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Full disclosure: I have a 21-minute subway commute to work. While this may sound enviable to some, commuting on the New York City subway can be a physical and emotional struggle, testing you before your workday even begins. And I know this isn’t unique to New Yorkers. Unless you work from home, chances are an unpredictable (and sometimes unpleasant) commute is just part of the job. And, in a lot of cases, your commute can actually impact your wellness on and off the job.
One way I try to stay calm during inevitable commute stress is by filling my ears with a good podcast. Depending on my mood, I may opt for an irreverent episode of the Bodega Boys. Or, if I’m feeling a bit more pensive, I might listen to Code Switch hosts Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji discuss the nuances of race and culture. Then, of course, there are the limited-series podcasts like Dolly Parton’s America that treat me to deep dives on topics I never knew I needed. (Learning that Parton is a national treasure and the patron saint of nine-to-five workers was surprisingly delightful.) I can also get the same effect from audiobooks. Listening to Taraji P. Henson’s memoir, Around the Way Girl, made my commute more entertaining. (Henson does voices a lot.)
The point is, podcasts and audiobooks allow listeners like me to escape their pre-/post-work reality, which can be pretty clutch if your commute is weighing on your mental health. If you need some recommendations, we’ve got you covered. Below, people who listen to podcasts and audiobooks on their way to and from work suggest their top commute-friendly picks.
1. Where Should We Begin
Where Should We Begin follows renowned therapist and author Esther Perel as she counsels couples through real-life challenges, including (but not limited to) infidelity, grief, and sexual issues. “The fact that it’s a therapy session for couples is huge for me. I love being nosy,” Franceska R., 29, tells SELF. Franceska says that she almost always finds common ground with the people on the podcast. “It always starts [with] a couple having issues,” Franceska says. “But you soon learn it’s individuals with issues that began long before the couple existed. I take two buses and a train to work. It makes my hourlong commute [each way] infinitely more palatable.” Each episode also features themed questions for self-reflection (you can find them on Perel’s site too).
When it drops: Every Tuesday
2. The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein
For someone who needs a little a.m. or p.m. inspiration, The Universe Has Your Back is a lovely audiobook choice that combines personal anecdotes, spirituality, and even a few exercises. “Motivation and self-help books are something positive to listen to in [an] NYC subway,” Yani P., 40, tells SELF, adding that it helps calm her during her commute, which ranges from 40 to 60 minutes each way, and it keeps her motivated throughout the day. Another bonus? Bernstein narrates her own audiobook, and her enthusiasm for the subject is palpable.
Where to buy it: Audible, $17
3. Within the Wires
Within the Wires is a serialized fiction podcast that brings you, the listener, into the story and makes you a character. Every season tells a different story (though some characters overlap). “Each season the narrator is talking directly to [you] through some sort of recording,” Kyrie G., 31, who travels to work an hour each way by light rail, tells SELF. For instance, the first season brings you into the Institute as a medical inmate, and the story unfolds through a series of meditation tapes (called relaxation cassettes). “It’s exciting enough to keep me engaged because of the way it’s produced,” Kyrie says. If you find yourself confused throughout the first few episodes, go with the flow. “It’s not like other audio dramas. It really makes you listen and pick out clues,” Kyrie explains. “It draws me into a bubble that [leaves] no space for overthinking about work or emails.”
When it drops: Every other Tuesday
4. The Complete Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
If there were ever a series to keep you busy for a while, it would be the tales of Harry Potter’s epic adventures in Hogwarts. The seven-book series is filled with interesting characters and magical plot twists. “Jim Dale, the narrator, is fantastic,” Asja R., 31, whose daily train commute is between 60 to 90 minutes each way, tells SELF. “He sings the songs J.K. Rowling wrote. He uses character voices (though I’m not overly fond of his Hermione). He brings new life to a beloved series, and I love listening to these at least once a year,” she says. Ultimately, when looking for a great audiobook, Asja gravitates toward stories that “have a little bit of adventure, a little romance, and a lot to escape into. I like to be transported, literally and figuratively,” she says.
Where to buy it: Audible, books 1–3, $30; books 4–7, $45
5. Modern Love
Modern Love is an audio narration of the super-popular New York Times column, and each episode features famous people reading the heartfelt columns aloud. “I love it mainly because I’m a romantic at heart, and these types of stories show me that not every love story is going to end [on] a positive note (which is cynical, I know),” Sophia C., 27, who has a 30-minute train commute each way, tells SELF. She also notes that the columns extend far beyond romance to tackle all kinds of relationships. “They definitely give me something to think about while I’m waiting for my train,” she says.
When it drops: Every Wednesday
6. Privacy Boys
If you’re looking for a charming podcast to help you unwind on your way home, you might try Privacy Boys, Danny G., 36, whose hour-long commute includes a mix of walking and train transit each way, tells SELF. “[Privacy Boys] is a podcast my friend and his elementary-school son do together,” he explains. The hosts, who podcast under the aliases Sonny Bunkbed and Dad, chat about all the things you’d imagine a five-year-old and his father might discuss (toys, Australia, farts) along with some less expected topics as well (Rorschach tests). “I find it very charming to hear them talk, and my commute is often filled with laughter and smiles as a result,” says Danny (who, impressively, subscribes to more than 120 podcasts).
