Let’s face it: This has been a stressful year for many of us. With our country more divided than ever, it can be tough to find common ground with neighbors, friends, or family members on the opposite side of the ideological spectrum. And this holiday season — when you, say, find yourself seated across the dinner table from your distant cousin who disagrees with you on everything — any topic feels like a potential emotional landmine.
That’s why we’ve decided to give you an early gift this year: A list of podcasts that’ll provide fantastic conversation fodder for any audience, and inspire you to be your best self. These podcasts feature insightful folks speaking on undeniably fascinating topics, from Craig Ferguson seeking answers to what brings people joy to Rachel Zoe discussing what makes powerful women tick. (We’ve also included a podcast on family secrets, so if your family gathering takes an unpleasant turn, you can shift the focus to other people’s drama.) Need to chat with grandma about something other than the election? Listen to these pods for information and inspiration.
The Bright Side
iHeart
We all need an occasional reminder to look on the bright side and luckily, Danielle Robay and Simone Boyce have got you covered. On each episode of this show, the co-hosts offer up a moment to escape the stress of the 24-hour news cycle and learn about what’s new in entertainment, wellness, culture, and books. It’s like a daily treat to help remind you that there’s still so much positivity out there: You just need to know where to look for it.
Joy, a Podcast. Hosted by Craig Ferguson
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Craig Ferguson might not be the first person you’d turn to for advice on how to live a happy life — the man had a comedy tour called Hot and Grumpy, after all — but that’s what makes him the perfect host for Joy, a Podcast. Ferguson isn’t here to tell you how to find joy, but rather to learn from the experts: In conversation with artists, scientists, and even politicians, he’s on a mission to figure out how others find their light in the darkness. Because once we can truly understand how each other ticks, we can find ways to connect.
Climbing in Heels with Rachel Zoe
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Remember in the mid 2010’s when the highest honor we could bestow on a woman was “girlboss”? Stylist, designer, and entrepreneur Rachel Zoe was one of the originals: Since she first burst onto the scene styling stars, Zoe has become a powerful name in fashion, but the journey hasn’t always been easy. On Climbing in Heels, she speaks with other successful women about the trials and triumphs required to make it to the top, and what they learned during the ascent.
Family Secrets
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Most families have a closet full of skeletons, and many want to keep them there. But when those secrets find their way out anyway, they can tear families apart or bring them even closer together — the outcome all depends on how they’re processed. On Family Secrets, host Dani Shapiro is helping her guests to do just that: In each episode, she brings us the story of a family who has just learned something shocking, and shows us how sometimes the most startling events can teach us the most important lessons.
Very Special Episodes
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Did you know that Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt once snuck out of the White House, commandeered a plane, and went on a joyride? Or that in the late 18th century, a French woman snuck into court by impersonating Marie Antoinette, in order to steal a diamond necklace from Louis XVI? Those are just two of the unbelievable stories told on Very Special Episodes, a podcast which walks you through delightful and astonishing real-life events that’ll leave you gobsmacked. (And wishing you learned about this stuff in history class.)
