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DJ Highlights

New Kids on the Block

What a happy day here at WKNC!! We just got a whole new batch of DJ’s that cannot wait to spin some of your next favorite songs! Here is a brief introduction to the new kids on the block! Tune into their shifts on WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2 either on our website, wknc.org, or through the Radio FX App! Search for WKNC and both our HD-1 and HD-2 stations will appear! Happy listening! 

MUSEUM MADDIE:

How you came up with your DJ name: I LOVE museums!! My nickname is Maddie and I thought combining them would be a fun DJ name. 

Format you will be DJ-ing on (chainsaw rock, daytime, underground, or afterhours) (HD-1 or HD-2): Daytime! I am currently on HD-2.

When your shift is (day & time): Wednesdays at 6pm

Your all-time favorite album and why: Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack. Perfect for any occasion. Or Phoebe Bridgers Stranger in the Alps.

Your top 5 favorite artists/bands: Harry Styles, Hippo Campus, Phoebe Bridgers, Caamp, One Direction <333

3 BEARS IN A COAT:

How you came up with your DJ name: Taking the idea of two kids in a trench coat to its logical extreme, plus “I’m 3 Bears in a Coat” is a great line.

Format you will be DJ-ing on (chainsaw rock, daytime, underground, or afterhours) (HD-1 or HD-2): Nighttime (daytime rock) on HD-2

When your shift is (day & time): Tuesdays at 8 pm

Your all-time favorite album and why: One Big Beautiful Sound by Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards is probably my all-time favorite album. Every song is a certified bop, and the title track is one of the most fun, chaotic pieces of music I’ve ever heard.

Your top 5 favorite artists/bands: Ace of Hearts, Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards, Ryan Caraveo, The Midnight Club, and WATERS.

DJ SUMATRA:

How you came up with your DJ name: There’s really not much of a story behind the inspiration. I went to a coffee shop that sold Sumatran coffee before one of my in-studio training sessions, and I just put two and two together because I thought it would sound cool.

Format you will be DJ-ing on (chainsaw rock, daytime, underground, or afterhours) (HD-1 or HD-2): Right now, I co-host a nighttime rock (daytime rock) show called The Cool and Chill Houron HD2.

When your shift is (day & time): Thursday at 7 PM.

Your all-time favorite album and why: My favorite album is probably London Calling by The Clash. I don’t think there’s any bad songs on that album, and all of them are ahead of their time and eclectic in their own unique ways.

Your top 5 favorite artists/bands: The Clash, Elvis Costello, Mac Miller, MGMT, and Oasis.

DJ HRLN:

How you came up with your DJ name: My DJ name is a twist on the classic trend of having your DJ name just be your first and last name, like Carl Cox or Richie Hawtin. I like the appeal of having a clean name like DJ Harlan, but at the same time I felt that it was a little boring. So, I decided to remove the a’s, making it DJ HRLN while still being pronounced like Harlan.

Format you will be DJ-ing on (chainsaw rock, daytime, underground, or afterhours) (HD-1 or HD-2): Afterhours on HD-2 with my show “The Clubs Closed”

When your shift is (day & time):  5:00 to 6:00pm EST on Fridays. I do bi-weekly live mixes with my DJ deck playing everything from Techno and Trance to Eurodance. Between each live mix, I play sets from my favorite DJ’s around the world and across various genres of electronic music.

Your all-time favorite album and why: My all-time favorite album has to be Innerspeaker by Tame Impala. I have a soft-spot for Australian psychedelic/indie rock and this album has a perfect mix of trippy guitar riffs and drum rhythms that you can air jam to and sick vocals. I will never get tired of listening to this album front to back, and I highly recommend a listen if you haven’t heard of it before!

Your top 5 favorite artists/bands: In no particular order, my top 5 artists right now are Ecco2k, FJAAK, Tame Impala, 100 gecs, and Partiboi69.

DJ SLIME: 

How you came up with your DJ name: The name is inspiration by the Goosebumps logo. I wanted something spooky and green is my favorite color. I think it would be nice to live a life of green slime oozing out from behind different children’s horror books.

Format you will be DJ-ing on (chainsaw rock, daytime, underground, or afterhours) (HD-1 or HD-2): Nighttime rock on HD-2. 

When your shift is (day & time): Thursdays at 9pm

Your all-time favorite album and why: My favorite album of all time is Burn Pygmalion: A Better Guide to Romance by The Scary Jokes. This is because they got me through the beginnings of quarantine back in March.

Your top 5 favorite artists/bands: My top 5 artists and bands are Joji, The Scary Jokes, Rex Orange County, Sure Sure, and The Shins.

