My next list to help you through this time of social distancing is a variety of podcasts. Of course I started with climbing because it’s my list! I hope you all find something you enjoy!
Climbing
Bad Beta
Real rock climbers, talking about issues that real rock climbers want to hear. We’re here to upset ‘big-climbing’ by telling you everything they don’t want you to know.
The Enormocast
The Enormocast is a Carbondale, Colorado-based climbing podcast. Episodes feature interviews with notable climbers, conducted by host Chris Kalous.
The Sharp End
A podcast from Accidents in North American Climbing
Training Beta
An all in one resource to help you get stronger
She Explores
She Explores is committed to creating a space where others’ voices are amplified. Since our founding in 2014, we have featured more than 500 women’s stories, voices, photographs, and artwork. We’re always on the lookout for how the conversation about and between women is changing, for voices that still aren’t being heard, for what’s next in the outdoor industry and environmental world, for discussions that are hard to start but important to have, and for stories that reveal we are not alone — even in our private journeys.
My Epic
Audio for climbers by climbers
News and Politics
In the Dark
An older true-crime podcast, it is hosted by reporter Madeleine Baran who takes deep dives into various stories of crime and the response of the American judicial system. The current season covers the case of Curtis Flowers, who has been tried six times for the same crime.
22 Hours
A relatively new podcast, 22 Hours recounts the nightmarish tale of a D.C. couple, their young son, and housekeeper who were held hostage for 22 hours before being murdered in their mansion. It attempts to untangle the complex trail of evidence that could shed light on who committed such a heinous crime and why.
The Daily
Returning from the Fall roundup, The Daily is one of the oldest and most well-known sources of news for podcasters. It has episodes that range from 15-35 minutes and is released on a Monday-Friday schedule. The show is provided by the New York Times and is hosted by political journalist Michael Barbaro.
Comedy
The Joe Rogan Experience
Hosted by former MMA star and standup comedian Joe Rogan, this show has long been one of the most popular podcasts in America. It’s structured as a long term conversation featuring a variety of topics from acting to music and beyond.
The JRE podcast once again is topping the proverbial iTunes “charts”, it’s reign continuing uninterrupted from our Fall roundup.
Call Her Daddy
A “reality podcast” that follows vlogger Alexandra Cooper and her friend Sofia Franklyn as they discuss dating, social faux-pas, and more in their quest to make lives for themselves in New York.
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Hosted by the eponymous Dax Shepard, this show highlights and explores the different elements of the human experience through a myriad of stories told by a variety of guests on the show, each one viewed as an opportunity for growth.
Society and Culture
Man in the Window
This show is hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Paige St. John and delves into the mysterious circumstances surrounding one of California’s most feared and deadly serial killers, told through the stories of his victims.
Culpable
Culpable explores the all too frequent cases where people who appear to be obviously at fault are able to elude justice. This podcast tries to examine these cases and bring closure to the victims of these crimesThe Shrink Next Door
4.5-star rating, 6,529 reviews.
Examining the frightening vulnerability that comes along with psychological treatment, journalist Joe Nocera explores the strange tale of his former neighbor in the Hamptons, a therapist named Ike.
Art
Nice Try! — Utopian
Hosted by Avery Trufelman, this show explores those who have tried to design a better world and how the search for the perfect place can often go awry. It is currently in its first season.
TED Talks Daily
TED Talks have long been one of the most popular sources for inspiration and knowledge; it’s no wonder their bite-sized lectures have translated well to podcasts! Like its YouTube counterpart, this series brings in a variety of experts to give talks on subjects ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Botany.
Lauren Conrad: Asking for a Friend
Each week, author, designer, and lifestyle expert Lauren Conrad hosts a series of interviews that shed light on how to best navigate our Instagram-obsessed culture while keeping perspective on what life is actually like.
Sports
Pardon My Take
A brash and audacious sports talk-show, Pardon My Take blends humor with free-wheeling insights into everything you could possibly want to know about your favorite teams and leagues.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
Bill Simmons hosts this podcast with a wide variety of sport’s related personalities. It is one of the most downloaded sports podcasts of all time.
The Kirk Minihane Show
This podcast is hosted by Kirk Minihane, who brings his own spin to sports commentary with frequent dips into politics, culture, and other issues of the day.
Business
Spectacular Failures
This show focuses on some of the most harebrained schemes and business catastrophes of all time and gives insights into what we can learn from them. Host Lauren Ober takes you through a journey of failures that are funny, shocking, and sometimes downright sad.
The MFCEO Project
Andy Frisella hosts this podcast on entrepreneurship and achieving your potential. He focuses on giving business owners the tools they need to solve issues from finance to marketing as well as offering coaching in the success mindset and goal setting.
The Dave Ramsey Show
Hosted by the eponymous finance speaker and author, this podcast is comprised of edited cuts of his live radio show where Ramsey answers called-in questions about personal finance, debt, insurance, and other matters from listeners. He is known for his blend of Christian spirituality and life advice.
Education
Duolingo Spanish Podcast
Departing from Duolingo’s strictly education content, this podcast takes a look at the experiences of English speakers learning Spanish and the lessons they learn about the world around them through the lens of a new language. The podcast is entirely in Spanish but has incorporated English narration, and is meant to be both a supplement to Spanish students as well as an engaging show for all listeners.
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
A collection of essays and lectures by a professor of psychology Jordan Peterson. While I’m including this show per the structural dictates of this article, Peterson has been known to spread a de-humanizing ideology about women and racial minorities.
The Tony Robbins Podcast
Tony Robbins stars in an advice show where he offers strategies to help people achieve their goals in business, health, and relationships.