When it drops: 2–3 times a month
7. I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart
If you like comedian Kevin Hart’s stand up, you’ll love listening to him discuss his life from his humble beginnings in Philadelphia to his successes. Cheryl L., 33., who has a 30-minute car commute each way, says that this book is “captivating and easy to connect with.” Hart’s storytelling in I Can’t Make This Up is interspersed with insightful advice on parenting, relationships, and life in general. And, since Hart is both author and narrator, listening to this will have you chuckling throughout your commute.
Where to buy it: Audible, $30
8. Duolingo Spanish Podcast
The Duolingo Spanish Podcast is a 20- to 30-minute weekly podcast that is designed to help intermediate Spanish speakers get better at the language (there is also a French version). Now in its sixth season, the podcast features real stories told in English and Spanish. The episodes don’t include sentence-by-sentence translations; instead, each episode unfolds in Spanish and English, so that the languages work together to tell a complete story. The idea is that if you get lost during the Spanish speaker’s story, you’ll be able to pick up context from the English sentences that follow. Aitza B., 25, who has been living in Spain since 2018 and learning the language for six years, finds the Duolingo podcast a helpful commute companion. (Aitza’s journey to work can be anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on the day and can include a mix of buses, trains, and carpooling.) “[The episodes] sometimes offer topics for me to discuss with coworkers and help my vocabulary,” she says.
When it drops: Every Wednesday
9. Circe by Madeline Miller
“I choose my commute audiobooks by the quality of the writing, how engaging the story is, the quality of the narrator, and length,” Connor T., 27, who commutes 50 minutes each way on the Washington, D.C., Metro, tells SELF. “Even with a subscription to Audible, I want to get the most out of my money/credits. I won’t even look at an audiobook that’s under 10 hours long.” With those qualities in mind, Connor, who has an extensive collection of audiobooks in her queue, recommends Circe by Madeline Miller, a dramatic story about the daughter of Greek god Helios and ocean nymph Perse. “The story is beautifully written, [and] the character shows growth—making mistakes and showing relatable thought processes up until the end,” Connor says, adding that the narrator, Perdita Weeks, also keeps her coming back. “Her voice is unwavering, and she turns the already beautiful writing into poetry,” she says.
Where to buy it: Audible, $20
10. Let’s Fix Work
Any podcast that grapples with how we can make our jobs more enjoyable seems perfect for a work commute. Danny recommends Let’s Fix Work, in which host Laurie Ruettimann chats with entrepreneurs, authors, business leaders, and other people with interesting career thoughts to share. They discuss everything from marketing to goal setting and more. “I listen closely to the questions being asked too, because I like the flow back and forth,” Danny says. “I want to be a good question asker.”
When it drops: Every Monday
11. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Starless Sea is a work of fiction about the secrets and mysteries that lie just beneath the surface of our awareness. “This book is for adults who want a darker, more fantastical Narnia without the hangup of religious overtones,” Asja says, adding that there’s a beautiful LGBTQ+ relationship that unfolds throughout the narrative. “Diversity in sexual orientation, age, gender, [and] race are all mixed in seamlessly to tell a very beautiful, almost aching story of other worlds living beneath our current one,” she says. And, if that’s not enough to win you over, Asja says that the narration—which features an ensemble cast—is a brilliant way of communicating the varied timelines and plotlines.
Where to buy it: Audible, $28
12. Thirst Aid Kit
Now in their fourth season, hosts Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins continue to provide a public service for the masses by offering thoughtful commentary about thirsting after celebrities. Each episode of Thirst Aid Kid builds a solid case for why you’re absolutely justified in lusting after your favorite actor, singer, or public figure du jour. “It never fails to perk me up,” Aitza says. “I, unfortunately, suffer from [seasonal affective disorder], and on mornings when I can’t work out, it’s a great boost to my day.” Since each podcast focuses on one or two desirable people (and the episode titles are very clear), you can scroll the archives and listen to episodes that aid your own personal thirst (ahem, Joshua Jackson).
When it drops: Every Monday
13. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
American Gods is an epic story that follows protagonist Shadow as he becomes entangled with the intriguing Mr. Wednesday. While the story alone is an interesting mix of mystery and fantasy, the storytelling style elevates the book. “It is a full-cast audiobook with an amazing story,” Yakup C., 31, who has a 35-minute train commute each way, tells SELF. Yakup even finds listening to the audiobook “much better than watching a good show.” (Fun fact: American Gods is also a television series, with a third season planned, in case you want to see how the two compare.)
Where to buy it: Audible, $42
14. Start Here
For anyone inundated with information from our 24-hour news cycle, Start Here is a daily podcast from ABC News correspondent Brad Mielke, who provides insight into the goings-on of the day. New episodes of Start Here go up in the morning and tackle news from the day before, Jessica C., 30, who commutes an hour to work each way by train, tells SELF. Episodes are typically around 20 minutes each, which might seem short, but in a world where we’re scanning headlines and soundbites, a 20-minute segment can help demystify more complicated topics. If topics like impeachment and caucuses make you dizzy, consider starting with this podcast (as the name implies).
When it drops: Every weekday
15. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This classic fable “is about a boy who embarks on a journey to find treasure, but along the way he learns life lessons that we should all live by,” Jontae G., 33, who has an hour car commute to work each way, tells SELF. Jontae says that listening to The Alchemist “helps me put my mind in the right mentality to manifest the kind of life that I want.” He’s not the only one—The Alchemist is a bona fide best seller and has been translated into 67 languages, according to the New York Times.
Where to buy it: Audible, $24
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