As I did last year, I’ve reserved my August blog for my recommended podcasts. I’m often asked for podcast favorites since I subscribe to many, of all stripes. As you embark on your August vacation and need to start listening to podcasts, or update your own library, please see my new list. (See last year’s list here.)
I’ve changed my list a lot since last year. In some cases, I removed podcasts, not because I no longer like them, but because either they are discontinued (but still available) or are not as relevant now that we’re no longer dealing with daily Trump anxiety. These are just my favorites — not my entire library .
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.
My Podcast Recommendations
Note: I’ve asterisked (*) those that are new this year. Also, there are no embedded links since everyone uses a different source to download podcasts.
General Interest:
*Now & Then: If you’re familiar with the brilliant, social media superstar Heather Cox Richardson, this is the show for you. She and Joanne Freeman (of my old favorite BackStory podcast), both professors of history, put in perspective what’s happening in our political and cultural spheres. If you don’t follow Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook or Twitter, I urge you to. She posts almost daily on what’s happening and why it matters.
*Sisters In Law: this is a relatively new podcast by the MSNBC legal whizzes – Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Barbara McQuade and Kimberely Atkins. They talk about the latest legal, political and cultural issues and provide fantastic insight from their years of working at the Justice Department as prosecutors, in law firms and as law school professors. Best for those interested in legal issues.
*Hell and High Water: John Heileman, one of the most articulate and wise political pundits, and a host of Showtimes The Circus, interviews folks shaping our culture, especially in the political sphere. He is brilliant, insightful and humorous.
*Sway: This is a New York Times podcast, featuring the hard hitting interviewer and journalist Kara Swisher. She is a thorough and tough interviewer of notable folks in the news.
*The Ezra Klein Show: Ezra Klein, a well known journalist, tackles a number of topical issues, from anxiety to climate change, in an interview format in another New York Times podcast.
Fresh Air: Many people know this podcast and its host, Terry Gross. She’s a great interviewer of a wide range of interesting topics.
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.
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 is covering.
IA from WAMU: This show took over for Diane Rehm’s daily radio show on WAMU, Washington DC’s NPR station. It covers really interesting, wide-ranging topics, so I often check to see if there are episodes of interest.
Inside the Hive: This is a Vanity Fair podcast with famed writer Emily Jane Fox (broke the Michael Cohen scandal) and Joe Hagan. They cover topical issues in an engaging way.
Personal Finance/Business/Retirement:
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, non-judgmental 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. I’m even a member of this podcast’s closed Facebook group. Men should feel welcome to listen too.
*Jill on Money: Jill Schlesinger takes questions on a number of 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.
*Angels Live: I’m new to angel investing, and this podcast by the Angel Capital Association, covers important issues for those investing in early stage companies or are entrepreneurs in that space.
Macro Micro Michael Marco: Startups at the Edge: A shoutout to my friend, Michael Leifman, who along with his former GE colleague Marco Annunziata, conduct thoughtful discussions with early stage entrepreneurs who really are at the edge of innovation. They are great interviewers focusing on little covered aspect of business, economics and technology.
Make Me Smart: For fans of Kai Risdal and Molly Wood of NPR’s Marketplace , this is a fun, brief podcast focused on discussions about current financial topics.
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.
*Healthyish: This is a new Bon Appetit podcast limited series about food and wellness.
Homemade: I like the interesting interviews and information around food by Marty Duncan, a former contestant of the Next Food Network Star show. It is a podcast of Allrecipes, a great place to get good recipes.
A Taste of the Past: This looks at the history of a range of food-related topics.
Entertainment/Sports
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.]
*In the Village: For Olympics fans, this started at the beginning of the Olympics and talks to athletes about what it’s like in the Olympic Village and how athletes manage outside of their televised competitions. I just started it and find it fascinating.
*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!
*The Crown: The Official Podcast: This is the companion podcast to the wonderful Netflix series. It does a deep dive into each episode and interviews key folks that makes this series so captivating.
*Schitt’s Creek podcast: For those, like me, who adored this show, this is a fun podcast that goes into the making of this small Canadian tv show that erupted in the time of Trump to capture all of our hearts and every Emmy award for which they were nominated.
The Plot Thickens: This TCM podcast, with host Ben Mankiewicz, does a deep dive each season into a historically significant Hollywood personality or movie. The first season dealt with Peter Bogdanovich’s Hollywood history. The current season covers every aspect of the making of the Bonfire of the Vanities movie from 1990. It’s more interesting than it sounds and covers a lot of historical characters.
Even The Rich: This is a comical view of a range of rich figures, usually devoting 3-4 episodes for each rich family being addressed. They’ve covered the Royal Family, Jay Z and Beyonce, Princess Diana, Madonna, the Murdochs and more. It’s a light but well researched take on these folks.
Miscellaneous:
*WorkLife with Adam Grant: An organizational psychologist, Adam Grant dives into the keys to creating a better work life.
*Tiny Victories: this very short (maximum 15 minutes) weekly podcast by my childhood friend Annabelle Gurwitch and Laura House shares how fleeting joys and minor accomplishments can make one’s day.
*Go Ask Ali: Ali is comedian Ali Wentworth, who’s married to George Stephanopoulous. She’s hilarious as she speaks to experts about raising kids and navigating life’s challenges.
Dressed – The History of Fashion: I love fashion and history, so this is a perfect podcast for me. The two hosts are fashion historians that cover a range of fashion topics that usually can relate to current times.
*In Vogue: the 1990s: this is Vogue Magazine’s podcast that takes a deep dive into the dichotomy of popular fashion that existed in the 1990s. I hope Vogue continues this podcast and delves into fashion from other decades.
*Us Among the Israelis: I recently discovered this podcast by two American immigrants to Israel that explore the mysteries, frustrations and joys of living in Israel.
Listening to podcasts makes everything I do more enjoyable — whether walking, cooking, painting, cleaning 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!
You know I love this list! Glad you have made it an annual thing!
Thanks so much for these recommendations! I’d love to also see your list of who to follow on social media.
Thanks so much for this great list. I started listening to podcasts after some of your recommendations. I like to listen to music at times but also love the podcasts.
Linda – you got me into listening to podcasts and always offer fresh recommendations. I’ll acknowledge I could broaden my range so thank you for these! Can’t wait to listen to even more diverse voices and topics!
Amazing list! Where do you find the time? I’m signing up for a few based on your recommendations. Since you love Vogue fashions, remind me to show you my needlepoints of old Vogue covers.