OK, guys, so I have a confession. I only listened to my first podcast (the whole way through) this year. I don’t know why, as I feel they are right up my street, but I’ve just never clicked. It’s kind of like Spotify, I knew I’d love it, but I went years with it on my laptop and never played a single tune. The second it saves the day, or the day it finally clicks into a place in your life and you’re hooked. Now I’m so obsessed with Spotify I’m gonna be stuck with my phone network for life as they pay for my membership as part of my bundle. LOL. Anyway, back to my favourite podcasts! It was Jonathon Van Ness from Netflix’s Queer Eye who finally opened up my love of podcasts. He was my gateway drug, and henny, I’m addicted.

Similarly with the books I read, I love to read about something new, something educational or enlightening so I’m currently vibing a lot of the news/social/motivational podcasts. With that in mind, here are the podcasts I’m listening to right now. Plus, I want to hear your recommendations so stick them in the comments at the bottom!

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness

Before he became one fifth of Netflix’s Fab Five, Jonathan Van Ness was preaching to the masses through his podcast, Getting Curious. Previously known for his uber-hilarious show, Gay of Thrones, JVN’s 30 minute podcasts are half and hour of pure joy. The premise is simple and perfect; Jonathan pics a topic he is curious about and invites an expert in the field to discuss. From Who was the Beyonce of the Renaissance Period? to Is Saudi Arabia Cute Now?, the show is a super accessible gateway to subject matter often ignored by the masses. 

Check out the podcast here.

SuperSoul Conversations with Oprah Winfrey

Like, well, everybody, I love me some Oprah. I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve spent many an hour watching her on YouTube, especially her SuperSoul Sunday series. A true eye-opening journey through life and what it means to human, to be present and to live in the world, SuperSoul Conversations is the podcast version of the series. It is literally the audio, ripped from the video, so there are some moments where you can tell they are acting out something can’t see, but it’s definitely better for the data balance. The podcast series is a more edited version; “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.” My personal favourites are the two-parters with Brene Brown and Maya Angelou.

Get enlightened here.

The Brilliant Minds Podcasts

I’m new to the Brilliant Minds Podcast, having come across it on Jesse Williams’ Instagram (Jackson on Grey’s Anatomy) as he was on it. It’s based on the Brilliant Minds conference that happens annually in Stockholm and celebrates entrepreneurial thinking and creativity.  It’s co-hosted by Natalia Brzezinski and Juliet De Baubigny who talk with a range of musicians, artists, fashion icons, creators and tech founders about how they use their voice and open minds to constantly reinvent themselves and their platforms, knock down barriers and use creativity to make the world different, better and more connected on every level.

Like-minded folk should check it out here.

Serial

Now, Serial is a podcast I’d definitely heard about when it went huge a few years back, and as a lover of all types of crime stories, I knew this would be one I’d love. I listened to it almost back to back, I couldn’t stop. The first season of Serial re-tells the story of the murder and student Hay Lee and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed. The podcast picks apart of all of the inaccuracies and oddities of the case and asks the question ‘Did Syed really commit the crime?’ Season two is there to listen to as well and Season 3 is just starting.

Make up your own mind here.

Oprah’s Master Class

“Everybody has a story. And there’s something to be learned from every experience.” 

Told you I love me some Oprah, didn’t I? This new podcast is the audio version of the media moguls much-lauded TV series, in which a host of famous faces share their life lessons. From Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to Jay-Z, I couldn’t recommend this more. I just hope Oprah releases the Maya Angelou episode, I watch it at least once a week.

Sign up for class here.

 

How about you? What podcasts do you listen to? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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Written by Neil Thornton
London-based coffee drinker. Editor by day, blogger by whatever time he finds spare.