Four More Podcasts You Need In You Life
I wrote my first post about podcast recommendations in May of 2012. Some of the podcasts in that post don’t exist anymore, if you wanted a sense of how long ago 2012 was. I also mention that I was the only person I knew who listened to podcasts, which is now definitely NOT true. There are exponentially more podcasts available to listen to now, and there’s truly something for everyone. I recently provided a friend with a considerable commute a list of recs, and I figured I’d talk about a few of them here. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but if you’re looking to listen to something new, why not give these four a try. And if you want to read about the app I switched to when Apple Podcasts made a few too many ill-advised changes, click here.
Forever 35
Hosted by Kate Spencer and Doree Shafrir
I started listening to Forever 35 because I saw so many authors I loved announcing they were guests on it. Jasmine Guillory and Jenny Han in particular. Then I got all caught up, and MORE people whose work I love were guests. Danielle Henderson! Samantha Irby! Emily Gould! The show is generally about self-care and lifestyle. There are two taglines that are mentioned in every episode: 1) “Forever 35 is a podcast about the things we do to take care of ourselves,” and 2) “We’re not experts, we’re just two friends who like to talk a lot about serums.” This is right up my alley (as you would know if you’ve read any other posts here.) The chemistry between these two friends comes across perfectly on the podcast (no easy feat) and it’s one of those shows where you feel like you are also their friend, sitting around talking about some things that are serious, some that are silly, but all that you feel is important. Every episode is the best episode, you know what I mean? It’s one of the podcasts in my routine that I listen to immediately when it comes out.
Justice In America
Hosted by Josie Duffy Rice and Clint Smith III
Now for something a little more serious (I take serums very seriously so to me it’s a lateral move, but to each their own). Justice In America is a podcast about criminal justice reform. Whether you’re someone who’s really passionate about the subject, or someone who just wants to know more, this is a great pick. Say, for example, you see people on Twitter saying they hate Kamala Harris because she was a prosecutor, and don’t know why that matters. Justice In America does a great job of explaining how prosecutors work and how the prosecutorial system in America is really, really powerful. (I see these Twitter posts and I want to know if she did anything these people find reprehensible, or if it’s just that all prosecutors are baddies because of their job.) Also, if you listen to Justice In America you’ll get the knowledge to shut down some idiot saying something ignorant at a bar or party. Don’t you want to be that person? I do!
Dr. Death
Hosted by Laura Beil
I have so many things to say about Dr. Death. First of all, it’s a six part series and the sixth part is coming out today, and I just don’t want it to end. Next, I’d like you tell you that when I first heard Laura Beil’s voice I thought maybe, just maybe, it was Mary Steenburgen that was hosting this podcast and I was like, “YES MARY! Ted’s is off doing The Good Place and you’re talking about TEXAN MALPRACTICE in GROSS DETAIL!” But no, it’s Laura Beil who has that wonderful voice - and not only hosts the podcast but is the journalist behind it. Third! When I first read about Dr. Death it was described as being really gross and explicit in its description of spinal surgeries. I am not a squeamish person and honestly, I’d love to look at photos of what’s being described. That being said, I have a very high tolerance and actually love hearing about this stuff so I guess it’s up to you if you want to listen or not (you should listen). Fourth: I realized I never wrote what the show is actually about: A neurosurgeon is very confident and praised by his teachers and colleagues, but then his patients start having severe complications and even dying after he performs surgery on them. The medical system is built in such a way that he keeps getting away with these brutal crimes, in hospitals all over Dallas. Dr. Death examines how he got away with it for so long, what led up to it, and what happened when he was finally stopped.
You’re Wrong About…
Hosted by Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall
You’re Wrong About… is a show that examines events or theories that we all “know,” but we don’t really know the full story. Episode topics include the satanic panic, crack babies, Jeffery Dahmer, Monica Lewinsky, and many more! I walk Hero around a park that’s usually pretty busy. It’s a half-mile circle on the top of a hill, and there are great views and it’s flat and safe. So I’m walking him one day and listening to You’re Wrong About… , and it’s the episode about Columbine. I don’t remember who says it, but it is revealed that the girl who said yes (you know, she was asked by one of the shooters if she believed in God, she said yes, and he shot her in the head. Her parents wrote a bestselling book. This story was everywhere), well, she wasn’t the one who said yes! It was another girl, who survived, and the story was misremembered by yet a THIRD student, who told everyone and here we are today. When this was revealed on You’re Wrong About… (remember I’m walking my dog alone in a busy park) I gasped and blurted out, “WHAT?!?!?!” I fell like this embarrassing outburst is all the endorsement you need. But if you need more, go look at the episode titles. It’s all the things you love to learn about, rant about, and devour every detail of.
