birthday Traditions on The RAD Podcast: Rachel's recap of her month of reading a book a day had me a little jealous that I have homeschooling to deal with and can't spend those hours just reading my own books, ha. But she has some fun recommendations out of it. And also loved hearing her family's birthday stocking tradition - kinda want to start it in mine!


Oh, and I can't post about what I've been listening to lately without mentioning Here for You, the new podcast from the duo behind Forever 35. They're doing a daily podcast, filling each other in on what's going on in their socially distant lives and then sharing suggestions and comments from listeners about how we're all making it through this time. The episodes are just the right (short) length, and it brings me comfort and joy, usually while I cook dinner.

Hope you enjoy these too - that is, if you have more time for podcast listening than I do...

listening lately

I'm not sure how it's possible that I haven't updated my listening lately podcast recommendation series since August, because I've been doing plenty of listening. I guess I was busy enough with all of my go-to podcasts that I had already reviewed - until Christmas break hit and most of them went on hiatus, and I was getting desperate for new things to listen to... So here are a few that I encountered the archives of and have kept up listening to, along with a couple of newly launched podcasts that are worth checking out:

Sarah's Bookshelves Live: love me a good book podcast, and this is a good one! Some really interesting interviews with people in the industry, from authors (loved Angie Kim's episode), publisher reps and booksellers (the one with the director of Book of the Month was fascinating), and even bookstagrammers. And then when I'm in the mood to get to the specific book talk quickly, rather than spending 20 minutes talking about the lives of random readers or about the industry, I love the mini episodes where guests list 2 old books they love, 2 new books they love, 1 they didn't, and 1 upcoming book they're excited about. There's a good archive of both types of posts if you're new to this one.

The RAD podcast: I have been a follower of Rachel's blog and reading life for quite a while, so I was excited for her achieving this goal of launching her own podcast - and then even more excited when I learned about the format of it: taking her initials (RAD) to also stand for reading, action, and discussion, which makes for a great mix of book recommendations, ideas to bring wholeness and wellness to your spirit and life, and then great things to ponder further as you leave the episode. There's only a couple of episodes so far, but you should check her out! I'm also loving the shorter length compared to many podcasts I listen to, as it's perfect to put on while I'm getting ready in the morning, or I can fit in a whole episode on the way home from dropping off Hendrik at school.

Armchair Expert: here's a podcast that already has about a million episodes, but I got into it lately when I was doing a deep dive related to the book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, because it made me want to talk to people about it! (Listening to podcast episodes where the author was a guest is the next best thing to discussing it when a book is buzzing around your mind right after finishing.) This podcast is hosted by actor Dax Shepherd, and he has all kinds of famous people on for interviews. They're pretty casual style conversations where he is the armchair faux-expert to their expertise; once I got used to the style, I started rather enjoying a bunch. I liked that interview with author Lori Gottlieb, and then I went through some other people I was interested in from the archive: Malcolm Gladwell, The Avett Brothers, Jim Gaffigan, Will Ferrell, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus were particularly fun ones.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: another one that's been around forever and I had listened to a couple of times in the past - but that came back when I was on another recent deep dive, this time for anything about the new Little Women movie (which I adored). That got me scrolling through the archive for the panels chats on several movies and TV shows that I have enjoyed in recent years. This group of commentators is great for their actual skill in media criticism (this is from NPR, after all), but they also can be super amusing and fun in their discussions. Overall, a delight.

Gee Thanks, Just Bought It: of course I was going to listen to something launched/executive produced by the duo behind one of my first-listen podcast each week, Forever 35. This spinoff podcast hosted by Caroline Moss (had never heard of her before, but I feel like I know her by now!) really leans into the product recommendation portion of Forever 35. Each episode, Caroline and her guest each bring a "life changing" product purchase to share; the price range on these have ranged from under $10 to over $100 and have covered everything from shoes to battery-operated candles to a weighted blanket. Their conversations about the items are amusing and informative - sometimes frivolous, but sometimes goes a bit deeper.


So those are some new favorites to add to all my other regular lineup - keeping those ears busy all the time, whether it's while cooking, cleaning, dog walking, or jigsaw puzzling!

listening lately

My ears have been busy this summer! My dad has been all about the audio books lately, so between going through some of the titles he's recommended (Born a Crime and Cork Dork so far), my regular podcast rotation (Forever 35 and From the Front Porch especially), I'm not sure how I managed to fit in some new ones... but I did, and they're good ones. Check out these new (to me) and notable listens:

The Lazy Genius: introduced to me by a favorite mom/practical life podcast (Girl Next Door Podcast), I've loved getting to know this one and will be making my way through the whole archive for sure. The tagline "Make your life better in about twenty minutes" is quite enticing for any busy person, especially a mom, and it really has great topics and tips that truly are practical and usable, on things like summer routines, dealing with kids' clothes storage/rotation, keeping your car clean, stocking your kitchen, managing your time, even down to the basics of cooking chicken.

Everything Happens: introduced to me by my mom, this one is hosted by Kate Bowler, a professor and writer who was diagnosed at age 35 with stage IV cancer. She has these great and insightful conversations with people about what they've learned in dark times of their lives. And also such a soothing nice podcast voice. I was excited about the list of people in the archives: favorite authors like Kelly Corrigan and John Green, along with others I admire like Emily McDowell and Lucy Kalanithi.

The Clearing: if you're itching for something new in the true crime category,  check this one out. The hosts tell the story, along with April Balascio, of how she discovered as a 40-year-old that her father was a murderer. You get that interesting cold case investigation reporting, but even more interesting is the look at April's emotional journey through unraveling the truth about her childhood memories and her father's crimes.

Revisionist History: not a new podcast, but a new season recently released, and as usual, Malcolm Gladwell's look at things that have gone unnoticed or misunderstood in history is full of great storytelling and compelling insights. Especially loved the couple about the LSAT/standardized testing and the 3-part series on moral reasoning inspired by the Jesuit approach.

