A Year of Good Good Podcast Fun Times
Podcast listening is an activity that, when shared in conversation with others, elicits an immediate awkward sweat response and triggers a wave of vulnerability as you suddenly comprehend your foolishness at revealing your slightly snobby little hobby that nobody will ever listen to no matter how much they say “Ooooh sounds good I will add it to the list.” Let me tell you something, that list? She does not exist no siree bob. And you are kind of a dick for trying to bring every Convo back to “this podcast I was listening to recently…”. But eh, listen it’s ok because truth be told….we all do it. Listening to podcasts as an activity is a little bit upper crust, time consuming and yet another little tool to define ourselves by to the world at large while simultaneously drowning in all the downloaded podcasts we will never get around to completing. At LEAST we aren’t yet making a podcast okay ‘cause that’s when you have officially entered elder millennial lost touch with reality stage.
IT COMES FOR US ALL
It’s ok, and in my little corner of the interwebs you don’t have to quantify or justify your listening choices to others. In fact I relish in it when other people get overexcited sharing about how they were giggling with ‘friends’, a.k.a. the hosts of a podcast they delusionally think of as friends. Podcast consuming is a lesson in the difference within our personal perception of our expectation of ourselves and execution of our will. I ‘listen’ to like 24 different podcasts, I hear maybe three total. The fact of the matter is I like to think of myself as a consumer of elevated content (in actuality I am simply delusional) and this medium is one way that validates my silly self, so I shall hold tight to it in spite of evidence that runs in the contrary.
On that overused and self-deprecating note I wanted to share some of my top podcast listens of the year. I think I will pick maybe six that’s only one every two months so it certainly feels doable to have a wee listen to them all if it’s your cuppa tea. If not, no problemo sweet earthly neighbourino I would certainly appreciate if you have a particular podcast favourite of your own to share it with me. I am a mama who spends most of my time with a toddler-baby and craaaave adult voices in my day.
In no particular order, I give you my favourite six podcast episodes of a random assortment of shows for the listening ear of 2024. (Sidenote I am not particularly well…..
For the spiritually curious
(n.b. spiritual/religious themes are prevalent. If Godspeak is not your thing then feel free to give this a pass.)
1.) Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
I listen to this podcast on my long walks with my little human in tow. At the beginning of each new week when I feel overwhelmed by the prospect of full time parenting once again and being separate from the commune of other adults, Kate’s podcast enlivens my soul and breaths hope and peace into my mind. As a professor, theologian, liver of life and survivor of cancer Kate is a thoughtful and warm, goofy speaker and I enjoy her rich conversations with others greatly.
2.) Spiritual Boom with Rainn Wilson
(yes Rainn Wilson of The Office, Dwight Schrute guy)
Following on from the spiritual vibes of Everything Happens, this episode was a crossover between that and ser Wilson’s oh so intriguing, and witty, podcast on the dimensions of spirituality as endured by us two legged beasts. This conversation was ridiculously humourous, the warmth and respect each person has for the other is palpable. I do so love a gentle, curious and engaging diatribe between people of differing spiritual and religious ideologies and worldviews that is respectful and productive.
For mama’s and coparents
3.) Motherkind with Zoe Blaskey
I cannot finish this year out without honourable mention to one of the absolutely essential podcasts on mothering that has helped me in innumerable ways with my mothering. This particular episode brings on none other than the brilliant Dr. Becky Kennedy who is a zeitgeist in transforming the conversation around parenting, navigating the ever shifting landscape of child raising culture and most importantly, the essential task of honouring the person that is the parent and giving grace to mothers to be people too.
4.) The Feminist Mom Podcast by Erin Spahr
Another fantastic motherhood centered podcast I stumbled across this year is this lovely one by licensed therapist and mama, Erin Spahr. I have listened to a number of her episodes, usually out of order, and each one is fascinating and comforting. When I come to a troubling thought, experience or mental state in my own life I like that I can find her deep dissection of these same problems as being faced by many mothers globally.
For the nerds
5.) Ologies with Alie Ward
I listened to this random old Ologies episode and it was amazing. If you want just a really great deep dive into the fantastical world of bears this is for you. There are amazing facts, and startling expert conversation on the wild nature of these fearsomely snuggly creatures.
6.) Magical Overthinkers by Amanda Montell
Obviously I cannot let the year pass without acknowledging one of my favourite creative minds out there. I have brilliant siblings who lead me to the best resources for brain snacking. Amanda Montell is a millennial goddess who interviews fascinating people on subjects that we all think about on the regular. I love her zany, goofy approach and her commitment to doing excellent thorough research. She embodies the idea that people can be both smart and silly and that brains don’t have to equal boring.
7.) Marlon and Jake Read Dead People
This is a podcast that I just listened to this morning for the first time and enjoyed it so much I just had to include it. My darling little brother recommended it and as he is well versed in the literary world and has great taste I trusted him and I am glad I did. It’s witty and challenging. Not often do we hear people so critically analyse literary giants without lauding them as writer gods who are critic proof.