9 Binge-worthy podcasts you should be listening to in 2020
Beat Quarantine Boredom with these 9 Binge-worthy podcasts you should be listening to in 2020
Quarantining has forced many of us to find new ways to entertain ourselves. Especially the more outdoorsy, wanderlust stricken among us who are just itching to go outside, now find ourselves at home trying to cope with this pandemic.
Last week I discussed fun ways to keep yourself entertained during quarantine and one of the ways I mentioned to you were podcasts. Now even thought podcasts have gained increase popularity over the years, there may be many of you who are still novices to podcast game and aren’t too sure where to start when it comes to choosing a podcast. So this week I thought I'd give you a bit more information by recommending some of my personal favourite podcasts as a little starter pack to the podcasting world.
Podcasts make excellent audio entertainment to keep your mind busy. Whether it be during your morning and evening commute, going for a run, an extensive road trip, while you’re cooking and cleaning or when you’re doing doing any mindless task that doesn’t require your undivided attention. With a wide range of topics from comedy, popular culture, news and current affairs, relationship, motivation and personal development, true crime and so much more. There's literally a podcast out there for everyone with every taste and style. So if you’ve never explored the wonderful world of podcasts before and are dipping your toes in for the first time, then get your ears ready for your new go-to distraction. This list of recommendations is sure to excite you and leave you wanting more.
Since we are in such uncertain times and probably don’t know when we’re next going to leave our houses, now is the perfect time to binge-listen all our favourite podcasts and discover new ones.
Below I have listened 9 my personal favourtie podcasts that I have been binge listening while in quarantine. Hopefully among this list of gems, you can find one or more that you truly love and become an avid listener to. So without further ado…
Net’s Chat with Netania and Denille Rene
I’m not sure when exactly I first got introduced to Net’s Chat podcast but I know it was sometime last year. I believe it was the episode featuring Shalecia that sealed the deal for me. It was one of the first episodes I listened to and honestly it took me all the way out and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Hosted by twitter personality and Youtuber, Netania and Travel blogger and Youtuber, Denille Renee aka Your travelling pen, the podcast gives a truthful and oftentimes hilarious take on modern relationship scenarios, situations and all around life issues that the average millennial and Gen Z’er can definitely relate to. An added bonus is that this podcast is 100% Jamaican. I love the fact that a Jamaican podcast is so professionally done and completely authentic. And don’t worry, for my foreign readers, this podcast is for you too. Especially if you want to gain a little bit more of a Jamaican perspective.
Digital Jamaica Podcast with Kadia Francis
Now this isn’t the first time that I’ve mentioned the name Digital Jamaica on this blog. In 2019, The Digital Jamaica Blog had named me one of the 2019 micro-influencers to watch a title that not only flattered but honestly surprised the crap out of me. But it couldn’t have come at a better time. It added a much needed surge in confidence and feeling of pride I needed to be more consistent in my content creation and I haven’t looked back ever since.
The podcast arm of digital powerhouse Digital Jamaica is a show dedicated to amplifying Jamaican voices in digital and tech spaces. Host Kadia Francis uses the platform to showcase interviews of Jamaicans who are often unseen or not well known who are doing amazing things in the global digital spaces. Honestly, it has opened my eyes to some amazing work that Jamaicans across the world are doing with every episode being a motivation boost that tells you that it is possible for Jamaicans to make global impact in the digital sphere.
Crime Junkie by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat
Okay so I have to admit a little something about myself here. I love a good true crime anything. True crime tv shows, movies, everything. So when I stumbled across this true crime podcast, it was a match made in crime-obsessed heaven. The crimes featured range from missing persons to murder; with many of the cases being unsolved thereby bringing listener awareness in hopes that someone somewhere may have information to help solve the featured crimes.
What I love about this podcast is that hosts, Ashley and Brit, have managed to find that perfect balance and sweet spot between great storytelling and intrigue without the podcast coming across as too gruesome or scary. The cases discussed are some of the most popular media sensations, but they also take the time to feature the cases that are often glossed over (many of which feature minorities) to bring more awareness to the cases. They also give updates on cases if new information is made available and an unsolved case has finally been solved.
Dead Ass with Khadeen and Devale Ellis
Experience is a great teacher, but there’s nothing better than receiving truly sage advice from someone who has lived, accomplished and continue to experience a similar life to one you hope to achieve.
I have to admit I’m a bit relationship and love obsessed. Not necessarily with having one because I think that’s too much pressure for anyone to be on the receiving end of trying to have the perfect relationship. Rather, I’m obsessed with how successful couples navigate the relationship sphere. Now I know there is no such thing as the perfect couple but there are couples who have been doing it well and doing it for a long time who can teach us all a thing or too. So often you’re surrounded and it’s reinforced the negative aspects of relationships. Especially when it comes to black couples and relationships, there are some negative stereotypes and expectations that seem to pervade our communities. So it’s refreshing to see a podcast that focuses more on the positive and the realistic aspects of relationships and marriages.
