Entertaining

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

February 27, 2018

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

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!

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Maggie Hall
    Maggie Hall
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    Jr0717
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    Beth Taylor
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    Paisley
Hana is a food writer/editor based in New York.

12 Comments

Maggie H. March 2, 2018
The Guilty Feminist and The Hilarious World of Depression—both great for laughs, real life insight, and for feeling like you’re not the only one.
 
liamoran March 2, 2018
Pod Save America, The Pen Addict, The Erasable Podcast, NPR Politics, Atlanta Monster, and Terrible, Thanks for Asking.
 
Jr0717 March 2, 2018
The Splendid Table, Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me (NPR for life!), One Part Podcast, The Chasing Joy Podcast, Skimm'd from the Couch, Lore, Oprah's Supersoul Conversations...so much great stuff to listen to!
 
Beth T. March 1, 2018
DEAR SUGARS. "Radically empathetic advice from Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond." I'm totally hooked.
 
Paisley March 1, 2018
How I built this. I love every single one of them!
 
Jen March 1, 2018
Criminal is one of my all-time favorite podcasts. And they just released a new podcast recently, which I'm also enjoying, called This is Love.
 
Melina C. March 1, 2018
How did First Mondays (http://www.firstmondays.fm/) not make the list? Great insight into the happenings in and around Supreme Court cases.
 
Jen March 1, 2018
It is on the list.
 
Stephanie M. February 28, 2018
Gastropod is amazing, they do such thorough, unbiased, interesting research! Every episode is another look at a part of food, history, and science, from different types of cuisines to everyday ingredients like salt. 11/10 would recommend.
 
Sheila February 28, 2018
I love Evan Kleiman and the work she's done with the Good Food podcast from KCRW. I never miss an episode!
 
molly M. February 27, 2018
Levar Burton Reads - a short story every week read by, you guessed it, Levar Burton (of Reading Rainbow).
 
Dave J. February 27, 2018
Loving "Mastication Nation" at the moment. Each episode they pick a letter of the alphabet and discuss a food/ingredient. It's kinda like "Stuff You Should Know" except all about food and drink. The hosts are brothers (I think) and are pretty amusing.