Top 5 Podcasts for Tired Commuters

I’m in the car, a lot. Enter podcasts.

Podcasts are my saving grace. Seriously.

This is an explanation of my top 5 podcasts. In case you’re wondering, I’m the tired commuter.

So, here’s my disclaimer: I’m in the car driving approximately 3 hours a day. I tend to gravitate towards shows that are comedy and/or entertaining, rather than self help or business. I have a hard time focusing on driving and the more serious material.

1. Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness

I’ve already written an entire post about this podcast (check it out here). Basically, if you like over the top big personalities and have some intellectual curiousity, this is a must listen.

2. How Did This Get Made? Podcast

For some reason, I had this podcast mixed up with that TV show “How Stuff Works” and I kept passing by this show. Well, that was a total mistake, and I’m glad I gave this one a chance.

This show has three main hosts, all comedic actors — Paul Scheer, June-Diane Rafael, and Jason Mantzoukis. There are often guests like John Mulaney or Patton Oswalt (2 of my absolute favorite comics), and they often record live shows, which are my favorites.

The premise is they take a ridiculous movie (The Meg, Howard The Duck, Lace Placid, and Godzilla are some of the ones I’ve listened to recently) and lovingly make fun of it. It’s never malicious — just some movie nerds riffing — and it feels like you’re hanging out with friends. I can’t wait for the episodes to come out every week. Another of my all time favorite podcasts for sure.

3. RuPaul: What’s The Tee?

I. Love. RuPaul.

I downloaded this originally because I assumed it would be silly and quirky. It is all that, but it’s also deep, and interesting, and has a lot of heartfelt moments that I wasn’t expecting. I could listen to RuPaul and Michelle Visage talk for hours. And when RuPaul starts really laughing? I’m done — I love it!

Seriously, go listen NOW!

4. You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes

When this podcast is good, it’s amazing. I like Pete Holmes in general, but he can be a bit on the obnoxious side at times. It’s been better in more recent episodes, which I think is partly him getting better at interviewing and growing up. A lot of really interesting and deep conversations have happened on this show. Pete has a way of coming across as naïve and sincere, and it usually results in a great conversation.

Depending on the guest, this is on my list of don’t miss podcasts.

5. Gettin’ Better with Ron Funches

Ron Funches has a very distinct voice. He’s one of those people that make you happy and feel like you want to hug him whenever you hear him. His show talks about his struggles with coming from nothing, pursuing a career in stand-up, getting married (and divorced) young, and having a son with autism.

He’s candid, honest, vulnerable, and sincere — I can’t recommend this podcast enough. Definitely deserves a spot in my all time favorite podcasts.

Honorable mentions

So I mentioned I listen to A LOT of podcasts. They’re my sanity savers when everything else in my daily life is a bit…stressful. It’s a bit of an oasis and escape while I’m alone in my car.

Here are a few more shows that I’m really loving but didn’t quite make this specific list. Definitely worth checking out, in no particular order:

• Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
• Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
• Unhappy Hour with Matt Bellassai
• For The Love Podcast with Jen Hatmaker
• David Tennant Does A Podcast With…
• Larry Wilmore Black on the Air
• Lexicon Valley
• Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer
• Small Doses with Amanda Seales
• WTF with Marc Maron

Come discuss these podcasts and more in my group!