If you are at all like me, sometimes the long walks to class can be daunting and painful. I have found, however, that when I listen to an entertaining podcast, the time passes much more quickly. Below are my top three suggestions for podcasts that make the trek to and from class bearable:
- Up First, NPR
Released every morning at 6 AM EST, Up First provides an efficient overview of the top three news stories from the day — all in about ten minutes. This uber-digestible news podcast is hosted by six of NPR’s Morning Edition hosts, and it also calls upon many NPR field reporters to provide first-hand accounts of current events. While the series doesn’t cover everything you need to know about the news, its brief overviews of the stories are just enough to keep you perfectly up-to-date on the most pressing topics. The best part is that you can listen to the whole podcast by the time you arrive at your first class in the morning! If you are looking for an easy and engaging way to stay informed about the world’s most important news stories, try NPR’s Up First.Â
- Chicks in the Office, Barstool Sports
Think Call Her Daddy but with hosts that actually want to empower you rather than tear you down. Chicks in the Office hosts Ria and Fran are funny, smart, and fan favorites amongst the reality TV crowd — this means that they always have amazing interviews with your most beloved contestants from The Bachelor and Love Island. While the episode lengths are more in line with typical podcasts (ranging from 40 minutes to an hour), Ria and Fran will help you escape from your crazy day and unwind with some of the best behind-the-scenes looks into reality TV and celebrity drama that podcasts have to offer. If you want an intelligent analysis of the biggest celebrity drama, Chicks in the Office is for you.Â
- Any Audible Book
While obviously, audio books are not podcasts, they serve a similar purpose for me, and that is why I am including this service on my list. My go-to Audible listen is any Harry Potter novel narrated by Jim Dale. I have found that the walks in the freezing cold go much faster when you can lose yourself in the wizarding world. But in a broader sense, I selected Audible for this list because sometimes, listening to your favorite comfort book on tape is the exact escape you need. There are literally thousands of podcasts options, which can be a little overwhelming. Sometimes it is reassuring to know that you can always resort back to your favorite book at the press of a button.
Even if these suggestions are not quite your cup of tea, I encourage you to take a look at the many offerings the podcast app on your phone has to offer. Whether it be related to cooking, travel, shopping, finance, business, or health, a podcast is a great way to pass time while still engaging your brain!