WHY PODCASTS ARE YOUR NEW BFF (IN QUARANTINE & BEYOND)

Wow, msfts, wow. I’m still trying to figure out where the past half-year’s worth of time has gone, but the larger point is – WE’RE BACK, BABY!

As many of you may know, the blog got a little unintentionally derailed this aforementioned six months ago when I started making face masks over in the Etsy shop. What started out as a “I guess I’ll try this” kind of situation turned into a full-blown, around-the-clock operation & needless to say…what an incredible journey that has been.

But even though it’s all still definitely going, it’s also about time we’re each trying to 1) come to terms with the fact that still *no one* knows what TH is going on, & 2) settle into our own “new normals”. Which in this case means finding a better work/life balance (or at least form of work #1/form of work #2 balance). Specifically, getting back into the swing of blogging!

So in honor of that, I wanted to (re)kick things off with getting into a little something that’s grown especially near & dear to my heart (& I know y’all feel the same): PODCASTS!

Talk about something that’s ~really~ having a moment right now, podcasts are literally all the rage. Everyone has one. Or wants one. Or had one only to cast it aside after a few episodes a la Shep Rose because it’s honestly a TON more work than most people realize. And even though they’re something a lot of us have probably casually listened to over the years, ever since quarantine I’d argue they’ve become more popular & important than ever.

For as great as music, television, movies & the like most certainly are, podcasts are an extra special medium with power unlike any other. With no visuals to distract, the personality & subject matter are everything. Which translates to a far more intimate experience where you feel like you get to reeeeally know each host in a way that’s super unique.

Sure, we zoom. We picnic. We frequent a superbly quaint outdoor patio. But it’s no secret most of us are still spending an above-average amount of time by ourselves. However, considering the fact that podcasts are in our ears each & every week (sometimes for hours on end!), they similarly start to feel like you’re just hanging out, having a bang-up conversation with people you’ve become great friends with, too.

Perhaps it’s the cabin fever, or maybe we’re all just finally hitting our Jack Torrance-level breaking point. But in these particularly isolated times (& since Selling Sunset was not at all what it was cracked up to be), I have to stan podcasts now more than ever.

And I know a lot of people agree!

A few months back we shouted out a few of our personal pod faves, but call me a prospector because during this quarantine I’ve stumbled upon so many more nuggets of pure GOLD. Which means it’s time for a more comprehensive list that, by all means, let’s keep on growing:

Be There In Five (Pop-Culture / Social Commentary)

Joe Rogan, who? In an age where “the suits” say people can’t take – nay, wouldn’t DREAM of listening to long-form content (ahem), Kate Kennedy from BTIF is here to prove them alllllllll wrong. From influencer conspiracies, & crowdsourced flashbacks to the days of early 2000s mall culture, to coverage of baffling concepts like the thriving Mormon mommy blogger industry, she is our stream of consciousness finally come to life in podcast form that you can’t afford to miss.

Dare I mention her Hamilton x American Girl doll crossover? Still dying.

Everything Iconic With Danny Pellegrino (Pop-Culture)

A king, icon, legend himself, Danny is a literal ray of sunshine delivered straight to our ears each week. While he largely spearheads hilarious recaps of Bravo shows currently airing, he also does a ton of fantastic celebrity interviews & detours of personal stories that may or may not have you laughing ’til you hysterically cry & borderline choke to death at 3AM on a Tuesday.

But that’s neither here nor there.

The Bitch Bible (Comedy / Pop-Culture)

Providing a weekly dose of truly unfiltered commentary, host & HBIC Jackie Schimmel knows how to dish out all of the things we’re thinking, yet are often too afraid to say ourselves. If you know, you know. And if you don’t…then all I can say is give it a listen. Because you’ll for sure either love it or hate it, but with great risk comes exceptionally great (& endearingly neurotic) reward.

Absolutely Not With Heather McMahan (Comedy / Pop-Culture)

“A safe space for us to tell-all & bitch about the rest,” Absolutely Not is a true gem that needs a spot in your podcast rotation. Similar to Danny Pellegrino, I’d argue comedian/actress Heather McMahan deserves the status of “American Treasure” just the same. She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s authentic & most of all…she’s a straight-up RIP ROARIN’ GOOD TIME. So check. it. out.

Unless you’re a Karen, Brenda, Trish or worst of all…RICK. Ugh, Rick.

The Skinny Confidential: Him & Her (Business / Wellness)

A masterclass in & of itself, TSC podcast was one of the first shows that truly turned me onto the breadth of this medium to begin with. Exploring the worlds of entrepreneurship, brand-building, business, health, beauty & the digital landscape at large, Lauryn & Michael get down & dirty talking to people of all walks & journeys to get the dialogue going about what they’ve learned along the way, plus provide tons of other valuable info the rest of us can take away, as well.

The Bellas Podcast (Social Commentary / Wrestling)

If you’re a fan of Brie & Nikki Bella from the WWE, then their podcast is a must listen. Between their insanely lovable personalities, candidness about being newly first & second time moms, fun one-on-ones with fellow iconic wrestlers, their super breezy show has grown into a true testament of why we are (& always will be) utterly obsessed with them.

(Not to be confused with the Barden Bellas, of course)

Last Podcast On The Left (True Crime / Comedy)

If you’re reading this blog, then you’re most likely already a devout follower of the boys over on LPOTL. But in case you’re not, just know they’re a true one-stop, hysterical shop for everything from true crime & serial killers, to cults, cryptids, conspiracies & so, *so* much more.

The First Degree (True Crime)

Another great true crime show co-hosted by our favorite former-scene queen Jac Vanek, TFD covers beyond compelling stories of years past & present, each told through the eyes of someone who only has one degree of separation from the situation themselves. Even if “scripted” podcasts aren’t necessarily your jam, this one is a really good way to ease into them.

So anyways, that’s what I’ve been up to! What about you guys? Favorite podcasts? New hobbies? Game-changing realizations about newfound hopes & dreams you’ve been subconsciously suppressing for the better part of a few decades now finally bubbling to the surface amidst the ungodly stresses of a global pandemic? We need a wellness check on everyone, stat!

Nevertheless, I’m beyond excited to be back in the blogging saddle. So definitely stay tuned for TONS of exciting stuff continuing to roll out here soon!

xxAA