Top Five Podcasts of 2020
Once upon a long time ago, I didn’t think podcast-listening was for me. I was an avid book lover, magazine enthusiast, and newspaper reader. Fast-forward to a time when seemingly everyone listens to podcasts, I opened up my eyes to realize how amazing most of them can be.
Podcasts are great for so many reasons. I can listen in on a story or newscast and multitask, be kept in the know while letting my eyes rest (they’re overworked and tired by the end of the day), and if I miss something, I can “rewind” and hear it again.
It’s tough to select my faves, but I’m often asked about my favorite this and favorite that and—- since I never want to give a sub-par recommendation to anyone—- I’ve sat down and have come up with my top 5 (as not to overwhelm anyone with choices). This could also be considered to be “Liz’s Top 5 Podcasts of 2019” since 2020 has just begun, but I don’t foresee these podcasts’ ratings going down anytime in the future.
I’m someone who wants to know what’s going on in an unbiased way, learn about why people believe what they believe and why they do the things they do, and connecting with others in conversation. Without further ado…
MY TOP 5 FAVORITE PODCASTS OF 2020:
1. Hidden Brain (Shankar Vedantam | NPR)
Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.
2. Call Your Girlfriend (Co-Hosted by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow)
A podcast for long-distance besties everywhere. Episodes: Bad Bosses, Can A Woman Be President?, How To Get Your Taxes Right, Know Her Name, Sex Work, Borders and Boundaries, The Fraud Is Iconic…
3. Skimm This (theskimm.com)
Daily Evening Podcast. 'Skimm This' breaks down the most important stories of the day and explains why they matter. In 10 minutes, every Monday-Friday at 5 pm ET.
4. The Daily (Hosted by Michael Barbaro | the New York Times)
The Daily is a daily news podcast and radio show by the American newspaper The New York Times. Hosted by Times political journalist Michael Barbaro, its episodes are based on the Times' reporting of the day with interviews of journalists from the New York Times.
5. Decoder Ring (Hosted by Willa Paskin | Slate)
Slate critic Willa Paskin explores a bizarre and delightful cultural phenomenon each month, from “Baby Shark” to Chuck E. Cheese, to try to understand what makes people obsessed with seemingly arbitrary touchstones. These fixations can spin out of control, leading to toxic fights on forums or basements full of broken animatronic critters. But Paskin lends a sympathetic ear to fanboys and fangirls to understand how the strangest media can elicit an emotional attachment. (-TIME)