Anyone who knows me, knows I'm OBSESSED with podcasts.
When I say obsessed, I don't mean that I enjoy them in a normal way but am just being dramatic for emphasis (though I do do that all the time). No. I mean, when I go to the loo in the middle of the night, I pick up my phone and bring it with me to listen to 30 seconds of Hardcore History.
My flatmates love it...
I have self-imposed voices in my head.
I've also aggressively pushed this love onto everyone I meet, which is great because when those people inevitably get into the #podcastlife they come back to me with amazing discoveries and THE VOICES GET LOUDER.
So before I get into specifics of which episodes of which podcasts I've found particularly moving/ interesting, I thought I'd do a rundown of my "everyday podcasts" aka the current voices in my head.
I've divided them into categories because, undoubtedly, there's range...
So hear we go:
The "I'm smarter than you" podcasts:
1. Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
The King of all podcasts. Dan Carlin takes opposite approach to most podcasters' half-hour ventures and goes EXTREMELY in-depth. He particularly concentrates on the untold aspects of the stories he tells and really brings them to life. "Wrath of the Khans" will stay with me forever. You can listen to it here: http://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-43-wrath-of-the-khans-i/
2. This American Life
"The Problem We All Live With" by Norman Rockwell
It's life. It's American. There's definitely another aspect listening from a UK perspective, the stories are absorbing and fascinating and the general lack of sarcasm is amusing on a whole new level for me. Be warned though, I have wept at my desk in the past. Don't miss: The Problem We All Live With, it's not just a painting... (listen to it here: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/562/the-problem-we-all-live-with )
3. Stuff You Missed In History Class
Again, it's American, so some of it we didn't miss back in good ol' Blightey. But it's fascinating, perfect for sounding clever in conversation and the hosts are adorable. Their website is here: http://www.missedinhistory.com
4. Stuff You Should Know
Does what it says on the tin. It's about stuff you should know. Listen, learn, sound smart. The Dream. Although these boys struggle, a lot with pronouncing anything. It drives me slightly crazy, but they're very sweet and very, very knowledgeable.
5. BBC World Service Podcast
A bit more euro-centric (/let’s be real, it’s British, so… we’ll also visit the Commonwealth). I also really enjoy an English accent talking to me through my headphones. Having said that, the episode on Gwendolyn Brooks, We Real Cool: the Poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks was absolutely amazing. But be warned, I have officially been scarred for life after hearing about the burial problem in Greece…
Listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p033x9pl
Feminism/ Life Stories
1. Stuff Mom Never Told You
You can probably tell by now that I’m into the “Stuff” Discovery Network podcasts and this is the one that started it all. These ladies are good-natured, intelligent and some of the most deft dealers in (racially) sensitive topics. Explanation over appropriation. Learn it, main-stream media. Exotic Beauty really spoke to me as it’s an issue I deal with daily. But really, they’re always educating people on what people need to be educated on.
2. Love + Radio
Every episode is so different. Every episode has been amazing. I’m going to just conform with the general consensus and say, you have to listen to The Living Room. I wept. At my desk. #podcastlife
3. Call Your Girlfriend
They are “long-distance besties”. They are writers and feminists and extremely well-informed. Ok. I’ll admit, they speak to my lefty soul, but they are a good listen and you’ll learn a lot.
4. Dear Sugar
I loves me some Reese Witherspoon, but I really loved her in Wild. Cheryl Strayed is the (50%) host of this podcast, which is essentially an updated version of everyone’s favourite thing to read at the back of magazines: the advice column (but, full disclosure, with a lot more empathy and a lot less sex). These people having a lot of life experience and can help you with yours. Listen to them.
5. The Mental Illness Happy Hour
You kind of have to listen to this while repeating the mantra it will be ok ringing through your ears. In one sense, it’s a trauma conga-line, but in a more relevant one, you will hear about people and experiences you will not hear about anywhere else. And Paul Gilmartin’s a comedian. It helps. If you don’t listen to anything else No. 245: Pedophile Ring Survivor Anneke Lucas is one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever heard. It’s a rough listen, but it’s very important.
6. Another Round
Two black Buzzfeed writers talk culture, life, parties, race and, as it turns out, to Hilary Clinton herself. Plus I, too, like a truly terrible joke,
To be continued...
It's come to my attention that this is now horrendously long, so that'll have to do for now. I'll give you my less high-brow podcasts (i.e. the joy of my life) in another post....