Smash Boom Best: a kid podcast, but seriously just as much fun for adults. It teaches kids the basics of debate, in a very entertaining format, by taking two cool things and smashing them together to let their guest judge - and of course, listeners - decide which is best. (Grownup) participants each take on one side of the debate in 4 rounds, sharing facts and passions to present their side in matchups like piranhas vs. venus flytraps; unicorns vs. dragons; pizza vs. tacos; lava vs. quicksand.

listening lately

Summer is my favorite time for reading, but it's also a great time for listening - more potential headphones/car speakers time when you've got yard work or dog walking or road trips! In case you're looking for anything new, you can check my full archive of podcast recommendations here, plus 5 more below. (Bonus: you can get plenty of book recommendations out of a couple of these as well, for your summer reading time.)

All the Books! This podcast is pretty much completely as advertised: you hear about all the books. But more specifically, all the new books. The co-hosts each pick 4 books being released that day (or that have recently been released) that they are excited about and recap them. While it's not my favorite of all book podcasts (doesn't feel super high on the production quality), I do love hearing about new releases, and they tend to cover a pretty good variety of genres.

The To Read List: book podcasts (especially the above) tend to give me a lot of new releases to add to my list and thus distract me from getting to things already on my pile, so I loved the premise of this one: three friends get together, compile a list of the books actually on their shelves that haven't yet been read - from classics to YA to scifi and everything in between - and randomly select one to be assigned for reading/reviewing for each episode. The hosts' banter is pretty zany/nerdy friend type stuff (in a good way), and they do impressively in-depth research on the books and authors as part of their recaps, which really gives you a good look at the books.

Inside Trader Joe's: I love Trader Joe's, so I had to check this out! You get to look behind the scenes on the company history, culture, products, etc. If you enjoy this, also check out the Freakonomics episode Should America Be Run By...Trader Joe's? Fascinating to someone who is a TJ's fan, or is pretty much a professional grocery shopper, as I am - ha.

The Shrink Next Door: in the vein of a true crime podcast, except there's no scary murder or anything, it's more of a weird psychological story, about a New York psychiatrist who manipulated and defrauded patients, particularly Marty, who before he broke away from the psychiatrist basically had his life and finances taken over by him. I'm just a few episodes in, but there have been several intriguing plot twists already...

Animal Sound Safari: here's another kid one that Hendrik and I would recommend if you have a kid who is into learning about real-world, sciency stuff, especially animal-related things. We learned about it from Earth Rangers, and we had fun listening to the back catalog of this Australian podcast. It's a good mix of animal facts and make-believe adventures to travel the globe and learn about animals, with a humor well-suited to 5-year-old kids. The Australian accents are a fun bonus.


For my upcoming travels, though, I might be taking a little bit of a podcast break - because I'm dying to listen to the audiobook of Michelle Obama's Becoming. Have you checked that one out yet?

listening lately

This year I was kind of aiming to get more into audiobooks, but then I'm just having trouble finding the time - because I'm so busy listening to my list of podcast that is growing by the week. I have several new ones to report on in just the last month since my last update:

Chompers: a podcast for kids that keeps them entertained through the full dentist-recommended 2 minutes of teeth brushing, with jokes, stories, quizzes, and more. Each week has a theme (oceans, jobs, heroines, mythical creatures, etc.), and it comes out twice a day, so you've got morning and evening teeth brushing covered - though I admit, we don't use this daily, but more as a reward for doing a good job of getting ready for bed quickly! Hendrik enjoys all of the facts and silliness, but probably his favorite part is the end, when the kids in the recording shout, "3, 2, 1 ... spit!"

One Great Book: new from Anne Bogel of the popular book podcast What Should I Read Next, this podcast explores one book recommendation per week, something from Anne's personal shelves that she thinks is a stand-out, worthy of putting in readers' hands. I really enjoy the short format (10 minutes tops) that opens up your ears to some backlist titles (especially as someone who tends to always reach for the shiny new releases...).

Against the Rules: we're fans of author Michael Lewis (of books like Moneyball and The Big Short) around our house, so we subscribed right away when we saw he has a new podcast, which is his take on what's happened to the concept of fairness in our culture. He says we live in a world where "everyone loves to hate the referee" - but shows how we really need them - in a range of arenas that starts with professional basketball but then covers all kinds of important aspects of society, like financial markets (that episode, "The Seven Minute Rule," is especially good), the court system, and even grammar.

Invisibilia: I've mentioned this one before, but it bears mentioning again, because the new season (5) is quite engrossing, particularly the first couple of episodes. A show about the "unseeable forces" that shape our behavior and beliefs, this show has the narrative storytelling of something like This American Life or Serial combined with psychology/science, which makes it very interesting and also informative listening. The first episode on how medicine's efforts to address pain has paradoxically made pain worse/more prominent, and the second on how our online personas can eclipse our real-world selves in ways that have real-world consequences are highly worth a listen and make for great discussion.

Before Breakfast: I find Laura Vanderkam's work on time management/productivity, especially as it relates to women's work and family lives, quite interesting, so I was intrigued by this new podcast in which she provides a daily time management strategy or schedule-related tip. Well-suited to the theme, the episodes are 10 minutes or less, and they have some pretty practical applications for making one's life more productive - or even just feel less busy.

So that's what I've been listening to while I fold laundry, make dinner, or walk the dog - well, these, and any podcast episode in which Pete Buttigieg is interviewed. What's in your ears lately?

listening lately

It's high time for an update of the podcasts I've been listening to lately - because there are some good ones to report on! Binge-worthy, in fact, even if they are VASTLY different from one another, ranging from great book recommendations to history to kid stuff to almost-too-crazy-to-be-true investigative reporting...

