Smart, funny podcasts I can listen to while working

October 16, 2024 7:14 AM

I'm looking for entertainment while I work from home.

I'm looking for entertainment while I work from home. It can't be anything too deep or analytical because I need to reserve that part of my brain for my actual job. But I still don't want to listen to trash.

I normally listen to CBC's Commotion podcast with Elamin Abdelmahmoud every day, but it's only a half hour. I like the fact that he interviews intelligent journalists and experts about cultural topics, and he's also funny and smart himself.

I've tried listening to stuff like Call Her Daddy, and I like the fact that it gets into some juicy topics about relationships and women's health but I find the main interviewer an unlikeable person, plus she interviews a bunch of guests who basically got famous through TikTok and don't have any other talents or expertise.

I also don't like those types of podcasts where it's a couple of friends talking about their inside jokes and guffawing to each other ad nauseum without any structure.

So are there any really good podcasts out there that I'm missing?

posted by winterportage to Media & Arts (15 answers total)

It would be easier to make some recommendations if you gave some more info on what you are interested in. The only podcast you have said you like is CBC's Commotion. Have you tried any other CBC podcasts (there are A LOT)? If so, which ones and did you enjoy them? Are you primarily interested in interview-based podcasts that deal with "cultural topics", or are you interested in any other subjects (film, true crime, comedy, etc.)?
posted by joelhunt at 7:38 AM on October 16

I love the BBC's In Our Time podcasts. Smart panelists usually talking about history, the inimitable Melvyn Bragg hosting, impressive back catalogue.
posted by Ardnamurchan at 7:50 AM on October 16

I enjoy The Black Guy Who Tips!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:54 AM on October 16

I've recently found some new ones that might fit the bill:
Where Everybody Knows Your Name Ted Danson and (sometimes) Woody Harrelson talk to folks in the industry. My favorite so far - Jeff Goldblum.
Recent episodes: Jeff Bridges, D'Arcy Carden, Simu Liu, Uzo Aduba.

Wiser than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Some faves: Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews, Jane Fonda, Sally Field.

You are Good with Sarah Marshall and Alex Steed. They talk about movies and feelings, usually with a guest. Recents: Children of the Corn, Scream, Garden State
posted by Glinn at 7:58 AM on October 16

Have you tried any other CBC podcasts (there are A LOT)? If so, which ones and did you enjoy them? Are you primarily interested in interview-based podcasts that deal with "cultural topics", or are you interested in any other subjects (film, true crime, comedy, etc.)?

I've listened to pretty much everything on CBC and it's great but I'm looking for something lighter to listen to while I work. I am interested in topics like: film/tv reviews, dating and relationships, internet culture, women issues/feminism etc
posted by winterportage at 8:02 AM on October 16

Maybe you would like The Gargle? Or even the Bugle (although the Bugle is more centered on satirizing the news).
posted by General Malaise at 8:09 AM on October 16

Normal Gossip fits your parameters, I think, and is consistently delightful.
posted by wormtales at 8:13 AM on October 16

Its an oft-recommended podcast here - No Such Thing as A Fish. A BBC-adjacent podcast, 4 writers from Qi discuss their favourite facts unearthed in the last 7 days. Easily one of my top 3 podcasts, and I listen to a ton. Funny, not heavy at all, and although there's some banter between the hosts (who have great chemistry having worked together for years) the banter is always focused on their facts and fact-tangents. You can zone in and out easily without having missed too much because its never long between facts.
posted by cgg at 9:04 AM on October 16

I've recently been listening to On Brand with Jon and Marisa --- likeable hosts, some banter but they do actually discuss the chosen topic each week as well. Definitely light as a feather :)
posted by slenderloris at 9:29 AM on October 16

I think you should check out Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen, What Now? with Trevor Noah, and Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:47 AM on October 16

Do you like baseball? If so, Effectively Wild is for you. You might also enjoy Maintenance Phase (dissection of fitness and wellness culture), Normal Gossip (one gossipy story about normal people per episode), This Had Oscar Buzz (movie podcast about movies that wanted but failed to garner Oscar nominations), Who Weekly (celebrity gossip/anthropology), Pop Pantheon (pop music and musicians) or Triple Click (video games).
posted by hepta at 10:13 AM on October 16

i really enjoy the Loremen podcast. Two British comedians (Alasdair Beckett-King and James Shakeshaft) talking about "local legends and forgotten folklore." I often end up laughing aloud while listening to it.
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:30 AM on October 16

Do you like movies? The Cine-Files discuss popular movies in depth. Like four hours (split into two parts) per movie. Best if you’ve seen the movie recently because “detailed” doesn’t begin to describe them.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:42 AM on October 16

I really enjoy Serious Trouble featuring MeFi favorite Ken White My wife is quite smitten with Handsome with Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin.
posted by Dr. Twist at 10:44 AM on October 16

Vibe Check!
posted by panther of the pyrenees at 11:25 AM on October 16