We are living in the golden age of podcasts.  Whether you’re into true crime, narrative fiction, pop culture or cultural events – there’ll be hundreds of podcasts to match your interests.  Whatever subject you care to dream up, I’ll guarantee there’s a person sitting in front of a microphone chatting at length about it.  While it’s amazing to have so many podcasts at your disposal, finding the ones worth listening to can be challenging.  Here is a list of the podcasts I’ve enjoyed most in 2022.

Death, Sex & Money

Death, Sex & Money is a podcast about the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.  The subjects of relationships, money, family and work are all-encompassing.  They are well-researched and easy to engage with.  Certain topics are discussed over a series of podcasts, allowing for different people to tell their stories.

Exploration: LIVE!

It’s so easy to gravitate towards familiar ideas or concepts.  The Exploration: Live podcast is filled with content from every topic conceivable with intriguing insights and humorous conversations.  I’ve already listened to theories about casual party conversations, parking vestigiality and being the grey text.  Hosts, Charlie and Natalie, seem like genuinely kind people and are very thoughtful and entertaining, forcing you to think about things in a way you might never have done before.  They are super friendly hosts with a great rapport and are very funny and profound.

TED Radio Hour

TED Talks is a household name in the scientific education and technological business communities.  TED Radio Hour host, Manoush Zomorodi, has a fast moving style of interaction with her guests, asking great questions and drawing intelligent answers.  In each episode, she explores an idea through a series of TED Talks and original interviews.  The podcast covers topics from technology, entertainment and design through to racism, social justice and income inequality.

The One You Feed

If you know of the parable this podcast was named after then you’ll have an idea what it is about.  If not, they explain it at the start of each episode – they also ask the interviewee what the parable means to them on every show.  Personally, it helps to remind me that spending a few minutes being mindful can prevent anxious thoughts from taking over.  The One You Feed is inspired, thoughtful and compelling no matter the topic.  From interviews with scientists to spiritual gurus, it offers practical wisdom to enrich your life.