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I’m a bit late to the podcast party, but now I’m totally hooked. I rarely listen to the car radio anymore because I’m so preoccupied catching on my favourite podcasts. Whether you’re walking the dog, doing dishes or chauffeuring the kids to god knows what, you might as well multi-task and put that time to better use. Here are the 7 podcasts I’m totally crushing on right now.
Happier
Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and other lite self improvement books hosts this weekly podcast with her TV writer/producer sister, Elizabeth Craft. Happier was the first podcast I ever listened to. I still tune in every week for their tips and discussions on how to live a happier, more productive life. Yes, I often cringe at how tightly wound Rubin is, but I do get a lot out it and you probably would, too.
Happier in Hollywood
Hosted by Gretchen’s sister Elizabeth and her writing partner Sarah Fain, this podcast is kinda like Happier, but is more lighthearted and if you’re into Hollywood gossip, more interesting. Liz and Sarah chat about how to survive and thrive in the backstabbing, egocentric world that is Hollywood. Their stories and tips are relevant no matter your industry or where you live. The weekly celebrity sitings don’t hurt, either.
Best of Both Worlds
One of my favourite non-fiction writers, Laura Vanderkam, teams up with another full time working mom to chat about how they make it all work. Vanderkam wrote I Know How She Does It and other time management books that I get so much out of. The podcast is pretty light, but the topics are very relevant for working mothers. The focus is on how to juggle a big career, family and time for fun by rethinking what to prioritize and how you spend your time. It’s early days for this podcast, but I like what I hear so far.
S-Town
If you like a good story, are into quirky storylines and amazing character development, S-Town is for you. It’s from the producers of Serial and the quality of this podcast is just as excellent. It starts out as a crime investigation, then it morphs into a real life tale of possible extortion. There’s lots of twists and turns, and it’s all 100% true. It’s a pretty sobering reflection of life in the American South, and not in a flattering way. Give it an episode and I’m sure you’ll be hooked. It’s actually only 7 episodes long, and they released all at once, so you can plow through them as I did.
Ear Hustle
Despite once being a fan of Orange is the New Black, life in prison didn’t fascinate me that much. After listening to one episode of this now mega hit podcast, it does now. Ear Hustle is cool because it’s recorded and produced right inside San Quentin State Prison. In addition to getting the scoop on how the cafeteria hierarchy works and what to do if your cellmate wants to kill you, you see the humanity of these inmates. They’re more than criminals, they’re complex individuals – many of whom are quite philosophical and regret the choices in life they’ve made. It’s a real eye opener.
My Dad Wrote a Porno
The premise is brilliant. Jamie Morton’s dad, who’s dabbled in self publishing and was annoyed with the success of 50 Shades of Grey, decided to try and strike it rich by writing his own erotic fiction. His book is sold for like $2 online (for real), but why read Belinda Blinked when you can listen to it. Jamie reads out a chapter a week and discusses his Dad’s prose with his best mates. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of cringe-worthy moments. “She sat down again and crossed her long legs. She knew they looked good, but she wanted to keep her private pussy area hidden.” Which begs the question – what’s a public pussy area? Regardless, it’s a total mental break.
Juicy Scoop
I saved the best for last. My latest obsession, Juicy Scoop is like the best celebrity magazine come to life. Stand up comedian Heather McDonald (of Chelsea Lately) gives the scoop on all manner of Hollywood gossip, but goes beyond with in-depth exposés on serial cheaters and other juicy, scandalous topics of the day.
Her guests run the gamut from reality stars (including several Real Housewives) to comedians to regular folks dishing about what it’s like being a juror at a murder trial. I bust a gut pretty much every episode. Even her title sequence cracks me up. If you obsessively read trashy celebrity magazines, you’re sure to love it as much as I do.
I’d love some new recommendations. What podcasts do you listen to?