Slow Burn: This podcast takes an in-depth look at everything surrounding the Nixon impeachment (season 1) and the Clinton one (season 2). I've only listened to the Clinton episodes, and they are fascinating first of all from just a historical perspective, as events I lived through but don't really know anything about, given that I was a naive 12-year-old and things about affairs and such went right over my head... But it's also super interesting to take a look at Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky and the treatment of her in the press in the light of the way we talk about "consent" today vs. then, and also interesting as a compare/contrast to presidential foibles happening today. Definitely an engrossing story, well-reported, and gives you a lot to think about.

Dr. Death: But if you really want to talk about engrossing stories... whew, this one is something else. It reports the story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon in Texas who advertised himself the best in Dallas for correcting back pain through surgery - charming patients into booking procedures. But soon his patients started reporting terrible complications, even death, and despite this, the medical system allowed him to keep operating, eventually permanently affecting the lives of 33 patients. It is both horrifying and chilling and completely addictive listening, leaving you wondering whether it's mental illness, complete over confidence, or stupidity leading Duntcsh to his surgical outcomes - and wondering the same about the system that allowed him to keep his medical license for that long.

The Dropout: another very fascinating, seems too crazy to be reality story involving over-ambition gone wrong, this time of Stanford dropout Elizabeth Holmes who turned herself into one of the youngest female billionaires, heralded as "the next Steve Jobs" with her company Theranos that was supposed to revolutionize healthcare by being able to test for a huge range of diseases using just one drop of blood... and now she's facing criminal charges for fraud, and her company has collapsed. If you've read the book Bad Blood (which I haven't, but I can report that Peter could not put down!), you'll probably know the whole story, but the audio allows adds to it when you hear the actual voices in the story, which makes it super interesting (especially with Elizabeth's affected deep tones), including interviews from people who worked with her and also audio from depositions in the case.

Currently Reading: total change of tone here! Two ladies who became friends because of books chat about their current reads (leading to tons of good recommendations added to my to-read list), a "deep dive" into a book-related topic (reading goals, classics worth a read, the best audiobooks, author interviews, and so on), and then wrap up with sharing a book they'd like to press into everyone's hands. They read an impressive amount of books each, so there are always tons of book reports to pique my interest. So far my favorite books I've read because of this podcast are The War That Saved My Life and The One. Their website/show notes are great for gathering recommendations too!

Earth Rangers: and another left turn - here we have a kids' podcast focused on wildlife, with an adventurous approach and a conservationist bent. If you have a kid interested in animal facts like mine is, definitely check it out! The episodes are a nice, manageable length for holding attention - or for listening to a whole bunch of in a row when your kid gets hooked. He gets a kick out of the animal jokes and the true/false quizzes too.


What have you been listening to lately? I still keep up with many of my old favorites, but there's enough dog walking and car driving and laundry folding that I'm always open to new podcast ideas!

listening lately

It's been a little while since I've updated the list of what I've been listening to lately - but not for lack of listening! Walking the dog, cooking dinner, folding laundry, any time I'm driving in the car solo, I've always got something on (especially as NPR either makes my blood pressure too high or introduces too many age-inappropriate words/concepts to my child...). Here are some newer (to me) ones I've been enjoying lately.

Bad on Paper Podcast: On quite a YA reading kick lately, and also needing a breather from some heavier (see below) and political listens, I've tried a few episodes of this one lately and enjoyed the mix of YA book club + girlfriend chatting + beauty/self-care type stuff (normally not my go-to, but I'm super into Forever 35 still, so I'm more on board for podcasts of this variety). Some of the single ladies living in New York stuff feels really far from my life, but I enjoy the talk about "guilty pleasure" type of reads (even if the book recaps go on a bit longer than maybe necessary - also, note there will be plot spoilers!), but it's pretty entertaining once you get to know the banter after a few episodes, and also kind of a fun additional "behind the scenes" look at a blogger I've followed a while.


Plan Podcast: another one I discovered from following the blogger - this new venture is by Dani of Thyme Is Honey, who I discovered after coming across her awesome organizational notepads. I don't particularly have any productivity/business podcasts that I listen to, but this is going to be the one for me, I think, with the great mix of productivity/organization and also wellness, health, and creative ideas. There are only 3 episodes available to this point, but I am already enthused by the useful and practical advice Dani gives from personal experience about getting all aspects of your life and wellness planned and organized!


Serial (season 3): I feel like Serial is what made this investigative deep-dive thing really popular in podcast land, and they're back with what they do best, the courtroom... This 3rd season that is currently coming out weekly doesn't focus on just one case, but instead it looks at the way the criminal justice system works in general, which means looking at ordinary cases. They do a year's worth of reporting in Cleveland, looking at the things from the whole range of perspectives: judges, prosecutors, victims, defendants, neighborhoods where crimes occur - and we get a picture of how the "ordinary" is actually a pretty troubling, broken system. It's really informative about how the system works, and super engaging because of the personal stories they weave into it, but admittedly leads to many depressed/despairing feelings about the state of things. Very worth a listen though.


The Dream: an investigative deep-dive into the world of multi-level marketing (think Amway, Mary Kay, or all manner of essential oil, clothing, skincare, etc. things that your Facebook friends are trying to sell) that I'm finding quite fascinating. The first couple of episodes with the background/history of such get-rich schemes and such companies are interesting, but the later episodes - where they join an MLM company undercover and show how they companies are pretty predatory/misleading and how hard it is to actually make any money (despite the company's standard "get rich" claims) - are what really hooked me. Spoiler alert - none of these companies are exactly painted in a good light. I definitely feel weird about the idea of buying from any of them.


But Why: if you have a curious kid, say around 4 or 5 years old, this is for your family! It takes call-ins from kids on all of those questions that they're constantly asking but parents don't really know the answer to: everything from "why is the sky blue?" to "why is tape sticky?" Sometimes the host answers the questions, but often they have on professors, scientists, etc. to answer the questions on a kid level. Hendrik LOVES it and is always thinking of "why?" questions that he would want to send in, and I may have learned a few useful things myself...


