20 Podcasts So Good You'll Wish You Had a Longer Commute

We're always on the hunt for a good podcast. Like a gripping book, an addictive podcast has the ability to pull us in deep, get us lost in our thoughts, and make an otherwise lengthy commute pass in the blink of an eye.

As for me? Surprisingly, it's not a true crime podcast (though I love those, too). I've gotten sucked into listening to WhiskyCast with my whisky/whiskey-loving husband. As the title suggests, the show hits at all sorts of industry news and events around the world, but host Mark Gillespie delivers information in an accessible way that all levels of whisky fans (including this neophyte) can enjoy.

Read on for some great new (or new-to-us, at least) podcasts the Food52 staff has been into lately.

Megan Güntas, Digital Designer

I like to listen to The One You Feed because every time I listen to an episode, it inspires me and helps me understand myself, others, consciousness, philosophy, mindfulness, etc. Really helps clear out all the clutter and insignificant things we let get in the way of life. And also, Philosophize This. It's very educational about philosophy in a way anyone can understand.

Katie Macdonald, Assistant Editor

I've been obsessed with Where Should We Begin?, Esther Perel's newish podcast. Each episode is basically like sitting in on one 45-minute therapy session with anonymous couples, but it takes a look at why we feel misunderstood/not heard. I feel like I'm learning so much about communication and empathy. If you want some food ones in the mix, I also love Gravy from the Southern Foodways Alliance! It does such a great job of highlighting the food/food cultures across the South—both "traditional" and all the exciting changes.

Brinda Ayer, Books & Special Projects Editor

At this point The Daily is part of my morning ritual—as important as coffee to me! Just condenses what's going on around us in a really thoughtful way, sometimes very top-of-mind, but many times stuff I’ve overlooked. And Longform since I love deep-dive interviews. It's like you get to enter the interior space and hear really personal/off-the-cuff thoughts from someone who's usually super busy and inaccessible (like Seymour Hersh, Maggie Haberman, and many others!).

Micki Balder, Software Engineer

Hidden Brain: It’s a really interesting insight into why people think and act the way they do. The stories on it are always really interesting, and the host Shankar Vedantam has a weirdly soothing voice. Also 36 Questions: The only musical podcast I know of, only three episodes, and it’s great car listening.

Jeremy Beker, Senior Software Engineer

• Liftoff: all about space and spaceflight
• First Mondays: really wonky Supreme Court stuff
• Revolutions: a podcast about, well, revolutions throughout history
• Total Party Kill: A podcast where people play D&D (I told you, dorky)

Luz Ramirez, Marketing Manager

Sooo Many White Guys! It’s hilarious and gives some insight.

Alex Burgos, Software Engineer

I mostly listen to PoC leftist podcasts, and I really like this one that cover both leftist theory throughout history and current events/pop culture: Delete Your Account

Laura Wolfgang, Senior Product Manager

Some new (to me) podcasts i've been into lately: Still Processing by NYT, Heavyweight, and Beautiful /Anonymous.

Emma Laperruque, Food Writer & Recipe Developer

Radio Cherry Bombe: I love Kerry Diamond's voice! And, you know, the topics she covers, people she speaks to, etc. Special Sauce with Ed Levine: I stumbled upon this gem while writing an article about special sauce! And The Daily.

What podcasts are you digging lately? Please share them with us below!