Cast out into a Sea of Sounds

I think it's really interesting that podcasts (get my terrible "cast out" joke now?) seem to be for this generation what radio shows were for older generations. Obviously podcasts have evolved from radio, but it's cool to see audio mediums doing well in such a visually focused generation of entertainment. Over the last year, I've really fallen in love with podcasts. On one hand, I find them very relaxing and like to just listen to them when I'm in bed to help me just focus on what they're talking about, giving my mind and body a break. On the other hand, I can also clean or cook or even shower (don't knock it until you try it, but be careful with your electronics!) whilst enjoying some quality entertainment or some serious food for thought.

I'd like to share a couple of podcasts that I've been enjoying over the last year, and I'd welcome any suggestions in return! Note: most or all of these podcasts are on iTunes, but I don't use that so I'll have links to other places where you can find the shows. You can also find a lot of them on Spotify.

First up, I'd like to shamelessly send you back to my previous post about The Adventure Zone, a hilarious series created by three brothers and their dad, as they attempt to play role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons together. They've started a new season of the show, so you could jump in there , or you could go back and listen all the way through like a champ.
Best time to listen to this show: Anywhere that you can laugh out loud, maybe when you're cleaning or cooking or just relaxing.
Worst time to listen to this: When you're in work in an office with other people, and you have to physically stuff your hand into your mouth to stop yourself wailing with laughter. Also you may get no work done, because you're too caught up in the story. Woops.

Following that, I'd like to mention a few other podcasts that I listen to that also involve the McElroy brothers.

Shmanners is a show by husband and wife duo Travis and Teresea, where they look at social situations that involve etiquette and manners, do a bit of history on where these customs and social rules come from, and what's the modern context. Travis has a very chatty and energetic tone, which balances well with Teresa's calmer and  more measured way of speaking. They not only tackle how a lot of rules for manners have evolved along with society, they also give advice to listeners on awkward situations or best practises. I've actually taken notes whilst listening ( especially from one of the latest episode Getting What you Want), as I feel they give genuine and respectful advice, as well as talking from their own life experiences. They also do special episodes covering people that were associated with etiquette and sophistication, a lot of whom had very interesting (and sometimes wild) lives. You can find all of  Shmanners episodes here.
Best time to listen to this: I find this show very relaxing, so I like to listen to it when I'm on public transport or in bed.
Worst time to listen to this: I think you could listen to this podcast at any time, it has funny moments but because I find quite calming I would react so much to it as a more comedic podcast. If the topic of the episode strikes a cord with you though, you might want to listen somewhere quieter so you can concentrate properly and listen to the advice.

Next up is Wonderful, hosted by another McElroy married duo, Griffin and Rachel. The two of them are such goofballs together, and in this show it's the sweetest, softest kind of goofing. The premise of this show is that the pair each pick two things they think are wonderful and speak about them. Although this may sound like a pretty banal thing to listen to, it is actually both relaxing and intriguing. Rachel is more into doing research on what she's talking about, but equally Griffin is such a big nerd and so enthusiastic about his hobbies and interests, that it's quite satisfying to hear them explain what makes their particular topic so great. I also love the sound of Rachel's voice, it's so soothing and pleasant, I haven't heard anyone else who podcasts with her particular type of voice, I find it very appealing. You can find Wonderful here.
Best time to listen to this show: When you need to be cheered up, or when you're already in a great mood, and you want to dance to the theme song.
Worst time to listen to this show: Again, there's a lot of giggles to be had while listening to this, be warned in public places, or when you need to be *serious*.

One of the great things about podcasts is that it seems to inspire more people to try it out and their voices out there. Watch, Read, Listen is a podcast inspired by the aforementioned Wonderful, by Annika and her boyfriend Luciano. Annika Victoria is a favourite Youtuber of mine, and Luciano and her make a great podcasting team, as their interactions with one another are so natural. The two of them pick two things that they have watch/read/listened to that week, and relay their experience to the other. Not only is it relaxing for the listener, Annika has explained that they are doing it for her mental health, which I think is a pretty great exercise in itself. You can find it on Annika's website.
Best time to listen to this show: Same as Wonderful, though these guys are a different kind of goofy, so I would listen to the two shows on different days.
Worst time to listen to this show: I could listen to this anytime, it's a very chill show.

