If you haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon (or if you’re looking for new ones!), we’re here to let you in a few of our favorites. Podcasts are more popular now than ever, which is pretty interesting considering that we are living in a culture obsessed with screens. According to this Forbes article, 112 million Americans have listened to a podcast, and 67 million people listen to podcasts monthly.
We have to admit that it’s refreshing to be entertained and to absorb knowledge without looking at our phone or computer. Listening to podcasts opens up our imaginations and minds in a different way than our screens, and it’s also convenient for when our eyes need to be focused on something else — like while we are driving, running, cooking, gardening, etc. With holiday road trips just around the corner, we thought now was a better time than ever to round-up all our favorites for you.
There are thousands of podcasts and fantastic options for every interest. Whether you’re looking for social media tips, relationship advice, or for a captivating story, check out a handful of recommendations below. We’d also love to hear which podcasts you have been loving lately!
FYI podcasts are marked with a symbol to let you know the person who recommended it:
* Aubrey Leatherman of Heroes for Children – Caroline served as the chair for the 2018 Heroes and Handbags luncheon and Aubrey was her right hand gal. Aubrey was always telling us about her latest podcast obsession during Heroes meetings so we knew she was our girl to help us with this article.
+ Katelyn Leonard friend of House of Harper
^ Kathryn Worsham of House of Harper
~ Jessica Kelley of House of Harper
Journalism & Crime Stories
– Serial (Season One)*^: This captivating story about a murder that happened in the ‘90s in Baltimore is one of the first viral podcasts. You get to hear from the people actually involved in the crime and it will keep you on your toes until the end. Warning: you’ll be tempted to binge listen the whole series!
– This American Life ^: A weekly public radio show and one of the most popular podcasts in the country with around 2.5 million people downloading each episode. Each episode explores a different theme with three to four different stories related to that theme.
– S-Town ^: Produced by Serial and This American Life, S-Town is a remarkable true story about a man from Alabama who reaches out to an investigative reporter to look into a murder in his small hometown. What unfolds is a fascinating account of his life and of society in the rural south.
– Dirty John*: Similar in concept to Serial where you get to hear from the people involved in the crime. This is a story of deceit and uncovering the scary truth of a marriage.
– Dr. Death~: Dr. Christopher Duntsch was charming, confident, and claimed he was the best neurosurgeon in Dallas. As more and more patients complained about complications his facade began to crumble. This story will leave you aghast at how the medical system failed to protect patients at every turn.
–My Favorite Murder~: You wouldn’t necessarily think that true crime and comedy go hand in hand, but Karen and Georgia of My Favorite Murder proved otherwise. Their hilarious banter provides much needed lightness and comedic relief from the tales of murder that they cover in each show.
Health & Wellness
– Mind Body Green+: This popular wellness website interviews experts and influencers about everything from diet to work life balance to mental health.
– That’s So Retrograde+: A wellness podcast by Elizabeth Kott & Stephanie Simbari, two Los Angeles-based women who interview personalities and wellness experts.
– Melisa Ambrosini Show+: Melissa Ambrosini, bestselling author of Mastering Your Mean Girl and named a ‘self-help guru’ by Elle Magazine, talks about how “love is sexy, healthy is liberating, and wealthy isn’t a dirty word.”
– The Balanced Blonde+: Jordan Younger behind the blog The Balanced Blonde discusses everything from wellness hacks to friendship, branding a business, nutrition, how to keep passion alive and finding balance.
– Raw Talk with Sheena+: Hosted by Sheena Mannina who discusses nutrition, healing, spiritual development, and energy.
-Goop: Goop founder and ultimate health-junkie, Gwyneth Paltrow, chats with different guests every week about any and everything, from spirituality to business and everything in between.
-Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations: An icon of all things health, wellness and entrepreneurship, Oprah has sat down with some of the world’s most renowned leaders in spirituality, health and business. This show is a hand-picked selection of some of Oprah’s favorite interviews with these experts.