And I would be remiss to not mention the new season of Heavyweight going on now, another favorite of mine. It's absolutely delightful storytelling. What have you been listening to lately?

listening lately

Plenty of beach and travel time has provided ample opportunity to get my eyes on some good books this summer, but my ears haven't been neglected either, with equally lots of time walking the dog and (unfortunately) driving in the car for various appointments/a work trip. So, an update! The latest podcasts added to my roster:

She's All Fat: I think I learned about this podcast about body positivity and self-love from Whitney, and I really enjoy the conversational rapport of the hosts, along with their feminist take on bodies/fatness, and how we see this playing out in society and popular culture. Though I don't personally align with their core identity in the show, I have learned a lot about how women in different situations experience the world, in really helpful, mind-reshaping ways. Plus I think the hosts are funny and sassy, which of course makes it a good listen, on top of the important topics.

Five Things: in this podcast from the Lousville NPR station, the host interviews a whole range of people (some of whom I've heard of, some of not) - writers, musicians, podcast hosts, chefs, and more - to tell their life story by describing 5 objects that they love. It's interesting to hear about how certain objects can define people, and also to think about it in the context of your own life. This feels like a pretty NPR-y type of show, in the way the interviews are conducted/produced, but, hey, I like NPR.

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness: are you finished with all of the new Queer Eye episodes and feeling a gaping hole in your life? You need this podcast! Jonathan brings all of his exuberant and over-the-top personality not to hair/makeup like you might expect, but to any topic he is curious about. He talks with experts on everything from the midterms to gun control, Brexit, landing a triple axel, and more. I laugh out loud at his Valley Girl tone and proclamations of "cute!" and "gorgeous!" "oh, honey!" about these kinds of topics, but the all-over-the-place conversations do have some  actual serious curiosity to learn, and feel educating to listen to (not to mention fun). But then there's also an episode with each of his Queer Eye co-hosts that are extra fun, because you get to learn more about their bios, and more importantly, get some of their hilarious and fun chemistry that just makes the show so infectious (and sad when you're out of episodes).

Revisionist History: not exactly "new" (in fact, I'm sure I've included this one in a podcast roundup before), but there is a new season, and it's worth reminding you of Malcolm Gladwell's really interesting, well produced, thought-provoking (yet entertaining) podcast that takes a new look at moments/movements in history that are overlooked or misunderstood. I really liked the episodes in season 3 about memory and the reliability/shift-iness of it. Definitely recommend all 3 seasons of this one, if you haven't listened yet.

But That's Another Story: in this podcast author Will Schwabe has short conversations with authors about the one book that changed the course of their life. I like how in telling about a particular book that they really loved/found moving/were inspired by, the authors reveal more interesting things about their biographies and about their own works than you might get in a standard interview. And there have been some authors I really love - Min Jin Lee, Kevin Kwan, Louise Penny. A good one to add to your book podcast lineup for sure.


So there you have it - tons of good listening up here, and if the back catalogs of these aren't enough for you, I've got even more recommendations over here!

Sharing on The Blended Blog.

listening lately

I've gone down a little podcast rabbit hole lately, where one podcast leads me to another - leading to a whole new lineup of shows to tell you about! These have all become regular listens for me, and even for Hendrik in a couple of cases.

Power Up from Nerdette: I already enjoyed/subscribed to Nerdette, so their new project automatically showed up in my feed, and I'm liking it a lot. They interview a variety of people - actors, comedians, even an astronaut - to talk about how "successful, inspiring people have the time and energy to be so successful and inspiring." It's interesting in general to hear about how these people recharge their batteries, but also interesting because it's a different, more personal (and personally applicable for the listener, perhaps) angle on the usual celebrity interview that tends to focus just on their latest project.

Kondabolu Brothers: Power Up then led me to this podcast, after listening to Hari and Ashok's interview there. I was already a fan of comedian Hari Kondabolu (this standup special, especially), whose comedy is very funny but also really gets you thinking about things like race, stereotypes, and inequity. In this podcast, he does live shows basically just chatting on stage with his younger brother. They're both very funny and have a great dynamic - it's almost like listening to a two-person standup/improv show, with observational comedy about daily life, pop culture, society, etc.

Circle Round: the favorite podcast roundup episode of one of my old favorite podcasts led me to try a few podcasts for kids, starting with this one that tells folktales from around the world, sometimes starring some voices that adults will recognize well. And Hendrik was totally hooked immediately; he frequently requests that I turn on a story and enjoys sitting and listening almost as much as he'd enjoy watching a show (plus the printable coloring pages that coordinate with episodes are great to add in with it, for a visual/activity to keep his hands busy!). All of the stories have great themes/lessons on things like generosity, kindness, persistence, etc. and do it in a way that is engaging and entertaining but doesn't ram any morals down anyone's throat.

Story Pirates: another recommendation from that podcast roundup episode, also for kids. This one takes story ideas from kids and turns them into fully produced stories or songs. Really well produced, and the music's great - and all of it perfectly suits the zany sense of humor of a 4-year-old. We've only listened to a couple of episodes so far, but I think Hendrik may end up loving it even more than Circle Round (especially because we're about to run out of episodes in the Circle Round archive, we've listened to so many of those).

Sooo Many White Guys: can't quite remember what led me to look this one up, but I think it was an ad on some other WNYC Studios podcast I listen to (The New Yorker Radio Hour, perhaps?). I loved listening to Phoebe Robinson narrate her audiobook of You Can't Touch My Hair - very quirky fresh funny voice in comedy - so I was definitely interested in a podcast hosted by her. It's billed as "intimate, funny conversations with all kinds of artists who (mostly) aren’t white dudes" and is both amusing and a refreshing set of interviews. My favorite episodes so far have been Terry Gross and Gayle King.


