Sewing and podcasts are like peanut butter and jelly. While your hands are busy sewing, your mind can be busy learning! I devour podcasts and inevitably end up running out of things to listen to at some point during the week. So here is my list of some of my favorite podcasts along with recommended episodes. I will leave a complete list of all the podcasts that I listen to at the end of this post.
In no particular order:
Mood: When you're feeling dreamy and wistful
This podcast is stunning. On short yet potent episodes, Nate Dimeo takes you on jaunts through history. The way that he tells a story makes you feel like you're there. It's moving, heartbreaking, nostalgic, and the absolute best. Nate Dimeo, if you're reading this, lets run away together.
Recommended Episode: A White Horse (have tissue ready)
Mood: When you want to be titilated
A thoroughly researched and fascinating look at old Hollywood that always end up being about the culture at large. The host, Karina Longworth, does limited series on different topics and they make for great binging. After listening to this pod for a while I started watching old movies. It makes me feel cultured and sophisticated so that was a nice side-effect ;)
Recommended Episodes: The Blacklist Series (Fun fact: I listened to this series while sewing my wedding dress) also her series on the Manson Family is the best in the game.
Mood: When you need something that will hold your interest and is also pretty long
You know your girls a Murderino! Seriously though, I love MFM and the community of people who listen to it. True crime has always been a well loved genre, but seems to have had a sudden surge in popularity. I think for a lot of women (and men) it has been comforting to be able to find forums to talk about violence and try to understand it better.
Recommended Episode: I don't know, they're all pretty good...
My Brother, My Brother, and Me
Mood: When you need a laugh
You know your girls a MBMBAMbino! Seriously though, I love MBMBAM! I was dubious about this one for a long time. From the outside it seems like one of those things with a cult following that you have to get really into before you find value in it. My best friend (Megan of Good Habit Craft) is a die-hard, mega fan and after years of prodding (and dragging me to a live show) finally wore me down. Basically, three brothers giving advice and making goofs. Its lighthearted, and hilarious, and gets funnier the more you listen to it.
Recommended Episode: MBMBaM 323: How I Lost the Fateful Basketball Game to Mr. Carter (I listened to this ep on a road trip and was worried that I would crash the car I was laughing so hard)
Mood: When you're ready to expand your perspective and do some critical thinking
Oh boy. There are some hard truths in this podcast, but it is definitely worth listening to. Reveal is an investigative journalism podcast that reports mostly on civil and human rights. From their website "We engage and empower the public through investigative journalism and groundbreaking storytelling to spark action, improve lives and protect our democracy." The subjects they tackle are not always easy to hear about, but are things that we really need to be thinking about.
Recommended Episode: The Red Line: Racial Disparities in Lending
Mood: This podcast is fun and interesting, sometimes heartbreaking, but always good. So basically listen to it whenever.
This podcast is about technology, but I promise, it is not boring. I feel that it is only loosely based on technology and the hosts are two of the most talented podcasters in the biz. Every episode is fascinating and eye opening. Also, you gotta love a podcast with a healthy budget. They get to dig deep into some really cool subjects. I guarantee that any given episode will either make you laugh or cry or both.
Recommended Episode: The Prophet or Long Distance
Mood: When you want to feel good or inspired
I bet you guys are already listening to this one. I am new to this podcast but am seriously loving it! Lots of sewing and industry talk + it's nice to listen to two friends who are genuinely kind and supportive. Helen and Caroline approach each other, their guests, and their own lives, with a sort of love and wonder that you don't hear every day. Also, most of the podcasts I listen to are a bit grim and this one is a ray of sunshine in the middle of my week :)
Recommended Episode: Craft Real Magic w/ Rochelle New
Mood: When you're needing inspiration to get your hustle on!
Guy Raz of TED Radio Hour fame interviews founders of successful companies. It is inspiring and interesting. For folks out there with entrepreneurial spirits, this is the pod for you!
Recommended Episode: Spanx: Sara Blakely or TOMS: Blake Mycoskie
Mood: When you want to be delighted/have your mind blown!
A podcast about design. The host, Roman Mars, shifts your perspective on the design of everything around you. Do you know how long the dashed lines on the freeway are? 3 feet? 4 feet? They are 9 FEET LONG and I know this and a bunch of other mind-blowing design stuff because of this podcast. I love the way that Roman takes a critical eye to design and brings to light things that you have been looking at your whole life but never really noticed. Also, I love him. Roman, if you're reading this, lets run away together!
Recommended Episode: Guerrilla Public Service
Oh boy... here's the full list. These are just the pods that I listen to regularly. In no particular order:
- Dirty John - limited series, start from the beginning!
- Lore
- This American Life (the podcast that made me love podcasts!!!!)
- RadioLab
- Serial (obviously)
- Planet Money
- Ted Radio Hour
- Hidden Brain
- Malcom Gladwell Revisionist History
- S-Town - Limited series, start from the beginning!
- Fresh Air
- Science Vs (so so good! even if you aren't a super science-y person)
- Start Up
- Death, Sex, and Money
- Embed
- The Allusionist
- You Made it Weird
- Ear Hustle
- Sleep with me (for help getting a busy mind to sleep!)
- Homecoming
- Cold Case Files
- Sword and Scale
- Someone Knows Something
- Up and Vanished
- Happier with Gretchen Rubin
- Channel 33
- Dear Sugars
- Casefile
- True Crime Garage
- The Fall Line
- 48 Hours
- The Sporkful
- Last Podcast on the Left
- Savage Lovecast
- Beautiful Anonymous (listen to the episode Love is Everywhere and cry your life away!!!)
- 2 Dope Queens
- By the Book
- The Pitch (basically Shark Tank in podcast form!)
- Atlanta Monster
- Forever 35
- A Very Fatal Murder (limited series and also by the Onion so v funny!)
- Life After
- Seamwork Radio
- Oprah's Super Soul Conversations
- Radio Diaries