Last month I wrote about some of the best storytelling podcasts around. But really what I have needed are things that have kept me cheerful and accompanied me on my essential exercise in the last ten weeks. When it comes down to it, anything that has buoyed you up has to be a good thing in tough times.
Top 5 Cheering Podcasts
I love Gretchen Ruben’s books and she and her sister Elizabeth remind me of me and mine – they chat about ways you might improve your life and address real world problems. There’s always something to raise your spirits and make you think.
2. By the Book
This podcast is two funny ladies, Kristen and Jolenta, reading self-help books each week and trying to live by their rules. Some go deeper but if you want lighter episodes I like The Curated Closet, The Magic of Tidying Up. Recently they read older self help books which seems like a sociological study of bygone eras. They’re never afraid to call out the authors if their story lacks diversity or from a place of privilege. They’ve introduced me to so many great self-help authors and shown me many to avoid.
3. Phoebe Reads a Mystery
Phoebe Judge is the creator of Criminal, my favourite true crime podcast but all through the pandemic she’s read a different mystery story like Agatha Christie. She’s really kept me going with. I wrote before about the benefits of Murder Mysteries and why they can soothe us. It seems to have worked.
4. Every Little Thing
I love trivia shows like There’s no Such thing as a Fish but I love Flora’s style. She solves a different mystery each week about stuff you didn’t know you needed to know – like the history of forks and nail polish names..!
5. Disorganised Crime
This seems an odd choice but a story about hippy drug smuggling in the California was somehow uplifting, I think the great music helps and the fact her parents (the smugglers!) come across as kind of adorable.
I’d love to hear any podcasts that have kept you going?
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