Everywhere you turn, there’s a new podcast. How did these programs become so popular? One reason is the ease of listening: instead of sitting down and tuning in at a particular time, you can switch one on at your convenience and take a walk, do some chores, or work on a hobby. Another reason is there are hundreds of options featuring countless topics. Here are a few you might enjoy.
Popular Podcasts for Every Mood
The majority of podcasts are free, and stream online, through a special phone app, or both. When you follow up on those of interest, there’s usually a list of supported listening options, too, such as iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcast, RadioPublic, and many others.
When you want to consider bigger concepts.…
On Being. Award-winning journalist and theologian Krista Tippett explores “a singular mix of spiritual inquiry, science, social healing, and the arts: biomimicry and the science of awe; spiritual contrarianism and social creativity; pause and poetry and more towards stretching into this world ahead with moral imagination and joy.”
Big Think. 10-minute interviews with some of the world’s most innovative minds, plus other longform programming on an endless variety of topics, Big Think’s mission is “to make you smarter, faster. At Big Think, we introduce you to the brightest minds and boldest ideas of our time, inviting viewers to explore new ways to work, live, and understand our ever-changing world.”
TED Radio Hour. You’ve likely watched or even attended a TED Talk or two. In the Radio Hour, host Manoush Zomorodi helps you explore “a big idea through a series of TED Talks and original interviews, inspiring us to learn more about the world, our communities, and most importantly, ourselves.”
The Super Soul Podcast. This small corner of Oprah Winfrey’s vast media empire holds its own by helping you “awaken, discover, and connect to the deeper meaning of the world around you with Super Soul. Hear Oprah’s personal selection of her interviews with thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries, as well as health and wellness experts. All designed to light you up, guide you through life’s big questions and help bring you one step closer to your best self.”
When it’s time to listen to a story….
The Moth. Featuring both podcasts and radio hours, The Moth “is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the commonality and diversity of human experience through the art and craft of true, personal storytelling.”
This American Life. Since 1995, this program has used a foundation of journalism and themes to give listeners stories with “compelling people at the center of them, funny moments, big feelings, surprising plot twists, and interesting ideas. Like little movies for radio.”
LeVar Burton Reads. You might know him from Roots, Star Trek, or Reading Rainbow. Now discover a wonderful world of short fiction with “LeVar’s narration blended with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Nnedi Okorafor, Kurt Vonnegut, Ken Liu and more to life.”
Radiolab. This podcast “is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world.”
When you’re ready for a good laugh….
Good One. This is simple: it’s a podcast about jokes. “Each week, a comedian will play one of their jokes and then break it down with Vulture.com Senior Editor Jesse David Fox.”
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. The venue may have changed, but the cavalcade of comedic conversations are still entertaining. “Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way.”
Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! This classic NPR weekly program first aired in 1998 and bills itself as a quiz show, but it’s more about the laughs. Well, there’s some quizzing involved, too, as “each week you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what’s real news and what’s made up.”
No Such Thing as a Fish. Four astute researchers host a program where they “share the most bizarre, extraordinary and hilarious facts they’ve discovered over the last seven days.”
When you need recovery reinforcement….
The Addicted Mind. Created by therapist Duane Osterlind, The Addicted Mind podcast strives to provide people with reliable information about addiction treatment and research. Osterlind says, “I want people to know that it gets better with the right support and knowledge. I want to share how others have found recovery and created happiness in their lives.”
Recovery Elevator. Based on the foundation of creating accountability and “connecting sobriety- seeking individuals with others,” this organization offers a weekly podcast featuring true stories of people moving past their addiction.
Live Life Fully With Help From Willingway
Often when people enter an inpatient addiction rehabilitation facility, they learn not only about themselves and their behavior, but also about better ways of living. Whether it’s learning about a motivational podcast, gaining better understanding of addiction science, or connecting with people in our continuing care community groups throughout the Southeast, Willingway strives to be your trusted resource for lifelong wellness.