Beginners Guide to Listening to Podcasts

A month ago if you told me to listen to a podcast I would’ve turned you down. “Isn’t that something only old people do to listen to stories?” I would’ve said.

Boy was I wrong.

Let’s flash forward to present day, now that I am a cult believer in listening to podcasts.

There are endless reasons to listen to podcasts. I find them perfect for a boring morning commute (especially when books make you feel car sick).

Podcasts can make you a smarter person. I have learnt so much about topics I never would’ve thought I was interested in or even thought to Google.

Plus I’m not a traffic hazard anymore now that I actually look up from my phone.

If you’re new to the podcast game and want to reap the benefits of listening to podcasts, here are some to get you started.

Serial

The first season of Serial (which I’ve been told is the best one) delves into a murder committed in Baltimore in 1999. Without giving too much away, teenager Hae Min Lee goes missing, and her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed is arrested for her murder. He says he’s innocent, but can’t remember what he was doing during the time of her death.

It’s intelligent and thought-provoking and there is nothing better than a heated debate on his guilt/innocence with someone else who has also listened to it.

TED Talks

If you haven’t heard of TED talks before, they’re speeches given by leaders on areas of interest. They cover so many different topics such as technology, entertainment, design, science, psychology and personal growth to name a few. One day you could be learning about how ordinary people become monsters and the next day you could be learning about synthetic life. This is definitely the podcast to listen to broaden your mind.

My Dad Wrote a Porno

In this podcast Jamie Morton and his friends read the erotic book his dad wrote. As you can imagine, it’s awkward and embarrassing, but it’s also hysterical. Laugh out loud kind of comedy. And if that’s not enough incentive, it’s gained massive popularity including celebrity fans Elijah Wood, Martin Sheen and Daisy Ridley.

The Hook Up with Hannah Reilly

The Hook Up is a sex and relationship advice podcast that deals with everything- nothing is taboo. But unlike your year 10 sex education class, it’s actually good. Sometimes the host, Hannah Reilly will have on comedians who are really witty, but also have realistic, human takes on relationships. And other times she’ll have experts on to dispel myths and misconceptions.

It’s great. Listen to it. Just probably don’t listen with your mum.

Sleep With Me: The Podcast That Puts You To Sleep

If you thought Podcasts were just for learning, you’re wrong. There’s actually heaps of podcasts on alternative therapies and healing if that’s what you’re into. One of the coolest is Sleep With Me. This is a podcast that tells bedtime stories which make you fall asleep. Perfect for the restless sleeper!