26 Podcasts that Have Changed How I See the World & Help Me Feel Less Alone
plus an FAQ to help podcast novices start listening
Podcasts have improved my life.
No, that’s not a line I’m pitching for an infomercial. No podcast has made me lose 100 pounds, given me blemish-free skin, or revolutionized my cleaning habits.
But they have indeed improved my life. I’ve learned a tremendous amount about science and history, gained insight into polarizing viewpoints, found comfort in tales of hardship and triumph, and laughed hysterically at celebrity antics. (Thanks, Anna Faris!) They’ve also made long drives more enjoyable, caught me up on important news, and even motivated me to go on daily hourlong walks. (Which I c a n n o t believe I actually enjoy; I used to think anyone how claimed to like walking alone had to be lying.)
Whether you’re a newbie to podcasts or a veteran who listened to Serial before it was cool, here are some of my very favorite ‘casts that I recommend checking out.
(and for podcasts novices wondering how to get started — keep scrolling; I have a short FAQ for you after the recs!)
Terrible, Thanks for Asking
Why I adore it:
Each story is more tragic than a Grey’s Anatomy season finale, but is told with such vulnerability, grace, and detail that I’m left breathless. (Or maybe that’s because I’m often walking uphill while listening? Debatable.) Plus, host Nora McInerny’s questions and commentary vary from witty to poetic. I want to be her best friend… and I bet you will too. (But hey, I called dibs.)
The official description:
You know how every day someone asks “how are you?” And even if you’re totally dying inside, you just say “fine,” so everyone can go about their day? This show is the opposite of that. Hosted by author and notable widow (her words) Nora McInerny, this is a funny/sad/uncomfortable podcast about talking honestly about our pain, our awkwardness, and our humanness, which is not an actual word.
Episodes you’ll especially need to a Cosco-size box of tissues for:
- 29: If/Then
- 20: The Truth We Live
- 12: Horrible and Wonderful and Figuring It Out
- 9: Under a Cloud of Loss
- 5: Help Me Remember
Anna Faris is Unqualified
Why I adore it:
Wellllll I’ve loved Anna ever since she gave Monica and Chandler twins. And here, she displays her flair for improv comedy and creative interviewing. The advice she gives callers isn’t always the wisest, but I can hear empathy oozing out of every world. Hey, the gal is trying her best! My favorite bits though are the celebrity guests… whom Anna always seems to have perfect chemistry with, as she probes them with the most frank, outlandish questions.
The official description:
not-so-great relationship advice from completely unqualified Hollywood types
Episodes that will especially make you nod, laugh and gasp:
- ep 121: Dax Shepard Returns
- ep 72: Terry Crews
- ep 62: Lauren Graham
- ep 25: Anna Chlumsky
- ep 05: Aubrey Plaza
The Hilarious World of Depression
Why I adore it:
Because depression loves company? I think that’s part of it. It’s comforting to hear highly successful, all-around wonderful human beings share their struggles with depression (and often other mental illnesses too) in a highly vulnerable, open way. Nearly every episode starts with host John Moe — whose voice I find oh so soothing — asking “is depression funny?” Answers vary but they’re always a fascinating glimpse into someone else’s psyche. And you definitely don’t need to be familiar with the guest beforehand; Hilarious World will make you fall in love with them, serotonin deficiency and all.
The official description:
A show about clinical depression…with laughs? Well, yeah. Depression is an incredibly common and isolating disease experienced by millions, yet often stigmatized by society. The Hilarious World of Depression is a series of frank, moving, and, yes, funny conversations with top comedians who have dealt with this disease, hosted by veteran humorist and public radio host John Moe. Join guests to learn how they’ve dealt with depression and managed to laugh along the way. If you have not met the disease personally, it’s almost certain that someone you know has. Depression is a vicious cycle of solitude and stigma that leaves people miserable and sometimes dead. Frankly, we’re not going to put up with that anymore. The Hilarious World of Depression is not medical treatment and should not be seen as a substitute for therapy or medication. But it is a chance to gain some insight, have a few laughs, and realize that people with depression are not alone and that together, we can all feel a bit better.
Episodes that will especially make you life, cry and say “oh my gosh, SAME!”:
- Rachel Bloom Finds Her Voice, Then Uses It To Sing About Stealing Pets and Moving to West Covina, California
- Janelle James Discovers She’s a Comedian and Not a Gardner
- Jenny Lawson is Very Fond of Creepy Smiling Dead Animals and Worries Quite a Bit
- Patti Harrison Figures Out Who She Is and She’s a Woman Who Likes Gross Jokes
- Andy Richter on Youthful Melancholy and Twisted Entertainers
Good One: A Podcast About Jokes
Why I adore it:
The Tig Notaro episode had me laughing so much, I woke up my snoozing cat. And she’s slept through thunderstorms. Need I say more?
Ok, fine. Good One is not only wake-your-pet-up funny, it’s educational. Each episode provides delightful insight into the fabulously wacky minds of its joke teller… and into the complex process of developing and editing works of comedy.
