I’m often asked for podcast suggestions since I subscribe to many, of all stripes. As I’ve done the last four years, I’ve reserved my August blog for my recommended podcasts.
As you embark on your August vacation and want to start listening to podcasts, or update your own library, please see my latest list, which includes repeats from years’ past as well as some new ones. (Links to my previous lists are at the end of this post.)
If I’m walking, I tend to listen to them at 1.5 speed. If I’m driving or cooking, I don’t change the speed. There are no embedded links since everyone uses a different source to download podcasts.
Note: I’ve asterisked (*) those that are new this year.
General Interest/News
*Carnegie Connects: This is the podcast of the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace. It is hosted by the well-respected Aaron David Miller (a new friend of mine), who tackles pressing foreign policy issues in conversations with journalists, policymakers, historians and experts. I value its measured, intellectual approach to current events.
*Identity Crisis: This podcast is from the Hartman Institute, an internationally respected Jewish organization. I enjoy host Yehuda Kurtzer’s perspective and interviews with leading thinkers that help unpack current issues affecting Israel and Jews around the world.
*Impolitic with John Heilemann: John Heileman is one of the most articulate and witty political analysts I know of, and I love his podcast for its insightful views of where we are. He gets the best and brightest guests, so is worth listening to if you need a politics fix.
*On with Kara Swisher and Pivot with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway. I revere Kara Swisher, the most badass interviewer I know. She has two podcasts. The first is hers alone. The second is hosted by both Kara and NYU professor Scott Galloway and covers politics and technology’s influence on our society. Both podcasts offer sharp analysis while being very entertaining.
*Unholy: Two Jews on the News: The two Jews referred to in are journalists, one in Israel and one from The Guardian in London. Through their own opinions as well as interviews with well-known journalists and politicians, they provide their take on the latest developments on life and politics in Israel, the US, the United Kingdom and around the world. This is apparently the go-to podcast for many well-regarded US journalists and is more diverting than one might expect.
The Ezra Klein Show: I appreciate the deep thinking of Ezra Klein, who provocatively addresses a variety of topical issues, from anxiety to climate change to politics, in an interview format in this New York Times podcast.
Fresh Air: Many people know this podcast and its host, Terry Gross. She and Tanya Mosley, her new co-host, are great at their one-on-one interviews with a wide range of interesting people.
IA from WAMU: This show took over for Diane Rehm’s daily radio show on WAMU, Washington DC’s NPR station. It covers interesting, wide-ranging topics, so I often check to see if there are episodes of interest.
The Assignment with Audie Cornish. Audie Cornish was a wonderful anchor of NPR’s All Things Considered, and left to start this podcast, among other things. The Assignment examines people living in the headlines and I just like her approach. I miss her on NPR, so this is how I get my fix.
The Daily: The New York Times came out with this podcast a few years ago, and it always covers a topic in the news in a really engaging way. If you miss hearing it on the radio, it’s always worth checking out what Michael Barbaro and his colleagues are covering.
The Documentary by BBC News. This podcast provides in-depth treatment of a variety of international issues. Each podcast covers one topic. I got hooked after listening to several episodes focused on the Ukraine war – from both the Ukrainian and Russian side.
Think with Krys Boyd: I discovered this NPR radio station (KERA) in Dallas’ podcast by accident, but I think host Krys Boyd is among the best interviewers out there. This is sometimes focused on Texas topics, but most often on issues of national importance and interest.
Personal Finance/Business/Retirement
The Long View: One of the hosts of this Fidelity Investment’s podcast is Christine Benz, who is a well-known Fidelity Investment analyst. It covers a lot of investing topics that I’ve found to be informative and interesting.
Her Money with Jean Chatzky: This is the only show I listen to religiously and have never missed an episode. Jean Chatzky is known to many audiences for the financial advice she provides in a friendly, nonjudgmental, and well researched manner. This show covers a range of topics related to women and money. I always feel empowered after I listen to Jean, who’s enthusiastic and encouraging regardless of how financially knowledgeable one is. Men should feel welcome to listen too.
Jill on Money: Jill Schlesinger takes questions on personal finance issues and provides her advice as a Certified Financial Planner.
The Retirement Answer Man: This is a weekly podcast covering retirement planning from various angles, but mostly focused on personal finance.
Cooking/Food
The Splendid Table: This is a very entertaining, light show that has great interviews, information and recipes. When I’m stressed, I love to listen to Frances Lam’s gentle voice as he takes on a range of food topics.
A Taste of the Past: This looks at the history of food-related topics.
Entertainment/Sports/Books
*In the Village and The Podium: If you’re into the Olympics, as I am, start listening to these podcasts, which covers what it’s like to be an Olympian, including in the Olympic Village.
*Books, Beach and Beyond: This is Elin Hildenbrand’s podcast, in which the famed author interviews authors, editors and others in the book publishing business.
*Wild Card with Rachel Martin. This is a new NPR podcast, which is part-game show and part-interview. Martin gets actors, artists and thinkers to open up about their joys and fears in a choose your own adventure discussion format.
