Podcasting hit me all at once about two years ago. It seemed like overnight I was consuming as much content as I possibly could and if I’m honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I feel like audio content can grab your attention like no other medium, podcasting fills my drives, walks, grocery shops and house cleans; and I think I’m all the more clever for it.
Below are the podcasts that I currently have on rotation. Here’s how my podcasting week plays out, day by day. Enjoy!
Monday
Shameless the Podcast
Described as a podcast for “smart people who like dumb stuff” this is the perfect Monday morning listen; it’s light, funny and doesn’t try to push you too hard before your first coffee of the working week. Shameless is hosted by two Aussie journalists in Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews and covers all things celebrity and pop-culture. Whilst my celebrity fuse is relatively short and I can’t say I’m all the way into this world, the lovely Zara and Michelle bring a news-y and very clever approach to all things gossip.
Tuesday
the Cut on Tuesdays
So we survived Monday, which only means one thing; I’ve probably already given up on my ‘don’t buy lunch out’ pledge for the week and the Cut on Tuesdays has dropped another ep. This podcast was a recipe for success from the beginning… it’s the brainchild of the Cut (from New York Magazine pedigree) and Gimlet Media. I’m going to go right ahead and say that if you’ve heard a really really great pod in the last year or two it’s probably passed through the hands of the Canadian outfit of podcasting genius, Gimlet Media. The Cut on Tuesdays takes the biggest stories from the Cut’s newsroom and (after some truly great long-form-journalism magic) pops it straight into your ears.
Wednesday
Happy Lawyer Happy Life
This one is very close to my heart, and not just because it’s created about 10 feet from my desk each week.
Yes, this one is the brainchild of my dear friend and boss Clarissa Rayward, the Happy Family Lawyer.
This podcast really did drag me through law school one Wednesday at a time. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, the first 10 minutes or so of Clarissa’s podcast should be on the syllabus in law schools the world over. I say this because whilst it’s all really really good, it’s the part of each lawyer’s story where they explain the weaving and waning of their career which led each of them to the great places they report from each week which has the potential for the most impact on law students and new lawyers everywhere. I know that now that I’ve been told each week for two years that a legal career really can take you anywhere, I’m really not scared about my future or what random things might await me.
I should also thank this marvellous little project for my wonderful friendships and my job as this is how I found Clarissa two years ago. One ordinary weekday I decided I should start listening to podcasts and later that day Facebook’s algorithm delivered Clarissa to my newsfeed (cheers Zuckerberg).
Oh, and, I have featured on this mighty pod, you can catch me here.
Mamamia Outloud
Once the excitement of Happy Lawyer Happy Life has passed each week, I move onto Mamamia Outloud. The Mamamia Women’s Network have harnessed the power of podcasting in a truly great way and the network’s flagship podcast covers current affairs in a way I haven’t been able to find a comparison for. I can’t wait for Holly Wainwright, Jessie Stephens and Mia Freedman to keep me company in the car each week and I think you’ll feel the same.
Friday
Mamamia Outloud Take 2!
Mamamia Outloud drops twice weekly, once on Wednesday and again on Friday, and yes, it’s absolutely glorious enough to take over two days.
Sunday
the Pineapple Project
Brought to you by ABC Listen, it’s the show all about money.
This podcast features excellently over-the-top production and is just so clever. Hosted by comedian Claire Hooper it tackles all of the things I never want to think about and does so in a way that’s so not preachy.
Just when you thought that wasn’t fab enough, season two is back with a whole new charter; to make us be better at work. Yess!
And to enjoy anyday…
Heavyweight
This is another Gimlet Media project which I just adore. It’s a show all about making things right and tackling the tricky parts of your past. It’s gorgeous, affirming, funny and so so sweet. If you want a place to go and smile away from the stress of the everyday, here is your place. I have nothing further to add then, just go listen to it!
the Dream
This is a pervy, fly on the world look at multi-level marketing companies and all their sales-y ways. If you’ve ever wanted to know what’s up with those constant social media posts or you’ve ever accidentally ended up at a sales party, this is your listen.
the Future Women Podcast
Hosted by the one and only Jamila Rizvi, this is a good one. Straight from Future Women themselves, their pod will “get you laughing and keep you thinking all at the same time.” My favourite episode so far would have to be; ‘I’m not bossy, I’m the boss’, jump to it!
Slow Burn
Whilst I’m not all the way though season 2 just yet, and season 1 I haven’t even gotten around to, I’m still here recommending Slow Burn by Slate.
Podcasting offers something that no other medium can keep up with; the ability to present good, indepth, well researched, long-form journalism and this deep dive into key points of American politics (namely- the Clinton affair and the Watergate saga) ticks all of those boxes and more.
I absolutely LOVE podcasts and I don’t quite know what I’d do with myself without them. If there’s a pod that you just can’t believe I’ve left out, let me know!
Kiarah Grace Kelly 