Hey, y’all! First, thank you so much for all the email, comments, tweets and virtual (and actual) high fives on the podcast. The fact that so many of you look forward to Fridays to hear the newest episode is the biggest compliment. Thank you for that.
I’ve been listening to a number of awesome podcast episodes that have given me so much joy, comfort, enthusiasm, consideration, and perspective in the past few days, and I want to share some links with you. If you need some extra weekend listening, grab your earbuds – here comes linkage!
- You know I’m backflipping over how much I love the Friendshipping podcast. Their February 2 episode, Baby’s First Outrage, is terrific. It’s about becoming informed and increasing activism, and also about outrage fatigue. At one point Jenn advocates for sleep – and I scared both cats and one dog when I shouted, “HELL YES SLEEP” alone in my hallway. The whole podcast is wonderful, and I’m working my way through the archives, but this episode was welcome and wonderful.
- For a deep dive into pop song construction, Baroque musical techniques, and an ample side order of sneering at sexism and condescension, the January 27th episode of Hooked on Pop, The Puzzle of Ariana Grande’s “Into You” (with K Flay) will make your brain all kinds of happy. The first half is an analysis of “Into You,” and the repeated rhythmic and vocal motifs, and the second half is an examination of K Flay’s “Blood in the Cut.” If you needed a breakup song, here you go.
- Several people have recommended You Must Remember This, a podcast about Hollywood history. I have dropped in and out of different episodes, as the delivery style begins to irritate me after too long, but the episode titled “Lena Horne + Paul Robeson,” episode 12 of the stunning Blacklist series, is a big ol’ wow. It is a continuation of an earlier episode about Horne, and talks about her career in the context of the Hollywood blacklist and the fear of communism. There are some chilling parallels. The Blacklist series begins with “Tender Comrades,” if you’d like to listen to the entire thing.
So what are you listening to this weekend? Any episodes you’d like to recommend to everyone? (Please feel free to share links in the comments – if the spam filter gets touchy, I’ll be watching the comments, or you can email me to alert me about it.)
The Nerdist podcast is incredible- long, involved, often moving interviews with people who we usually get to see in quick sound bytes. Highly recommend. Go back and listen to Lily Tomlin or Chris Hadfield or Ian McShane. You’ll be hooked.
Speaking of hooked, I just fell into Crimetown, which is so compelling, even to someone who isn’t huge on true crime.
I admit to being a political podcast junkie. My must listen list includes The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blugal,The Bubble Genius Bob and Chez Show, Stephanie Miller (including the NSFW Happy Hour show), Randi Rhodes, and Nicole Sandler’s Radio Or Not. You can also get the audio of Bill Maher’s HBO Real Time the day after it airs. SiriusXM has a feature that allows me to listen to Tell Me Everything with John Fugelsang and the Mark Thompson show a couple of hours after it airs.
If you enjoy “You Must Remember This,” you should listen to “Attaboy Clarence”, a terrific funny old-movie podcast by a British man, Adam Roche. Each episode consists of his reviewing one or two fairly obscure old movies that he’s seen recently, and the rest is an episode of 1930s/40s radio drama, usually an adaptation of an old movie, often with the original stars. He has a WONDERFUL voice and an adorable sense of humor. If you’re interested, I would recommend starting with episode 1, since it sets up various running jokes. He also does long-form (and I mean LONG) podcast documentaries, at “The Secret History of Hollywood,” about specific subjects – he’s done an exhaustive and riveting series on Hitchcock, Universal horror movies, Sherlock Holmes in the movies, Warner Brothers and the gangster movie, etc. I cannot recommend him highly enough – I even subscribe to his podcast through Patreon, and I don’t do that lightly!
In my podcast queue are episodes from the Nerdist, the History Chicks, stuff you missed in history class, stuff you should know, the Alton Browncast, Hypable’s special episodes on the Gilmore Girls, Onceable, the West Wing Weekly, the World in Words and the Weird Sisters.
I also really like the Babysitters Club Club. If anyone decides to start listening, start with the first episode because the bits Jack and Tanner do build from episode to episode.
