Just like with my reading tastes, what I am listening to has changed a bit over the last few weeks. I have found that my ability to focus has shifted with my podcasts and I am seeing that I either need some small helpful bits of information, relatable banter, some inspiring messages, or maybe a quick distraction.
Fitting in Podcast Listening…
Previously podcasts made up a good part of my workday whether it was when I was editing on the computer or during my commute. Photos above are back in the “good old days”.
Now that I don’t have either of those things, both my amount of time and attention to detail has changed. I am now listening while quickly getting ready for the day, while I am doing tasks around the house, on a walk to the mailbox…and sometimes when I just need to block out the decibel level from the kids.
(Affordable) Wireless Headphones
Thank goodness for my headphones! I will talk about these noise-canceling headphones forever and ever because they are amazing. They are the best $30 I have ever spent! I can leave my phone plugged in while moving all around our house and yard and still be able to listen. You can also answer and talk on the phone with these with just a press of a button.
On to the Podcasts…
Today I am sharing the podcasts that I am listening to most frequently during this COVID19 pandemic. While I subscribe to dozens of podcasts, these are the ones that I have been prioritizing during this quarantine.
I am going to discuss each of these podcasts below and also include a podcast series “summary” provided by the podcast hosts.
Panic Party by Tab & Gretch
I am a big fan of Tab & Gretch on their podcast Housewives of True Crime and they started this new podcast especially for this time of quarantine. Not only do I enjoy their banter about being home quarantined with school-aged kids, but they have also had some really great guests related to COVID-19. Because I can’t currently hang out with my friends, this kind of feels like I still am…
Podcast Summary:
Gretchen Macaulay and Tabitha Kane are talking all things that make you panic; like being a mother, the coronavirus, being married, going to the store and sometimes just living life. We want to make the stresses of today into a party or at least a little more fun. We will interview people that are more knowledgeable than us to help us on our way. We hope you join our party!
The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman
I don’t think I have ever heard a more soothing voice than Emily P. Freeman’s. I have listened to her podcast for a few years now and love the small doses of compassion and the focus on making the next right decision, however big or small that may be. It does have a Christian element but it isn’t in your face and her messages are succinct and approachable but also just beautiful.
Podcast Summary:
For the second-guessers, the chronically hesitant, or anyone who suffers from decision fatigue, best-selling author and host Emily P. Freeman helps create a little space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing in love. Because out of the thousands of decisions you make every day, chances are a few of them threaten to keep you up at night. If you’re in a season of transition, waiting, general fogginess or if you’ve ever searched “how to make a decision” on the internet, listen in.
Unlocking Us by Brene Brown
I have been a Brene Brown fan for years and learning she was coming out with a podcast in 2020 was THE BEST NEWS! I remember first learning about her work back in 2014 when I was intrigued by the titles of her books on our library’s bookshelves. At that time I had a CD player in my card and I devoured all of her books via audiobook and that is where my love affair began. Her podcast was released amidst the beginning of this current global pandemic and while I know that wasn’t her “plan” it couldn’t have been better timing for so many of her listeners.
Podcast Summary:
I’ve spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: We are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. I want this to be a podcast that’s real, unpolished, honest, and reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human. Episodes will include conversations with the people who are teaching me, challenging me, confusing me, or maybe even ticking me off a little. I’ll also have direct conversations with you about what I’m learning from new research, and we’ll do some episodes dedicated to answering your questions. We don’t have to do life alone. We were never meant to.
The Daily by the New York Times & Up First by NPR
One of the most helpful things I have found for managing news consumption is getting it in small doses. I like to turn on the 6 o’clock news each night to see what is happening in our area locally and I have been listening to The Daily and Up First every morning while I am getting ready for the day. They are the perfect balance of filling my desire to hear the latest updates while also being clear, concise, and factual.
The Daily Podcast Summary:
This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m.
Up First Podcast Summary:
NPR’s Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays by 6 a.m. ET, with hosts Rachel Martin, Noel King, David Greene, and Steve Inskeep. Now available on Saturdays by 8 a.m. ET, with hosts Lulu Garcia-Navarro and Scott Simon.
Sarah’s Bookshelves Live
If you are looking for something that helps you build your reading list but also is thoroughly entertaining, Sarah’s Book Shelves Live is a must. It is one of the only podcasts I play while the kids are in the car with me, and they actually even request it which is pretty cute. I especially love the mini-episodes where she features Bookstagrammers and what they are reading.
I was excited to be featured on this podcast series back in February which was super fun, You can listen to that episode HERE or learn more about the experience in my February blog post HERE.
