These days it seems like everyone has a podcast.

Don’t worry; I’m not here to announce my new career in radio (can you imagine, I’d be the worst host!)… I’m just a girl who enjoys listening to podcasts. I go through about 20 episodes a week mostly while walking, running, cooking and sometimes at work. Actually, I am listing right now. So, if you’re new to poding, here are my current favourites plus a few honourable mentions. Let me know if there is an episode that is on your must-listen list.

1. Hurry Slowly
   Hurry Slowly is a podcast, hosted by Jocelyn K. Glei, about how pacing yourself is the key to being more productive, creative, and resilient.
   Every episode makes me question my life… mostly in a good way. I consider it free therapy/life coaching.
2. Death Sex and Money 
   Death, Sex and Money is an interview-style podcast hosted by Anna Sale that discusses the big questions “often left out of polite conversation.”
   Anna is a great interviewer, and the topics are very diverse but yet always about death, sex and money… go figure.
3. Criminal 
   Criminal is a podcast, hosted by Phoebe Judge, about crime. Stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.
   I vote Phoebe Judge the host I’d most like to have coffee with – She can tell a damn good story.
4. Forever35 
   Kate and Doree are two friends who love to text each other about serums. On Forever35, they talk about sheet masks, serums, exercise, nutrition, meditation, anxiety and stress, Kate’s favourite drugstore mascara, Doree’s addiction to restorative yoga, and much more.
   It just makes me smile. These ladies are a hoot and talk about stuff I often waste too much time thinking about. I’m pretty sure we’d be friends if I lived in LA.
5. Ear Hustle
   Ear Hustle brings you the stories of life inside prison, shared and produced by those living it. Hosted by Nigel Poor, a Bay Area visual artist and Earlonne Woods, currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison.
   If I were to write a letter to a prisoner, it’d most likely be Earlonne (or Adnan Syed – see Serial below).
6. Ologies
   Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and some insane stories about what fuels these professional ologists’ obsessions. Hosted by humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward.
   Ologies is my newest addiction. Check out the episode on Thanatology – death and dying.
7. 99% Invisible
   99% Invisible is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world.
   The episode about the athletic brassiere was excellent.
8. Radiolab
   Investigating a strange world. Created by Jad Abumrad and hosted by Jad and Robert Krulwich.
   Not every episode is to my liking, but there are some goodies. Worth keeping on my subscription list. 
9. Sasha Answers
   Lainey and Sasha sit down to discuss relationships, love, sex, work drama, best friends, former friends, and other life issues. 
   It’s raunchy and enjoyable. Since I don’t read Lainey’s Gossip as much as I’d like, this is a nice dose of smut.  
10. This American Life
    When it’s not too political/American, This American Life, hosted by Ira Glass, is a classic must-have that chooses a theme and puts together different kinds of stories on that theme. Check out their archives for the best of episodes.

Plus a few honourable mentions and short-lived pods:

• Serial (but only season 1): An investigative journalism podcast hosted by Sarah Koenig, narrating a nonfiction story over multiple episodes. I am STILL thinking about this.
• The short-lived but delightful The Mystery Show: A podcast where Starlee Kine solves mysteries. Binge-worthy, friends. Do it.
• Love + Radio (The Living Room). I’ve gone back and listened to this episode a few times… it’s very sad, yet I feel like I could easily be (have been) the women telling this story.
• Making Oprah. And now there is a Making Obama podcast which is in my queue.
• Women Of The House with Lena Dunham and Never Before with Janet Mock. I’m really into these ladies and their podcasts.
• Reply All. The hosts can drive me crazy, but there are some great episodes. I am a big fan of Sruthi Pinnamaneni.
• The Habitat. Just me or does going to Mars sounds like the worst idea ever?
• Missing Richard Simmons. I didn’t know he was missing!!!
• The Ali on the Run Show is a good one to check in on for running inspiration. Did I mention my bestie Des was interviewed?
• Circle Round, a storytelling podcast for kids ages 3 to 10, tells carefully-selected folktales from around the world with an eye towards inclusivity. This one is for David; we often listen on the way home from the pool.

Next up, my favourite blogs.

Image