During my commute to work, my routine on the elliptical, or my daily walk across campus, I can almost always be seen with my headphones on. Most likely, I’m listening to Beyoncé and trying to not burst out into a spontaneous dance routine. Otherwise, I’m listening to a podcast.
By “listening,” I mean trying not to awkwardly gasp or laugh or snort out loud.
Podcasts are like radio shows without annoying commercial breaks or randos calling in to win contests. They’re like audiobooks made up on the spot. I particularly like them because the majority of podcast hosts have very soothing voices that ease the stress of my daily grind.
The best part? Podcasts can be about anything.
Here, I’ve selected five podcasts that I love that I want to share with you and that are also extremely specifically categorized. I hope you find one that you like and that can make each of your busy days a little better.
My Favorite Murder
BFFs Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, along with their cat Elvis, gossip about famous murders in this hilarious and creepy podcast. They dive deep into all kinds of true crime stories, such as the mysterious death of Robert F. Kennedy and the serial killing spree of Paul Bernardo. They also ask listeners to submit their own hometown murder stories, the list of which has included a Zodiac copycat that inspired the film The Town Dreaded Sundown. I promise this podcast isn’t as scary as it sounds. Karen and Georgia make it fun, and really they spend more than half the time cracking non-murder-related jokes. If you’re still a little scared, ease yourself into this one by listening to one of their Minisodes.
Gilmore Guys
This podcast is about exactly what it sounds like: two bros breaking down every single episode of Gilmore Girls. (They’re wrapping up their discussions of Season 7 episodes right now, so get it while it’s hot!) One side of the duo, Kevin, loves Gilmore Girls with a passion. The other side, Demi, is a newcomer to the series and just kind of takes it all in and lets Kevin do his thing. Together, they are the perfect couple to watch and discuss the classic TV show about a mother and daughter living in a small Connecticut town. They also sometimes feature special guests including Gilmore Girls cast members! And you can’t miss out on the Fashion Report of each episode when the guys look into the highs and lows of the characters’ early 2000s style.
Lore
Every week, Aaron Mahnke extensively researches different urban legends and folklore, ones which specifically originate in New England, and recounts his findings in this history podcast. The podcast episodes go beyond simple ghost storytelling and explore the roots of these legends, examining how human nature is still impacted by these today. Some episodes are creepier than others. In one episode, Mahnke goes into the story of H. H. Holmes, the murderer who inspired the famous book The Devil in the White City. But in other episodes, Mahnke sticks to the theme of analyzing the human psyche by researching, say, the history of prisons, parallel universes, and the dangers of town hysteria.
The Love Bomb with Nico Tortorella
Okay, I’m totally biased here because I, like many others, have a huge crush on Nico Tortorella (from Younger, The Following, and Make It or Break It). In this recently launched podcast, Tortorella sits down with friends each week to discuss human sexuality, gender identity, the complications of relationships, and what being in love is like. By opening up dialogues about love with friends and even ex-lovers, Tortorella tells Elle magazine, “I'm just telling my story of love in a way that I didn't even know I had.”
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
“What if we read the books we love as if they were sacred texts?” That’s the tagline for this thoughtful and thought-provoking podcast that reads the Harry Potter book series as if it were a sacred or spiritual text. Vanessa Zoltan and Casper ter Kuile jump into J.K. Rowling’s magical world to uncover divine instruction, wisdom, inspiration, and meaning. It’s like a serious literature course made fun by the fact that, hello, it’s Harry Potter, and because Vanessa and Casper work well together. The episodes go chapter by chapter, and the team just finished the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
