Podcasts have been an integral part of my motherhood experience.  I started by listening to a local morning radio show in Utah when my children were just babies. I was a lonely mom of 1 year old twins and the show gave me a connection to the outside world. Listening to the hosts’ discussions and banter made me feel like I was part of the conversation. When we moved to Texas, I kept listening to the show through I Heart Radio. A few months later, the show was cancelled and I was devastated over the loss of my “friends.” When the hosts of the show decided to create the Radio Ronin podcast, I was overjoyed. The show debuted in January of 2014 which was the same time my husband started a nine month deployment to Korea. Listening to the weekly show helped keep me sane while I was solo parenting four young kids. 

I’ve continued to listen to the show, and over the years I started listening to more podcasts. These days I have two podcasts  that I never miss an episode of, and about five podcasts that I try to catch as many episodes as possible. I also have a few podcasts that I’m working on listening to past episodes. 

My favorite time to listen to podcasts is when I’m doing house work like washing dishes or putting away laundry. I joke that without podcasts my house would never be clean. I also like to listen to podcasts when I’m driving or going for walks. 

I love podcasts a ton so I want to help other people learn about them. I’m going to tell you the basics of what podcasts are and then I’ll give you some recommendations for what you should listen to. 

What are podcasts?

If you are new to the podcast world it can seem kind of daunting to jump in. Perhaps you’ve heard your friends talk about podcasts, but you don’t really know what they are.

Let’s go over the basics:

-Podcasts are audio recordings that you can listen to when ever you want. Think of them like Netflix or YouTube for radio. You download a recording to your phone and then listen to it when you have time. You can pause, fast forward, and rewind as needed. Most podcasts have few to no commercials. 

-In some cases you can download MP3 files of podcast episodes directly from websites and listen to them that way, but I don’t recommend doing that. It’s harder to get right back to the spot where you left off when you pause or stop an MP3 file. 

-The best way to listen to podcasts is with a podcast app . There are a variety of podcast apps you can use. Some popular apps are Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Podcast Addict, Spotify, Stitcher, etc. You can find the apps in the app store on your phone. All of them are free, though some may try to upsell you on premium content. 

-All of the apps basically function the same. You’ll search for the podcast you want. When you find it you can save it to your favorites so you can access it easily. Most apps give you the option of streaming or downloading episodes. I recommend downloading because then you can listen to the episode without needing Wi-Fi. When you are done listening to the specific episode, you can delete it from your phone so it doesn’t take up space. 

-Some podcasts are designed to be listened to in order. Other podcasts are made up of stand alone episodes so you can just start listening to the most current episode or go back and listen to episodes that interest you. 

What podcasts should I listen to?

This question comes up often in my Facebook newsfeed.  There are so many podcasts out there that it can seem overwhelming to pick one.  I recommend trying out several different podcasts; you’re bound to find one or two that interest you. 

I asked contributors and readers of Idaho Falls Mom’s Blog for their podcast recommendations. I’ve also added several of my recommendations. I’ve included links to the podcasts website or you can just search for the podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Inspirational

Goal Digger – Mary says, “Jenna Kutcher’s passion is female entrepreneurship! She gives SUPER practical business and life advice.” 

Better than Happy – Lori says, “It’s like free counseling. Just listen to the first few…then you can listen to wherever it’s fine.” The podcast description adds: “This podcast provides practical tools and real life application for taking your life from where ever it is to the next level.”

Rise – This was recommended by an anonymous reader. The podcast description reads: “Hosted by New York Times Best-Selling Author Rachel Hollis, Rise is a series of bold conversations with fellow business powerhouses and personal development leaders that provides the listener with real-life valuable takeaways.” 

Selfie – This was also recommended by an anonymous reader. The podcast description reads:, “From the silly to the serious, Kristen and Sarah are taking a vulnerable and often humorous look at body, mind and spirit . . . and maybe a touch of the random, all while looking at the distractions and defenses that keep us from caring for ourselves like we should.” 

Id10t – This is one of my recommendations. The podcast features long form interviews with celebrities. Christ Hardwick is engaging and often gets the stars to talk about their lives before they were “successful.” This podcast is often very inspiring because you hear what helped these people achieve their dreams and how they are managing the changes that come with the success. I always feel inspired after listening to this podcast, (but watch out there is a lot of language on this show.) 