@Christiane:
Can’t agree more about Attaboy Clarence/Secret History. The one I always seem to recommend is by an online friend who goes by the radio handle Matt the Cat. It’s called Juke in the Back and it covers 1940’s and 1950’s Rhythm & Blues. He only makes the most recent episode available on his website and most podcast downloading apps, but the Public Radio Exchange, a good repository in it’s own right for radio documentary and podcast type shows, has many of them. Tunein has the most recent 30 episodes as well.
Oh man, I listen to so many podcasts. The Smart Bitches Podcast, however, is the second one I ever subscribed to! Here are a few more of my faves:
– You Must Remember This – I LOVE this podcast. I’d recommend the episode “#4 – (The Printing of) the Legend of Francis Farmer” and the Lena Horne episode for first time listeners
– The Adventure Zone – The McElroy brothers (of the My Brother, My Brother, and Me podcast) and their nerdy dad play Dungeons and Dragons. I’ve never played D&D and I absolutely adore this podcast. It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s characters are diverse, and I just love listening to a family having fun together, I guess. I’d start with episode #1.5 Here Be Gerblins – Chapter One (Supercut)
– My Favorite Murder – friends Karen and Georgia discuss murders, serial killers, tales of survival all with an open and irreverent tone and with some killer unintentional catchphrases and pearls of wisdom: “Stay Sexy, Don’t Get Murdered,” “You’re in a cult, call your dad”, and “Fuck Politeness” are a few. Start with the most recent episode.
– The Book Riot Podcast – discussion of the week’s book news. Pretty straightforward but fun, if you’re a book nerd. Start with the most recent episode.
– Buffering the Vampire Slayer – wives Jenny and Kristen and sometimes guests, talk Buffy, episode by episode. And there’s an episode song at the end of every episode. They’re in S2 now.
And some of my favorite political podcasts (seriously the only way I can digest news lately):
– The NPR Politics Podcast – roundtable discussion of American politics. Even coverage. There are one to two episodes a week.
– Pod Save America – leftist coverage of the week’s news from three former Obama aides and sometimes, interviews
– Girl Friday with Erin Gloria Ryan – Ryan, of Jezebel, talks news and feminism with guests
– Pod Save the World – sorta a spin-off of Pod Save America, in which one of hosts interviews political figures about America’s foreign relations.
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@Rebekah – I LOVE Babysitter’s Club Club! Hi, fellow Baby Bee!
I listen to a lot of podcasts, but if you specifically want activisim-tinged listens, here are my recommendations:
-Throwing Shade: A “feminasty” and a “homosensual” break down the top stories of the week dealing with ladies and gays. Can get very silly, which helps balance out the rage.
-2 Dope Queens: Jessica Williams from The Daily Show and Phoebe Robinson (author of You Can’t Touch My Hair) host this comedy podcast, with standup from women, POC, and LGBTQA comics. Phoebe also has a podcast called Sooo Many White Guys, where she does an in-depth interview each episode.
-The Bugle: This British-based political podcast used to be co-hosted by John Oliver (until he got too busy stateside to record regularly). Andy Zaltzman now hosts with rotating co-hosts, usually a woman and/or POC. They talk mad trash about Tr*mp.
-The Guilty Feminist: Another UK-based podcast focused on women’s issues, but with a heavy dose of comedy.
-Nerds of Prey: Nerdy podcast covering all thinks geek culture, hosted by four women of color – which makes for a refreshing change of pace.
Oh, I just remembered one more! Food Psych is about diet culture, eating disorder recovery, and health at every size. They regularly talk about how body image relates to feminism, racism, class, etc. Self care is also a huge topic.
Radiolab, Freakonomics, On Being with Krista Tippett, Science Friday, and for much needed LOLs Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4, No Such Thing as a Fish, Answer Me This.
Daily listen: Slate’s The Gist with Mike Pesca. Sports: Slate’s Hang up and Listen; Hot Takedown.
Lots of others, many of which have already been mentioned.
I’m really enjoying Harry Potter and the Sacred Text these days. The two hosts are reading through the Harry Potter books (right now they are part-way through book 2) chapter-by-chapter, looking at each chapter through a specific lens (e.g. vulnerability, love, friendship, loyalty…).
