If you’re like me you’re a podcast junkie! I used to only listen to things like Serial, Sword & Scale and Casefiles but then 2020 hit and the reality of mortality really hit me and I needed something more upbeat than true crime. So I incorporated some comedy, lifestyle, education and politics into my weekly roundup to even me out; and honestly I feel a lot more balanced about it! I can still get my Ted Bundy on but babe when I turn on that Heather McMahan and have those true belly laughs there’s NOTHING better! I have linked my top 5 favorites from 2020 that I am taking with me in 2021 as essential items!
If you haven’t already discovered Quentin Jiles from his informational 60 second TikToks and his informational Instagrams’ on the political climate, let this be my introduction to him. He is a straight-forward distributor of information as soon as things hit the wire. I really enjoy the way he relays the news on his podcast because it is easy to digest but gives me that extra attitude that I also have when trying to understand WTF is going on these days!
#4. Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best
Okay so I don’t know about you guys but I have been in love with Busy Philipps since the dawn of time. I didn’t even need to know her to just know that I wanted to be her best friend just on name alone. But once I started following her on social media, I really started to vibe with her. Her show on E! Busy Tonight was definitely a late night staple in my house (while it lasted), so when I found out she was coming out with a podcast I just knew I needed to throw it into my rotation. It is definitely on the longer side, with some episodes spanning up to 90 minutes but they provide great value and laughs. She has her two co-hosts Caissie and Shantira who bring a depth of diversity and perspective that I really enjoy. She drops new episodes on Wednesdays.
Yes. I am heavy into politics. Why? Because it affects my life. It affects your life. It affects Logan’s life. If you’re ignorant on what’s going on. It is unforgivable. You need to be educated on what is happening in our government at all levels (local, state and federal). So I listen to the NPR Politics Podcast on my drive home from work because they have these great 15 minute downloads of what is important from that day.
NOTE — this is not the only way that I consume my political content, this is just 1 way I like to cross reference my news.
They have different correspondents who cover different aspects of the white house, congress, the senate, the different parties within those 2, etc. It really gives a breadth of unbiased information and makes me feel comfortable at the information I am receiving and how in which I am receiving it. They drop episodes every day (minus the weekends) and do a weekly download on Friday.
#2. The Marketing Mindset Podcast with Mariya Bentz
This podcast is run by one of my friends Marya Bentz. I love this podcast because as a Marketing professional she has so many great contributors that come on that teach me something new every single Monday! It really is an educational growth tool for me more than anything!
My favorite guest recently was Andrew Miller on Growth Marketing for Early Stage Start-Ups. One thing that people don’t think about is that no matter what stage you’re at in the marketing cycle of your business you should always have the growth mindset of a startup to stay fresh (in my opinion).
Every week I feel like I walk away with a nugget of information that makes me better at my job or gives a refresher at something that I might be seasoned at but a little stale! She drops episodes every Monday!
#1. Absolutely Not by Heather McMahan
We have hit the holy grail of podcasts. I know in my heart and soul when it is Wednesday morning because I get the notification that a new episode is available. I have listened to every single episode of this podcast because it is SO F*CKING good! & I don’t mean that in a pushy let me force you to listen to it way. I mean that in a, if you don’t drop everything you’re doing and turn it on, we might not be friends anymore. On PERIODT. Zero apologies for that.
I highly recommend if you can to start on the episode Ovaries on a Plane, because that is where just the ultimate shit storm occurs in the HM life and then from there it’s a rollercoaster of just highs, lows, blows and chicken tendys. If you don’t follow her already on Instagram, that is a MUST MUST MUST, she drops the giggles daily on there too. During quarantine she moved back to Atlanta to be with her Mom and her and her hubby just made it a permanent thing; which has been a wild ride.
Like I said before, she drops new episodes on Wednesday morning, has amazing guest stars that you will fall in love with as much as I have, even introduce you to new podcast hosts that you didn’t know about before!
