Listening Away the Days

I think I’ve been regularly listening to podcasts since 2015 or so, but during quaran-times, I’ve definitely had a lot more hours in the day to fill with my podcast “friends”! I listen while diamond painting, while doing chores around the house, while sitting outside playing *ahem* Candy Crush *ahem*. Here are a few of my favorites…

–Marissa

Boomtown is a standalone podcast series of 11 episodes about the oil boom (and bust) in the Permian Basin… a topic I know zilch about, but I was immediately sucked in and fascinated through the whole series. A great standalone!

By the Book is such a fun premise: Kristin (a skeptical) and Jolenta (all in on all things woo woo) read a self help book and live by it for two weeks straight. Hilarious, heartfelt, educational and with a fair amount of snark, this is just a fun listen, even if you haven’t read the books they discuss.

Forever35 is (don’t tell the others) probably one of my favorites of all these podcasts. Kate and Doree (spoiler: NOT 35) dish on all topics serious and silly… what began as a podcast to talk about serums and lipstick has morphed into part sage advice, part product recs, part interviews with rad women, and part silliness. It took me a bit to get into the podcast at the very beginning (not being big into serums or skin care), but now I never miss an ep. Woot!

Happier with Gretchen Rubin is the podcast I’ve listened to the longest, since their first ep in 2015. Gretchen and her sister Elizabeth share tips and tricks for living a happier life, and discussing the four personality tendencies Gretchen has identified. If you loved any of Rubin’s books (The Happiness Project, Happier at Home, etc.), you’ll love this. Plus, I LOVE the older sister/younger sister dynamic of this one!

The Jungle Prince is only a three episode arc from the New York Times, and I was immediately sucked into this (weird, sad, odd, hopeful) tale. The summary: “for decades, they lived in a crumbling palace in Delhi, claiming to be the royal heirs to the fallen kingdom of Oudh. Who were they?” Just… listen to it.

Overheard at National Geographic is just a delight, and now in its third season. The summary: “Each week, we’ll dive into one of the curiously delightful conversations we’ve overheard around National Geographic’s headquarters. You’ll be introduced to the explorers, photographers and scientists at the edges of our big, bizarre, and beautiful world.” The quality, music, narration, stories… everything is just on point for this one!

Stuff You Missed in History Class has been my quarantine discovery podcast, and dates back to 2008 so you’ll have LOTS of back episodes to wade through. I absolutely love the format – tackling one history topic each week and delving into it in a fun, digestible, interesting way. Some topics are completely obscure, some are so familiar, but the hosts (which have changed over the years) always give such a great overview. Fun and fascinating!

Twenty Thousand Hertz was a “stumbled upon” podcast, and now I eagerly look forward to every new episode. Host Dallas Taylor (who has a fab commentating voice) takes us through the “stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds”. Everything from the Price is Right theme song to birdsong is thoughtfully presented. Love this one!

The West Wing Weekly is just… either you know “what’s next”, or you don’t. A balm to my soul in these political times the last few years…

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel is just FASCINATING. A one-off therapy session with celebrated Perel delves into intimate, complicated, personal stories between couples. Infidelity, coming out, growing apart… nothing is off the table. Wow.

What podcast recommendations can you share with me? I’m always on the lookout for other great ones!

–Marissa