“Caitlin, there’s this podcast you have to listen to.” I smirked. What? A podcast? Did she seriously just say that to me? Right, ok. I have to admit, before the summer of 2016, whenever anyone mentioned the word “podcast,” my thoughts immediately jumped to NPR and NPR listeners. 

My perception of both consisted primarily of images of the most elitist, snooty people I had ever encountered. I thought of tall, lanky boys with dark, meticulously coiffed locks of hair. They donned skinny corduroy pants and large, tortoise shell glasses while dangling cigarettes from their mouths. These boys discussed NPR and their vast knowledge of podcasts casually, but it was conspicuous that they wanted those around to think they were far more intelligent and learned than the typical American citizen. 

If there’s something I can’t stand, it’s narcissistic people who think they are better than everyone else. But, of course, I wanted to listen to podcasts, too, because I had the sick need to prove I was just as intellectual. Ugh, I groaned at my own volition, and delved in to the podcast app that had always been on my iPhone but that I had yet to employ until now.

To my surprise, I was absolutely delighted with what I heard. The people speaking on the podcasts were inquisitive, intuitive, creative and wise. Their goals, above all else, included gaining greater knowledge toward understanding all human life. This was great! Why hadn’t someone told me about this before? Probably because they knew I was so unwilling to commit to the pretentious crowds, but hey, if you can’t beat them, join them.

Here are a few of my favorite series:

1. “Women of the Hour with Lena Dunham”

Lena Dunham, potentially one of the most influential feminist voices of the decade, hosts a podcast by women for women. She discusses topics surrounding friendship, body, love, work, etc. I love listening to her when I’m cleaning or driving, because it feels like I’m talking to a wise friend.

2. “This American Life”

“This American Life,” hosted by Ira Glass, is often the most popular podcast in the country. Each week, the public radio show reaches approximately 2.2 million listeners more than 500 stations. Recently, I listened to an episode released right after the election, and I was able to better recognize the varying perspectives of American citizens through their stories.

3. NPR’s “Invisibilia”

“Invisibilia,” according to co-hosts Lulu Miller, Hanna Rosin and Alix Spiegel, is about “the invisible forces that control human behavior; ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions.” The podcast digs deeper into the human psyche to understand why we do the things that we do. I question myself every day, and “Invisibilia” allows me to understand why. 

4. “Serial”

The one podcast I think everyone, and I mean everyone, talks about is “Serial.”