The ScholarNet team shares their favorite podcasts to listen to for motivation, relaxation, and entertainment.
There are more than a million podcasts out in the world, with roughly 34 million different episodes to choose from. Podcasts are all the rage now, as people look for new ways to keep their brains stimulated while they drive, exercise, and do chores around the house, among other things.
With so many podcasts to choose from, you might not know where to start if you don’t have some favorites picked out already. Or maybe you’re just looking to expand your horizons by adding some new podcasts to your list. That’s why we decided to share some of the ScholarNet team’s favorite podcasts.
One of Mike Mutziger’s favorites is “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with appearances from various celebrities and athletes. Mike loves it because it “delves into sports history, pop culture, and anything else that pops into his mind – and Simmons keeps it humorous and entertaining.”
Mike also enjoys listening to “I’m Interested with Mike Greenberg,” where Greenberg interviews personalities involved in significant moments of sports history, and talks about the backstories of the biggest names inside and outside of sports. Check out these two podcasts if you love sports and want to learn more about big moments and the people that shape them.
Cyndi Schmitz enjoys a good mystery, so she listens to true crime podcasts like “Dirty John.” This is a true story about a con man’s attempt to manipulate a wealthy woman that takes a dark turn. The story’s popularity earned a TV opportunity, with eight episodes you can watch on Netflix if you’re more into visual storytelling.
Biz Daniel likes the element of suspense that comes with listening to “Small Town Murders.” In this podcast, two comedians take an in-depth look at some horrific small-town events, while adding in a bit of humor to lighten things up. Give this podcast a try if you enjoy true crime with a little dark humor mixed in.
Jenny Kaluva recommends storytelling podcasts like “Snap Judgement,” “Serial,” “The Moth,” “This American Life,” “Love and Radio,” and “Sword and Scale.” Jenny explains, “I love listening to true storytelling podcasts about experiences in people’s lives. They have opened my mind to so many different topics I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. Some of these groups do live shows and travel throughout the country, and I have gone to a few in Minneapolis. Podcasts are great because they can take you somewhere that books and movies can’t.”
Meghan Pinder prefers her true crime podcasts with an added layer of fun. On “True Crime Garage,” two guys drink beer, talk about different crimes, and give their thoughts on what happened. There’s also “Wine and Crime,” where three ladies delve into a new weekly theme to go along with the crimes they’ll be covering. As the name suggests, in each session they incorporate (and sip on) a different wine that fits with the theme.
Dana Staats frequently listens to podcasts delving into creativity, such as “99% Invisible,” where they talk about design, architecture, and all the little things around us that play a big role in our lives. From buildings to stamps and clothes, there’s something for everyone. Dana says, “I’ve learned a ton of cool stuff about the ‘why’ behind things and places.” She also recommends “Song Exploder,” where artists discuss the process behind creating a certain song, and they break the song into individual elements so you can hear it in a completely new way.
It’s safe to say that’s there’s a podcast about almost everything. We hope you like our recommendations. Did we miss any that you’d like to talk about? We’d love to hear about your favorite podcasts, and invite you to share them with us on LinkedIn.