Everyone loves a great podcast, including us! So imagine, if you will, that we’re handing you one of our earbuds and saying, “You gotta check this out,” as we enthusiastically press play. Here are the Lifehacker staff’s favorite podcasts.
Social Editor Caitlin Schneider’s Picks
Desert Oracle Radio: A few years ago, Ken Layne—who used to run the political blog Wonkette—started publishing a quarterly zine featuring strange stories from the American desert. It’s now a radio show (broadcast on KCDZ 107.7 FM in Joshua Tree) and podcast, and it’s as moody, weird, and beautiful as its print predecessor. The most recent episode contains a tribute to the Cassini mission to Saturn and the story of Jack Parsons—the Jet Propulsion Lab founder who was also an occultist, and palled around with L. Ron Hubbard. The episodes make you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire listening to tall tales from a stranger as animals skitter, the moon rises, and the wind howls.
Lore: October is the perfect time to start listening to Aaron Mahnke’s podcast, Lore. Each episode, Mahnke dives into the history behind scary stories, myths, and folklore. He’s done episodes on zombies, witches, mysterious creatures, graveyards, and more, but at the heart of it all, the podcast is really about human nature and history, which is dark as hell sometimes. If you like your horror to be quiet, slow-burning, and true, look no further. It’s also being turned into an Amazon TV anthology series, so hop on the bandwagon now.
Call Your Girlfriend: Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow are self-described long distance besties who phone each other up every week to discuss everything from politics, to periods, to the Kardashians, and perhaps most importantly: caftans. Their conversations, as you might expect, are just like the ones you might have at the end of a long week with a good friend. They’ll fill you in on some things you didn’t know, rage with you, make you laugh, make you smarter, and give you a good idea for your next self care session. Even if you’re far away from your bestie, listening to these two makes you feel like you’re part of the clique.
Parenting Editor Michelle Woo’s Picks
36 Questions: It’s a musical! In podcast form! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started listening to this three-party love story starring Jonathan Groff and Jessie Shelton (I usually only listen to nonfiction podcasts), but I was completely captivated, even as I circled the mall parking lot for 20 minutes looking for a spot. Based on the famed 36 Questions, a series of inquiries that has been shown to lead to love, the show is original, charming, raw, and at times, heartbreaking. When I finally found a parking spot, I sat there, tearing up and listening all the way to the end.
Reply All: Recently in the car, my husband, a guy who only listens to sports radio, asked me, “Hey, can you play that one podcast you were listening to about the call center? I want to hear how it ends.” That, to me, is a miracle. He was talking about Reply All’s “Long Distance” episodes, which are fantastic and a good place to start if you’re new to the show about the internet, hosted by the totally disarming duo PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman. You feel like you’re a part of every investigation, whether it’s about microdosing LSD (episode 44) or figuring out who the mystery boy is in a meme (episode 79).
Dear Sugars: If I were to start a podcast club with my girlfriends, this would be the first pick. There’s so much to dissect and debate in this advice show hosted by Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond, including topics like friends with benefits, moms who hate motherhood, and what to do when you disagree with a family member’s politics. “The Infidelity Episodes” were an eye-opener for me. Each time a new episode comes out, I get usually get a text from a friend that says, “OMG did you listen to Dear Sugar this week?”
Staff Writer Nick Douglas’s Picks
Within the Wires: This narrative fiction podcast disguises itself as a set of “meditation tapes” for relaxation. But the narrator slowly reveals an ulterior motive. It’s a poetic dystopian story all told by a single voice. One of the writers is the co-creator of the popular horror-comedy podcast Welcome to Night Vale, and while that show’s influence is obvious, Within the Wires is much tighter. Season 1 had 10 episodes; season 2 just started.
Whatever Happened to Pizza at McDonald’s?: In the early 90s, McDonald’s experimented with serving pizza. They quickly stopped. This comedy podcast asks, in 10-minute lo-fi episodes, the burning question: What if someone cared?
Super Sentai Brothers: The brothers Matt and Dave J., watch the Japanese kids’ shows that became Power Rangers. I’m biased, since I knew these guys in college, but I always relax when I hear these two unabashed geeks chat about comic books, high school theater, and LARPing before recapping an episode of crazy superhero action. They’re about to start a new season, which is always a great entry point to this long-running podcast.