I'm preeettyyy busy with all of these, but I'm still curious - any great podcast finds in your own feeds lately? With nicer weather meaning more time walking outside, I think I can afford to add in another one or two...

listening lately

With the exception of the reboot of Queer Eye (love!!), I just haven't found anything on Netflix lately that I'd consider binge watching. But binge listening, on the other hand... that I've been doing a bit of lately, thanks to finding some great podcasts that have some great archives.

Note to Self: a podcast about the "essential quandaries facing anyone trying to preserve their humanity in the digital age." I recently started a little binge-listening because I heard an ad for their series called "No Filter", which addresses what it means to be a woman on the web -how we portray ourselves, how we make the internet work for us - through interviews with some bad-ass ladies, from a YouTube star to a trans actress to a painter who did Michelle Obama's official portrait. Great series, and now I am looking forward to listening to some more of the archives - up next, an episode on how to find the right amount of screen time, for our kids and for ourselves.

Forever 35: billed as "a podcast about the things we do to take care of ourselves," this podcast is basically a conversation between two friends that has a whole lot of discussion of makeup and serums and self-care. These aren't really things I'm super into, but I am super into this podcast. I love the hosts' chemistry - the conversations and banter make me feel like I'm hanging out with friends, even if their lives in LA are pretty far removed from mine and my friends' lives. It's not just chatting though - they also have interviews with interesting writers and showrunners and such, and I like that the angle is more about personal routines and self-care, not just the same interviews about their work that you might hear. A conversational podcast like this is often best if you start from the beginning, in my opinion, to get to know the people at the start rather than jumping in mid-conversation, and since this one is new-ish that's still easy enough to do! And enjoyable to boot.

Read Aloud Revival: I started listening to this one after the host was a guest on one of my weekly must-listens (What Should I Read Next?), and I enjoyed the conversation about books for young readers so much. In her podcast, Sarah MacKenzie talks about making meaningful connections with your kids through stories. She talks about reading aloud to kids of all different ages, has interesting conversations with authors, and has tons of great book recommendations. I want to pick up her book now too, to get my hands on more age-appropriate recommendations as we read more chapter books with Hendrik!

On the Media: Peter is a devoted listener of this one, and I've listened to it occasionally over the years, but more regularly recently after he recommended a few particular episodes that were really compelling. This NPR show is essentially analysis of the media and how it's made, hosted by a couple of very smart (and snappy, at times) people. It's been especially interesting in the current political times; I appreciate the depth of questions they bring to the issues such as how the media has covered the president/campaign, white supremacists, etc. and through what lens. In that vein, one very worthwhile recent listen is Face the Racist Nation, which addresses "what the news media often get wrong about white supremacists, and what those errors expose about the broader challenge of confronting racism in America." Much food for thought here.

Late Night with Seth Meyers Podcast: I don't manage to do it very often, but I really enjoy watching Seth Meyers' "A Closer Look" segments - I need my information about the president and current politics infused with as much humor as possible to be able to handle it - so I was pleased when I heard about the Late Night podcast version. Each episode usually has one of those segments (or something similar), followed by the televised interview + bonus backstage chat with one of his guests from that night. And given that he seems to have on more authors than your average late-night show, I have rather enjoyed quite a few of these interviews, that I might not otherwise have seen/heard. Extra excited to read An American Marriage after hearing his interview with author Tayari Jones.


None of these sound quite up your alley? I have lots of other favorite podcasts that you can see reviews of in the archives!

listening lately

My podcast list has gotten a refresh in the past month, and I'm excited to share - because there are some good new ones here! If you're in the market for something enjoyable to listen to, look no further...

Women's Work: I'm always fascinated by learning about what other people's jobs entail (there are so many interesting things out there that I don't even realize are jobs sometimes!), so I was very interested to check out this new podcast from Tsh Oxenreider in which she interviews creative women about their work, so far ranging from city commissioner to bookstore owner to entrepreneur. And how can it not be great, with a promo like this: "Throughout history, women have helped make the world go round - but their efforts usually went unsung. We’re doing better… but let’s do better than better. Let’s celebrate the work of women." Amen!

Unladylike: Also on the topic of celebrating women - and especially women who are breaking the "rules" of society's expectations - I'm really enjoying this new podcast as well. In each episode the co-hosts tackle a different question about the "unwritten but all-too-real bullsh*t expectations of how we should live our lives" as women, in all areas of life, big and small - the issue of abortion, issues of body image, even the empowerment (or not) of women in the history of riding bicycles. I like the wise-cracking rapport of the co-hosts, and a little dose of feminist rage can be kind of cathartic sometimes...

Making Obama: from the makers of Making Oprah (which I loved) comes a new series about the political rise of Barack Obama. It's not about the presidency, but about his experiences working in Chicago as a community organizer, and his early political career - focusing partly on how the unique political conditions of Chicago and his unique experiences in living/working there led him down the road to this unexpected successful presidential run. There are interviews with lots of people involved, but also with the man himself! Always happy to hear that voice again...

More Perfect: a podcast about the Supreme Court? Sounds nerdy, but it's fascinating. They take some of the biggest cases decided by the court, ones that have shaped our society on everything from money to marriage to sexual equality, and tell the stories behind them in a way that makes the cases and their implications understandable, and also personal. I went back into the archive of this after starting Notorious RBG (which I'm loving) and thus was especially interested in the episode on her big case ("Sex Appeal"), but I've been enjoying many others too.

Book Club Appetizer: this one isn't making new episodes anymore, which is sad because it's the perfect book lover listen - just the right length, just the right amount of scripted, and some excellent book talk. Each time the co-hosts offer a themed appetizer/cocktail idea to complement the selected book, then have a brief discussion of the book's plot and themes, followed by a chat with the book's author. In the absence of having a book club in my life at the moment, I thought this was a great substitute (though these are full of plot spoilers, so I've just been listening to the episodes about books I've already read, which gives me added appreciation for the ones I've liked - and it's making me want to read the others in their lineup now!)


