These 17 Podcasts Need To Be On Your Radar

ava duvernay black girl magic GIF by Identity-downsized_large.gif

 

If you've been following me on Instagram you KNOW how much I love podcasts. They've gotten me through tedious days of running budgets at positions in the past to my current 2-3 hour daily commute to my job now. Listen, we all need a way to absorb information from brilliant minds around the world, and I have a list of podcasts that do just that. From the educational to the tea sipping + shade throwing ones that give you the details on your favorite celebrities – here are a few podcasts that will help make your day.

Powerful Women Who Are Doing It on Their Own

Myleik Teele’s Podcast

CurlBox founder and former Hollywood Public Relations savant Myleik Teele talks about everything from relationships and best business rules and practices, to being excellent in your work ethic even if you hate your 9-5. Her words are anything but cookie-cutter and if you need an inspirational yet very real facelift in your life, Myleik’s podcast will do the trick.

On One with Angela Rye

Self-proclaimed sophistiratchet Angela Rye is a known Activist, CNN Commentator, and NPR Political Analyst who exposes you to intimate conversation with social justice advocates and entertainers. From actor/activist Jesse Williams and Senator Cory Booker to actress/activist Gabrielle Union and Congresswoman Maxine Waters – she brings the best of the best by to drop knowledge on current political issues. I promise you won’t leave an episode without feeling either enlightened or educated – but usually both.

Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations

The great Oprah Winfrey brings her talk show greatness into the digital space where she effortlessly breaks down the complexities of life through the likes of guests such as Cookie Johnson, President Jimmy Carter, Meagan Good and Devon Franklin, India Arie, Deepak Chopra + more. Oprah definitely doesn’t disappoint with this podcast.

Switch Pivot or Quit

Feeling like you’re stuck, undervalued or need a wake-up call when it comes to where you’re going in life? This podcast is for you. Ayana Angel brings guests on her show that make you want to reset and refresh your life and after every episode, you’ll leave wanting to do better and be better.

Mattie James Podcast

Mattie is a successful style blogger who makes waves with her courses on how to monetize your social media presence and make an impact with your fashion + lifestyle blog. If being clued in on how to create appealing content and position yourself effectively to work with brands is your thing, then this podcast is exactly what you need.

Luvvie Ajayi: Rants & Randomness

If you’re a fan of Luvvie’s blog, you’ll be a fan of her podcast. And though she's fresh out the gate with this, with stars like Myleik Teele, Vanessa K. De Luca, and Eunique Jones Gibson it’s quickly become one of my favorites. 

Girl Talk and Sisterhood

The Remedy Podcast

Sometimes you just need to feel like you’re listening to three girls you went to college with have girl chat and this podcast does just that. With dynamic personalities, each of these three women dig into conversations’ focused on some of your favorite shows – plus they provide inspirational talking points about life sprinkled with highlights of politics and pop-culture.  

Black Girl Podcast

Chileee, episode one had me completely hooked. This podcast is centered on five dynamic Black women with careers in entrepreneurship and the media + entertainment industry. Their infectious support of each other is uplifting and they truly make you feel like you’re sitting around with your girls sipping wine during #TGIT. Tune in for raw, relatable, emotional + hilarious candor. Thank me later.   

2 Dope Queens

Aside from this podcast starring Jessica Williams of The Daily Show fame, and Phoebe Robinson author of You Can’t Touch My Hair, these delightfully honest and hilarious women invite talented comedians into each episode. This podcast effortlessly provides you with your laugh quota for the week. Pssst: They also have an HBO show. 

Arts + Entertainment

The Read

Crissle + Kid Fury bring every oz of piping hot tea to you in every flavor, every single episode, guaranteed. There is no filter when it comes to these two and they’re constantly telling listeners who send in Q+A’s that they don’t know anything and to not listen to their advice, but that’s exactly why they are loved so much. Honesty sells, y’all. With podcast titles and descriptions like: “The First Whitewalker,” “Noprah Winfrey,” and “Make America Jennerless Again,” you need this in your life without question.

NPR - Pop Culture Happy Hour

Reviews from this podcast convinced me to see Baby Driver and to skip out on Detroit. This panel full of well-versed movie/TV-goers break down pop-culture and explain the ins and outs of the latest movies and TV shows that you need to be watching – or not.

The Friend Zone

Their dynamic is carefree, fluid, and collaborative. Dustin, Asante, and Franchesca talk everything from life, world news to and mental health and wellness in order to help you live your most high-energy life. The topics flow so well that this is sure to be a pick-me-up in your long work week.  

News and Politics

Pod Save the People

Deray Mckesson, Brittany Packnett, Clint Smith and Samuel Sinyagwe bring guests onto the show across the political sphere and discuss everything from mainstream news to behind-the-scenes actions being taken by politicians that most people are unaware of. If you want to be well-rounded politically and receive realistic and objective updates on current events – Pod Save the People should be your first resort.

Pod Save America

This podcast is one of my newest and most admired discoveries. As part of the Crooked Media family with Pod Save the People, this show goes in-depth into news and policy from the perspective of four former aids of President Obama: John Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor, and it's really good. 

New York Times - The Daily

Every morning I wake up this podcast is the first one that I turn to. If you’re like me and you can’t stomach the depressing reality that comes from the main news outlets, then this concise yet necessary podcast is for you. Each episode is delivered in bite-sized and easily-digestible portions of between 20-45 mins and give you updates each morning on world news from the previous day or weekend.

NPR - Advice + Entrepreneurship

NPR - How I Built This

Talk about entrepreneurship heaven. This is basically the podcast where all your faves like Starbucks, Chipotle, Instagram and Toms gather. Each business talks about how they discovered their brilliant initiatives, got their start financially, and developed the confidence to become the impactful companies they are today.

NPR – Fresh Air

Terry Gross dives head-first into an intimate conversation with public figures spanning across all industries and touching on a number of unique topics. These interviews are free-flowing and interesting, and they just really work.  


Whether you need weekly doses of inspiration, the latest Hollywood scoop, entrepreneurship tips, or political updates, you’re sure to find something you love in one of these podcasts.

What are your favorite podcasts to listen to? Let me know in the comments!

Xoxo

Sincerely, Ang

Previous
Previous

8 Epic SXSW Sessions I Experienced That Will Make You Want To Reach For More