Stephany Writes

Categories: Life

Monthly Recap | August 2018

Happy Friday, friends! And happy September. It’s hard to believe it’s time for pumpkin spice lattes and fall decor. Florida doesn’t really get the “fall” memo, so it’s going to be hot and humid here for another few months, but I’ll try to ring in fall with as many pumpkin-scented and -flavored things as I can.

I continue to play around with my monthly recaps, and maybe this one will be here to stay for a while. Who knows, though. I sure don’t. I feel like my mood changes from season to season. This one, however, recaps the books I read, movies I watched, podcast episodes I enjoyed, and other highlights from my month.

Books

I read 11 books in August, which puts me at 93 books read for the year. So, yeah, I think I am going to well surpass my goal for reading 100 books this year. I don’t think I’ll be able to read 150, but I’ll definitely come close.

I really liked The Woman in Cabin 10, which I read for my work book club. I found the narrator to be incredibly annoying, but the mystery itself was well-paced. I read Never, Never (parts 1 and 2) this month, and while I was blown away by part 1, part 2 left a lot to be desired. Hillbilly Elegy is a book people have strong feelings about (usually negatively), but I gave it 5 stars and thought it was well-written and really helped me come to terms with my own upbringing. Wicked and the Wallflower is Sarah MacLean’s latest historical romance, which I really enjoyed, although I wouldn’t have minded if it was 50-75 pages shorter. Tears We Cannot Stop is a book I had on my “immediate TBR” list (I read two books a month off this list) and it’s a book every white person should read. You cannot stick your head in the sand anymore. Ninja at First Sight was a romance novella that was pretty silly and poorly written. Penny Reid is such a hit-or-miss author for me! I listened to You’ll Grow Out of It on audio and really enjoyed it! I feel like I could be really great friends with Jessi Klein. A Princess in Theory was a fun romance that I think just about anyone could enjoy. I finally read Beartown this month and while it took me nearly two weeks to read, it’s a book I can’t stop thinking about and I’m so glad I finally read. It’s definitely going on my favorites list this year, no doubt. And I finished out the month with Love and Other Words, which is my second Christina Lauren romance but definitely didn’t wow me in the least. The writing was good, but the plot was not.

Movies

Crazy Rich Asians (★★★★★) – I found this movie to be the perfect companion to the book, and I think I actually prefer the movie adaptation to the book. I wasn’t a huge fan of the book, mostly because it was very long and filled with a lot of uninteresting details, but the movie was everything. I had an intense emotional hangover after watching the movie, and just immediately wanted to rewatch it the moment I finished it. Constance Wu and Henry Golding were the perfect Rachel and Nick!

The Spy Who Dumped Me (★★★★☆) – This movie was so funny! I didn’t expect it to be nearly as funny as it was (I thought it would be more stupid-funny, but it was smart-funny). Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon were perfect in their roles. I also just loved the emphasis on strong female friendship and wanting the best for your friends no matter what. We need more movies like this!

Podcasts

I loved the Lecrae episode of Good Christian Fun, as the hosts and guest had a really interesting discussion about racism and segregation in the church.

Jon M. Chu, who directed Crazy Rich Asians was on the Keep It podcast to talk about diversity in the filming industry and what it felt like to direct this movie. A must listen!

I fangirled hard when I listened to Jon Lovett interview Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Pod Save America. She is so eloquent and brilliant and the change America needs today. (And yes, I’m now fangirling over politicians. This is the me.)

Seth Rogan’s episode of Armchair Expert was much more interesting than I expected. Seth is an open marijuana user and didn’t have any shyness about talking about how he uses marijuana and how it helps him both personally and creatively. I’ve never used drugs of any kind, nor do I wish to, but I found the conversation enlightening and helpful in moving forward the dialogue of legalizing marijuana.

Highlights

> I had a bagel from Einstein Bros for the first time and was blown away by their everything bagel. Every Friday is “Bagel Friday” at my work and we usually get Panera, but they decided to switch it up and order Einstein’s and I’m a convert. I don’t want to eat any other kind of bagels ever again.

> I went to a dear friend’s bridal shower in early August and left with a fun gift after winning the “how well do you know the bride and groom” game. It helps that I lived with the bride-to-be for a year!

> My work now has a snack bar! This is good and bad news. Good because now I can pop into the break room for a sweet treat when I hit the 2pm lull. Bad because now I want donuts for breakfast every morning.

> I had a taco date with some girlfriends, in which we ordered a large guacamole, queso, and chips. We killed the guac and queso, no problem.

> My salon gave me a complimentary blowout when I went to get my hair colored. Usually, I just leave the salon with wet hair when I only get the color touched up, so this was a nice surprise!

> I spent an afternoon with my friend M. binging on season one of Nailed It. Have you seen this show? It’s hilarious and a must-watch, in my opinion. We picked up a dozen vegan cupcakes to eat while watching the show, and I learned that four cupcakes is about my limit for one afternoon.

> This month, we held book club at a friend’s new house! We had a potluck-style lunch and then floated around in her pool for awhile. We had perfect weather and it was such a fun afternoon with my favorite ladies.

> I went to see Crazy Rich Asians with a group of coworkers at the fancy Cinebistro movie theater. You guys. It was a $50 date for myself between the ticket and the dinner itself (which didn’t include an alcoholic drink). Whew… I’m an expensive date!

> My mom started an Instagram account for Chip, and you should really give him a follow. I’m posting to it often – usually, in the form of Instagram Stories. It’s been fun, and Chip already has more followers than my mom, ha.

> For the first time ever, I voted in a midterm primary! And for the first time ever, I completed a mail-in ballot. I tried to make informed decisions about who to vote for, and I was seriously excited when Andrew Gillum won the Democratic nomination for Governor. Now we just have to get him to beat Ron DeSantis who is, yes, the one with that crazy Trump ad that looks like an SNL parody. I may have to move out of Florida if he wins.

Categories: Life

Why I Don’t Want to Work for Myself

I’ve been a blogger for about ten years now, which means I’ve been following people online for a really long time. It also means I’ve watched person after person quit their full-time job to work for themselves. It’s always touted as the “ideal” scenario because why would anyone want to work for a boss, have their schedule dictated by someone else, do work other people tell them to do? Isn’t being able to quit your job to work for yourself the ultimate freedom, the ultimate goal?

For me, the answer is an emphatic no.

I had what is called a quarter-life crisis in my mid-twenties when I was working at an unfulfilling job and feeling completely lost and confused about what I wanted from my career. I had never been particularly career-minded, never one to dream about rising through the ranks at a corporation or getting that corner office. I never had aspirations for management. I just wanted to do work that felt fulfilling, something where my skills could shine.

And yet, as a painfully shy, socially anxious person, I was terrified of every little thing when it came to work. I was scared of messing up, of taking initiative, of speaking up in meetings. I didn’t really know what my skills even were, much less what position they would shine in.

That was around the time when it felt like everyone was starting online businesses. There were podcasts devoted solely to “solopreneurship” and “building a brand.” It seemed like the only way to enjoy your life was to have your own online business. There were life coaches and web designers and bloggers. They were shouting from the rooftops how freeing it is to own your own business, to not “work for the man,” to have your own schedule.

And it started to feel a little condescending.

Because, truly, what is so wrong about working for someone else? Why can you only love your life when you’re working for yourself?

I called bullshit on that real quick.

I knew the answer to finding fulfillment in my life wasn’t by quitting my job and starting my own business. It was by finding things that made me happy outside of work (exercise, reading, joining a book club, travel) and getting really serious about finding a new job. I still wasn’t sure what skills I had or what kind of job I wanted. All I knew was that my degree was in communications, I had some marketing experience, and I loved to write.

And that’s when it happened.

I found it. The job that fulfills me. The job that doesn’t give me Sunday Scaries. The job that doesn’t define who I am by any means, but just makes me feel good.

This week, I’m celebrating five years at this company and I really cannot believe it’s been half a decade. When I started in this position, I was so scared. It took me two-and-a-half days to even approach the break room! It took me a week to talk to a coworker who wasn’t my boss. It took me over a year to find a friend. But from the minute I started, I knew I was at the right place. Five years later, I still feel that way. I still love what I do.

I still love to “work for the man.”

However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about what it would mean to work for myself. I have. I’ve thought about being a full-time freelance writer, working on projects I sought out myself. I know it would take a while to get there. I’d have to spend months, or maybe even years, writing in the nooks and crannies of my life. Early mornings, lunch breaks, evenings, weekends. I’d have to hustle hard and throw my entire self into the work.

Man, does that sound exhausting.

Perhaps fulfilling in some way. And, I can’t lie, the extra money would be rull nice. But mostly exhausting.

There’d be no time for myself. No time for reading. No time for exercise. No time for friends. No time for naps. (I’d really miss napping.)

It’s not worth it for me. That side hustle life is not for me.

Right now, I have one single freelance client. She sends me work when she needs it. Sometimes, that means I’m spending every weekend writing. Sometimes, that means I go months without hearing a peep from her. It’s the ideal scenario.

And there are major benefits to being employed by a company. Health insurance, for one. Taxes, for another. Knowing that my job is steady and I will get a paycheck for the same amount of money every other week. Meeting new people, having a reason to take a shower and get dressed every day. Not having to worry about work coming in – I just take what’s given to me and do it with a smile. I’m challenged in ways that fulfill me, not in ways that stress me out.

So, I take your “working for yourself is so freeing” and raise you a “so is working for someone else.” I don’t think working for yourself is any more freeing than working at a job that fulfills you. I think they both offer their own levels of freedom and autonomy. It’s all about how you choose to view it.

Categories: Life

Hillbilly Elegy & Adverse Childhood Experiences

I finished Hillbilly Elegy over the weekend, and it was a book I was prepared to dislike. I’d read a lot of reviews from people who read the book soon after the 2016 election and were disappointed that the book didn’t offer a real answer to the results of that election. Or that they were expecting more of a social commentary on the state of working-class Middle America.

But that’s not what Hillbilly Elegy is about. Instead, it’s a memoir. It’s one person’s experience growing up poor in Middle America, and escaping that life to become Ivy League educated and living comfortably in the middle class.

And while I can’t say I agreed with everything J.D. Vance had to say, especially when it comes to his politics, there was a whole lot I could relate to. Because you see, J.D. and I had very similar upbringings.

Like him, I grew up poor. My father was in and out of jail my entire life, due to his drug addiction, anger problems, and gambling addiction. She tried her best to give my brother and me a good life. She never had a bad word to say against my father, even when he was skipping out on child support and leaving threatening messages on our answering machine.

It was because of my father that we were poor. With his contribution, we could have done fine as a family. Maybe not at a level where we were going on lavish vacations or had a college savings fund, but our bills would have been paid and we wouldn’t have been evicted from multiple apartments. But instead, my father chose to gamble away his paycheck. And when that was gone, he’d pawn off our belongings (including my mom’s wedding ring, which he then blamed her for losing) or force my mom to give him part of her paycheck.

In Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. has a different experience as he had a revolving door of stepfathers and a mother who had a drug problem. His only saving grace was his grandparents, who made sure he attended school, studied hard, and made something of himself. It was because of them that he was able to escape the cycle of poverty and abuse, just like it was my mom who made sure I did the same.

She left my father because she didn’t want me growing up thinking the way my father treated her was the way men treat women. She didn’t want me to think that it was okay for a man to yell at you, demean you, call you names. She wanted more for me. And, because of that, I want more for myself when it comes to my relationships and I’m not settling until I get it.

In the book, J.D. talks about a concept called Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. He writes: “ACEs are traumatic childhood events, and their consequences reach far into adulthood … Children with multiple ACEs are more likely to struggle with anxiety and depression, to suffer from heart disease and obesity, and to contract certain types of cancers. They’re also more likely to underperform in school and suffer from relationship instability as adults. Even excessive shouting can damage a kid’s sense of security and contribute to mental health and behavioral issues down the road.”

J.D. and his sister Lindsay scored a six on their ACEs test. J.D.’s aunt scored a seven. Those without traumatic childhoods often score a zero, as is the case of J.D.’s aunt’s husband, who grew up in a normal home environment. I took the test myself. It’s 10 questions and you just answer yes or no to the questions. My ACE score was a six.

It wasn’t totally surprising to see that number staring back at me after I took the test. I knew my childhood was a rough one. There was domestic abuse, screaming matches, times when I curled into a ball under my bed with a pillow over my ears to drown out the fighting. There was a father who never gave me the love and attention I desperately craved. There was divorce and food stamps and never feeling like there was enough money. There was depression and insomnia and anxiety. That was my childhood.

It reverberates to this day, as I still get uncomfortable if my mom hassles my stepdad about something. My stepdad has never once raised his voice or his hand to my mom (or to anyone, I’m sure) and has the most low-key disposition of anyone I know, and I’m still worried that one wrong word from my mom, and he’s about to go off on her.

It’s also why I just find it easier not to date because I’m just too worried about becoming the woman my mom never wanted me to be. The woman who acquiesces to her husband’s demands and doesn’t let her opinion known. I’ve seen myself doing that in relationships, and it manifested itself greatly in the only successful relationship I’ve ever had. I let him walk right the fuck over me, saying yes to things I wasn’t comfortable with and giving up all of my free time to be with him because that’s what he wanted. Never mind what I wanted. Never mind that we never did what I wanted to do. (Which isn’t totally on him – it’s also on me for not feeling like I could voice my opinion. Because if I did, I would lose him. And I desperately didn’t want to lose him.)

And that brings me to this quote from the book, which resonated with me greatly: “For kids like me, the part of the brain that deals with stress and conflict is always activated – the switch flipped indefinitely. We are constantly ready to fight or flee … We become hardwired for conflict. And that wiring remains, even when there’s no more conflict to be had.”

I’m a very non-confrontational person, and I am this way because I’m constantly worried that the people I love are going to leave me. It’s hard for me to express a dissenting opinion because I don’t want someone to realize that this is the reason we should not be friends anymore. I’ve spent my whole life making sure everyone around me is happy and satisfied, that their needs are always being met. Because what my childhood taught me is that conflict is always on the horizon. One wrong word to my dad, one small slip-up, and he was enraged and all of his anger was taken out on me. So, it makes sense that I just eliminate conflict altogether, hence the way I’ve acted in my romantic relationships. But in doing so, I’ve forgotten that my needs also matter. That it’s okay to have a different opinion. That the beauty of a relationship isn’t everyone loving the same things in the same way, but us coming together with different opinions, likes, and dislikes. It’s a daily battle of recognizing that conflict isn’t always bad and that it doesn’t always cause people to jump off the deep end into anger.

When I think about my childhood, my ACE score, and the way the deck was completely stacked against me, I can’t help but feel so damn proud of myself. Sure, I’ve got some stuff to work out and it’s why I’m seeking therapy so that I can learn how to get past my childhood trauma and actually be able to function in a healthy relationship, but all in all, I’m not doing half bad. I have a great, steady, well-paying job. I have my own apartment. I am financially independent. I took care of a dog in the last years of his life and did a damn good job at it. I have friends and an active social life. I have a brother who has stuck by my side throughout everything and even stood up for me to my father time and again. He’s shown me what a true man looks like.

And I have my mom. Every kid with a traumatic childhood has to have someone watching out for them, and I am so grateful that she was that person for me. She got us out of a volatile home environment and into one filled with love and happiness and hope. She dated one man from the time she left my father to the time she started online dating in my mid-twenties – because to her, it was important that she gave her full attention to us and kept us happy and healthy. (But, boy, sometimes I wish she had met Robert much earlier!) My childhood wasn’t ideal, that’s for sure, but I got through it, and I got through it because of my mom’s deep love and persistent expectations for me.

Categories: Life

A Recap of July

In July, I…

  • Had some very complicated feelings about the Fourth of July. I’ll be honest: it was really hard to feel patriotic this year. I was sick during the holiday, so I spent the majority of the day in bed watching Friends and stayed off social media as much as I could. It’s just hard to feel proud to be an American right now. The leader of our country is someone who doesn’t abide by morals or ethics. The party in power is filled with money-hungry, spineless idiots. Asylum seekers are having their children ripped away from them. The president is shaking hands with dictators and putting our global partners on blast. It’s just really hard to be a proud American right now. I’m proud of the resistance. I’m proud of the people who get up and fight against this administration every day. But I’m not proud of our leaders and I just want this nightmare to be over already.
  • Celebrated my mom’s birthday. My mom’s birthday was early in July, and we had a low-key celebration for her. My brother and I went to her apartment to have a game night where we ordered pizza and I made a cake for her. Then, on Sunday, I brought her mini-doughnuts and took her out to lunch. I always love celebrating my mom!
  • Spent a weekend at Anna Maria Island with my friends. I talked all about this weekend previously, but suffice it to say, it was such a lovely weekend and it’s one I’m going to remember so fondly. I love this tribe of girlfriends I have in my life, and I can’t wait for even more adventures with them.
  • Had all of the doctor’s appointments. For some reason, July was the month of all of the doctor’s appointments. The majority of them were just regular annual checkups, like a dentist appointment, gyn exam, and seeing the eye doctor. I also saw my regular doctor to discuss adjusting my anxiety meds and getting my thyroid levels checked.
  • Attended a Friends trivia night at a pub. Oh, this was so much fun! A few friends got together when we heard a local pub was hosting a Friends trivia night. I thought I might be able to help since I’m currently rewatching the series, but it’s amazing how many questions I couldn’t answer. Ha. Still, we had a ton of fun and the restaurant was packed. It’s amazing to see how this show has impacted so many of us, decades after the show ended.

In August, I will…

  • See Crazy Rich Asians with some work friends. I’m really looking forward to this movie! I didn’t love the book as much as most people did (it was a 3-star read for me), but the movie looks fantastic.
  • Celebrate five years at my job. It’s blowing my mind that August marks five years! It’s been a really fun five years. This past year has been a tough one with most of my close work friends moving on to new companies and opportunities, but I’m still really enjoying what I do and I don’t take that for granted at all.
  • Take my mom on a dolphin tour. For Christmas, my brother and I purchased tickets to go on a dolphin tour with my mom, and we’re finally going to go in August. It should be a super fun afternoon and I hope we see some dolphins!

Tell me something good that happened in your life in July!

Categories: Life

My Favorite Podcasts (Round 5)

It’s that time of the year – time to talk about my current favorite podcasts! Once a year, I like to compile a list of my recent favorites to help anyone who’s looking for something new to add to their feed. I’ve been a religious podcast user since 2014. I have one constantly playing while I’m driving, cleaning, going for walks, getting ready for work, winding down for bed, and even sometimes while I’m working. Me and podcasts go together like peanut butter and jelly. 😉

This year, I decided to break this post into specific categories and talk about my favorites in those categories. This post is looooong (it’s possible I listen to too many podcasts), so settle in, friends. Let’s get to it!

Bookish Podcasts

All the Books! – Learn all about new releases from this podcast, hosted by Liberty Hardy and a rotating mix of co-hosts. I love that they don’t only talk about the buzzy books, but ones that may fall under the radar. I find myself fast-forwarding through a lot of this, especially if they’re talking about a book that’s already on my TBR list or in a genre I don’t read (I’ve given up on books of short stories, just not my thing!). But it’s fun and short and Liberty always makes me laugh.

Annotated – This podcast uses a storytelling format to discuss interesting topics in the world of books and reading. Every episode is short, around 20 minutes, and I find that it’s the perfect length for a simple news-y bookish story. I wish the audio was a bit better because I can’t really listen to this podcast in my car (I don’t have Bluetooth; I just turn the volume up to the max to listen when I’m driving), but I would still consider it a well-produced show.

The Baby-Sitters Club Club – By far, my favorite podcast! Jack and Tanner, two men in their thirties, discuss The Baby-Sitter’s Club series from beginning to end. They are funny, self-deprecating, and never fail to have really interesting takeaways from these books. They have segments like “Burn of the Week,” “Claudia’s Closet,” and “Tearful Moment,” and I still love the idea that Jackie Rodowsky, walking disaster, is actually a time traveler. If you’re going to listen to this podcast, you must start at the beginning. The inside jokes will make no sense otherwise. But believe me, it’s well worth it.

Book Riot – The Podcast – A long-time favorite of mine, this podcast has been on this list from the beginning. Jeff and Rebecca, who run the Book Riot website, talk about everything that’s happening in the publishing world today and have really great conversations about diversity, inclusion, and sexism. It’s really my go-to recommendation for anyone who loves books because being a book lover is about more than reading – it’s also about the publishing industry and how it can so easily marginalize the voices we need to hear the most.

What Should I Read Next? – Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy fame hosts this bookish podcast, where guests are given book recommendations after they tell Anne three books they loved, one book they hated, and what they’ve been reading lately. The episodes are longer now than they were in the beginning because Anne delves deep into the guest’s reading life before diving into the recommendation segment and that’s always fun. I love learning about how other people live and experience their own bookish lives.

Interview-Style Podcasts

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard – Dax Shepard has a podcast! And it’s fantastic! Dax is a phenomenal interviewer, mostly because he’s not afraid to ask tough questions and get super vulnerable with his guests. He mostly interviews celebrities but has started to interview actual experts lately (like a child psychologist). Every episode is so fascinating and it’s fun to learn about these celebrities in an entirely different way. Every episode ends with fact check segment, where Dax’s producer sits down and tells him everything he got factually wrong during the interview.

Real Talk Radio with Nicole Antoinette – I’ve been listening to Nicole’s podcast from the beginning and I’m even a subscriber to her Patreon because I wanted to show my support in a tangible way. Real Talk Radio is broken down into seasons, with eight episodes per season, and I’ve been really impressed with the diversity of guests she has been inviting on her show lately. It’s so important to listen and engage in alternate viewpoints, and I feel like I really get a chance to do that with this show.

Feminist Podcasts

Call Your Girlfriend – Hosted by two best friends who live on opposite sides of the country, this podcast is one of those that I go through periods of loving and loathing, ha. (One of the hosts can be a bit grating at times, I’ll be honest.) Right now, though, I’m loving it and taking comfort in their rants about the state of politics today. The episodes range from interview-style where they talk to authors, activists, political leaders, and other women doing cool things to just regular chit-chat where they discuss what’s going on in pop culture and politics today.

Unladylike – If this isn’t in your podcast feed, why the hell not? It’s fantastic and covers so many important topics affecting feminists today. It’s hosted by Cristen and Caroline, who used to be the hosts of Stuff Mom Never Told You, and they have put together a seriously engaging podcast. Each episode features short interviews with women, as well as facts-based research to back up their claims. They’ve talked about the true cost of abortion, surviving menopause when you’re going through it wayyy earlier than you ever expected, and what it’s like to be a “weedpreneur.”

Culture Podcasts

Death, Sex & Money – Host Anna Sale interviews celebrities and regular people to talk about those taboo subjects we like to keep quiet: death, sex, and money. Recent episodes have included people talking about their student loan debt, their thoughts on manhood today, and what it’s like to date in today’s online world. The episodes are short, usually less than 30 minutes in length. I also really love Anna’s interviewing style and the way she digs into the real heart of the matter.

Good Christian Fun – Did you grow up with Christian pop cultures in the 90s and early aughts? If so, please do yourself a favor and listen to this podcast. It’s hosted by two Christians, but both of them have been through their own journey of faith over the past few years. Every week, they discuss something in Christian pop culture, as well as hunt for the “Worst Christian song of all time.” Each episode includes a guest who may or may not be a Christian, and it’s always super eye-opening when they talk about their own journey of faith. This podcast has been a defining part of my world over the past year, helping me come to terms with my own crisis of faith.

Keep It! – A Crooked Media podcast that talks about pop culture through the lens of politics. It’s hosted by culture critic Ira Madison III, writer Kara Brown, and writer Louis Virtel, and it definitely makes me think about my white, cis-gender privilege. Kara is not afraid to tell it like it is and that can make her seem unlikable to some, but she really challenges my viewpoints and beliefs. I’m not really that involved with what’s going on in pop culture (I probably couldn’t name one Drake song off the top of my head, honestly), but there’s something about the way that these three discuss pop culture that has me hooked every week. Give it a listen!

Smartest Person in the Room – This podcast is broken down into seasons, each with a specific focus, and the latest season was easily the best and one that everyone needs to listen to. Host Laura Tremaine dubbed it the “bias” series, but it’s really about race and what it’s like to be black in America today. Other series have included religion, mind/body, and Hollywood. I love Laura’s interviewing style and anticipate every new season.

Political Podcasts

Lovett or Leave It – This game show-style podcast is my favorite way to consume politics today. It’s hosted by former Obama speechwriter, Jon Lovett, and each week, there are three new guests on the panel to discuss what’s happening in politics lately and play some fun games. No matter how depressing the news is, Lovett and his guests find a way to keep things light-hearted (within reason – sometimes, it’s just not possible) and get people laughing.

Pod Save America – Is any podcast list complete without Pod Save America? This political podcast is hosted by four former Obama staffers who go through the news in a serious yet also light-hearted manner. They don’t hold back their emotions, so you hear their anger, their discouragement, their shock, and sometimes their humor (because sometimes, the only way to get through this is to laugh at the absurdity.) I’ll be honest and say that I have to take breaks from this podcast every now and then when the news is just too depressing. But, generally, it’s one of my favorites to listen to because it’s just so damn informative. As someone who didn’t follow politics closely at all until the recent election, I find that I learn something new with every episode.

Football Podcasts

Fantasy Focus Football – Oh yes, I am that much of a football nerd that I listen to actual football podcasts. They basically take up my feed during football season! This one is hosted by two fantasy football experts and an injury analyst, and they basically just break down what you should be doing with your fantasy team every week. I don’t listen to every episode (during football season, it’s on five times a week), but it’s informative, funny, and easy listening.

Nickel Package – This podcast is a bit different from what’s out there in the podcasting space, as it has five episodes a week, each with a different set of hosts. These hosts bring to the table different types of football knowledge, so they share updates related to that knowledge. I only listen to Thursday episodes when Mina Kimes and Domonique Foxworth host (or, as they call it, “minority Thursdays”) because their rapport is so perfect. They bicker as a brother and sister would, and it’s everything to me. I feel like this is what hosting a podcast with my brother would be like, ha. Also, both of them have so much football knowledge that it blows my mind.

Miscellaneous

This American Life – Easily one of the best podcasts around, solely due to its honest storytelling format. One of my coworkers listens to TAL religiously, and we often have long conversations about the episodes because they truly blow my mind. TAL is weird in the fact that I never get super excited when one of the episodes downloads to my feed, but once I start one, it draws me in immediately and I’m hooked. The power of Ira Glass, I guess.

The Girl Next Door – I’m still not fully caught up with this podcast, and I kinda think it’s weird how much I love it since it’s so focused on motherhood, but there’s just something about Kelsey and Erica that appeals to me! In this podcast, two friends have an hour-long chat about a certain topic. They talk about cleaning routines, habits, marriage after motherhood, money, creative projects, and soooo much more. It’s just one of those podcasts that is light-hearted, fun, hilarious, and always puts me in a better mood.

Stuff You Should Know – One of my oldest favorites! Josh and Chuck are basically my honorary uncles by now, and I adore them so much. Every episode delves into a new topic about… well… anything! Somehow, after a decade of releasing two episodes a week, they have not run out of topics to talk about. THERE IS SO MUCH WE NEED TO KNOW. Recent episodes have included gerrymandering, the Stanford Prison Experiment, diabetes, anarchism, Genghis Khan, and birth control.

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, I’d love to know some of your favorites that weren’t included in this list! Gimme!