“What podcasts do you listen to?”

Bwog has compiled a list of podcasts that we listen to when taking the subway, walking to class, or searching for something new to learn about. We’ve included an episode for a taste of what each podcast brings. Happy listening!

Binchtopia by Julia Hava nad Eliza McLamb

Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb are the funniest women on the planet, and I can prove it. Every episode is thoroughly researched, incredibly insightful, and so damn hilarious. Discussing current pop culture moments through a sociological and psychological lens, listening to this podcast is like third wheeling the coolest people you’ve ever met.

S-Town

A darkly beautiful documentary which chronicle the life of small town resident John, as Brian Reed from Serial Productions follows the man to Alabama to uncover a murder. Features nasty feuds, hunt for hidden treasure, and the complexity of being a person.

You’re Wrong About by Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall 

Hosted by Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall, this podcast is basically about big, controversial media stories and issues in the past that have huge misconceptions attached to them and how those misconceptions came about, and why we’re wrong about them. There are a lot of features on misaligned women who were vilified in the media (ex. Anna Nicole Smith) and the podcast goes through the process of debunking and reframing. It is a very fun, informative time with sweet hosts!

The Gus and Eddy Podcast by Gus and Eddy

It’s a comedy podcast by two guys named Gus and Eddy. It is very funny and was at least part of the reason why I got into Columbia!

We’re Having Gay Sex: by Ashley Gavin & Studio 71

Ashley Gavin, who’s a lesbian comedian, hosts this comedy podcast where there’s a different guest every week, and they talk about their experiences with gay sex (in the literal or metaphorical sense). 

Snacks Daily by Robinhood Financial, LLC 

Yes, I hate myself for this one, but the disclaimer is so catchy (they do it in song-form à la the Virgin America Safety Video). It’s essentially a podcast by Robinhood that gives you three financial stories of the day and breaks them down, so it’s more digestible.

Myths and Legends by Jason and Carissa Weiser

This man, Jason Weiser, recounts myths and legends, and folklore from various time periods and geographical locations. There are the classic Greek and Roman myths, but also myths that are more unknown! It also has myths regarding wizards and Vikings and kings, so there’s something for everyone! Can be great to fall asleep to as well.

Every Single Album: Taylor Swift by Ringer Dish

This podcast breaks down every single Taylor Swift album into such detail regarding lyrics, but also through more technical aspects of her songs…I love it. 

The Memory Palace by Nate DiMeo

This podcast is less than 20 minutes of the most well-told and emotional storytelling I have ever heard. Listening is my favorite way to escape when I just need to be in a different world for a moment. “Ida Lewis” and “Numbers” are my favorites—the latter especially if you are ready to cry. 

H3H3 Frenemies by Ethan Klein and Trisha Paytas

Internet celebrities and soon-to-be in-laws Ethan Klein and Trisha Paytas discuss the internet and other stuff for an hour or so every week. They get into beef. They prove how stupid and silly and meaningless the internet really is. Listen, I’m garbage for listening to this and liking it, but…you cannot tell me you listen to an episode and don’t want to keep going.

Dissect by Spotify Studios

Kinda basic, but basically they spend 30-40 minutes picking apart various songs, one album at a time. I especially enjoyed Season 8, about Kanye’s Yeezus. That album was so full of references and cool samples, it was nice to have them all laid out.

Julie: The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams and Pineapple Studios

Listen to this podcast only if you want to cry. Basically, it’s an autobiography of Julie Yip-Williams, a woman who died of cancer in 2018. Because she got a terminal diagnosis fairly early, she was able to essentially prepare for her own death. She chronicled that experience via writing and audio recordings, and this podcast is a result of that processing. It’s beautiful and sad and thought-provoking, and if you’re in the right headspace for it, I definitely recommend it.

Queer as Fact by Queer as Fact

This is my favorite podcast at the moment, and probably ever. Three Australian historians (and one media studies professional sometimes) discuss major queer figures from across the globe and all throughout time. They’ve got the big ones like Oscar Wilde, Frida Kahlo, and Audre Lorde, but also fascinating lesser-known topics like Albanian sworn virgins, Pauli Murray (who’s having kind of a moment right now with a new documentary), Shah Hussayn, Moche sex pottery, and Roberta Cowell. I really like how they’re constantly interrogating their sources and calling out bad scholarship, which unfortunately there is a lot of, especially around people we’d probably call trans today. But that bummer aside, every two weeks I get another gift in my subscription feed that helps me feel more connected to the world around me. History is cool, guys.

Know Your Enemy by Mathew Sitman (from Dissent Magazine)

This podcast deals with serious, evenhanded liberal/leftist discussion of American conservatism that’s never for political points.

This Day in Esoteric Political History by Joey Avirgan and Radiotopia

This podcast is 20 minutes a day, three days a week, looking at the history that you may not have known. It also features Columbia faculty member Nicole Weller.

This American Life from NPR

Hosted by Ira Glass, this podcast is heard by millions of listeners across the country, on more than 500 stations.

Cocaine & Rhinestones: The History of Country Music by Tyler Mahan Coe 

The true history of 20th-century country music, fighting against the grain of CMA propaganda and told with an extreme obsessive level of detail. It’s like the Robert Cato LBJ biography, but about George Jones. Episodes often hit the two-hour mark, and seasons take years to make. Keep an eye out for the two-hour history of Spanish bullfighting and how it ties in.

Call & Response by Sonos with Adia Victoria

Black southern musicians and allies exploring the meaning of the blues as praxis of Black study.

Lexicon Valley by Booksmart Studios (formerly from Slate)

It’s just McWhorter giving absolute free rein; a lecture where the only curriculum is a whim.

Up First by NPR

NPR’s Morning Edition in 15 minutes. (I got tired of The Daily.)

The Vergecast by The Verge

It’s a weekly roundup of tech news hosted by the EIC of The Verge, featuring one or more members of The Verge’s editorial staff. It’s a very fun time, during which I get to feel very stupid about technology. (Also this week, The Verge turns ten, so happy birthday to y’all. Gimme a party ticket, please.)

The TryPod by the TryGuys & Ramble

It’s hilarious; I started listening to them on walks with my mom during COVID-19, and I’d start laughing, and she’d be like “what?” I couldn’t tell her because it was too funny. 

Honorable Mentions:

podcast via Bwarchives