Khadeen and Devale give you the real real on what it takes to make their relationship work, how they run their family lives and what it took for them to get to this point. It’s not glorifying any aspect of their lives to make it seem like it’s perfect but rather they know they aren’t perfect and they are constant work in progresses and make you feel reassured that when you have 2 people who are willing to put in the effort in the effort to make it work, then anything is possible. It is one of the realest and most honest podcasts out there. Definitely worth the listen.
Tiny Leaps, Big Changes by Gregg Clunis
Sometimes you’re short on time and need just a tiny boost of motivation to get you going or to make your day just a little better and this podcast provides just that. Gregg Clunis uses real world examples from both his life and other successful mavericks to give you tiny doses of powerful and digestible information to keep you motivated. Based on the principle that you don’t have to do it all at once but just by making tiny shifts in life you can make a big impact on your future, Gregg reassures the listener that even when we make mistakes we can still recover just by being persistent and making little changes to improve ourselves each day. It is so realistic and doable that there’s no way you can come up with an excuse as why you aren’t improving your life now. While there are still persons who will come up with some self-defeating excuse, this podcast proves it’s just that, an excuse.
This is the podcast I began binge listening since the beginning of 2020. The episodes are short but pack a powerful punch of motivation, inspiration and advice on how you can live a more motivated, goal-oriented and accomplish life. Gregg Clunis preaches the progress over perfection lifestyle where he emphasizes that just by making tiny leaps in life you can make big changes.
CockTales: Dirty Discussions with Kiki Said So & Medinah Monroe
Let me just start off by saying that this is not your grandmother’s, mother’s or church aunties’ podcast. Well unless they are sexually open and ready to hear about taboo sexual topics and conversations.
Nothing ventured nothing gained seems to be the motto of this podcast as no sexual conversation seems to be untouchable. Kiki and Medinah bring listeners on the inside of some of the raciest, rawest, juciest, and most illicit conversations about town. With guests who are willing to bare all and delve into some of the most taboo sexual topics, this podcast veers away from and skips polite conversation and gets to the meat of the matter. And on top of that, the hosts are real, down-to-earth and absolutely hilarious.
Now That's Life with Dr Nina Ellis-Hervey
Culturally, many persons of African descent whether it be Caribbean, African American, African etc tend to have a very hesitant approach when it comes to therapy and unloading our emotions and emotional baggage that we’ve brought forward from our past.
Overflowing with an abundance of life gems and pearls, the calming voice of Dr. Nina helps you to dissect your feelings and realize that you are not alone. You understand that these experiences are just building blocks that you can use to shape your life. Using relatable anecdotes from her own life, she will have you making changes in your life as you begin to live more intentionally based on who you choose to be, rather than remaining a prisoner of your past. Listening to her is like having a conversation with a good friend, one who helps you without chastising you for your mistakes. This is definitely a must listen podcast.
The Lavendaire Lifestyle by Aileen Xu
I first came across Aileen via her Lavendaire Lifestyle Youtube channel. I found her voice so soothing to the ears and calming to the spirit. Plus, her advice was excellent and really aligned with my own personal growth and personal development goals.
As an extension of this, the Lavendaire Lifestyle Podcast is a weekly dose of inspiration that aims to give you a semblance of a blueprint on how to create the life that you’ve always dreamed of. Featuring interviews from other top content creators, girl bosses, influencers, media powerhouses and overall motivational and inspirational guests, who give honest accounts of their own personal growth journeys and advice and tips on how you too can design your life into one you love. At the end of every episode you feel a surge of encouragement and energy that really makes you want to get up and go be the architect of your life and live more purposefully.
The Brilliant Idiots by Charlamagne tha God and Andrew Schulz
I was put on to this podcast maybe 1 or 2 years ago by my boyfriend and honestly it was so funny and entertaining that I started to listen to it even when he wasn’t around. And now you can say, I’m hooked.
This is probably one of the funniest podcasts out right now. Charlamagne and Schulz give weekly comedic uncensored opinions and views on pop culture and current affairs that happened over the past week. Often controversial, there is no sugarcoating, political correctness or any kind of censorship to their discussions. They just speak their mind and their truth. They say what many of us are too polite to say. And their views add a much needed new and refreshing perspective to the current global conversations that some may consider to be brilliant while others may consider to be idiotic.
There you have it. A list of some of the most binge-worthy podcasts that you should be listening to. Did you see your favourite on the list? New to podcast listening and this list led you to a new fave? Think I’m missing a podcast or 2? Then tell me all down in the comments. I love hearing from you so share your favourite podcasts down below or leave a comment about the post.