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?
The Popcast sounds GREAT! I've got a long commute everyday, so I'll be listening!
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ReplyDeleteNoooo, I'm already way behind on my podcast queue but a couple of these sound right up my alley. I think I have to listen to Beaks and Geeks, and as an enthusiastic eater the Sporkful sounds like fun too. I'm not very into pop culture either so I wasn't sure the Popcast would be for me, but you're making me want to check it out.
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