Podcasts. Have you tried them?
Just when I thought radio was dead (haha), podcasts took the modern world by storm. I honestly had been hearing about podcasts for years but never decided to give them a try until a year or so ago. Now, I’m addicted!
Whether you’re a newbie or a dedicated podcast listener, I decided to round up what I consider to be the best podcasts. Let’s be honest, as working moms our time is VERY limited. We are constantly on the go trying to keep our work and family’s world go round. We have the superpower to do everything but sometimes, we don’t know what’s going on in the world around us. So, that’s why often the commute to work or while running errands is the only time I get to myself — anyone else?
I like to use this time to learn or even just get a good laugh in. Now, let’s talk about our favorite podcasts!
When you Want to Learn Something Interesting
The Daily: Most days, I don’t get time to read or watch the news and I really have to put in the effort to stay up-to-date with current events. Cue the solution: The Daily podcast from The New York Times. Each episode dives into one current event topic, whether it’s a new smart thing that our current president has done and how it affects us like to other current issues in the world, they are all super interesting and always have amazing guests to contribute. Each episode focuses on just one topic for 25 minutes.
There is a new episode each weekday and it is quick, yet informational enough for me to feel knowledgeable on a current topic or two, which is why I love it. It also makes me feel a little smarter, haha!
Freakonomics: This podcast series is full of a medley of knowledge. Host Stephen Dubner is the author of the best-selling book Freakonomics, (one of my favorite books ever) and once a week, he interviews a guest from the fields of social science, entrepreneurship, sports, Nobel Prize winners and more to explore the strange riddles of life and human nature.
One of my favorite episodes is called “The Demonization of Gluten”. It’s all about our new trend to quit gluten and the percent of our population that is affected by Celiac disease vs. the effects of those who are not diagnosed with Celiacs disease but are quitting gluten anyways. These episodes really get me thinking and that’s what I love about it.
The Skinny Confidential: It’s difficult to even put The Skinny Confidential podcast into a category because each episode truly brings so much value from a completely new topic each week. The series is hosted by Lauryn Evarts, creator of The Skinny Confidential brand and blog, and her entrepreneurial husband Michael Bosstick.
The guests vary from a digital marketing and media industry experts to health, beauty and wellness experts or even just entertaining interviews. She has had business guru Gary Veynerchuck, Founder of Dry Bar Alli Webb, and Kaitlyn Bristowe of The Bachelorette all on her podcasts. Lauryn & Michael bring so much great information and even include great tips of the week like how to clear your email inbox while on the treadmill or how to build a 120 calorie guilt free french toast. Definitely listen to this podcast if you haven’t!
When You Want to Just Be Entertained
Sometimes, you just need to shut everything out and be carefree for a few minutes. Have a laugh or simply be entertained in that small time alone in the car. Admit it! We all need it! I know I do.
My Favorite Murder: That’s right, a true crime podcast. It’s like Law & Order found its way to podcasting… and it’s so good. Hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark tell the stories of true murder and crime events that happen around the country. I am a big crime and mystery fan, and let me tell you I was hooked after the first episode. I actually looked forward to driving so I could finish the rest of the story (haha). The other day, I drove around the neighborhood a couple of times so I could finish the episode and blamed work when I came home late for dinner hahaha. It’s my special mom time alone where I can start and pause the story as I please and let myself be entertained. If you like HLN and Criminal Minds you will love this!
The Lady Gang: Have you ever wanted to sit around and chit chat with 3 unapologetic inner Hollywood circle friends and a celebrity guest? Welcome to The Lady Gang, where no topic is off limits and the laughs are endless. Whenever I just need a lighthearted pick-me-up, I put on The Lady Gang. But don’t be fooled entirely, it still has some incredible information and tips.
They have hosted guests such as reality TV star and designer Whitney Port, Glam App Founder Cara Santana and actress Lea Michele. One episode that I still refer to this day is their interview with the Beverly Hills skincare expert, Kate Somerville (find the episode here). She talks women shaving their face, hormonal breakouts, and the best kept anti-aging secrets.
If You Want to Feed Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
How I Built This: This narrative podcast series follows a new entrepreneur/founder each episode and shares their journey and insight on founding some of the world’s best-known companies and brands. NPR describes it as “a podcast about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealist and the stories behind the movements they built”. SUPER inspiring.
Whenever I am feeling a creative drought and just plain unmotivated, whether that’s in my professional or personal life, I put on ‘How I Built This’ and my entire attitude changes. Just to name a few of the companies whose founders have shared their journey on this series, there was Chipotle, Bumble, Airbnb, Spanx, Rolling Stone, Whole Foods Market, Kate Spade and so many more. They include a huge variety of incredible women founders that exude an amazing female empowerment in their success, #girlbosses!
The Tim Ferris Show: Having kept a firm spot in the top #10 business podcasts for quite some time, it is safe to say Tim Ferris holds an incredibly rewarding show. Host Tim Ferris is a New York Times best-selling author (best selling book 4 Hour Workweek here) who is inquisitive and conclusive enough to dissect the tools, tactics, and tricks.
This series is unique because not only does he interview people like Vince Vaughn, David Blane, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but he continues to find a common ground between them all. This supports the idea that a goal is nothing without the execution and working backwards.
If You Want to Amp Up Your Industry Knowledge
Since I work in social and digital media, I have to be on top of the newest trends and updates to my industry, which can be difficult when I work all day then just want to come home and relax. So, I compromise and listen to a podcast on my morning commute to work, and I actually enjoy it!
Social Media Examiner TalkShow: When the description says “snackable” marketing content, they really mean it. This podcast is a great way to learn about social media tips. Each episode has a different topic that is very educational and focuses on new tools, updates, and strategies for our favorite platforms. What I love is that they don’t just list the updates, but they dig deep into how they could benefit you and how you can take advantage of them.
The GaryVee Audio Experience: Gary Vaynerchuck is well known and viral public speaker, CEO, investor, author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert. His podcast series includes a variety of hour-long keynote speeches and #AskGaryVee interview style episodes to 8 minute motivational episodes. Whether he is speaking at an event, filming videos for his DAILYVEE video series, or interview style talking on his #AskGaryVee segment, everything he does comes back to one thing… business.
He has a very go-getter no excuse style business style and has truly built an empire from nothing. It’s close to impossible to hear him speak and not feel inspired!
I hope this post inspires you to try out some new podcasts, there really is something for everyone. If you have a podcast you absolutely can’t live without and it isn’t on here, PLEASE share it with me in the comments below or on my Instagram post! I want to hear what you guys are listening to and getting inspired by.
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you in my next post!
