By Danielle Hanlon
It’s 2019 and at this point, if you haven’t considered listening to at least one podcast, you’re behind. Whether you’ve been meaning to discover the new outlet or have no idea where to begin, I hope some of these recommendations help you get started.
Ever since Apple added podcasts as a feature on iTunes in 2005, they have been slowly making their way into the mainstream media and the industry has grown tremendously. From independent shows funded out-of-pocket to major productions created by radio stations, the podcasting scene is more vibrant than it’s ever been.
There are now thousands of podcasts being produced and millions of episodes available online that cover any possible topic you could imagine. I’m not exaggerating. Hundreds of top-quality options are available for popular categories like history, technology, news, and science. From Investigative journalism and murder mysteries to life advice and comedy shows, there is something out there for everyone.
Podcasts have become extremely popular among millennials and younger generations for multiple reasons; the efficiency of only needing your phone and headphones, the ease of use, and their on-the-go capabilities. These aspects of podcasts make them easy to incorporate into everyday life and that’s exactly what I encourage anyone who wants to start listening to do.
Instead of listening to music on my walk to class in the morning, sometimes I’ll swap Spotify for one a news or business podcast. Finding ways to incorporate podcasts into your life is the best way to get started. I started off listening to podcasts while I was cooking or driving and from there my love flourished. My advice to those who want to start listening is to find a story that intrigues you and listen to that the next time you spend time with a hobby or are working around your house.
For those who don’t know where to start, I’ve listed some of my favorite podcasts of all time. All four of these podcasts are one-of-a-kind and perfect for those just starting out. Happy listening!
The Daily – The Daily is a 20-minute news podcast and radio show produced by the New York Times and hosted by Michael Barbaro. A new episode is released each weekday at 6 a.m. on the biggest news story from the prior day and the reporting by the Times. These short episodes are perfect for fitting the news into my day and keep me up to date on current events.
RadioLab – Radiolab is an hour-long podcast produced by WNYC and is also broadcasted on public radio on certain days of the week. Each podcast episode incorporates stories and science into a beautiful and music-rich documentary.
2 Dope Queens – Hosted by Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams, 2 Dope Queens is a hilarious live comedy show that features comedians and actors of color and hilarious members of the LGBTQ+ community. Phoebe, Jessica, and their guests share stories about race, sex, New York City, Billy Joel, and everything in between.
The Moth – The Moth is a non-profit group based in New York City. The Moth is a radio show that promotes the art and craft of storytelling by hosting live events in which random individuals have the opportunity to go on stage and tell a personal story of theirs in front of a crowd of strangers. It is the perfect way of recognizing and celebrating the diversity of the human experience. The stories that are told can be heart-wrenching, hilarious, and completely unexpected. The Moth is one of my favorite podcasts of all time, so I highly recommend.
shut up, i’m talking – For those who are here to support the local scene, one of our fellow PRowl members, Max Simons and his friend Kat Desrochers recently launched a podcast of their own! Shut up, i’m talking is a little less than an hour of listening to Max and Kat discuss anything and everything from entertainment and celebrity gossip to travel and personal, hilarious stories. Max and Kat’s dynamic personalities make their conversations interesting and easy to listen to which is no easy feat for a new, independent show.
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