Staff Writer Patrick Austin’s Picks
Uhh Yeah Dude: I’ve been listening to Seth Romatelli and Jonathan Larroquette’s show since its 2006 debut. The raunchy current events podcast, billed as “America, through the eyes of two American Americans” discusses news of the weird, nearly too absurd to be true, from all corners of this nation. Highlights include celeb-filled stories from Jonathan’s past as a Hollywood lot kid, Seth’s experience as a die-hard Cowboys fan, and the incredibly expansive range of musical openers and closers that make it as much a comedic news show as much as it is a curated playlist.
The Hilarious World of Depression: John Moe’s podcast discusses mental illness in interviews with comedy and pop culture icons like Ana Marie Cox, John Darnielle, Dick Cavett, Maria Bamford, and Peter Sagal. The talks revolve about depression, coping, and whether or not there’s a bright side to feeling down. It’s a great listen, one that shows people that even celebrities have demons to deal with, and cope with them much in the same way normal folks like you and me do.
Beef and Dairy Network: There’s a reason this podcast about “the production of beef animals and dairy herds” is the recipient of multiple accolades, including Best Comedy Podcast from the British Podcast Awards. Writer Benjamin Partridge uses his deadpan comedic style and to talk with famous (and fictional) figures like bovine poet laureate Michael Banyan, and Boffo, founder of Boffo’s Cow Circus. The show’s dedication to the absurdist premise makes every serious statement, commercial, or confession a laugh riot, and could make you wonder what really goes on when you stare into the eyes of a beautiful, milk-making cow.
Waking Up with Sam Harris: Author and neuroscientist Sam Harris’ philosophy podcast talks humanity, morality, and justice with award winning writers, speakers, and other luminaries like Pulitzer Prize winner Siddhartha Mukherjee, filmmaker Ken Burns, and author Thomas Metzinger. Be prepared to question if your thoughts determine your destiny, whether or not human intuition can help prevent violence, and if keeping promises is something you should actually consider if you’re trying to be a good person. Also, what, exactly, is a good person?
Staff Writer Patrick Allan’s Picks
Lore: Caitlin explained it very well above. I love it. Spooky scary.
Spooked: What originally started as an occasional special episode of the Snap Judgment podcast hosted by Glynn Washington, Spooked now has its own show. It’s all real stories from real people about ghosts, monsters, curses, and other run-ins with the unknown. More spooky scary.
KCRW’s The Treatment: Elvis Mitchell hosts this wonderful podcast that is primarily interviews with people working in entertainment (writers, directors, actors, musicians, artists, etc.). As a typical struggling screenwriter, it’s chock full of inspiration. I highly recommend it.
Rebel FM: A video games podcast hosted by people who work ,or once worked, in the video game industry or press, including Arthur Gies, Anthony Gallegos, and Matt Chandronait. I’ve been listening since day one when it formed right after the “1Upocalypse.” I like that it’s just a mix of friends talking games and not comprised of people from a single outlet.
The Comedy Button: A silly, perfectly immature podcast hosted by Brian Altano, Scott Bromley, Max Scoville, Ryan Scott, and formerly Anthony Gallegos. It’s just a group of guys hanging out, making stupid jokes, ragging on each other, and talking about their lives, but I love it. When I listen, I feel like I’m grabbing a beer with friends. Warning: Very graphic language and content.
Kotaku Splitscreen: My other favorite video game podcast hosted by Kotaku’s Jason Schreier and Kirk Hamilton. I got so used to hearing their banter while we played Destiny that I just couldn’t stop. Now I can listen to them bicker whenever I want.
Food and Cooking Editor Claire Lower’s Picks
When I asked Claire for her podcast picks, she told me she didn’t listen to podcasts. Here’s how it went down:
clairelower
: I don’t listen to any podcasts
Patrick Allan
: UGH. okay, go pick 3 that are hosted by your favorite food people or something. i need something
clairelower
: Okay I’ve listened to serial, which was fine and two episode of marc maron’s podcast: the Keith Richards episode and the John Prine episode. I have never listened to any food people podcasts
Patrick Allan
: alright, fine
clairelower
: lol I’m sorry!
Whatever, Claire. At least you have some good suggestions from everyone else now!
Health Editor Beth Skwarecki’s Picks
Pod Save America: Because it feels like a good way to digest the news I’ve seen tweet-by-tweet over the last day. The hosts manage to give perspective and backstory without being alarmist. (I also love Pod Save the People and Lovett or Leave It, which do the same thing but take it in different directions: DeRay gives serious lessons about what’s going on in the world, and Lovett brings a bunch of people onto a stage to laugh and play games about it.)
Fake the Nation: Another current events discussion podcast (sorry, I guess I need a lot of decompression from the news) hosted by a comedian.