What have you been listening to lately? Tried any of these ones yet?

listening lately

Got any upcoming holiday travels? Or long sessions of gift wrapping? I have the perfect accompaniment (besides Christmas cookies): an update of the podcasts I've been listening to and enjoying lately!

The Popcast: I'm late to the game on this one, partly because I'm not all that into pop culture. But I can help but love the chemistry between Knox and Jamie - they're pretty funny together - and all of the pop culture recaps they come up with, from books they love and movies/tv coming out soon, to recaps of certain topics in pop culture (pregnancy/babies, pranks, travels).  I think they're at their funniest when doing the "No"s of something, like "The Nos of Social Media". Since I'm not super into pop culture, I don't listen to every episode, but I pick and choose the ones that most interest my (somewhat limited) tastes.

The Sporkful: billed as the podcast that's "not for foodies, it's for eaters," this one covers the gamut of food-related things - eating, making, buying, sharing - partly as an enjoyment of food, but partly as a way to learn more about people (race, culture, body image, relationships). I love the host of this one, and my favorite episodes are the series on food and culture (how "our parents' food" affects our relationships and sense of identity) - so fascinating - and the one on a sandwich shop in Aleppo, Syria, which was entertaining but also moving.

The Longest Shortest Time: I heard about this parenting podcast ages ago but somehow forgot all about it, which is too bad, because it's great! Really interesting topics (everything parenting, from infertility and pregnancy to how to talk to your kids about certain topics to work/life balance) that are addressed in an open and refreshing way. Definitely makes you feel like "ah, I'm not alone here!" Also, I highly recommend the recent series about discrimination against working mothers (It's a Real Mother). So much food for thought.

Beaks and Geeks: I love a good book podcast, and this one from Penguin Random House is a good one. The host interviews a different author each episode, and the candid nature of the interviews, plus the fairly short length (18-20 minutes) makes it really engaging and interesting. My favorites episodes are the one with Brit Bennett (The Mothers), Celeste Ng (Little Fires Everywhere), and Diksha Basu (The Windfall), and Amor Towles (Gentleman in Moscow). They'll either get you excited to read the book, or give you new and additional appreciation for the book and the writing if you've already read it.

By the Book: called "half reality show, half self-help podcast, and one wild social experiment", in this podcast two friends - one who loves self-help books, and one who is always skeptical of them - choose a book to read, and then try all of the book's principles in their lives for 2 weeks. The personal aspects of it can be funny at times, and at others really insightful about self-acceptance, eating disorders, things like that. I have to admit that I find the hosts a little annoying (especially one of them), but it's an interesting one whether you're into the idea of self-help books, or whether you're skeptical, because both sides are represented. Again, I picked and chose which episodes interested me the most, based on my familiarity with the books The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, French Women Don't Get Fat).


No travels for me (yay, hometown living), and all of my present wrapping is done - but I still always love new podcasts. Any other suggestions for me?

listening lately

When it comes to airplane travel I like to spend my time with good books, but today's loooooong travel day to Dubai also includes plenty of time in the car to get to the airport, and luckily I've got lots of great new listens queued up for that...

Invisibilia: I've mentioned this as a favorite podcast before, and they're just back with a 3rd season of this show about "the invisible forces that control human behavior – ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions." I find it a fascinating mix of great storytelling, scientific research, and emotional heart string tugging. Season 1 is probably my favorite, but I've really been enjoying the new episodes too.

Pod Save America: after several recommendations I switched over to this one as my political news-type podcast. It's hosted by former Obama White House aides/speech writers who are super smart and also really funny. My new go-to when I want a recap or a liberal/progressive/cathartic take on the latest political yuckiness. It's the sort of thing that you probably only want to listen to the latest couple of episodes, rather than going all the way back through the archive, as it is so current events focused, but going back to the live episode in LA is worth a listen - you really get the dynamics, plus a great interview with the mayor of LA. (Also the sort of thing you want to listen to only if you're on the left side of politics...)

How I Built This: also received several recommendations for this one but didn't get around to it until now because I am just not that into entrepreneurial/business-focused types of things. But these 1/2-hourish podcasts are the perfect length to hear some stories about. I got sucked in by some favorite brands like Crate & Barrel and Kate Spade, and their founders' stories of how their businesses started from nothing. And then I got totally hooked.

Written Inside: these are stories about life in prison cells, written by men who are serving long-term sentences for violent crimes as part of an inmate writing class (read by actors for the podcast) that give you glimpses of what everyday life in prison is like for them, from meeting a new cellmate to waging a war against cockroaches in a cell. It's not about the crimes, but about the people and their experiences, and I really appreciate how it humanizes these men. While I think people who commit violent crimes should be punished of course, there has got to be a place for humanity and reformation in it too, and so I found this series so compelling.

Ear Snacks: I'm driving solo today, but in general summer brings a lot more time in the car with Hendrik as we're back and forth to the cottage, so I thought we'd finally try out a kid podcast that I heard recommended on the Girl Next Door podcast a while ago. Geared toward ages 2-7, it's got fun, original songs of a quirky folk-for-kids variety that even parents will enjoy, and it also features lots of kid voices, which makes it fun for a kid to listen to. Each episode has a focus of something new to learn about, from rain to shadows to caterpillars. I'm not sure they're really doing new episodes any more, but it's fun to be going through the backlog.