@Meg: I was just going to chime in with No Such Thing As a Fish! If you like really weird trivia–and who doesn’t?–this one is for you. For those who might be familiar with the long-running BBC television trivia game show QI (stands for Quite Interesting, and hosted by Stephen Fry), NSTAaF is hosted by the QI Elves (i.e. researchers) sharing 4 of the most interesting things they’ve learned that week. Also, follow the QI Elves on Twitter. You will laugh even more than scratch your head.
And I started listening to Writing Excuses yesterday after hearing about it for several months. Late to the party, but glad to be here. It’s quick bits (15 minutes, “…because you don’t have time, and we’re not that smart”) by writers for writers about writing. I’m enjoying it, and apparently I’ve got something like 12 seasons to catch up on. Yay!
I would highly recommend the Witch, Please podcast. Two lady scholars (and occasional guests) discuss the Harry Potter books and movies – literary and cultural criticism, feminist analysis, adaptation theory, and more. It is like taking a college course on Harry Potter with two really funny and smart professors. Definitely give it a listen if you are interested in Harry Potter at all.
My commute just got longer, so love all the good recommendations. Thanks everyone!
I second Hell Yes Sleep! And thanks for the video of the Hard Tack preparation. I always enjoy the historical cooking segments.
I’ve been really enjoying listening to Sawbones, which is described as “a marital tour of misguided medicine”. It’s got Justin McElroy (of that brothers podcast fame) and his very cool wife, Dr. Sydnee McElroy. They tend to pick a medical topic and trace the way humans have tried to treat it over time. (Greatest hits include but are not limited to inhaling the fumes coming off of burning cow dung to cure TB and mashing together two different kinds of brains to make your own lip balm.) I’m currently working my way through med school right now so this show is extra delightful because I go home and look up the pathophys and treatments of the ailments mentioned.
@AnotherKate – YES on Harry Potter & the Sacred Text. I found it after “finishing” listening to the main eps of Witch, Please (also highly recommended) and it is the perfect next step. I’ll say it’s also providing a lot of peace and contemplation that I can use right now when my main emotions are pain, sadness, and rage.
I also LOVE Another Round, which is hosted by Tracy Clayton and Heben Nigatu. These women are hilarious, smart, sassy, everything.
I dig on the Babysitters Club Club, although sadly the boys’ voices are too low to listen to in my car in traffic – old speakers, how I loathe thee.
I also want to plug Criminal, hosted by Phoebe Judge, which is a lovely short-episode podcast covering all sorts of things related to crime, without being gory or weird. Code Switch (by NPR) is wonderful and valuable, especially right now. And if Mystery Show ever comes back, I will be dancing a happy dance; for now, though, if you haven’t heard the six episodes of the first season, take my advice and go download them ALL. It’s so odd and wonderful.
I really enjoy listening to XOXO After Dark Podcast, where three romance editors discuss books, the publishing industry, and various other related topics. They even interviewed SB Sarah on one of the earlier episodes. 🙂
http://xoxoafterdark.com/category/podcasts/
XOXO After Dark is fun, very chatty mostly among the three editors with the interview guest in the middle of the episode.
Sarah has also guested on Read It and Weep, which is a sarcastic podcast mocking bad movies/books/TV.
I’ve recently started listening to NPR hourly news summary once or twice a day as a way to stay informed.
I just finished all the Bad with Money podcast episodes. It’s a really cool way to approach personal finance, talking about all the ways that money and money anxieties intersect with aspects of identity like class and race. And there are episodes like What Is a Stock to impart some basics of investing, trying not to make it an opaque concept only available to the more privileged 🙂
I listen to A LOT of podcasts – on average 7-10 hours a day. Here is my current subscription list:
On Point with Tom Ashbrook – from WBUR and NPR, I love the mix of news, politics, pop culture, “high” culture, music, health, science – basically everything
Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal
Planet Money – sometimes quirky, always fascinating stories about economics
Side Hustle School
Indivisible – four night a week call-in radio show from WNYC trying to get people from both sides of the political spectrum to talk with each other
FiveThirtyEight Politics
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Money Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips
Smart Podcast, Trashy Books – of course
On the Media
Science Friday
The Ricochet Podcast – I subscribe to three newsletters about podcasts and one linked to an article about what people should be listening to in 2017 – this is a conservative podcast which the article said liberals should listen to to try to understand people who hold opposing viewpoints. The podcast itself labels itself right of center, but I would call it right – I like to listen to challenge myself
Only a Game
Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me
To the Best of Our Knowledge
This American Life
Radiolab
Radiolab Presents: More Perfect
Retro Disney World Podcast – my husband and I love all things Disney
Financial Independence Podcast
Presidential – I don’t think there will be any more episodes of this, although I am keeping my subscription just in case. Each episode covers one president and I especially liked the episodes covering more obscure presidents that I don’t know much about. If you haven’t listened go back and go to George Washington and start there – amazing!
