December 7, 2015

10 podcasts to brighten up your day

Whether it’s standing on a packed train, walking to the gym or waiting for a bus, a lot of things can be made much better by a listening to a good podcast. So, from the inspirational to the hilarious, here are 10 to try to brighten up your day.

If you loved Girls: Women of the Hour

Women of the Hour is hosted by Lena Dunham and covers things like love, sex, bodies and friendship. She aims to introduce listeners to inspirational women, and so far guests have included Emma Stone, Zadie Smith and Jemima Kirke, who plays Jessa in Girls.

If you’re figuring out the work place: The Broad Experience

This series is a conversation about women, the workplace and success. It covers all the issues you might be dealing with at work, like how to get ahead without guilt and how to maximise your time.

Even better, there’s a huge archive so you don’t need to wait for new episodes.

If you loved Serial: Undisclosed

If you were one of the millions of people who downloaded record-breaking Serial podcast, don’t miss Undisclosed. Created by Rabia Chaudry – the family friend who brought the case to Sarah Koenig – it delves even deeper into the evidence around Adnan Syed’s case.

If you’re pursuing a more meaningful life: Good Life Project

This is the podcast you need to help you live a more fulfilling life. There are in-depth episodes featuring inspirational guests, as well as shorter thought pieces. We like the ‘Life-Sucking Lie’ series that pulls apart the lies that stop us from doing what we’re capable of – think ‘I don’t have the time.’

If you want to hang out with girlfriends: Stuff Mom never told you

Listening to this is like having a conversation with your friends – albeit better researched and more in-depth. You’ll want to join in as hosts Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin discuss all the topics you read in magazines and online, from anxiety to the juice blend trend and sickeningly cute couples.

If you love to read: The Penguin Podcast

This podcast is great if you love all things books. Richard E Grant is joined by actors, comedians and authors who talk about five objects that helped shape the writing of their latest books. So far Meera Syal, Bill Bryson and Elvis Costello have all featured.

If you love trivia: No Such Thing as a Fish

This podcast stars the QI researchers, who come armed each week with weird and wonderful topics to discuss. It’s full of interesting facts that you can use to impress at dinner parties – from the low-down on glow-in the-dark animals to the secrets of flirting.

If you’re an entrepreneur: StartupCamp

If you own your own business, or hope to one day, this podcast offers loads of practical and insightful tips. Dale Partridge, a renowned expert in the start-up world, interviews a successful self-starter each week.

If you’re having a quarter life crisis: Philosophy Bites

Philosophy Bites interviews top philosophers on the big questions in life, like do we have a right to human contact? And are all truths relative? Each episode is 15-20 minutes long, perfect for a short introduction to each idea that isn’t overwhelming!

If you love eavesdropping: Risk!

Risk! features regular people telling honest stories that they never thought they’d dare to share in public. The topics are sometimes serious, sometimes heart-breaking, but always entertaining, and much better than eavesdropping on the bus.

Natalie Littlewood

@NatalieLittle