I remember listening to my first podcast like it was yesterday (but it was actually 4 months ago.) My best friend Kolby is a faithful listener of podcasts, every time we talk on the phone and I ask him what he's doing, he 9/10 times says he's listening to a podcast.

At first, I didn't see the appeal of listening to podcasts because I am a very visual person. I love watching TV. I am what you call a binge-watcher of television and I would go so far as to say it's one of my favorite things to do. I love watching something as it's happening and seeing the facial expressions and emotions of the characters on the screen. So, to have to actually listen to something without actually seeing it did not seem like a fun time to me.

What finally got me to listen was one night when I was on the phone with Kolby and I was telling him about something going on in my life that I really needed help with and he told me that I needed to listen to this episode of a podcast named, The Friend Zone because they discussed a topic exactly like what I was talking about. I finally took Kolby at his word because I really was in desperate need of some clarity and answers. The episode I listened to was titled, "Getting Back To Happy," and since listening to it, my life has been forever changed for the better.

Listening to The Friend Zone and the other podcasts I subscribe to has broadened my viewpoint and worldview substantially. I love hearing the different opinions and perspectives on topics that I'm actually going through and that affect my life. I promise you, there is a podcast for EVERYTHING. Name something you like or are interested in and there's a podcast for you.

There are so many benefits of listening to weekly podcasts that can impact your life greatly. For me, it gets me away from TV, social media, and petty distractions that low-key/high-key give me great anxiety. Listening to podcasts has also revealed to me a community of people who are like-minded and share similar views as I do on subjects we greatly care about. I get to interact with these people and we share conversations about the podcasts that we love.

If you are interested in listening to podcasts but don't know where to start, here is a list of a few of my favorites (that I'm sure will be your favorites too)! All of these podcasts can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Spotify!

1. The Friend Zone

The Friend Zone is a podcast for your "mental health, mental wellness and mental hygiene, because who in the hell wants a musty brain?" Listen to Fran, Assantè and Dustin talk about topics that relate to and benefit your mental wellbeing. After listening, not only will your brain not be musty but you will also have had quite a few laughs.

2. The Read

The Read is hosted by, in my opinion, two of the funniest people in the podcast world, Crissle, and Kid Fury. They have been hosting The Read for 4 years and it doesn't look like it will be ending anytime soon (thank, God!) They have moved beyond the scope of podcasts and have done live versions of the show in places like London, New York, and LA. The Read touches on pop culture, listener letters, and at the end of the show, both hosts give their take,"read," on a topic that they found to be unsavory during the week.

3. AstroStyle Radio

This podcast is hosted by twin sisters, Ophira and Tali Edut, collectively known as the AstroTwins. AstroStyle Radio is your podcast for anything astrological and the zodiac. This podcast is monthly instead of weekly but each month the twins give their take on what the stars have aligned for us.

4. Color Full Lives

The three women who host this show are young, talented and successful and have many wise words for ladies who aspire to be on their level. Hosted by Angela Yee of The Breakfast Club, Fran of heyfranhey and The Friend Zone and Tatiana King-Jones of the FanBros. If you are a young woman wanting advice on how to propel your business, social media presence, and life in general, then you are going to want to give this podcast a listen.

5. TED Radio Hour

I would describe this podcast as a mini TEDTalk in a bag. The show is based around TedTalks that have been previously given by some amazing speakers and they focus on specific subject matters. It is hosted by Guy Raz and I personally love listening to his voice because it's oddly soothing.