I have about another 150 podcasts that I want to try – next up is the Federalist Radio Hour (like The Ricochet Podcast, this is to challenge myself and my ideas), The Money Guy Show, Pod Save America, and The FourFiftyOne.
Studio 360. (They’re on NPR, you can also listen on their website.) Also The World, Hearts of Space, and This Way Out. I wish I had more time to listen to them these days. Studio 360 has a nice mix of pop culture commentary, literature, movies, and music.
Not podcast related, but I have to mention ‘Let’s Plays’ of video games on YouTube. I’ve gone back and re-watched Hank Green, his wife, and their friends play Super Mario over at hankgames. Also Dashie at Dashiegames. It’s hilarious to watch him rage while playing Super Mario Maker. (A little more NSFW. Be sure to turn the volume down if you’re wearing headphones.) They’re great if you need to turn off the news for a few minutes.
@Nuha Yes yes yes to Sawbones! I also recommend the other McElroy family podcasts in particular:
– Still Buffering in which Sydnee of Sawbones talks with her sisters, Teylor and Rileigh about being a teen. It’s fun because Syd and Tey are in their 30’s but Rileigh is an actual teenager right now. They compare their experiences as teens in the late 90’s/early 00’s and as a teen now. It’s great.
– Shmanners Teresa McElroy and Travis McElroy discuss etiquette. It’s not stuffy but rather it’s more guidance for people who are socially unsure of themselves trying to be their best selves.
– Rose Buddies in which Griffin McElroy and Rachel McElroy discuss the Bachelor. My husband and I sit down to listen to this one each week after we’ve watched the episode of the show. So good!
Seconding the McElroy family podcasts – in fact, the site maximumfun.org has all of them and lots more great podcasts. Some of my favorites are Oh, No, Ross & Carrie (the duo investigate various cults and other weird things), Adam Ruins Everything, The Flop House (bad movies), etc. Great stuff. And thanks for all the great recommendations – I listen to various podcasts at work all day!
Wow so many good recommendations! Thank you everyone! I work in the same space as two people who make mouth sounds just all day at all times (also they eat at their desks a lot so there’s two hours of EXTRA LOUD mouth sounds every day!!) and podcasts are how I drown them out when I’m not in the mood for an audiobook.
I just remembered another! Story Wonk. (Especially if you’re a fan of the ‘Outlander’ books and/or the TV series. They take a more critical look at Diana Gabaldon’s work. They discuss other fandoms and books as well.) There’s times where I tune in just to listen to Alastair’s Scottish accent.
I don’t think I’d be very good at describing what they do, so I’ll just post what’s on their channel:
“We’re passionate about the craft and the art of narrative, and we want to help you tell better, stronger, more compelling stories, and to better understand the stories you love.”
I’m a huge fan of Welcome to Night Vale, even though I’m very behind on the series. I have a tattoo dedicated to it, have all 3 books, have attended all their live shows… It’s a magical thing.
I also love Stuff you missed in history class, You must remember this, My favorite murder, This American Life, Song Exploder (artists talking about the lyrics and parts of a specific song), Serial, Tiny Desk Concerts (!!!! The Andrew Bird ep rocked my world), The Moth and Stuff mom never told you (feminism!).
I’m giving Crybabies and Alice Isn’t Dead a try.
I want to thank the commenters, as I’ve added a bunch of the recs! I just listened to No such thing as a fish, and that was great.
I highly recommend everyone listen to My Dad Wrote a Porno. Makes me laugh harder than anything else in the world. Perfect for stressful commutes.