In the final weeks of official summer, I thought I would share my favorite ways of getting inspired and entertained. Especially in this time of isolation due to Covid-19, we all need ways to stay connected to the world.
Readers of my blog, and anyone who knows me well, know that I listen to a ton of podcasts – of all varieties. I am often asked for my recommendations, so below is my list and why I recommend these podcasts. Please know that this is not an exhaustive list – as of this writing I subscribe to 85 podcasts (some no longer airing). I’m sure you’ll be grateful that I only share a fraction of these.
But First, the Book that Inspires Me Most
Before I get to my podcast list, I wanted to share the book that has most impacted me, a question that is commonly asked in interviews (especially in podcasts!). My answer will surprise you as it’s not on typical literary lists. It is Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books by Aaron Lansky.
I would love every high school or college student (hint hint CJ and Lauren!) to read it and understand that anyone can make a huge contribution to society, even if inadvertently.
It is the fascinating story of how Yiddish — its language and culture — was saved through saving its books. It is written by Aaron Lansky, who as a college student noticed a truckload of Yiddish books being thrown away. This led him, and later a group of friends, to hunt down Yiddish books being discarded. These twenty-somethings became saviors to very aged Jewish seniors who were desperate to find a way to place their books before they died. Outwitting History recounts heartwarming interactions with Jewish bubbes and zaydes and other nail-biting stories of rushing to save books thrown in the garbage before rains come or buildings are demolished. Even the remaining speakers of Yiddish, the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, rejected these non-religious books, so it took a college student and his friends to make it their calling to save Yiddish. These books are now stored in the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts — considered the largest collection of Yiddish secular books in the world. This book will entertain you, make you cry and laugh. It reminds us that we all have the ability to make a significant difference regardless of education or expertise. I highly recommend it.
Now My Podcast Recommendations
Podcasts are perfect for multitaskers like me. I listen to them when I walk or cook, am doing mindless projects/cleaning around my house or driving, especially on long trips. I know many are into podcast serial stories, but I prefer to listen to self-contained episodes. I subscribe to a wide range of podcasts, choosing episodes depending on my mood. Tip: I often listen on 1.5 speed because they tend to speak very slowly. Here are my podcast recommendations by subject, with why I listen to them.
General Interest:
Fresh Air: Many people know this podcast and its host, Terry Gross. She’s a great interviewer and covers a wide range of interesting topics.
Think with Krys Boyd: I discovered this NPR’s KERA radio station 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 couple of 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.
The Rachel Maddow show: I’m a TRMS addict so I listen only if I happen to miss her nightly show, a rarity for me. She is the most brilliant person on tv, imho, so listen if you don’t watch her MSNBC show. Check out her mini-podcast, Bag Man, if you’re interested in learning about a little known but prescient Presidential scandal.
IA from WAMU: This show took over for Diane Rehm’s daily radio show on WAMU, Washington DC’s NPR station. It covers 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.
The NPR Politics podcast: If you haven’t had enough of politics, this is a daily, quick show usually with 3 NPR reporters covering the crazy things happening that day.
Women-focused shows:
Her Money with Jean Chatzky: This is the only podcast 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 but well researched manner. This show covers a range of topics, with a central interview, related to women and money. I always feel empowered after listening 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.
WSJ Secrets of Wealthy Women: Interesting interviews with wealthy and powerful women, who discuss how they got to where they are and their recommendations for success.
The Sheri and Nancy Show: Sheri is Sheri Salata, the Executive Producer of Oprah’s talk show for the last ten years or so. She and her friend Nancy discuss how they are transforming themselves and their careers as they are aging. It started as “This is Fifty” but then Sheri turned sixty, so they changed the name. I was scheduled to go to the retreat they organized for earlier this month, but of course it was cancelled. They also have a closed Facebook group, with members from around the world who are also their groupies.
She votes! My newest podcast! Ellen Goodman and Lynn Sherr, both famed folks in the news business, cover fascinating historical information about women’s suffrage.
Cooking/Food:
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.
Homemade: A new podcast for me. I like the interesting interviews and information around food. 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. This could fall under the next category.
History:
BackStory: This podcast unfortunately ended recently, but episodes are still available. It’s been around for a long time and has had two different iterations. Earlier episodes took a subject, such as education , time or race, with three historians discussing how it was treated in the 18th , 19th , 20th centuries into today. The recent incarnation is more varied in how it covered historical subjects. It’s always entertaining and informative.
Presidential: This Washington Post podcast ended a few years ago but is still available, with occasional new episodes. Each episode covers a President, with expert interviews and a lot of fascinating information. A subsequent series covered the Constitution, called Constitutional.
Presidents are People Too: This is a comedic take on each of our Presidents.
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.
Year of Polygamy: I’m fascinated with the Mormon Church and its offshoots, and this is a deep dive into all things related to polygamy, usually from a historical point of view.
Entertainment/Hollywood:
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. Very entertaining and well researched. Go back to previous episodes – he’s interviewed everyone!
The Plot Thickens: This is TCM’s new podcast, with Ben Mankiewicz as host. The current first season is focused on Peter Bogdanovich’s Hollywood history. It’s more interesting than it sounds and covers a lot of historical characters.
It Happened in Hollywood: Another podcast from the Hollywood Reporter, this covers historical films and Hollywood happenings.
Behind the Screen: The third Hollywood Reporter podcast talks to technical folks around recent films. I don’t watch as many of the films that they feature, but if you like action and suspenseful films, you’ll especially appreciate interviews with directors, sound and lighting folks and others associated with selected films.
Miscellaneous:
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.
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.
Unlocking Us with Brene Brown: When I’m into being introspective, I really like this podcast for Brene’s well communicated and helpful psychological insights.
The India Hicks Podcast: If you love following the Royal Family, as I do, this is the podcast for you. India Hicks and her mother are close relatives of the Queen, and cover what key royal and aristocratic figures and events were like.
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, and the Murdochs in the first season. It’s a light but well researched take on these folks.
Macro Micro Michael Marco Startups at the Edge: A shout-out to my friend, Michael Leifman, who along with his former GE colleague, Marco Annunziata, conduct thoughtful discussions with leading and often small IA entrepreneurs who are at the edge of innovation. They are great interviewers focusing on little covered aspect of business, economics and technology.
I wouldn’t be writing these blogs without the inspiration I get from these (and more) podcasts. Many of you have your own list. I hope you enjoy those or find some new fun and inspiring podcasts from my list. Happy last gasps of Summer!