Gaming and Hobbies
Critical Role
A podcast that stars a bunch of nerd-centric professional voice-actors as they undertake fantastical adventures under the guidance of Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer. It has extremely solid storytelling, high production values, and a fun ensemble of characters rendered by the various voice actors who make up its colorful cast.
Car Talk
Car talk is hosted by two auto mechanics who take calls from car owners and diagnose their problems. It’s generally billed as a humorous podcast and is meant to be approachable for hobbyists of all stripes.
The CouRage and Nadeshot Show
A talk show hosted by Matt “Nadeshot” Haag and Jack “CouRageJD” Dunlop, it brings a variety of different personalities in entertainment to talk about pop culture, gaming, and a host of other topics.
Government and Organizations
Radiolab Presents: More Perfect
This series focuses on the United States Supreme Court and explores the nuanced ways that decisions from the highest part of the judicial system affect the lives of everyday Americans who are far removed from the bench.
Affordable Housing Podcast
The Affordable Housing Podcast tackles the contemporary issues and challenges being faced in affordable housing. Host Joanne Green offers insights and interviews with industry insiders.
LIFT EVERY VOICE
This podcast is made by U.S. Senator Cory Booker and is dedicated to shining a light on overlooked issues of injustice and inequality in our society and envisioning a path forward from the turbulent reality in which we live. Senator Booker spends each episode talking with grassroots activists and organizers who are making a positive change in their communities..
Health and Wellness
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Host Jay Shetty shares his conversations with individuals he deems interesting in order to share insights about life with his audience.
Teenager Therapy
This podcast examines the life of current teens from the source. Join the five teenage hosts as they discuss what it’s like being a young person in today’s society.
The School of Greatness
From Lewis Howes the NYT bestselling author, entrepreneur, and pro athlete comes a show that shares inspiring stories about the most brilliant minds in business, sports, and entertainment to help you understand what makes great people great.
Kids and Family
Wow in the World
This podcast is aimed to give curious kids exposure to new ideas and generally cool stuff that is going on in the world around them. Featuring dives into science and technology, this show is one of the most prolific and well-known children’s podcasts available.
Brains On! Science podcast for kids
Brains On! is a show for curious kids that is co-hosted each week by reporters from public radio and kid scientists. It covers topics from emotions to outer space.
Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansburry Unruffled
Hosted by author and parental advisor Janet Lansburry, this show addresses listener’s issues through the unique lens of Janet’s respectful parenting philosophy.
Music
NBC’s Songland Podcast
This show interviews a variety of guest artists and gives them an opportunity to delve deeper into their songwriting process and explore their perspective on the craft. It features producers such as Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean, and Shane McAnally as hosts who have worked with some of the biggest names in music.
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game
Hosted by rapper and actor @GillieDaKing and social media influencer @Wallo267, this show blends life issues, personal anecdotes, and comedy.
Tiny Desk Concerts
From NPR Music, this features many of the hottest new names in music as they perform at the desk of “All Songs Considered” host Bob Boilen’s in the NPR office.
Religion and Spirituality
That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs
Christian author and speaker Annie F. Downs imparts her favorite new things including books, faith conversations, and more.
Elevation with Steven Furtick
A podcast hosted by Pastor Steven Furtick. Delivers weekly sermons on self-improvement and spirituality.
WHOA That’s Good Podcast
This show features many interviews with an eclectic assortment of entertainers and artists as they discuss the best advice they ever received.
Science podcasts
These podcasts range from dramas to informational shows and are centered around recent scientific developments.
Science
Overheard at National Geographic
Overheard at Nat Geo shares the strange and delightful conversations that happen around the program’s headquarters. It aims to help people step out of their everyday life and explore the strange and beautiful planet we call home.
Dr. Death
This show takes a deep dive into a story about a charming and psychotic surgeon, his patients, and the shortcomings of a medical system in the face of malicious medical malpractice.
Hidden Brain
Host Shankar Vedantam examines the unconscious patterns, schemas, and assumptions that drive human behavior and actively shape our lives every second of every day.
Tech
TED Radio Hour
This weekly podcast takes a look at new ideas, inventions, and accomplishments that challenge the way we think about the world and understand our own humanity.
13 Minutes to the Moon
This show is the story of Apollo 11 and the near brush with disaster that could have kept the first moon landing from happening. The music is by noted cinematic composer Hans Zimmer.
Reply All
A podcast about the internet, but with a twist. This show dives into modern life and how we are shaped by our interactions in social media, and how the internet affects our perception of the world around us.
TV and Movies
The Chernobyl Podcast
This is the official HBO podcast to accompany the Chernobyl miniseries. Series creator Craig Mazin and Peter Sagal sit down to discuss the history and stories that shaped each episode.
Whine Down with Jana Kramer and Michael Caussin
In this show, host Jana Kramer shares her insights and humorous anecdotes from her life and gives advice to listeners.
Ellen on the Go
This podcast is the place to hear what they’re talking about on the Ellen Degeneres show. It’s hosted by the shows executive producers and is the audio catchup to what’s happening on the weekly talk-show.
Random Picks
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
This podcast is one of the best things to ever grace the airwaves. Dan Carlin goes into loving detail about historical events ranging from World War I to the fall of the Persian Empire to Alexander the Great. With his signature raspy growl, he brings intense historical color and drama to the events that shaped the world we call home today. You can’t miss this show.
This American Life
One of the oldest and most-well known podcasts, it is hosted by storyteller Ira Glass. Each week, he and various members of his team take you through stories centered around a specific theme. It features some of the best storytelling on the airwaves and a wonderful variety of content. A must listen for people interested in the smaller stories that permeate society.
Leave a Reply