The official description:
Good One: A Podcast About Jokes is a podcast about — well — jokes, and the people who tell them. Each week, a comedian will play a joke of their’s and then break it down with Vulture.com Senior Editor Jesse David Fox.
Episodes that’ll especially crack you up and make you see comedy as exquisite art:
- Maria Bamford Wants You to Know How Much Money She Makes
- What It’s Like to Write Jokes for Barack Obama
- Jen Kirkman’s Street Harassment Closer
- Tig Notaro’s Taylor Dayne Story
- Weird Al Yankovic’s “Word Crimes”
More Perfect
Why I adore it:
I’ll admit it: I’m opinionated. And that definitely extends to decisions handed on down from Ruth Bader Ginsburg and co. But More Perfect takes those crisp opinions, twists them into a convoluted knot, sets that knot on fire… and makes me admire the blaze. Each episode showcases just how. extremely. complex.each of its examined cases are, making me want to run off and become a lawyer asap. (Wait, law school costs how much??! Never mind. I’ll just keep screaming internally at More Perfect.)
The official description:
Supreme Court decisions shape everything from marriage and money to public safety and sex. We know these are very important decisions we should all pay attention to — but they often feel untouchable and even unknowable. Radiolab’s first ever spin-off series, More Perfect, connects you to the decisions made inside the court’s hallowed halls, and explains what those rulings mean for “we the people” who exist far from the bench. More Perfect bypasses the wonkiness and tells stories behind some of the court’s biggest rulings.
Episodes that’ll especially make your question your own opinions:
- Mr. Graham and the Reasonable Man
- American Pendulum I & American Pendulum II
- Object Anyway
- The Imperfect Plaintiffs
- Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl
Additionally…
(ALL the podcasts I currently follow)
RadioLab: these stories make my brain hurt… in the best way possible
Flash Forward: because DAMN the future’s gonna get weird
Broadway Backstory: ♫ who lives, who dies, who tells broadway backstories? ♫
Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air: his interview with Daveed Diggs will cure all your problems
Longform: turns out the stories behind stories… make for great stories
The Daily: because sometimes the news of the day boggles me… this explains it
Happier with Gretchen Rubin: no “just smile!” or “drink more water!” here — Gretchen’s tips for a happier life are unique yet totally doable
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness: Jonathan has his own podcast! can you believe??
It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders: simply a great interviewer with great interviewees
Fresh Air: ditto to the above
How to Be a Person: celebs are great instructors on this whole ~human~ thing
TED Radio Hour: I’m tempted to listen to every. single. TED. talk. ever. But I don’t have a spare 30,698 hours. This curbs my craving.
Pop Culture Happy Hour: when I just neeeed to talk to someone about Killing Eve, Queer Eye, or whatever my latest obsession is these podcasters have my back
The JV Club with Janet Varney: celebs: they’re just like us — they were awkward teenagers, too!
Katie Couric: Katie curated this podcast just for me. I’d swear it.
Adam Ruins Everything: in which Adam explains why everything I think I know is wrong
Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!: my go-to hour of happiness
Code Switch: cuts through the discourse to race and identity issues I didn’t know much about
Invisibilia: female hosts telling science and societal stories that deliver on the show’s promise to “make you see your own life differently”
How I Built This with Guy Raz: ever thought there’s gotta be a great story behind the creation of Ben & Jerry’s, Instagram, Lyft, and other companies? Even AOL? You thought right.
This American Life: basically required listening for any podcast fan; I got hooked on the Switched at Birth episode
Podcast FAQs
Errr ummm yeah soooo what are podcasts??I
It’s a highly broad term for free audio programs. Some are stories (fictional and non-fictional), others are motivational talks, game shows, celebrity interviews, comedy programs, deep dives into social issues, discussions on a particular tv show or nerdy interest, even an investigation as to wtf happened to Richard Simmons. With literally thoooousands of podcasts in existence, there’s almost certainly one on any topic you’re curious about.
How long are they?
Varies. I’ve seen some that are just 5 minutes… and others that are 2 hours. Most of the ones I listen to are 30 minutes to an hour.
How do I listen?
You can download or livestream most from the program’s website, including the links I shared above. However, a much easier way — which will allow you to keep ’em all in one place — is to download a podcast app. Loads will pop up when you search “podcasts” in your app store. Popular ones include Overcast, Pod Wrangler, and TuneIn Radio. I use (and really like) Podbean. You can also get podcasts from iTunes or Spotify.
How much do they cost?
zero dollars and zero cents :)
Do I need to start from episode #1 of each podcast?
Depends. For any of the ones I recommended above, absolutely not. Hit “play” on whichever episode title/description interests you most. They’re like Chopped, House Hunters, or any late night show; any episode is a perfectly fine entry point.
….Buuuut some podcasts out there are indeed serialized and will only make sense if you start at the beginning. Usually these are focused on a single story, whih should be pretty obvious from the program’s description. MANY of these are true crime.
What about you? I’d LOVE if you’d comment with your favorite podcasts (or particular episodes)!