You can also listen to some of my book friend’s episodes below…
Episode 29: Katie @katieneedsabiggerbookshelf
Episode 31: Kailey @kmc_reads
Episode 33: Stephenie @reads.on.wednesdays
Episode 37: Elizabeth @samandscout
Episode 39: Lindsay @littlelindsreads
Sarah’s Bookshelves Live Podcast Summary:
Sarah’s Bookshelves Live is a weekly show featuring real talk about books and book recommendations from a featured guest. Each week, Sarah of the blog Sarah’s Bookshelves will talk with her guest about:
– 2 OLD BOOKS THEY LOVE
– 2 NEW BOOKS THEY LOVE
– 1 BOOK THEY DON’T LOVE
– AND 1 NEW RELEASE THEY’RE EXCITED ABOUT
I’m getting real about all things books and serving you up a bit of snark on the side.
Best of Both Worlds Podcast
The Best of Both Worlds Podcast is one of my tried and true parenting podcast series. I started listening to it right from the beginning and I have loved seeing it develop over the last few years. I love how Sarah and Laura unapologetically talk about how they make work and life fit together as working parents. I have especially enjoyed their podcasts and guests during the COVID19 Pandemic and I appreciate that they share both the highs and lows of life with kids.
Best of Both Worlds Podcast Summary:
Love your career? Love your family? Best of Both Worlds is the show for you! Hosts Laura Vanderkam, author of I Know How She Does It and a mom of five, and Sarah Hart-Unger, a practicing physician and mom of three discuss work/life balance, career development, parenting, time management, productivity, and making time for fun. Tune in each week for strategies to help you thrive in all spheres of life.
Housewives of True Crime
It’s no secret that I enjoy a good true-crime series.I tend to go for the deep dive ones where they discuss one specific event or person throughout the series. Gangster Capitalism, Bear Brook, Believed, 22 Hours: An American Nightmare, Cold and Man in the Window are some of my favorites.
During the last year, I have gotten into a few series where the podcast hosts share about all different stories, like The Housewives of True Crime. I enjoy the banter between Gretchen and Tabitha (the have since started the Panic Party series that I discussed at the top of this post) and I love that while they talk crime it is a little bit lighter and out there.
Housewives of True Crime Podcast Summary:
True crime podcast dedicated to bringing you true-crime mysteries told weekly by 2 funny friends who do a little too much driving and a little too much true crime podcasting. Gretchen and Tabitha talk about life’s comedies as they explore cases and bring you their very biased opinion while sipping their best cocktail creations. These girls go beyond the nightly news and beyond 48 hours with a little bit of fun in between. Every week one of the two hosts will tell a true crime favorite while the other host asks the questions everyone wants to know. We are talking crime in the carpool line.
But Why Podcast
Our boys love this shows and I do too. We have learned so much and also enjoy that is produced right here in Vermont. Kids call in with questions and they get the answers from experts in those fields…Sometimes they interview people we know which is quite exciting!
Normally we listen to this when we are in the car together. More recently I have been teaching them the fine art of putting away laundry while listening to a podcast. 😉
But Why Podcast Summary:
But Why is a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world.
Smash Boom Best Podcast
Smash Boom Best is a another family friend podcast that the kids love. This one puts two super cool things up against each other and they battle it out, debate-style!
Smash Boom Best Podcast Summary:
Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best. Cats versus Dogs. Pizza versus Tacos. Super Speed versus Super Strength. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Our debaters use facts and passion to make their case… teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way.
Corona Virus Daily Podcast
The news can be overwhelming, especially lately. I love this new podcast series that gives you a small dose of important information that you can easily consume. It covers important US and World topics related to the COVID19 Pandemic that is timely and pertinent so you can feel “up to date” without falling into the rabbit hole of the endless news cycle.
Corona Virus Daily Podcast Summary:
A daily news podcast about the coronavirus pandemic, covering all dimensions of the story from science to economics and politics as well as society and culture. Hosted by Kelly McEvers from Embedded. Approximately 10 minutes in length. Publishing weekday afternoons. Includes stories and interviews from NPR’s Science, International, National, Business, and Washington reporting teams, as well as station reporters, and the crews at Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Shelf Aware Podcast
I am a big fan of non-fiction so when I heard that my book reviewing friend Leann was starting a new non-fiction book podcast I was ecstatic! Not only has she discussed some of my favorite recent reads (Be Mighty!) but she also has helped build my reading list in this genre (I pre-ordered Love Skills after her interview with Linda Caroll).
Shelf Aware Podcast Summary:
I’m excited to announce the launch of Shelf Aware Books Podcast – a podcast where we discuss books about leading a happier, calmer, and more connected life. I’m your host, Leann Harris. Each week I’ll share books, ideas, and interviews from the fields of psychology, personal development, self-help, productivity and creativity, and offer practical strategies for getting the most out of your latest inspirational read.
What are you listening to these days? I would love to hear your recommendations!
Disclosure: Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission that helps support this blog at no cost to you. Thank you!
Thanks so much for including me!