Since Serial came on the scene in 2015, podcasts have seen a boom. Some of the most talked about pieces of media are podcasts. Almost every news outlet has a podcast. Everyone and their brother decides they are a podcast host. Podcast hosts are solving cold cases and bringing light to long-hidden scandals and no matter who you are or what you’re interests are, there’s a podcast for you. Now that people are home more frequently, podcasts offer a unique way to continue to connect with media and learn and enjoy without leaving your home–or flipping on Netflix. 

What follows are recommendations from six successful, working women about the podcasts that they enjoy–whether career based or not. We can all benefit from listening to some “Career based” podcasts–but I also wanted to see what people listen to in their free time, when work isn’t on the brain, and when they have endless choices. 

Here’s what they had to say: 

Gabriella, freelance media strategist, consultant, columnist, podcast, and award-winning outdoor writer:

Oh gosh, it’s hard to narrow it down to one choice since I listen to a bunch of podcasts!  But one podcast I consistently listen to is Restless Native hosted by Brad Luttrell of GoWildApp. It’s a great storytelling podcast featuring people from all sectors of the outdoor industry, namely hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. It’s different from other podcasts and the host is a masterful wordsmith and teller of tales.  I also regularly listen to the Cast and Blast Florida podcast, which is entertaining, and Triggered Podcast hosted by Townhall’s Matt Vespa and Storm Paglia for a hilarious take on today’s political news from a center-right edge. 

Caroline, Legislative Assistant:

Court Junkie. I started listening to Court Junkie randomly one day because I was caught up on all of my other true crime podcasts. The show shares the story of the crime but it’s all based on what happened and what was presented in court. You hear testimonies of victims and witnesses, expert witnesses, sometimes jailhouse confessions, and even the own defendant testifying. I find it fascinating to only hear what was presented in court without the rest of the noise that happens such as added commentary from a podcast host. It has no spin, but all the crime. 

Elizabeth, Account Manager at a public affairs firm in D.C.:

My current favorite podcast is Token CEO by Erika Nardini, the CEO of Barstool Sports. It’s about a 10 minute podcast released every week day. Nardini started the podcast at the beginning of quarantine to discuss running a media company during a global pandemic, give career advice, and talk about different ways to be successful in your workplace. it’s not too long, and definitely not boring, so I always feel like I listen to it and retain what is being talked about. She also makes sure she has her guest, or herself, talk about one good thing they are thankful for that day, and choose a song of the day. It’s been a great way to stay distracted during this pandemic – I always listen on my lunch time walks with my dog. 

Danielle, Executive Vice President of the American Conservation Coalition:

Admittedly, I am not great at listening to podcasts. I wish I was, but I get impatient with them and have a hard time staying focused without trailing off on my own thoughts. The only podcast that I listen to regularly is Up First from NPR, which is around 10 minutes an episode. I grew up listening to NPR with my dad, so listening now gives me a small dose of nostalgia and keeps me up to date on news from a perspective outside of my regular consumption. 

Aryssa, Public librarian and writer:

My favorite podcast is Noble Blood. Every two weeks, Noble Blood drops a new episode about some historical royal figure and a specific macabre event in their life. Mad queens, murder attempts on baronets, the wives of Henry VIII. You not only learn a lot about history (obscure and well known) but the host, Dana Schwartz, has an excellent voice and the way she weaves the narrative is intoxicating. 

JJ, Attorney:

I have a long commute–sometimes up to an hour if I’m visiting a client–and so I like podcasts that help take me out of the work brain I get stuck in and connect with the more creative side of my brain. I love all the fictional, musical podcasts that have come out in recent years. My head gets bobbing along to the beat, I laugh, and I don’t feel like I was “working” for that hour. Right now, I’m listening to Little Did I Know. The plan is for nine episodes, and it’s set in the 1970s, so it’s a great escape for me. 

Aryssa D
FFL Cabinet Member