In an attempt to watch less Netflix this semester (for the sake of my grades) I’ve started getting into the world of podcasts. They’re like TV episodes but without the need of a computer and usually without a storyline or drama. They’re informative, they’re fun, and most of all, you can listen to them while doing other things (like homework!) Some podcasts are more popular like "Serial" and "This American Life" and have a large following but there are a lot of podcasts that are less well-known but are just as good! I have compiled a list of eight podcasts (not in preference order) that you should listen to on iTunes or the Podcast app if you are a millennial or if you are alive and just like staying informed.

1. "How Did This Get Made?"

This is a movie review podcast hosted by three comedians (Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas) and sometimes a guest who talk about movies, new and old, and discuss how those movies were made. The discussions are funny, the hosts are witty and vulgar, and the theme song is one of the catchiest I’ve ever heard. How Did This Get Made? sometimes does live shows in California and New York City and they record the show to publish with their normally recorded episodes. My personal favorite episodes are the live recorded ones when they reviewed the Fast & Furious movies with Adam Scott and the Face/Off episode. You can follow the podcast on Twitter at @HDTGM or on Facebook, in addition to their website at http://www.earwolf.com/show/how-did-this-get-made/.

2. "How Many Fingers Am I Holding Up?"

This is another movie review podcast, but it’s in a different style that How Did This Get Made; it’s newer, doesn’t have much of a following yet, and it’s done by two regular guys who like to get drunk and talk about movies. They take drink requests on Twitter and Facebook and each week try out a different type of drink while discussing the latest Blockbuster hits. The episodes are shorter than HDTGM, they’re serious about warning for potential spoilers in the episodes, and they don’t shy away from giving their true opinions on the films they review. My favorite episode so far was the :Star Wars: The Force Awakens" review. Their Twitter handle is @HMFpodcast and they’re very active on social media, so don’t be afraid to make a drink or movie suggestion!

3. "Comedy Bang! Bang!"

This podcast is what I’d image Saturday Night Live would be if it were a podcast instead of a show. Hosted by Scott Aukerman, the show includes sketches, discussions, and straight-up improv on air with several comedian guests at a time. My favorite episode was with guests Taran Killam and Paul Brittain (from SNL) and the podcast’s Twitter page can be found at @ComedyBangBang.

4. "Nerds On Tour"

If you’re interested in music, various discussions about the music business, and nerdy facts all tied together into one podcast, you’ll love Nerds On Tour. A relatively new podcast hosted by Abraham Levitan, the show focuses on the ups and downs of the nerd lifestyle and discusses music and other things with special guests each week. You can also find information about the podcast on Twitter at @AbrahamLevitan or http://nerdsontourpod.com/.

5. "Serial"

If you’ve heard of podcasts, you’ve probably heard of Serial. Everyone recommends it to their friends and it’s become crazy popular. If you don’t know what it’s about, the show follows Sarah Koenig’s journey to learn about the true story involving Adnan Syed’s arrest and jailing for the questionable disappearance and murder of Hae Min Lee. It’s full of intrigue, mystery, and having to decide for yourself if Adnan was wrongly sent to jail or if he’s truly guilty.

6. "This American Life"

This American Life is one of the most popular podcasts in the United States and one of my favorites because it’s so versatile. Hosted by Ira Glass, the podcast features short stories, essays, and memoirs, both fiction and nonfiction. While this show is more serious, the stories are incredibly detailed and keep you knowledgeable about the world’s current and past events. They can be found on Twitter at @ThisAmerLife.

7. "OMFG!"

In an attempt to stay “with the times” Deanna Raphael and Emily Foster host a podcast discussing youth and youth culture, including interviews with young adults and lessons about pop culture. If you want to stay educated on the newest music, movies, TV, and lingo, and have a laugh, this podcast is for you. They can be found at @omfgpod on Twitter and you can listen to them on iTunes, the Podcast app, or SoundCloud.

8. "Who Charted?"

Kulap Vilaysack hosts this punny podcast that discusses the most popular movies and music in a format where you get to hear your favorite comedians play games on air like “Vision Impaired, Still Prepared” and “Tardy to the Party.” Another Earwolf-produced podcast, it’s one of the shows that cracks me up the most and also keeps me relevant and educated. They can be found on Twitter at @whocharted.

If you’re trying to watch less TV, want to stay educated on current events, or just want to relax with an amusing podcast for an hour, I highly recommend checking these shows out on iTunes or the Podcast app. There are hundreds of podcasts to choose from, with more being published every day, and they’re becoming a worldwide way to keep yourself occupied for hours on end. Even if all of them aren’t for you, you’ll be able to find at least one or two that fit your tastes and satisfy your need for knowledge.