*The Plot Thickens: This TCM podcast has been on my list before, but because it changes its focus each year, I’m including it as a new podcast. Each season, the host Ben Mankiewicz does a deep dive into a historically significant Hollywood personality or movie. This year’s is about the renowned movie director John Ford, who made films from the 1920’s to the 1960’s. I don’t even like westerns, which are his most famous movies, but this podcast series depicts the real story behind old Hollywood, which I found fascinating.
Awards Chatter: This is one of the Hollywood Reporters podcasts (and my favorite). The host, Scott Feinberg, is a great interviewer of famous folks, most of whom are up for one of the big award shows, like the Academy Awards, Tony’s or Grammy’s. It’s very entertaining and well researched. Go back to previous episodes – he’s interviewed everyone! [Two other podcasts from THR include It Happened in Hollywood and Behind the Screen.]
Even The Rich: This podcast provides a comical view of a range of rich figures, usually devoting 3-4 episodes for each rich personality or family being addressed. They’ve covered the Royal Family, Will Smith, Jay Z and Beyonce, Princess Diana, Madonna, the Murdochs and more. It’s a light but well researched take on these folks.
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Thanks to my friend Janet, who introduced me to this podcast by the amazingly talented Seinfeld and Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Each episode focuses on a different famous woman in her 80s or 90s, who share their life story and wisdom with Julia, who then discusses what she’s learned with her own mom. It’s engaging and heartwarming.
The British Royal Family: I’m one of those Americans obsessed with Britain’s Royal Family (or any royal family) and listen to Dynasty by Vanity Fair; Born to Rule: When Charles is King; and Royally Obsessed (very chatty).
Podcasts based on TV shows
*Dishing on Julia: I absolutely loved Julia, the Max series based on Julia Child’s early years on television. This podcast covers what was really happening both in Julia’s life at the time and the back story of the making of this series.
*The Official Hacks Podcast: This podcast goes episode by episode on the later seasons of the Max series, Hacks, which I adore.
The Official Gilded Age Podcast: If you loved HBO’s Gilded Age tv series, this is the podcast for you.
And Just Like That: The Writers Room: if you are a fan of “Sex and the City” and the recent series “And Just Like That,” you’ll appreciate this podcast, which speaks to the writers, actors and others involved in making the latest series.
Bridgerton: The Official Podcast: This is a fantastic podcast that goes through each episode of the wonderful Netflix series, with interviews with its stars and a lot of backstage players. I loved this!
History
*American History Tellers: This podcast does deep dives into different historical subjects. Among the interesting ones this year have been Lewis and Clark, and currently, Presidential first ladies.
*For the Ages: A History Podcast: This is the podcast from the NY Historical Society, and is hosted by David M. Rubinstein, the co-founder of the Carlyle Group, former head of the Smithsonian and new owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. He interviews historians on a range of topics related to American history. He has a humorous interview style, making this an entertaining podcast.
*The Thomas Jefferson Hour: Noted historian Clay Jenkinson (who also was an expert on my 2019 Smithsonian’s Thomas Jefferson’s North Dakota tour) is an expert on Jefferson, both Roosevelts and now John Steinbeck, among many others. He’s currently mimicking John Steinbeck’s trip across America in his book “Travels with Charley” in his AirStream trailer. He’s just incredibly informative and interviews a lot of knowledgeable and interesting historians and others about America, American history, and Steinbeck. Look for him in many of Ken Burns’ documentaries.
The Bowery Boys: New York History: I love this very informative podcast with historians steeped in everything having to do with New York City. I learned about it when listening to the Official Gilded Age Podcast above. A related podcast is the Gilded Gentleman, which I also recommend.
Dressed – The History of Fashion: I am a fashion and history buff, so this is a perfect podcast for me. The two hosts are fashion historians that cover a range of fashion topics that usually relate to current times.
Rachel Maddow’s Deja News and Ultra. I’m a huge Rachel Maddow fan and will listen to anything she does. Her deep research shows her Ph.D chops, and brings important historical salience to our current political environment.
Stuff You Missed in History Class: This covers historical events or figures that most of us have never heard of. I loved the one about the 1918 Flu, which was produced years before the current pandemic.
Miscellaneous
Chasing Life with Sanjay Gupta. Many know Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN. He brings his own life and experience to each episode, which I find helps me relate to whatever he covers. He tends to focus on a single topic each season. Last season’s focus was on aging; this season is on happiness.
On the Media. This NPR podcast is also a weekly radio program, but I’ve started listening to it since I often miss its regular Saturday at 7 am broadcast (on my local NPR station). Each week explores how the media treats an issue, and I find its approach and what it covers riveting.
A Certain Age: this podcast deals with a variety of issues that women my age and older deal with.
Learn to Paint: this podcast host interviews artists, working in various media, to discuss their approach to art. Inspiring for painters like me.
WorkLife with Adam Grant: An organizational psychologist, Adam Grant dives into the keys to creating a better work life.
Listening to podcasts makes everything I do more enjoyable — whether walking, cooking, painting, cleaning, driving or looking for inspiration. I hope you find some new ones to listen to. No doubt I’ll have a fresh list next year. Enjoy the last weeks of Summer!
Previous Lists:
Note: many of the podcasts removed from previous lists are because they are no longer active or are not as relevant, not because I don’t still recommend them. Many are likely still available.
Thank you for your informative and very meaty list of resources, Linda! Your blog is a treasure.