Whether it’s your last year at the kids table or first year with the adults, it can be hard to keep the conversation going with distant relatives. This week’s episode is a five-podcast tasting menu to give you some talking points around the dinner table to keep the awkward silences to a minimum.
The first podcast is one that has been reviewed on this column before, but it is perfect for the holiday season and is sure to keep your health-obsessed relatives entertained. The Huberman Lab hosted by Andrew Huberman is a health and wellness podcast that covers topics from water intake to skin health. The Huberman lab episodes are generally around two hours long and usually feature a guest specialist depending on the topic for that week. The goal of the episodes is to discuss the scientific phenomena behind common health issues and provide easy and affordable ways to optimize your health.
The Journal is the perfect short podcast to keep you up to date on current events covering all things money, business and power. A product of the Wall Street Journal, The Journal is hosted by two WSJ employees, Ryan Knutson and Kate Linebaugh, who talk through some of the top stories featured in the journal each week. They recently did a 20-minute election coverage, as well as the United States’ climate mistakes.
For your television-loving relatives, Office Ladies, hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey gives listeners the behind the scenes of some of the most popular episodes from The Office. Each week they dive into a different episode exposing some of the filming techniques, script mix ups and inside jokes that you can’t get from just watching the show. They also have special episodes which are dedicated to specific characters in the show to discuss their dressing room quirks and favorite moments.
As we enter the holiday months it’s important to reflect on and show gratitude for our relationships with family and friends. Modern Love, a podcast that spins off of the popular New York Times column brings us into the complicated love lives of everyday people. Each episode, podcast host Anna Martin reads aloud personal essays about friendships, troubled family dynamics, and even heartbreak. The podcast also features guest episodes with celebrities, such as Andrew Garfield and Emily Ratajkowski, where they talk about their own lives and how the essay they chose to read relates to them in that moment in time. This podcast invites listeners to think about who they are grateful for and why, which is perfect for this thanksgiving season.
With both Thanksgiving and Christmas Break on our horizon and a new semester starting, now is the perfect time to pick up a new book. If you or a family member is an avid book worm, the Celebrity Memoir Book Club might be the perfect resource for book inspiration. This podcast is hosted by two New York City-based comedians Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton, who are both celebrity memoir connoisseurs. They’ve covered more than 100 books written by popular public figures such as Mariah Carey and Seth Rogan.
These podcasts can all be found on Apple podcasts and Spotify. Happy listening.
