Podcasts have been around for a very long time, Apple’s podcast app first appeared on the iPod in 2005 and no one really knew what to do with it. Like many people of my generation, I lost my podcast virginity to Serial, the murder investigation that tried to figure out where a high-school kid was for an hour after school one day in 1999. It’s the podcast that got people’s attention and made them consider a new source of media, and search for more.
If you haven’t yet jumped on the podcast bandwagon, it’s time to start! More and more I am clicking on my podcast app instead of listening to music. It’s the perfect way to pass the time while working, exercising or just trying to get from A to B.
Just like movies, books, and of course music, podcasts come in all sorts of genres and deepening on my mood I like many different types. Read on for a list of my current favourites featuring everything from life advice, interviews, news and murder mysteries, too!
Interviews
Armchair Expert by Dax Shepard
Dax is a well-known actor, director and all-around funny man. His friends are some of our most loved actors, many who typically shy away from interviews or revealing too much about themselves. His podcast has become a platform for his famous friends to open up and speak candidly in a way we’ve never seen before. Highlight guests include his wife Kristen Bell, Ashton Kutcher, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres, Seth Rogan, and one of my favourites, Mila Kunis.
Big Questions by Cal Fussman
Known as one of the greatest interviewers of this generation, Cal Fussman has access to some of the world’s most influential individuals. He dives deep into the heart, head, and soul of his guests in thoughtful, deep and entertaining conversations. My favourite episode to date was with Scooter Braun covering the Manchester terrorist attack and how he and Ariana Grande coped with the aftermath.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe is a comedian, actor and sports commentator. Typically not my thing, but some of the guests he has had on his podcast make for great listening. He has hundreds of episodes and deciding which one to listen to is like deciding what to watch on Netflix. Below are some of my favourites to get you started.
947: Ron Miscavige – the father of the Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige and former member for over 40 years.
835: Louis Theroux
472: Shane Smith – CEO of VICE Media
707: Micheal Dowd- Former NYPD officer and known from the documentary The Seven Five about him and his partner’s long list of crimes when serving the NYPD
1021: Russel Brand
960: Steve-O
947: Ron Miscavige – the father of the Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige and former member for over 40 years.
835: Louis Theroux
472: Shane Smith – CEO of VICE Media
707: Micheal Dowd- Former NYPD officer and known from the documentary The Seven Five about him and his partner’s long list of crimes when serving the NYPD
1021: Russel Brand
960: Steve-O
Anna Farris is Unqualified
Basically, Anna is one crazy and funny gal. She uses her celebrity power to get some VIP guests on her show to ask them random and wonderful questions. There are times where she strays away from the interviews to play games or have listener call-ins which I have to admit I often skip over. But there are some real juicy bits that make up for these lost minutes.
Highlights:
23: Chelsea Handler
48: Seth Rogen
88: Emma Roberts
90: Elizabeth Olsen
Highlights:
23: Chelsea Handler
48: Seth Rogen
88: Emma Roberts
90: Elizabeth Olsen
103: Nick Jonas
114: Macaulay Culkin
116: Shay Mitchell
122: Bella Thorne
Lifestyle & Realness:
Him & Her Podcast by Lauryn Evarts Bostick of The Skinny Confidential and Michael Bostick
Lauryn Evarts is a big-time blogger (my favourite blogger actually) and along with her entrepreneur husband Michael, they answer questions about health and wellbeing, blogging, entrepreneurship, relationships, travel, marketing and social media! They’re no fluff advice is exactly what I like to hear and the guests they have on the show are always incredibly interesting and insightful. Have both a male and female perspective really makes this podcast standout among others of it’s kind.
Keeping it Candid by Sophie Milner and Millie Cotton.
Listening to Sophie and Millie is like hanging out with friends. They discuss all the typical millennial issues, current events and pop culture. It’s the type of podcast I’ll play in the background while working or getting ready in the morning.
Don’t Blame Me! by Meghan Rienks
American Youtuber, Meghan sits down with different guests to discuss every taboo issue you can think of. Her open and honest approach is refreshing and provides life advice most of us probably need.
It Galz by Jenny Claffey and Lindsay Hamilton
Without sounding negative, there are very few Irish podcasts I enjoy. It Galz is one of the few. I appreciate Jenny and Lindsay’s courage in saying it how it is when so many people in Irish media don’t.