Informative

Kim is a bonafide podcast addict, and she submitted a whole list of recommendations that fit this category. She says, “my favorites are about books and reading, cooking, science – those are things I’m interested in; also I have the random Planet Money pick, but they are great at telling stories and making economics relevant and interesting to my day to day life as a mom.”  Here’s her list:

What Should I Read Next – Host Anne Bogel says, “I love talking to readers about their favorite books, reading struggles, what makes reading so meaningful in their life, and of course what they should read next.”

One Great Book – This is another podcast with Anne Bogel. She says the following about this podcast:  “Welcome to One Great Book, where each week I pull one stand-out selection off my personal bookshelves and tell you all about it, in ten minutes or less.”

Read Aloud Revival – The podcast description reads: “This is the podcast that helps you make meaningful and lasting connections with your kids through books.” 

Science Magazine –  The podcast description reads, “Host Sarah Crespi delves into the latest scientific discoveries with researchers and news writers from around the globe.”

Proof – The podcast description reads, “Proof is a new podcast from America’s Test Kitchen, hosted by Bridget Lancaster. It goes beyond recipes and cooking to investigate the foods we love (such as deep-fried oreos and tiki drinks) and don’t love (like once-in-vogue celery and the meteoric rise of the grain bowl). We ask the big questions (where do food cravings come from?) and uncover the hidden backstories that feed your food-obsessed brain. Proof solves food mysteries, one story at a time.” 

Science Rules! with Bill Nye – The podcast description reads, “Bill Nye tackles your curliest questions on just about anything in the universe.  . . . With a little help from his sidekick Corey S. Powell, field experts, and special celebrity guests, Bill will answer those questions and convince you that science rules!”

Planet Money – This is one of Kim’s recommendations, but I also love Planet Money.  The podcast description reads, “Imagine you could call up a friend and say, ‘Meet me at the bar and tell me what’s going on with the economy.’ Now imagine that’s actually a fun evening.”

Stuff You Should Know – This was recommended by Melissa. She says, “There is Stuff You Should Know, Stuff You Missed in History Class, and Stuff Mom Didn’t Tell You. You feel like you’re part of a conversation between 2 very knowledgeable friends. Oh and there are more “Stuffs” than I listed. But those have been my favorites. Stuff You Should Know is like constantly on the iTunes Top 10 podcast list. You’ll love Stuff You Should Know and then they’ll get you hooked on to the rest of the how stuff works family.”

Birth Kweens – Kayla says, “It’s all about pregnancy, birth, postpartum and women’s health. Karly Nuttall and Ali Feroah are hilarious and it is so informative! I love that it makes me laugh and also give me some great information about birth and women’s health.” 

LDS Perspectives – This is one of my recommendations. Every episode is an interview with a scholar or expert on various topics relating to the culture, doctrine, and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  This podcast expands your understanding of the church while affirming faith. 

Entertainment

Baconsale – This is one of my favorite podcasts. Kent, Joel, and Jacob discuss movies, TV, food, music, and other pop culture topics with a whole lot of humor. They often do fun things like set up March Madness Style brackets pitting fictional characters against each other. Then they argue over who should advance each round and why. If you like laughing while overthinking about pop culture then listen to this show. This show is also very family friendly so you can listen to it while kids are around. 

Radio Ronin – Of course I’m going to recommend this podcast because it’s the one I’ve been listening to the longest. If you listened to the radio in Salt Lake City, Utah during the 90’s and early 2000’s chances are you heard Jimmy Chunga on The End. He’s no longer on traditional airways, but his Radio Ronin show is hugely popular. The show features Chunga, his co-host Kenny D, and Chunga’s son Chandler as they talk about pop culture and the hilarious things happening in their personal lives. Before long you’ll feel like you are part of the group too.

True Crime

My Favorite Murder – Jerica recommends this true crime and comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. She does add a warning for content and language so make sure you listen to this one when little ears aren’t around. 

True Crime Obsessed –This was recommended by an anonymous reader she says, “True crime and comedy.  Hilarious without being disrespectful.” The podcast is hosted by Gillian Pensavalle and her husband Michael Paul Smith. They recap true crime documentaries. 

COLD: Susan Powell Cold Case Files the Untold Story – Jodie says, “It’s the podcast about Susan Powell’s disappearance and it’s just always interested me. You’ll love it! It captures you!.” This is a podcast that you’ll want to start listening at the beginning. 

I hope this post has made you want to start listening to podcasts or maybe add a new show (or more) to your current list of podcasts. 

What are some of your favorite podcasts?  Leave a comment to let us know what you recommend and why.