Like lots of people, ok millions of people, I love podcasts! They fill the gaps in a day. I know I got more into them once I started working from home. It’s like water cooler talk. I listen to lots of them to stay plugged into pop culture and caught up with what’s happening in the news. They are also good background noise while I’m cooking, or driving around doing errands. There are so many podcasts out there, you will certainly find one or 12 that you click with.
I’ve compiled a short list of podcasts that entertain and educate me. I’ve shared some of my favorites before. Some of them, I still listen to. I’ve also been adding new ones to the mix. These will definitely keep you entertained, educated, and connected.
Class of 88
This is a cool podcast hosted by Will Smith. It’s about a pivotal year in hip-hop, 1988. He interviews a bunch of old-school artists. They share background stories from throughout their career. It’s a cool trip down memory lane with the inside stories from the people who lived it.
R&B Money
Speaking of insider stories, I love this podcast. It’s hosted by Tank and J. Valentine. J is Tank’s friend and manager. He’s also an artist in his own right. Between the two of them, they know some of everyone in the business. As a result, there’s always a great guest on the show. They don’t only interview artists, but also songwriters and producers. It’s like being a fly on the wall of conversations with artists you’ve always loved.
Native Land Pod
Angela Rye, Andrew Gillum, and Tiffany Cross start the pod with “Welcome Home Y’all”. This is like a political podcast for the culture. I’ve loved their takes when they were on various cable networks. I love that they decided to come together and bring their voices together on their terms. Their friendship is a beautiful thing too. You can tell they genuinely care about and support each other. For me, it feels like being in conversation with friends. Really smart friends.
What Now with Trevor Noah
Everyone wanted to know what Trevor Noah was going to do next after he left the Daily Show abruptly. He went straight into a Netflix comedy special. The next thing was this podcast. It’s a really relaxed conversation with interesting people. He talks to some of your favorite celebrities and ends every episode with the question that everyone asked him “What now?” It’s not an invitation for them to pitch their next project, it’s a time to offer something thoughtful.
Ratchet and Respectable
I’ve been listening to this pod since she started. She gave it 90 days to try it out. Here we are 5 years in. It’s a great podcast. Demetria is a writer and cultural critic. She always offers an opinion on the hot topics culturally. It’s like a conversation with a girlfriend full of interesting perspectives. The other cool thing is that for the last couple of years, she’s been living abroad. She started in Ghana (where she is now buying a home). She’s since lived in South Africa and Paris with a bunch of stops along the way. If you don’t want to globe-trot after following her, I’d be surprised.
