The podcast is an often underrated form of art. Many people forget that there are a wide variety of podcasts available to them for free on the internet, which can be conveniently streamed from your phone. Podcasts are perfect for listening to while completing mundane tasks or chores. Perhaps you need something with which to occupy your mind during your daily commute or jog around the block. Maybe you've finally exhausted all of the decent movies and tv shows on Netflix. Whatever the reason for listening, there is a podcast for you.

If you want learn, listen to

1. Radiolab

Radiolab is a New York based show hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. The topics are usually science-related and often include interviews with anyone from historians to your next-door neighbor. If you want to be able to discuss niche topics among an intelligent group of friends or just learn more about the world around you, this is the podcast for you.

2. Stuff You Missed In History Class

This show is hosted by Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey. These two women are here to discuss historical events and happenings you probably know nothing about. A few interesting topics include the history of moonshine, a sixteenth-century French werewolf legend, and Theodore Roosevelt's oldest daughter.

If you want to laugh, listen to

3. Black Girls Talking

Black Girls Talking is hosted by four women- Fatima, Ramou, Alesia, and Aurelia. These magnificent women shed light on entertainment, women, and "representation of people of color". It's hard not to feel enlightened after listening to their discussions.

4. Guys We F****d

This bold show is hosted by Corinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson. These women discuss all facets of sexuality from a feminist perspective. They often read submissions, provide advice, and invite various to speak on their show.

If you want to cry, listen to

5. Modern Love

Modern Love is hosted by Meghna Chakarbarti. Each episode features a celebrity reading a reader-submitted New York Times essay, each of which tells a story involving love. The reading is followed by an interview with the author of the essay. This show will shock you, give you hope, and probably make you shed a tear or two.

6. Death, Sex & Money

This show, hosted by Anna Sale, covers hard topics that we, as a society, often avoid discussing. Anna Sale approaches her interviews with a respectful and gentle attitude. These are the stories and perspectives you rarely hear about in the mainstream media.

If you just need to hear a good story, listen to

7. Welcome to Night Vale

Welcome to Night Vale is a bi-monthly podcast which provides updates and news for the fictional town, Night Vale. Night Vale is an unusual city with many odd happenings. It now has a cult following and a touring live show. This short description does not do the show justice--I would highly suggest listening if this piques your interest at all.

8. The Moth Podcast

The Moth Podcast focuses solely on the art of storytelling. Each episode features a lone storyteller on a stage, telling their story to a room full of strangers. It is a simple but powerful concept.