Oh No Ross and Carrie: They investigate offbeat religions and pseudo-medical practices, always going in with an open mind and following the adventure where it leads. Sometimes they get kicked out of their new religion but other times they make a friend. I enjoy their skepticism but also their honesty and respect.
Sawbones: So much weird and true medical history. It’s fun to geek out and laugh at.
Minority Korner: This is sort of a rambling podcast that bills itself as being “more black, gay, and ladylike” than most. The hosts are an actor and a librarian, and they cover pop culture, history, and just anything you should know that you already don’t.
Managing Editor Virginia Smith’s Picks
The Bowery Boys - New York City History: There’s so much new development going on all the time in New York, it’s easy to ignore or forget the sheer amount of history here. The Bowery Boys break it down into bite-sized topics— the jazz age! Times square in the 70s! The Woolworth Building!— that are helpful in getting a larger sense of the city’s background, and are also just entertaining. Bonus: every year they do a Halloween episodes about ghost stories and/or haunted locales in the city, and it does not disappoint.
KEXP: Music That Matters: I’m not always great about keeping up on new music beyond what Spotify and Discover Weekly spoon feed me, but when I feel like some new material I download a few episodes of the weekly podcast from KEXP in Seattle. It’s hit or miss (and can depend on the DJ) but I’ve found some of my favorite new bands from them.
Who? Weekly: I never thought I *needed* a celebrity gossip podcast in my rotation, but I’ve been listening to this one since the very first episode and have never looked back. Infinitely easier and more entertaining than having to Google things like “Who is Lil Peep?” myself.
Deputy Editor Alice Bradley’s Picks
Spontaneanation: Paul F. Tompkins is not only the best-dressed comedian currently working—he’s also the one who seems to be having the most fun, all the time. Case in point: Spontaneanation, his weekly podcast, during which he 1) interviews a notable guest, then 2) creates a narrative improv with his comedy buddies, loosely based (sometimes) on the aforementioned interview. The interviews are maybe my favorite part—PFT turns out to be a talented and thoughtful interviewer—but the improvs will sometimes reach a fever pitch of hilarity wherein I worry that I’m going to make unladylike snorting noises on the subway. Most of all, I love how delighted Paul F. Tompkins sounds with the joyful chaos he’s created.
The Hilarious World of Depression: John Moe interviews comedians and other celebrities about their run-ins with depression. Comedians, you may have heard, often suffer from depression and related mental illnesses (oh, hello, anxiety, my old friend). Are they more prone to depression than the general public, or are they more likely to mine their depression for material? That’s one of many topics that host John Moe, a fellow sufferer, explores along with his subjects. Depression is a bastard of an illness, and John’s work in fighting the stigma that accompanies the suffering is much appreciated.
Ronna & Beverly: Per the podcast description page: “Ronna Glickman & Beverly Ginsberg are the best-selling co-authors of You’ll Do A Little Better Next Time: A Guide to Marriage and Re-marriage for Jewish Singles (“It says Jewish in the name—but it’s for everyone!”).” In fact Ronna and Beverly are played, respectively, by Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo, two incredibly funny comedians who fully inhabit their roles of brassy fiftysomethings from the suburbs of Boston. Ronna & Beverly haven’t had aired a new episode since June, which is a shonde, but there are six years of episodes you can still enjoy, where they “interview/interrogate” celebrities and dole out (often unwanted) advice.
Editor in Chief Melissa Kirsch’s Picks
Lovett or Leave It: The news, but reliably hilarious, presented weekly in a live variety-show format with celebrity guests and presided over by irresistible former Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett. It comes out Saturday mornings and is worth skipping boozy brunch to listen to.
Reply All: Is this the best podcast in the world? Quite possibly. “A podcast about the Internet” doesn’t even come close to doing this gem justice. But you don’t need my recommendation—everyone else you know has already insisted you listen.
This Is Actually Happening: Dispatches from the collective soul of humanity. Each week, a random person simply tells a story. A long story, usually involving something terrible or traumatic. It’s like The Moth, if people didn’t rehearse and weren’t on stage and were whispered in your ear.
Pop Culture Happy Hour: Four big-hearted, smart, witty NPR writers discussing the week in pop culture. I’ve get most of my tips for new TV, podcasts, articles, and albums from these charming folks.
The Upgrade: You’re listening to Lifehacker’s podcast where we help you improve your life, one week at a time, right? Oh that’s okay, I’ll wait while you go download the entire archive. From the very same people who bring you this website you love so well.
That’s all from us! Hopefully find at least one new podcast to treat your ears to. If you’ve got some great podcast recommendations, be a friend and share them in the comments below!