I’m a bit of a nerd I’ll admit it. But instead of comic books and superheroes, my geeky obsession is, da da da, podcasts!
This obsession started in middle school when I began paying attention to the NPR shows my father would put on during the weekends, and I was hooked ever since. Since then, I’ve listened to podcasts in my spare time, at the gym, and while doing homework.
If you’re interested in podcasts, want a way to catch up on the news or TV, want a good laugh, a good interview, or just need a pick-me-up, here are a few of my favorite podcasts.
Fitness/Feel Good Story; Run, Selfie, Repeat.
Marathon runner and blogger Kelly Roberts talks about her personal experiences with weight loss, mental health, and how running helped her cope with her demons. The podcast is great to listen to if you need a pick-me-up or motivation to go to the gym. Kelly is relatable and honest in the podcast and it shows and nearly moves me to tears at times.
News/Comedy: Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!
If you want a way to listen to the news or NPR without falling asleep, this is the show for you. Peter Sagal hosts a rotating panel of comedians in a quiz about the week’s news events, and it’s not just about politics.
Questions and topics can range from scientific studies to pop culture. In addition, people can call in and take quizzes about the news, and each week a celebrity is interviewed and asked about some of their more understated works and takes a quiz on something they know nothing about.
TV Recaps: Rob Has A Podcast
If you’re a fan of reality TV competitions, this is the place to go for recaps and over-analysis. Created by former Survivor player, Rob Cesternino, and featured on Rob Has A Website, it features several different podcasts on the same episode of Survivor, with several different former Survivor players and recappers giving their opinions on the episode and the gameplay going on.
In addition to Survivor, you can find live feed updates and episode recaps of Big Brother and Big Brother Canada, and recaps of The Challenge, Are You The One?, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Top Chef, and even some news updates. The recaps are smart and you get to hear different perspectives on the show and contestants. And it’s also hysterical.
Celebrity Interviews/Comedy: LadyGang
From entertainment journalist Keltie Knight, fashion designer Jac Vanek, and former Glee actress Becca Tobin, comes this podcast. These three ladies always start their discussions with the best thing and the worst thing that happened in their weeks, before launching into an interview. While some of their guests are actors, singers, comedians, etc., they also feature businesswomen and health professionals giving advice to young people.
And at the end of the podcast, they take questions from their listeners and give advice. My personal favorite celebrity interviews are Derek Hough and RuPaul, and the interview with hormone expert Candace Burch gave me a lot of information that I wanted to talk with my doctor about. The podcast is funny and informational at the same time.
Pop Culture: I Don’t Get It
I’m not a huge fan of The Bachelor, but this podcast is pretty good. From Bachelor alumni Ashley and Lauren Iaconetti and reality TV producer Naz Perez, this podcast talks about everything from dating to romantic comedies to traveling.
I found it when I was looking for a podcast reviewing Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do,” and was satisfied with their review. (They loved it!) The podcast is an honest look at millennial culture and society, and it’s pretty funny, without being too serious.