The Spill by Image Magazine.
The other Irish Podcast I listen to weekly is The Spill by Image Magazine. Sophie and Rhona do a great job in covering a wide range of topics and I know they are working hard to build a great podcast. If you didn’t know, Image Magazine has a monthly Podclub where Irish ladies meet and discuss their fave podcasts over drinks and pizza. My idea of a perfect afternoon!
Health & Wellbeing
The Health Code by Sarah’s Day
I have been a long time follower of Sarah’s Day so I was very excited when she started a podcast. She sits down with her boyfriend Kurt to discuss everything health and fitness related. Her passion for wellbeing and health is infectious.
The Food Medic by Hazel Wallace
UK based Irish girl, Dr Hazel Wallace is someone you know you can trust for diet advice. As a junior doctor and personal trainer, she is an endless book of knowledge. I particularly like her knowledge of the links between disease and lifestyle. Her guests are of equal interest and provide interesting takes on many controversial and confusing health topics.
Business
Girlboss Radio by Sophia Amoruso
The OG Girlboss, Sophia interviews the most inspiring women in business. Each episode is filled with solid advice and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Both Sophia and her guests get vulnerable as they discuss their failures in honest conversations while laughing at their sometimes obscure experiences.
The Influencers Podcast by Julie Solomon
If you are a blogger or work with bloggers you will likely enjoy this one. The podcast explores the ever-changing world of influencer marketing. Along with special guests, Julie Solomon discusses different tactics for growing a following, creating content, working with brands, and advice for brands working with influencers.
Skill Up by HubSpot
My career revolves around all things digital marketing which is why I love this podcast. I’ve been a reader of the HubSpot blog for many years and this podcast is a great extension of that content. The podcast presenters keep it exciting with their fun personalities all while discussing SEO and content creation best practices.
The GaryVee Audio Experience
He’s an entrepreneur, CEO, investor, vlogger and no bullshit speaker. This podcast includes a mix of #AskGaryVee show episodes, keynote speeches on marketing and business and interviews. If you need a kick up the butt in your business or career give it a listen!
How I Built This with Guy Raz
The names behind brands such as Lululemon, Steve Madden, Dry Bar, Lyft, Honest Tea, Slack, Loney Planet, Stripe are the guests on some of the most recent episodes of this great podcast. The stories are inspiring and will be sure to motivate you on a Monday and beyond.
Mystery & Suspense:
*Each description comes directly from the podcasts webpages.
The Teacher’s Pet
“A star footballer. His schoolgirl lover. A wife who vanishes. Chris and Lyn appear to have the perfect marriage. But when Lyn goes missing, dark secrets are buried. This is no fairytale, but a sordid story of strangely close twin brothers, teenage student lovers, and probable murder.”
This one if my current fave and I’m obsessed with reading new news stories on the case, to the point where I’ve joined a facebook group dedicated to the news!
Criminal
“Stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle”. Each episode covers a new story.
Up and Vanished
“Season 1 of Up and Vanished explored the 2005 disappearance of beauty queen and high school teacher Tara Grinstead in Ocilla, Georgia. The cold case was the largest case file in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s history, with no arrests in 11 years. The podcast quickly drew attention, both in South Georgia and nationwide.
As the people of Ocilla began talking about the case again, new leads and stories emerged. In February 2017, the GBI arrested two suspects for Grinstead’s murder. Up and Vanished will continue to provide updates on this no-longer-cold case as the criminal trial proceeds in 2018.”
As the people of Ocilla began talking about the case again, new leads and stories emerged. In February 2017, the GBI arrested two suspects for Grinstead’s murder. Up and Vanished will continue to provide updates on this no-longer-cold case as the criminal trial proceeds in 2018.”
In the Dark (Season 1)
“The investigation into the abduction of Jacob Wetterling yielded no answers for 27 years. We investigate how law enforcement mishandled one of the most notorious child abductions in the country and how those failures fueled national anxiety about stranger danger, led to the nation’s sex-offender registries and raise questions about crime-solving accountability”.
Hanging: The Mysterious Case of the Boy in the Barn
“A sheriff’s deputy. His 10-year-old son. A bitter custody battle. A haunting death. Was it suicide? Or something more sinister? Twenty-five years later, authorities decided to take a closer look. So did Mercury News reporter Julia Prodis Sulek. Join her on a whirlwind journey from Silicon Valley to Oklahoma’s cowboy country as she explores a brutal question: How did a 10-year-old boy end up hanging on the family farm?”
