Staff Selects: Podcasts by Basma

HAVE A TOUGH TIME CHOOSING A PODCAST TO LISTEN TO? TAKE A PEEK AT THESE

By Basma Humadi, Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Podcasts seem like uncharted territory into adulthood and long commutes. Yet, finding the right podcast that feeds your interest and engages you feels incredibly rewarding and enriching.

They’re addictive, make time go by faster and can help you dive into new interests. Of course, there are the essentials every podcaster will tell you to listen to: Serial, This American Life, Here’s the Thing, and so on. Here are some recommendations for people who want to get into podcasts but don’t know where to start.

Another Round:

Hosted by dynamic duo Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton, these hilarious hosts interview diverse creators and influencers in one boozy show. They talk about everything from pop culture to self-care, to having heated discussions about whether or not squirrels are good creatures.

Listen to one episode and you’ll find yourself laughing along in your car in no time. They’ve interviewed influencers including Ava DuVernay, Hillary Clinton, and Janet Mock. Start with episode 47: Don’t @ Me (with Bim Adewunmi).

You Must Remember This:

Telling the as-factual-as-possible stories of old Hollywood, host Karina Longworth delivers fascinating and chilling tales about the 20th century’s scandals and stars. She digs into the lives of Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Madonna. She dissects the Charles Manson murders in a 12-part series and discusses Hollywood’s dead blondes in a 13-part series. The series offers an in-depth look at the intricacies of Hollywood’s old but not forgotten eras. Start with episode 106: Hollywood Royalty/Middle-American Martyr (Jean & Jane Episode 1)

Esquire Classic Podcast:

This podcast takes a look at classic Esquire stories and discusses them with the writers behind the stories. Hosted by journalist David Brancaccio, this podcast is an interesting look into how stories are written and compiled, how they are received, and the personal stories behind them. Start with “‘I, Stalkerazzi’ and ‘Angelina Jolie and the Torture of Fame’ by John H. Richardson”

This is Actually Happening:

This storytelling podcast delivers uninterrupted and remarkable examinations of others’ lives and extraordinary experiences from the first person point-of-view. Subjects include: “What if your boyfriend lit himself on fire?”, “What if your father was lost in a shipwreck?” and “What if you witnessed the limits of human suffering?” The episodes are entrancing and often dark, but still carry immense hope and show the strength of survivors. Start with, “What if you were shot by your father?”

NPR Rough Translation:

Hosted by Gregory Warner, this podcast tells stories from around the globe- covering fake news in Ukraine to a prison cell in Somalia. Start with: “The Refugee’s Dating Coach”

Graphic by Ally McAlpine