Next up is another Youtuber-turned-podcaster; Hannah Hart, with her best friend Hannah Gelb talking about mental health related topics. Their podcast is perfectly named Hannahlyze This, and similar to all the dynamic duos above, the closeness of Hannah and Hannah makes this such an endearing and comical show. Both woman admit they are not experts, but use their own experiences with therapy and mental health to reflect on issues we all can relate to: bad friendships, dating, sex education in schools, and  feeling gratitude. They also try out methods or practises that they feel might help their mental health and report back. My favourite one was the "voice-mail" that Hannah Gelb makes to her younger self, it's super sweet, you'll find it in this episode. And you'll find the rest of the episodes here.
Best time to listen to this show: I like to listen to this on the weekend when I'm trying to be organised but relax as well. Because the show can be interactive as well, like with some of the practises for mental health, it would be nice to listen to before journaling.
Worst time to listen to this show: It gets deep and honest, so make sure you're in a good place (literally and emotionally) for listening to some emotive stuff. Also I started listening to the Sex Ed one on my work computer and realised that it would be very awkward to explain what I was listening to, so I give it a NSFW rating in that case.

For a complete Feel Good show, there's the energetic and hilarious Can I Pet you Dog?. Hosts Renee and Allegra literally talk about dogs for approximately 40 minutes. They have weekly segments like Dogs We Met this Week, Mutt Minute, Dog News, Dog Heroes, and special guests, but every week manages to be completely different. The two are best friends and both of their energy seems to amplify the others, so their giddiness becomes infectious. What's more is that they both have dogs which are co-hosts in their own right, and they both complain about the dog's antics, while at the same time completely doting on them. Catch this charming and crazy podcast here. It wouldn't be fair not to mention The Purrrcast, as I believe in being obsessed with both cats and dogs is the healthiest way to be. I haven't listened to a lot of Purrrcast, simply because I need to download a few episodes at a time to listen to it.
Best time to listen to this show: When you're in a great mood, maybe when you're out for a walk with a fluffy friend?
Worst time to listen to this show: When you don't have the energy to keep up with Renee and Allegra, you've got to be prepared for their enthusiasm!

Recently I was out sick for a week, and besides feeling like I was living life like Amy Adams in Arrival, I had a great time listening to podcasts whilst bedridden. I discovered That Classical Podcast during that week, and completely binge-listened to it. I have always been a fan of classical music, but Chris and Kelly make it so approachable and fun to talk about. They're the classical music nerd friends I've always wanted. The two of them are loons and are constantly cracking jokes about composers shagging or ridiculous opera plot lines. What's more, they have an entire Spotify playlist to accompany the show, where you can listen in full to the pieces they mention. It's fantastic to be able to listen to an episode and then immediately play the music and be able to appreciate a bit better what they're talking about. I finally think I've started remembering which composers is which. Listen to their mad musical rantings here.
Best time to listen to this show: I laugh a lot while I'm listening, so usually when I'm up and about doing chores, it makes a great accompaniment.
Worst time to listen to this show: If it's an episode featuring a particular composer, you'll need to be able to concentrate for  the "60 Second Show", where Kelly or Chris tries to tell the story of the composer's life in under a minute. So maybe not in work or on a noisy bus or something if you want to catch what they're saying. You'll want to appreciate the lovely tunes as well.

I've mentioned American, Australian and English podcasts, so it's time to give a little love to an Irish podcast. A new podcast on the block is unMASCed, a LGBTQ podcast by Shane and Andrew, where the two friends talk about topics related to sexuality and gender, as well as what it's like in Ireland to be in the LGBTQ community. Both of them have had different experiences, but are open and honest in sharing those experiences, whilst being funny and respectful of others.  They said they've started this podcast because there wasn't anything like it in Ireland, and I definitely feel like it address a lot of situations and issues that are specific for Irish society. Find their lovely podcast here.
Best time to listen to this show: Again I like to listen to a lot of podcasts while doing things around the house, but also on the train or bus, or out for a walk.
Worst time to listen to this show: I don't think there's a worst time to listen to this podcast, but you might want to listen to it the week it comes out to catch some of the events mentioned in the segment "What's Queer around Here?"

 That just about wraps it up! Some honorable mentions I have (as I haven't listened to loads of any of episodes of these guys) are Reading Glasses, ID10T and Soundings. I would like to listen to some more shows, particularly more shows from different countries. Please leave me a comment if you do have suggestions, I will be forever grateful.

Also, don't forget if you love podcasts, don't forget to support the creators either by helping them out on Patreon or whatever sponsorship method they have, or promote their work to others. Some may do their podcasts for fun, but for others its a job and they don't get paid unless listeners help them out!


Until the next audio adventure,
Aoife