So lots of new stuff, and a bit outside of my usual listening realm, which is quite enjoyable! Anything else good to suggest? I'm particularly interested in kid podcast suggestions...

listening lately

Now that the spring weather is improving, I've been back at getting Ginger out for good walks, with the added benefit of greatly increasing my podcast listening time. Here's an update on what I've been listening to lately:

S-Town: the hot new thing in podcasts lived up to the hype for me. It was essentially instigated by this really eccentric, brilliant (and profane! not for little ears) guy from what he terms Sh*t-town, Alabama, John B., when he contacted a This American Life producer about investigating some goings-on in his town. There's a death, feuding townspeople, hidden treasure - all real-life! - and I found it quite engrossing. Plus it's done with the storytelling skill of This American Life and the look-from-all-angles/perspectives type of reporting from Serial, so it's good.  And with some of the cliff-hangers, I was glad they released all of the episodes at once!

Missing Richard Simmons: the previous hot new thing in podcasts was also really interesting, but slightly less engrossing to me. However, definitely one of those things, kind of like the Making Oprah podcast, where I didn't think I really was that interested in this celebrity, but once I started listening, I found I did care. This one details the rise in fame of Richard Simmons and then investigates what in the world happened to him when he suddenly disappeared from the public eye a few years ago. It has a personal feel that makes you care more, since the narrator of it actually knew Richard but hadn't been able to get in touch with him since he went "missing."

Just the Right Book: when the host of your favorite book recommendation podcast recommends another one, you check it out... and I've enjoyed exploring a few of the episodes of this one hosted by Roxanne Coady, who clearly knows her stuff as the owner of a large independent bookstore where lots of authors kick off their book tours. She interviews lots of great authors I love, from  Ann Patchett to Maria Semple, and I also love the segment “What’s on the Front Table,” which is basically an audio version of my favorite thing to do in a bookstore: browse what they've got on the front table.

Up First: I used to get my news from listening to Morning Edition, but I've been keeping my radio on NPR a little less with Hendrik in the car (those little ears pick up too many things) and with needing to take a sanity break from some of the news these days. But I loved the idea of this new daily podcast from NPR, which offers a 10-minute overview of the biggest stories (news, politics, pop culture) to start your day. I can fit it in easily, even just on my drive over to the gym or the grocery store, and I feel up-to-date.

The Big Listen: and if all of these recommendations (or these!) weren't enough, check out "the broadcast about podcasts." I really like the host, and how they go behind the scenes with the creators of some really interesting-sounding podcasts you've never heard of, as well as talk to some more celebrity-type podcast hosts (Katie Couric, Malcolm Gladwell, etc.) about their shows and others they enjoy listening to.

What are you listening to lately? Have you jumped on the S-Town train yet? I'm looking for people who have, so I can talk about it more!

listening lately

Podcasts and audiobooks are pretty fabulous things for an introvert... I can get my rejuvenating alone time and a totally manageable dose of other people at the same time. Especially with all of the great ones I've discovered lately that are chock-full of some excellent girl talk.

Call Your Girlfriend
This one is billed as a "podcast for long-distance besties everywhere," and I've decided it's the long-distance (and perhaps also single/kidless/more overtly feminist) version of my favorite Girl Next Door Podcast - though having/not having any of the above shouldn't stop you from listening to either of these! Basically it's two friends talking about all the kinds of things best friends might talk about, and so while you're missing your best friend, or you're on a long drive with nobody to talk to, you get to feel like you're just hanging out getting your fill of some good girl talk on everything from pop culture to politics. In terms of podcast quality, it's very well edited and produced rather than just rambling, like some others in this format that I have encountered.


Making Oprah
A three-episode series (plus a few short bonus ones) that tells the inside story of how Oprah's show became such a cultural phenomenon. Whatever you think of Oprah, you can't help but admire the empire she has built, and I thought this look at it was fascinating, especially as I wasn't quite old enough at the time the show was at its peak to understand just how much reach and influence it had - but this show makes you realize how it forever altered daytime television and also the outlook and life of women in this country, on everything from issues of spirituality and empowerment to books and hair. The behind-the-scenes interviews with staffers and producers are really interesting, and the host's reaction to learning that she would actually get to interview Oprah in person just made me smile.


Sorta Awesome
"A weekly podcast geared toward women who want to stay current on all things awesome, including culture, media, trending conversations and general girlfriend chat," here's another that lets you feel like you're a part of fun conversations among friends. So far I've mostly listened to the book-related episodes (thanks to the referral from my absolute favorite book podcast), but I'm looking forward to going through the archives for episodes on things like organization, blogging, and "how to dress a man." So far I find the host (and her rotating guest hosts) to just be upbeat and positive and enjoyable to listen to, and I also love all the random tidbits I've picked up from the opening "awesomes of the week" segment, from book and movie recommendations to great apps and recipes.


You Can't Touch My Hair
Clearly I'm all about the feminist listens lately, and with this one by Phoebe Robinson I really appreciated having some diversity, adding a new understanding of a different experience within womanhood - her perspective as a black woman. She's a witty lady, and this is a great mix of personal experiences, pop culture topics, and frank talk about race and feminism. Things to make you think + things to make you laugh is a great combo to me - and hearing it in her own voice definitely makes it even more entertaining.


You'll Grow Out of It
Jessie Klein (writer for Inside Amy Schumer) enters the "funny woman smart memoir" category with this book, and as with the others (Amy Poehler, Tina Fey) I always think they're even more enjoyable when you listen to the funny lady herself reading it. For being a "celebrity" type of memoir, it's quite relateable - in that regard I especially appreciated the chapters on (in)fertility and on having a new baby and the honesty about being a woman in working life, societal expectations, etc.. This is a book I'd probably give an overall 2.5-3 stars (thanks to some of the less relateable aspects - I totally skipped the chapter on porn), but these chapters were more like 5 stars. Amy Poehler's Yes, Please is the most similar one I've listened to in terms of really delving into feminist, life balance, etc. issues rather than just recounting her career path, and that would definitely be my pick out of the two for just being a bit more upbeat. But both are enjoyable and worth a listen!

listening lately

With my awesome new wireless earbuds (thanks, Peter, for making my Christmas wishes come true, and in my favorite coraly red color too!), my podcast listening has only increased because it's just so convenient to be listening to something all the time when there's no cord to get tangled up with when I'm putting laundry in the washing machine, and so on. So along with that, a new lineup of what I've been listening to lately.