A Killing On the Cape
“It was a crime that rocked an idyllic seaside town in Cape Cod — the 2002 murder of Christa Worthington, who was found stabbed to death with her 2-year-old daughter, unharmed at her side. What came next was a three-year search for her killer that would involve unorthodox steps by police, a lengthy list of potential suspects, and an entire town under suspicion. Christa’s trash collector, Christopher McCowen, would eventually be convicted of the crime, but his trial would raise questions about the evidence, investigative methods, and whether racial prejudice played a role. Now, ABC Radio and “20/20” take a look at all the evidence and for the first time ever, hear directly from Christopher McCowen, to examine whether the right man is behind bars. New episodes post-Wednesday mornings.”
West Cork
This podcast is an Audible Orginal series and can be downloaded for free from Audible. Based in Ireland and one of the most listened to murder stories in 2018.
“This much we do know: Sophie Toscan du Plantier was murdered days before Christmas in 1996, her broken body discovered at the edge of her property near the town of Schull in West Cork, Ireland. The rest remains a mystery. Investigative journalist, Sam Bungey, and documentarian, Jennifer Forde, guide listeners through the brutal, unsolved murder and the tangled web of its investigation while introducing an intricate cast of characters, a provocative prime suspect, and a recovering community whose story begs to be heard.”
Other
The Habitat
I loved listening to this podcast before falling asleep. The episodes are short and make for easy listening.
“On a remote mountain in Hawaii, there’s a fake planet Mars. Six volunteers are secluded in an imitation Mars habitat where they will work as imitation astronauts for one very real year. The goal: to help NASA understand what life might be like on the red planet—and plan for the day when the dress rehearsals are over, and we blast off for real. Host Lynn Levy has been chronicling this experiment from the moment the crew set foot in their habitat, communicating with them through audio diaries that detail their discoveries, their frustrations, and their evolving and devolving relationships with each other. From those diaries, Gimlet Media has crafted an addictive serialized documentary: the true story of a fake plane”.
Couples Therapy by Casey Neistat
When mega youtube star Casey Neistat teased a podcast no one was expecting this. Conversations with his jewellery designer wife Candice about the ups and downs of their marriage, parenting, and what life is like in the YouTube spotlight. Whether you are a seasoned watcher of his daily vlogs or not, this podcast is very enjoyable.
Make Speidi Famous Again- by Heidi & Spencer Pratt
Fans of the Laguna Beach and the Hills, this one is for you! Find out what your favourite cast members have been up to since the show a relieve some amazing show moments. Heidi and Spencer Pratt (along with their baby boy Gunner) are joined by some reality tv favourites and speak honestly about their life then and now. I didn’t expect much from this podcast but was pleasantly surprised.
Private Parts with Jamie Laing & Francis Boulle
From one reality show to another, Private Parts is hosted by Made in Chelsea fan favourites Jamie Laing and Francis Boulle and is everything you could expect from these two. I haven’t watched the show in a few years but have enjoyed catching up with a few of the shows originals cast members as guests on the podcast.
Notable Episodes
Take Flight by Mark Whittle with Lydia Elise Millen.
Lydia is one of my favourite bloggers and in this interview, she discusses her journey to success, her new priorities and her daily routines. They share great business advice and also their favourite inspirational books.
I’ll be updating this post over time so check back again in a few weeks!
7 Comments
I still need to get into podcasts haha. Some of these sound really interesting!
I absolutely love podcasts, and this is a great list! I love “How I Built This” from NPR, “Women Killing It!” (I was featured on an episode in July!), and “Goal Digger!”
Tori || Victori Media
https://www.victorimedia.com
Oh pinning this for my next long car ride! I still haven’t even listened to serial thought…embarrassed!
Such great podcasts! I’m a true crime fan so my go-to podcast is called My Favorite Murder and I always recommend it for other true crime fans too! It’s funny and I always end up learning something new.
These all sound soo good! I definitely will be trying some of these out! Yay!
This is a great list! I don’t listen to as many podcasts as I would like – I’m making notes to listen to these!
I totally bookmarked this. I love listening to podcasts while I work. 🙂
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