MONAVEE:

How you came up with your DJ name: My title is a nickname derived from my middle name, Simone. My mom always comes up with random nicknames, and Mona V was one of them. She has become my designated alter ego; whose name varies in spelling depending on the occasion.

Format you will be DJ-ing on (chainsaw rock, daytime, underground, or afterhours) (HD-1 or HD-2): Afterhours on HD-2

When your shift is (day & time): I actually haven’t signed up for my first shift yet so we’ll see. I’ll definitely be on in the late hours, though.

Your all-time favorite album and why: It’s really hard to narrow one down but for now, I’ll say that my all-time favorite is Breath From Another by Esthero. It was a childhood favorite that used to play while I slept and it continues to age well. The fusions of trip hop and R&B, along with the lamenting tone throughout, have always connected with me. It’s a lovely project.

Your top 5 favorite artists/bands: Pharrell, Hiatus Kaiyote, Jon Bap, A Tribe Called Quest, and Little Dragon.

T-TIME: 

How you came up with your DJ name or what inspired it: There was a guy in high school who would call me that. I never knew if he was saying “T-Time” or “T-Tom.” I assumed the first because he played a lot of golf. Then I start the DJ training class and Laura calls me T-Time a couple of times (I think it’s hilarious, given that they had no idea). 

Format you will be DJ-ing on (chainsaw rock, daytime, underground, or afterhours) (HD-1 or HD-2): Daytime on HD-2.

When your shift is (day & time): Mondays at 9pm-10pm.

Your all-time favorite album and why: Brother, Sister by mewithoutYou is my favorite album. It’s the group’s third studio album and was created during a time during the band’s transition from a hardcore/emo sound to a more acoustic/folk sound. mwY’s combination of two very dissimilar genres works so well, taking lyrical themes from Jewish, Islamic, and Bhuddist philosophy and poems. The vocals are by far my favorite part of the album (and the band in general), it’s not really “singing” but more like reciting deeply personal poetry. There’s passion on every track and generally, a must-listen for anyone! This album is so diverse, I think anyone can find at least one song they like off Brother, Sister.

Your top 5 favorite artists/bands: Jack White, mewithoutYou, Smashing Pumpkins, David Bowie, Cap’n Jazz.

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DJ Highlights

DJ Tips from DJ Butter

(DJ butter in the stu)

This is my third semester working for WKNC, and it’s been AMAZING. The best part of my week is ploppin’ down in the studio, playing my music, and getting on air. It’s honestly such a great feeling to share my favorite music with Raleigh. To anyone who’s considering being a DJ at WKNC: DO IT. You for sure won’t regret it, and there are tons of opportunities for paid positions too!

At the beginning, I had major imposter syndrome every time I came to do my shift. I was so scared that I was going to mess up somehow (which I did do many times in various ways). Here are some things I wish I could tell myself when I first started:

1. RELAX. Take a deep breath before you start speaking on air. It’s okay to be nervous at first, but the more you calm down, the less you’ll stutter.

2. That being said, it’s OKAY TO MESS UP. I mean, don’t say something that’ll get us fined, but if you fumble over your words or accidentally say the wrong song title, I assure you the world will not collapse and burn.

3. When you first start, write your script down. We learned this in DJ training, but a young, naïve DJ butter thought she could just go in headfirst and ended up failing miserably. Eventually, you’ll be comfortable enough to improv, but it’s always good to keep using a script if you want to!

4. Don’t be intimidated by all the technology. You’ll learn it with time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re unsure, either from whoever’s in the office or by getting in touch with your trainer!

5. Plan ahead and know your playlist well, especially if you know your songs have a lot of curse words in them. Editing them out will take longer than you think it does.

6. The more you put into it, the better it’ll be. When you’re excited about the music you play, people can tell! One of the best feelings is having someone call in and tell you they like your set.

7. Have a friend or two listen in to your set. They can tell you if you’re too quiet or if anything sounded awkward so you can know how to improve next time. It also helps to know that someone kind is listening!

8. Draw something on the whiteboard, leave a song in the song sharing jar, and introduce the next DJ!

I hope this helps, DJs! Special shoutout to one of my favorite DJs, Midsize Joe, for helping brainstorm this advice, you rock.

– DJ butter

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DJ Highlights

21 Bands/Artists That Got Me to Age 21

^^^ all of my OG Vine readers will know and appreciate this meme. I couldn’t help myself.

Probably the only good thing that came out of the year 2020 for me was that I turned 21! 21 is a big milestone because this is the age that you can *legally* drink and buy nicotine!! Y’all don’t understand how happy I am that I don’t have to pay an underage fee at shows now, once they are up and running again. Yay on saving $5 and not getting X’s on my hands!!

Like I said before, 21 is a huge milestone, and I wouldn’t have been able to make it to the age of 21 without the help of some of my favorite bands and artists. COIVD-19 has been a hard time for everyone and has put a toll on my mental health. I LOVE to socialize so for an extrovert, like myself, it sucked not being able to hang with the homies!! But the introvert in me has loved binge watching One Tree Hill and That ‘70s Show. While having all this “me time,” I have been listening to more music than ever. I preach this a lot but music is a great outlet for both the listeners and the creators. I find it fascinating that music can help individuals in so many different ways. So today, I will be sharing with you the 21 bands and artists that have gotten me to the age of 21! This list is in no particular order of importance, all 21 of these musicians are equally important and loved by The Saw.

1.    Bent Life

2.    Boundaries

3.    Dying Fetus

4.    Whitechapel

5.    Miss May I

6.    Alice In Chains

7.    Upon A Burning Body

8.    Type O Negative

9.    Six Feet Under

10. Obituary

11. Saweetie

12.Mulatto

13.Tash Sultana

14. Snoop Dogg

15. Dr. Dre

16. Doja Cat

17.Isaiah Rashaad

18. Mac Miller

19.TLC

20. BROCKHAMPTON

21. Smino

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

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DJ Highlights

My time at WKNC

 

If anyone ever asks me what my favorite part of going to NC State was, the answer is my time at WKNC. I’m here to share the highlights of my time at WKNC. All the opportunities I was given, the skills I gained, and the unforgettable moments along the way. 

I became a DJ at WKNC during the Summer of 2018. Near the end of my training course the GM told us that the position for Social Media director was open. We were told we could apply before we were DJs, and as an eager bean who really wanted to work for the station, I applied shortly before finishing the training. That’s how I became the Social Media Director and a new DJ at the same time.

I had that position for the remainder of the summer and the following semester, and picked up my first DJ shift that Fall. At the time my show didn’t have a title, but on September 1, 2018 from 2pm-4pm 2k Indie went live for the first time. The show might not have had a name, but I was already DJ Psyched at this time. I remember asking family, friends, making polls on social media, and even using random name generators when I was looking for my DJ name. In the end I went with ‘Psyched’ because I am a psychology major and I couldn’t think of anything else. At this point the idea of the ‘Get Psyched’ image did not exist at all. I had no plans to turn the name into a whole persona, but it worked out amazingly (so I’m glad I didn’t go with ‘DJ Snuggles’).

 

The first semester was amazing. I was getting the hang of running my show, meeting other DJs, and learning to manage the station’s social media platforms. I also started to get some cool opportunities like getting paid to DJ live near Carter Finley before a football game with Laura (our current GM). I jumped on every opportunity I could. I went to just about every volunteer activity, every concert on the lawn, and any concerts I could get a DJ pass to. 

 

I did this for the rest of my time at WKNC, doing as much as possible and having the best moments of my college life. Some of the things I got to do include DJing for: pack disco, the target run, the honors village silent disco, and hopscotch. I also got to go to a bunch of neat events including: the Radio Disco Prom, Double Barrel Benefit, and two DJ and staff social events. I also attended some more unforgettable concerts, thanks to WKNC, and saw artists that include: Flo Rida, TLC, Nelly, Omni, Soccer Mommy, Joy Again, 311, and Dirty Heads (just to name a few).

 

In my last year I was also given the opportunity to be Daytime Music Director and create content as a blogger and pod-caster. This is when things went from amazing to dream-like, I hardly have words for how much this last year has meant to me. 

The ‘Get Psyched’ image was born alongside my podcast. I found my mission and had the best time meeting up with different artists, fellow creators, and friends to talk about things we were passionate about. I found a passion in getting psyched about reading, health, DIY work, and music: and it motivated me to create a YouTube channel. ‘Get Psyched’ isn’t just a slogan or job to me, it’s my passion and it has made me more determined than ever to always stay psyched about the things I love.

It’s hard to imagine my time at WKNC coming to an end now that I’ve finished school, but I will cherish these memories and moments for the rest of my life. The ‘Get Psyched’ mission doesn’t end here, and I’m grateful for all the ways WKNC has shaped me as a creator and person. 

Until Next Time

Always stay psyched,

DJ Psyched

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DJ Highlights

Becoming a WKNC DJ

 

Before I took the WKNC DJ training course I was a little nervous about the term ‘DJ’. I didn’t know much about being a DJ and I was pretty new to the local music scene, I wondered if I was ready to take on DJ training. I’m writing this for anyone who might be wondering the same thing, or is just curious about what the WKNC training course is all about.

Two and a half years ago I took my shot and went to the station to see what it was like, and if I was a good fit for me. As soon as I walked in I knew I had found something special on campus. Everyone was really cool and chill, the vibe was positive and relaxing, and when I asked if there was anything I could do to get involved I was given some options about how I could connect and work with the station.

