It is true, I am one of those. A podcast FIEND.

I can’t get enough and I have a really firm belief that if more people absorbed the beautiful world of podcasting, the world would be a better, more peaceful place (of course, you have to pick and choose).

Listening to the storytelling of others and understanding the world view of different people I will never meet has made me a better human. It has helped me see the beauty in dark places, and understand perspectives that are at times, truly difficult to approach.

Listening to podcasts has also helped me understand our political landscape, the true crisis of poverty, and the sheer beauty of hope in humanity.

So, I want to share 5 episodes that I have made the understand the world better. (That is not to say that there won’t be more lists for other reasons later — like, podcasts that made me laugh the most, or fear getting murdered the most, RIGHT?).

Here they are, 5 podcast episodes that kicked my ass:

1.

Hidden Brain: Tunnel Vision

“When you’re hungry, it can be hard to think of anything other than food. When you’re desperately poor, you may constantly worry about making ends meet. When you’re lonely, you might obsess about making friends.”

This is a truly insightful episode about the psychological phenomenon of scarcity.

2.

Embedded: Trump Stories | The Golf Course

When Donald Trump came to Rancho Palos Verdes in Southern California in 2002, he was greeted as a ‘white knight.’ Trump was buying a golf club that had gone into bankruptcy when the 18th hold had literally fallen into the ocean. But what followed was a decade of public insults, lawsuits, and broken rules.”

This podcast will truly help you understand how Trump functions as a ‘business man’ and how those tactics are playing out in the presidency. <insert chills of terror>

3.

Invisibilia: The Callout

“A lot of communities today are taking a hard stance against sexual harassment and assault. Using social media shaming, ostracism, professional excommunications, whatever punishment is painful enough to shift the moral code by brute force. Through one incident in the Richmond, Virginia hardcore music scene, we chronicle a social media callout and ask what pain can accomplish.”

This episode will have you asking yourself a lot of questions about shame, punishment, and our very human visceral response to how our peers should or shouldn’t be punished.

4.

Modern Love: When a Couch is More than a Couch

“Kate Winslet reads Nina Rogg’s essay, about an overwhelming diagnosis — and a search for the perfect living room couch. Ms. Riggs published her essay before she died of breast cancer in 2017.”

This story will stay with me for the rest of my life.

5.

The Longest Shortest Time: It’s a Real Mother SERIES

“Why dedicate an entire month to discrimination against working moms? Because moms face a shit ton of discrimination in the American workplace — more than dads or people without kids.”

This episode really stuck with me, but this 4 part series is really worth a listen. Great insight to what women and mothers face in the workplace, with some significant suggested steps to how we can change it.

BONUS:

Modern Love: Missing a father I hardly knew

This episode made me laugh and cry and get real about what I do and do not know about my own father. And ultimately wonder, will I ever really know him? But, that is another post for another time.

In the meantime, don’t miss this beautiful and tragic story, read by Willem Dafoe.

And there you have it. A short list of podcast episodes that I have changed my perspective on life. There are so many more I could add to this, but these ones I can recommend to anyone and be certain that you might also really find a connection.

What are some of your favorite episodes? Share them in the comments.