In the #sorrynotsorry category of parenting, I admit that I listen to podcasts around the house all the time. When I discovered about two years ago that there was a way to stimulate my brain and funny bone while also slogging away on household minutia—and that it didn’t involve a screen, which causes my kids to drop everything stare, even if it were BBC—it was a revelation. I can deal with stuff at my desk, clean the kitchen, fold laundry, and even—ok, #justalittlesorry—play hide-and-seek—all while learning, from real, intelligent adults, about Isis, genomic testing, a great new slow cooker recipe, or really solid parenting advice. If my kids are otherwise engaged, they don’t seem to notice or really care, and I swear, if I really need to pay attention to what’s going on, I put just one earbud in. (Kidding! I really do have limits.) But seriously, I consider podcast listening to be multitasking for the mind and soul. It’s also a great distraction during a run.
I’m listing my faves, here. Some are podcasts designed to inspire a listener to become a better parent; others indirectly inspire me to be a better parent because they give me more things to think about than what’s going on in my little house, in my little neighborhood, in my little town. They are all FREE, and easy to subscribe to or cherry pick interesting-looking episodes from, using the iTunes or Stitcher apps. Happy listening!
Mom and Dad are Fighting. Slate editors Allison Benedikt and Dan Kois are smart, dry, and hilariously honest about parenting life in our crazy-busy times. A highlight is their regular”Parenting Triumphs and Fails” segment.
Take a listen: Is My Kid a Narcissist?
Zen Parenting Radio. Though based outside of Chicago, ZPR is going to appeal to anyone who’d like to be more calm and balanced as a parent (or person). And Cathy and Todd Adams, who are married with three girls, are just about the nicest two people you’d ever hope to listen to on the radio. They’re also pop-culture junkies and have a funny, familiar rapport—you kind of feel like you’re sitting across from couple-friends at dinner while listening to them (is that a little stalker-ish?)
Take a listen: Actions Express Priorities
The Longest Shortest Time. What’s genius about this sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking podcast, which draws heavily from early parenthood experiences, is how host Hillary Frank often focuses on a single person’s (often very moving) story to illustrate a larger point about family life. And it’s fearless: One recent episode brought in sex columnist Dan Savage to talk about sex after parenthood, and it was no-holds-barred.
Take a listen: When Are You Gonna Be Normal Again?
Radiolab. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich are clearly endlessly curious and deeply intelligent guys who use episodes to explore a single, usually deeply puzzling phenomenon in the realm of science, art, history, law, or human nature. Some are appropriate for curious older kids (like the brilliant “Colors.“)
Take a listen: 23 Weeks, 6 Days
America’s Test Kitchen. This is more than a cooking show: Cook’s Illustrated founder Christopher Kimball, test kitchen guru Bridget Lancaster and the rest of their team do talk about cooking tips, kitchen gadgets and wine pairings, but also the history and culture of food.
Take a listen: The New Theory of Evolution: Cooking Made us Human!
Freakonomics Radio. Economist Steven Levitt and writer Stephen Dubner have used their bestselling 2005 book as a launchpad for this quirky, fascinating podcast in which they explore cultural phenomena through data and economic theory. It’s far from wonky—you’ll feel like you’ve just sat in the world’s most entertaining Econ lecture after every episode.
Take a listen: Is College Really Worth It?
This American Life. This hugely popular program has about a million listeners downloading it each week, and if you’re new to podcasts, this is a good place to start. Each week, Ira Glass and his crew share real-life stories around certain themes related to culture, psychology, politics, or just family life.
Take a listen: Switched at Birth
Serial. This American Life spinoff and now most-listened to podcast in the history of the genre will be back with a second season at some as-yet-to-be-announced date later the year, and for any of us who hung on host Sarah Koenig’s every word about the fascinating murder trial of teenager Adnan Syed in season 1, that time can’t come soon enough. The idea is that Koenig digs into the intricacies and unexplored mysteries of one true story over the course of entire season. Haven’t listened yet? You can listen to the entirety of Season 1 now—I challenge you to not binge-listen.
Take a listen: Season 1, Episode 1: The Alibi
Fresh Air. With her naturalness and curiosity and even sometimes-awkwardness, Terry Gross is the best interviewer in the business. For each one-hour show she gets a celebrity or writer or thinker to talk about his or her life and work, in depth.
Take a listen: Conversation with Maurice Sendak
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