Podcasts by women to stop sleeping on (an indefinite list)
Vol. 1
Somebody Date Us
This podcast is all about love, sex and relationships, hosted by Lauren, Carley and Asal. But this isn’t your standard dating podcast, and it’s not grossly sexualized for male listeners either (I’m looking at you Bar Stool). Somebody Date Us hits on the important themes when it comes to dating and the relationships in our everyday lives. One of my favourite episodes is still their episode on friendship and coping with breaking up with a friend. These women get real, vulnerable and don’t hold anything back, so you’ll find yourself laughing, then crying, and then wanting to DM them on Instagram. These women are hilarious and down to earth, and through out the podcast you have the privilege of getting to know them better through their stories and opinions. You’ll adopt them as your loyal friends. You’ll learn that Carley isn’t going to sugar-coat anything for you, Lauren is going to give you the facts, and Asal will shock you when it’s least expected (careful drinking hot beverages when listening). Whether you’re single, committed, or it’s complicated, this podcast will have you hooked because of the women who host it, and because they dig deep on the themes of love that make us human.
Cleats & Cocktails
Meg and Taniella have created the first sports podcast that I look forward to. It hits a beautiful and inviting sweet spot because it doesn’t come at you like you need to know everything to do with sports, nor does it cater to “the women just trying to impress their man”. Each episode they dive into sports news big and small, from hockey to golf, and what it all means – plus thoughts and stories on their favourite sports and teams. One of my favourite bits so far has been when the women retell their experience golfing together, Meg being the avid golfer, and Taniella the noob, who to her surprise witnessed her own full-blown competitive nature. You can’t go wrong with Cleats & Cocktails, they keep it real, they don’t pretend to know everything but do the research, and they aren’t anything but their charming, sports-loving selves. If you have a love for sports in any capacity, you’ll love this podcast.
Word Bomb
I’m a new listener to this podcast and was hooked at my first listen. Pippa and Karina tackle a different word each episode, and do a deep dive into its significance, history and ethics. As someone with a love for drag, their episode on the word “drag” had me sold, but also taught me a history that made me re-think how I show my appreciation for it. This podcast has me so invested because of the clear dedication that these two women put into their research and passion for the craft. You can’t listen to this podcast without being thoroughly impressed with the shear impact and social significance of each episode, the amount of information Pippa and Karina give you, and the way they’re so charismatic in how they present it. Listening for the first time, I immediately felt like I knew them for years, and plan to feel that way for a long time coming.
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It’s clear to me that I hold a special place in my heart for women in podcasting who “keep it real”, and that’s not to say in a Jennifer Lawrence ‘I’m just your average girl who burps too’, kind of way. One of the reasons why podcasts mean so much to me is because it’s so easy for people to be themselves and find their people, and that genuineness always connects with listeners. It’s obvious when people put on a mask and play it up for the mic – be it taking themselves too seriously, trying to be too funny, or trying to be thought leaders, it’s not natural. These podcasts have perfected the art of breaking down their walls, and letting listeners in to discover their passions, personalities and vulnerabilities. They’re not afraid to be word-nerds, and female sports fans, or single. The love for their content shines through. If you’ve been sleeping on them, wake the hell up!
Hang tight, because this list is indefinite. There will surely be more to come as more and more women keep crushing the podcasting game. Where will I find the time to listen to them all?!