Like everyone else I know who listens to podcasts, I discovered the amazing world of the audio series via Serial, one story told week by week™. I don't know if it was the frustrating-yet-fascinating, whodunnit nature of Adnan Syed's case (which was been compared to the more recent Netflix hit Making a Murderer) or Sarah Koenig's deep, soulful voice, but I was hooked.
After binge-listening to the first half of Serial's first season, I waited for each week's installment with the tenacity of an awkward teen waiting to get her braces off. After it ended, I downloaded a few other podcasts to listen to while commuting to and from my office. Among my favorites were NPR (they have a bunch to choose from) and Freakonomics because they usually supplied interesting, bite-sized factoids to drop into random conversations and sound smart(er). But none were as addicting as Serial and over time, I opted for Hype Machine and Spotify playlists, pretty much forgetting about podcasts.
Fast forward to embarking on this year-long trip around the world. It was my first podcast love, Serial, that got me hooked on the medium once again. But this time, it's sticking.
Serial’s second season was drastically different than its first, not surprising given the subject matter (Bowe Bergdahl, the now infamous Army soldier who walked off his post and was held captive by the Taliban for five years). But it was still every bit as addictive. I’m proud to report that I converted Mike and we were both super into the second season. But, as all good things do, it came to an end back in April.
This time, I was ready for the break, my Podcasts app loaded with new shows to sink my teeth into. And, I had some time to fill.
Podcasts complement a travel lifestyle in many ways. They’re small files, so they download quickly, even on the sh*ttiest of internet connections. They cover all genres, so whether you’re feeling sentimental, or like you need to laugh, or want to learn something, there’s a podcast for that. Best of all, they make the inevitable downtime of a traveler’s life pass quickly, but still leave you feeling like you did something (at least slightly) productive. Oh, and they're all FREE.
Without any further rambling, here’s a list of some of my favorite podcasts at the moment. I'd recommend them to anyone needing something to do on a plane, train, or in the car on the way to work:
Modern Love
I am as obsessed with the podcast as I already was with the column that started it all. Episodes feature heartfelt, relatable essays, which all originally appeared in The New York Times, read aloud by a different celebrity each week, as well as a postscript with the author of the piece. At about 30 minutes long, they're absorbing nuggets that will make you laugh out loud and bring you to tears.
TED Radio Hour
If you like TED Talks, you'll probably love the audio form just as much. The interesting episodes cover a wide, unpredictable range of topics. Typically, bits and pieces from previous TED Talks are pulled in to create a new discussion around a specific topic. Bonus: it’s the kind of information you'd find yourself brining up at dinner with your significant others’ parents or a blind date (I imagine), to spark some dynamic conversation.
The Skift Podcast
The Skift Podcast is everything I hoped to find, but never did, when dialing in to the generic travel marketing webinar back in the day. The episodes are brimming with industry insights, stats, and news. They're generous with the information and fellow travel nerds will enjoy the smart dialogue around the complex travel industry. Some of the episodes are so interesting, I find myself taking notes. I can’t promise that non-travelers would love it quite as much but I'd be shocked if anyone listened and didn’t find at least something interesting.
Anna Faris is Unqualified
This one is all about entertainment, although depending on your current relationship status, you just might learn something along the way. When I first heard Anna's reason for starting the podcast (because she loves hearing about peoples' relationships and prying in with her own, often totally unqualified, advice), it felt like something I would daydream about doing. Although the episodes can be a bit chaotic at times, the unscripted nature of the show makes you feel like you're one of the people in the room. Each show features a celebrity guest, all bringing their own unique perspective to the show and the advice they give callers.
Stuff You Should Know
These episodes are 40-60 minutes long, an ideal time for most commuters. Each one covers a different topic, providing an in-depth look at what it is and why it matters. All kinds of topics are covered. The only common theme is that they're all things that responsible adults should know, but may be embarrassed to admit that they don’t fully understand. Examples of past episode topics include El Nino, dark monkey, labor strikes, the gender pay gap, nitrous oxide, the Big Bang, and why lead is poisonous. If you’re thinking to yourself, “I actually don't know how that works,” then this podcast is for you.
If any of your favorite podcasts weren't included, please comment below or send us an email to let us know what we’re missing!