In the Dark: if you like true crime series, this is a good one. I binge listened, and it was so engrossing and intense. Though a trigger warning is in order - given that it contains information from a direct confession, as well as first-hand accounts of other kidnappings, it definitely feels more graphic at times than something like Serial (season 1) or Accused. This series investigates a 27-year-old cold case child abduction, of Jacob Wetterling in rural Minnesota. The story itself is engrossing, and I also appreciated the way they also investigated how this abduction led to definite societal changes in the areas of stranger danger and sex-offender registries. The case is actually solved now after a confession, which happened as the podcast was just about to come out, but that makes it even more interesting listening, I think.

The New Yorker Radio Hour: Peter gets The New Yorker and is a diligent reader, but I find the topics very interesting I'm just rarely am willing to commit to a 10,000-word article (says the person who doesn't bat an eye at a 400-page book). Enter The New Yorker Radio Hour. Hosted by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, you get the types of in-depth interviews and cultural/political examinations, profiles, and humor columns that they publish, but in a really well-done, easy to listen to package. I think he's a great host.

Tell Me Something I Don't Know: hosted by Stephen J. Dubner of Freakonomics fame, this one takes more of a live audience game show format in which he has 3 famous guests of various types of smarts (ranging from Gretchen Rubin to Dr. Oz to comedian Hannibal Buress) who serve as a judging panel for contestants who come on stage to try to tell them something they don't know that's on the topic of the night's theme. I've learned a whole range of interesting things about the world, and the repartee of the host and panelists makes for entertaining listening. This would be a fun one to be at a live performance of, along the lines of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.

Judge John Hodgman: spoofing the daytime TV judge shows, the always amusing John Hodgman serves as judge for pressing issues like spouses who are arguing over whether to get an artificial or real Christmas tree, or a son who is bringing suit against his mother because he thinks he should be allowed to get a motorcycle. The back-and-forth of his questioning the "plaintiffs" is quite amusing, but his wrap-up of the cases are surprisingly insightful and compassionate about relationships. I also really love it for the clever titles of each case. I've only listened to a few so far but am excited there's a good backlog of this one to go through.

Leave a Message after the Tone: here's a good one if you have only a little bit of time to devote to podcasts, as the episodes are only 5-6 minutes long (and there are only 4 of them). It's inspired by the everyday of the voicemail; listeners call in to leave voicemails on the episode's theme, which are then edited together to make a collective story. I like the snippets of humanity on themes like friendship breakups, but there are also funny ones like leave a message about what you think Donald Trump eats.


So that's what's in my ears lately, and I've got a bunch more that I want to try thanks to this best podcast episodes roundup post from NPR, so look for another update next month!

listening lately

Once again, I'm having a bit of trouble keeping up with all of my podcast listening, thanks to some great recommendations for new ones to add to the list. My latest additions have a little bit of everything I love in podcasts, from books to true crime to NPR-worthy storytelling.

Pantsuit Politics: conversations about politics from Sarah on the left and Beth on the right, with the tagline "No shouting. No insults. Plenty of nuance." Even though I'm pretty squarely in the left camp and love all of Sarah's commentary for it, it's nice to have input from a person on the other side that is measured and reasonable - a good reminder to have conversations sometimes, instead of just opinions (though I have to add thank goodness she is not at all a fan of Trump, or I would not have made it through one episode - nuance is one thing; crazy is entirely another). I appreciate the female/feminist viewpoint as well as the genuine, real-person feel (though clearly these ladies are knowledgeable). I liked the debate recap episodes, but there are lots of other political topics besides just the current election that they talk about, which I think is a great way to be informed but still enjoy a political discussion.

Accused: if you were a fan of Serial (season 1), definitely check out this 8-part series. It originally caught our notice because it's put out by the Cincinnati Enquirer, and it captured our attention within minutes of starting the first episode because it's one of those pretty darn engaging true crime investigations, this one of a cold case of a college girl's murder in the 1970s. I thought the reporter who put it together was really good - the bits of personal reflection that she puts into it make it all the more compelling.

Heavyweight: hosted by a radio storytelling pro, Jonathan Goldstein, this podcast is about "journeying back to the moment when everything went wrong." In each episode, Jonathan takes someone on a relationship-repairing journey (which sounds really heavy, but it's not), like taking his father to reunite with his estranged brother. or his friend to heal a rift with childhood friend Moby. I love his style of narrating and humorous touches. I was a big fan of The Mystery Show, and this almost feels like the relationship mystery-solving version in some ways. Also good for fans of shows like This American Life.

From the Front Porch: I learned about this one from my favorite (What Should I Read Next) when this small-town Georgia indie bookstore owner was a guest. She and an employee of her shop put out this podcast of booktalk, and I think their chats are pretty delightful. Great personalities and great book recommendations. Plus as a book lover, I just eat up this bookseller insider info - loved when they had their sales rep from Penguin Random House on to talk about how the process of bringing new titles to book stores works. This podcast perhaps even more enjoyable for Southerners, since that's another focus; though I'm a Midwesterner through and through, there's a whole genre of Southern female fiction (headlined by Joshilyn Jackson) that I adore, so it makes me feel right at home in a literary world.

22, A Million: when getting through the busywork portions of my day I can listen to podcasts, but when I have tasks that require more concentration I like some good work background music. Lately my go-to has been the new album from Bon Iver - also always great soundtrack for the colder seasons.

Have you tried any of these? My top pick for compulsive listening is definitely Accused, but I highly recommend them all!