Business & Marketing
– Coffee Commute ^: Listening to this podcast on your way to work or while going through your inbox in the morning is a great way to start the day. The two founders of Rising Tide Society offer a behind the scenes look into the creative industry with tips, tools, and interviews with industry leaders.
– The Garyvee Audio Experience+: Hosted by entrepreneur, CEO, investor, vlogger, and public speaker Gary Vaynerchuk.
– The Tim Ferriss Show +: One of the top business podcasts on iTunes. Features interviews with successful people in all industries (investing, sports, business, art, etc.) and looks at the tactics and routines that led to their success from favorite books to morning routines, exercise habits, time-management tricks, etc.
-How I Built This with Guy Raz: Host Guy Raz explores the making of some of the world’s foremost companies and the people who made them great. He picks the brains of some of the most influential innovators and entrepreneurs and the movements that put them on the map.
-Goal Digger: Host Jenna Kutcher breaks down the ever elusive career of a successful lifestyle blogger. An accomplished blogger herself, Kutcher offers tips on how to make a living doing what you love, growing your social media following and so much more.
-Great Women of Business: From the wage gap to sexism in the work place, this podcast discusses the challenges working women face and the ways they triumphed over them.
Lifestyle & Relationships
– Dear Sugar Radio ^: Advice column where “The Sugars,” Cheryl Strayed (author of Wild) and Steve Almond, address difficult listener questions about romantic relationships, friendships, family, and more.
– The Skinny Confidential Him & Her +: Lauryn Evarts and Michael Bosstick answer your questions about branding, blogging, entrepreneurship, relationships, travel, marketing and social media.
– Lady Gang +: Celebrity driven podcast exploring what life is really like in Hollywood.
– The Simple Sophisticate +: Blogger Shannon Ables shares tips on how to live a refined life on an everyday income. From achieving your goals, preparing a memorable meal, creating a capsule wardrobe, traveling the world, and living life to the fullest without breaking the bank, “living well is really quite simple”.
– Modern Love*^: Features stories from The New York Times, Modern Love section; each episode is a story of modern love read by a celebrity. The stories are written by the people involved in them and at the end of each episode the real characters of the story are interviewed and give you a closer look into the article. Fun fact, the true story of Orange Is the New Black was once a Modern Love story. You can read the original story here if you’re interested.
-Bad On Paper: Hosts Grace Atwood and Becca Freeman discuss young adult novels and offer their own insights on how to successfully navigate young adulthood with their own sense of humor and fresh take on life.
-Operation Self Reset: If you’ve ever wanted to hit reset on life or are just looking for some quality self-help tips, look no further than Operation Self Reset. The show discusses all things self-improvement, from career and relationships to mental health and happiness.
News & Current Events
– Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me! *^: Funny, entertaining current events show in the form of quizzes and storytelling. Usually features a celebrity guest interview.
– Ask me Another *: Similar concept to “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”; features VIP guests and trivia games in front of a live audience.
-Pod Save America: This progressive political show breaks down current events through discussions with politicians, journalists and activists.
Comedy
– Anna Faris is Unqualified*: Every episode features Anna Faris with a celebrity guest. The first half they chat, joke around, and sometimes do some improv. Then the second half they take listener calls and offer relationship advice. It can sometimes get a little R-rated for sure, but if you like pop culture and/or Anna Faris, it is definitely funny!
– Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe*: Former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe has a different guest on every episode. Sure, being a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan probably makes it more entertaining, but even if you don’t watch the show, Kaitlyn is so funny and entertaining to listen to!
Tell us your favorite podcasts in the comments below!
How I Built This – NPR
The stories behind entrepreneurs and how they built their businesses.
Ohhh, that sounds like a good one! Thanks for the rec!
Have you listened to Million Dollar Decorating with James Swan? It’s my favorite!
I haven’t! I will add it to my list!
Already downloaded some new ones from the list.
How They Built It is already one of my favs!
Hi! Have you listened to By the Book? It’s interesting! Two women discuss a different self-help book every episode, after they’ve read the book and applied the principles. They’re both so honest and forthright. I’d love to hear what you think about it.
That sounds so interesting! Thanks for the rec!
This is so helpful. thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome!