The holiday season is creeping up. I’ll spare you the pandering about “unprecedented times” and cut to the chase. Whatever situation you find yourself in this holiday season—alone, with family, friends, roommates, distant relatives, or your cat—I have podcast suggestions.

Perhaps you’re lucky enough to spend the holidays with your family. In which case, it’s possible that you will eventually get tired of them and need an escape. Enter podcasts. Some of us will be in transit, whether it’s a long-distance car ride, or on your daily commute to work. I am actually 11 days through my 14 day government-mandated self-isolation period, so you know I’ve been listening to podcasts of all types.

The holidays usually provide the opportunity to catch up on the books, TV series, and podcasts that you’ve been meaning to check out all year. If you’re stumped and looking for recommendations, we’ve got you covered.

My taste in podcasts varies depending on my mood, the day of the week, the time of year, the weather… basically anything, really. In this year marked by a global pandemic, I didn’t have the mental bandwidth to consume depressing podcasts. I chose series that landed on the top charts of Apple Podcasts, easy-going comedy podcasts, and self-help stuff.

If you’re not like me, that’s okay! The great thing about podcasts is that there are literally more than one million of them. For this list, I chose a healthy mix of serialized audio documentary-style podcasts and Q&A-style interviews.

For serialized podcasts, I generally look for emotionally-driven, thought-provoking stories, strong characters searching for answers, gripping and expertly-crafted narratives, and excellent audio production. Though serialized podcasts are more complicated and time consuming from a production standpoint, these are shows that listeners will devour—especially if they’re all dropped on the same day.

Yes, these stories usually take more effort than interview-style podcasts, but that’s the power of serialized stories, they’re meant to be listened to in rapid succession and with great fervor.

Audio documentary-style podcasts aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so I’ve selected some easy breezy listening podcasts, too. For these, I look for natural (and not annoying) banter, dialogue that makes me laugh, a mystery or interrogation that isn’t necessarily true crime, and people trying to do better.

(By the way, time isn’t real this year, so some of my selections are somehow a couple of years old already! Plus, we coined a new term “long listening” to replace “binge listening,” which we feel evokes sentiments of disordered eating and, just like 2020, needs to read the room.)

Dead Eyes

Why did Tom Hanks fire actor and comedian Connor Ratliff from a small role in the 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers? Well, put simply, it’s because Hanks thought he had “dead eyes.”

Two decades later, Ratliff embarks on a quest to revisit that defining early-career moment that stuck with him all this time. Of course, the premise of this podcast sounds silly, but it’s actually a surprisingly thoughtful inquiry into the emotional experience of working in show business. Dead Eyes is described as a “personal nonfiction investigation series.” Equal parts memoir and interview show, he’s joined by friends and peers who reflect on their career successes and failures, too. It’s contemplative, well-written, and insightful.

Rabbit Hole

The internet is a weird and fascinating place. Hosted by the New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose, Rabbit Hole asks the question what is the internet doing to us? As someone who has fallen victim to Youtube’s powerful algorithm on multiple occasions—extreme closet declutters, Bon Appétit cooking videos, sewing tutorials—I understand how someone could go down more nefarious rabbit holes. This narrative audio story explores how the internet is changing and how we are changing along with it, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

S-Town

I’ve listened to this seven-part series many times since it first came out in March 2017. What keeps me coming back? Eclectic characters, distinctive music, and well-crafted narrative. John B. McLemore, a loquacious man living in Woodstock, Alabama (the titular Shit-Town, as he calls it), asks a reporter to investigate the son of a wealthy family allegedly bragging about killing some guy.

At first glance, this series looks like another true crime story; an investigation into small town corruption and murder. I’m pleased to say that pretense is abandoned by the second episode, when the narrative shifts into an exploration of mental health, societal decay, and even antique clocks. The podcast is told through a literary lens; it feels like a Southern Gothic book. Heck, maybe you’ve already heard it; the podcast was downloaded a record-breaking 10 million times in the first four days of its release. (P.S. There have been some questions around the show’s journalistic ethics—which is an important thing to consider if you listen.)

Nice White Parents

Here’s another series from the creators behind This American Life—they really tell great stories! Launched in July, Nice White Parents is a five-part series that explores the 60-year relationship between white parents and Brooklyn public school I.S. 293. The triumph of this series is the reporting; journalist Chana Joffe-Walt brings the listener along with her as she interviews parents at PTA meetings, posh galas, and in the hallways of public schools.

It’s an illuminating look at how, historically, well-meaning white parents rally for integration and diversity in public schools, usually to the detriment of the existing students. Even if you’re Canadian, there are lessons to be learned here.

Floodlines

This eight-episode series hosted by Vann R. Newkirk II is the story of an unnatural disaster. Floodlines examines the federal government’s mishandling of Hurricane Katrina and the people who were impacted by institutional failures and systemic racism. It’s also a story of recovery. With masterful sound design and thoughtful narration, accompanied by a lovely soundtrack, this is a must-listen exploration of the day the levees broke.

I remember learning about the massive mishandling of this disaster in my criminology undergrad and thinking, why don’t more people know about this? I’m glad this podcast is bringing the story back into focus 15 years later. Did I mention the incredible artwork?

SmartLess

It’s nice to have a break from all the heaviness of this year. SmartLess is exactly that; I listen to it when I go on walks and want to have a laugh. If you like celebrity-hosted podcasts with celebrity guests, you’ll like this. (If you specifically hate that, pick another from this list!)

Hosted by actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, the longtime friends have genuine, hilarious discussions with no real theme. Each episode promises a nice surprise: one of the hosts reveals a mystery guest to the other two, which prompts honest improvisation and authentic conversations. I like this for the brain-break it supplies. The upbeat, synthy intro music evokes a feeling of fun, and guest selection (including Jennifer Aniston, Will Ferrell, Kamala Harris, Reese Witherspoon, Jimmy Kimmel, and more) is on point.

SmartLess is actually sitting at number one on the Apple Podcasts charts right now, so other people must like it, too.

Armchair Expert

Another show in the vein of celebrity hosts and guests is Armchair Expert hosted by actor Dax Shepard and his platonic “soulmate” Monica Padman. It’s a podcast that celebrates the messiness of being human. This show is successful thanks to Shepard’s unending desire to learn about other people and their struggles.

Armchair has been hugely popular since its debut in February 2018—it’s been a mainstay on Apple Podcasts top ten chart ever since. Shepard has a knack for levelling with his guests, which include celebrities, authors, and specialists. His interview style prompts honest and frank conversations. I gravitate toward episodes with guests that I admire but who rarely give long-form interviews, like Ira Glass and David Sedaris. I always come away learning something new, and it reminds me to be more compassionate, understanding, and interested.

If you haven’t listened yet, try it out. Pick your favourite celeb and listen to that episode. (Especially good interviews are with Shepard’s mom, Laura Labo, and Dog the Bounty Hunter.)

Other People’s Problems

Curious what other people’s therapy sessions look like? I sure am! This series from CBC features real people with real problems. Hosted by Hillary McBride, she wants to help demystify mental health by recording sessions with her (anonymous) clients. This show is great because it’s raw and real. McBride’s voice is soothing as she walks through exercises and techniques to combat anxiety and other mental health concerns. You can’t help but feel for these clients who are sharing deeply personal and difficult internal battles.

Honestly, I’ve even picked up a few techniques from listening—it feels like free therapy in a way.

Believed

Ugh! This one is kind of a tough listen, sorry. This investigative series tells the gripping (and often upsetting) story of the survivors who won justice against Larry Nassar, the former USA Olympics gymnastics national team doctor and convicted serial rapist and child sex offender.
Believed asks how Nassar got away with abusing hundreds of women and girls for 20 years. It’s a thoughtful and powerful investigation into how women all over the country worked to be heard and have people believe them.

Believed places the experiences of the survivors centerstage. Listeners hear from the women directly, something that seems obvious but it often overlooked. They share past experiences with Nassar, and explain how he kept up appearances as the “good guy.” Plus, award-winning reporters Kate Wells and Lindsey Smith expose the institutions and systems that protected him for years.

I remember listening to this right before Christmas dinner last year. I cried while applying eyeliner… anyways! Happy listening!

Best Podcasts to Listen to Over the Holidays