I was given the opportunity to review music for the station. I went in about once a week to pick up a new album and give back the ones I had reviewed. A few months later I started the DJ training course in the summer. 

I went to the interest meeting (flyer above, link below) and realized that it wasn’t as nerve wrecking as it seemed. I learned that just about anyone with a love for music, video, audio, and writing could find a place at WKNC. If you vibe with the station, agree with the mission, and are inclusive and friendly yourself, WKNC could be for you. We do our work professionally, but it’s certainly not a scary place. The training course is there to teach future DJs how we operate and give insight into what being apart of WKNC is like. 

My advice, if you are interested, is to go to the meeting and learn about all the different ways you can get connected. If you go to the interest meeting you can learn more about what the station does and see if it’s right for you.

My time at WKNC was my favorite part of my college experience, and I know it will be special for many future DJs too.

Until next time

Let’s Stay Psyched,

DJ Psyched

Interest Meeting Details 

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DJ Highlights

2k Indie Online

 

‘I’m DJ Psyched and you’re reading 2k Indie online. In this show I highlight new Indie releases from the last few weeks or so. This week we’re starting the segment off with Period by J.P. Plains, the track comes from the artist’s newest EP. I was Psyched about it’s release, so be sure to keep it locked as we explore some new Indie today.’

  • Period by J.P. Plains – I’ve been a huge fan of this artist for a year now and his releases never fail to end up on 2k Indie because of his phenomenal songwriting skills. This track is a heartbroken track about a complicated relationship. The first thing that stuck out to me was his vocals. The artist usually has a bit more effects on the vocals but this track feels really laid back and minimal. The guitars are soft, the drums are a slow steady pace, and the clean-electric guitar that comes into the hook picks up the sound but maintains this minimal sound. It is thoroughly enjoyable and exciting to hear the artist play around with a different style from the previous record and singles. The four track EP this track comes from definitely shows growth and change in the artist.

  • Emotional Rent Control Cheekface – This track reminds me of the front bottoms in an interesting way, but it’s also really unique in its own mix of elements. The ‘talk singing’ portions make it a really fun tune that sounds like a speech, and the song is definitely a statement piece. The rock influence makes it catchy as well, especially with its chorus. This is one that takes a good few listens to hear everything being said, and it’s worth it.

  • Dead and Gone by Lanie Rose – I fell in love with this song at first listen. The artist’s voice is so smooth and has a beautiful timbre. The hook is instantly mesmerizing and digs deep into the heart of the listener. Starting the song with ‘sometimes in this world I feel unseen’ really sets the tone for the powerful message the artist is putting across. He talks of wanting to be ‘held close’ before he’s ‘dead and gone’, and says ‘I’m done giving up now’. He just wants to see love and change in the world while he’s around to enjoy it, it’s a beautiful track and I highly recommend giving it a few spins.

‘Those were the top tracks of 2k Indie Online for the week, if you have any requests for next week please let me know. Keep it locked because there’s more to come’

Until Next Time,

Let’s Stay Psyched about Music

DJ Psyched

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DJ Highlights

DJ Psyched’s First Set Review

 

2k Indie didn’t have a name when it started on September 1, 2018, but it did have the same mission: showcasing great new indie music and artists. At the time, my music library was much smaller then it is now and I was way less familiar with the genre. Anyhow, when I was still in the DJ training course I decided that I wanted to make my first playlist the best playlist I could come up with, so I started making this playlist two months before it aired. Since it was put together so particularly I wanted to look back at the playlist and see how much the show has changed and go down memory lane a bit.

‘On Your Mind’ by Jaguar Club was the first song I ever played on air, I absolutely loved, well still do love, this track. The song has played on 2k Indie a few times since, such an amazing track having so little exposure just really makes me want to get it out there. The band hasn’t posted anything new since, at least not that I can find, but they sure dropped a banger two years ago. 

Looking back at this playlist I find a lot of other tracks that have made more than one appearance on the show, a lot of these tracks ended up taking spots on my personal playlists as well. The thing that shocks me most looking back is that I didn’t play Cecil Frena during my first shift, their album was the first I ever reviewed for WKNC and to this day it is one of my absolute favorites.

I’m happy that there was a decent amount of variety in this playlist, something I try to be conscious of (especially since I started as Daytime Music Director). ‘What’s so Great, Britain?’ and ‘End of an Era’ are definitely the ‘heaviest’ songs on the playlist. I’ve said it many times, but since ‘indie’ is such a broad and undefinable concept I sometimes test the genre’s limits and see what unique music I can get to fit in. I find a lot of different styles can fit nicely into an indie playlist without standing out too much, punk/grunge is definitely one of them.

It’s also pretty neat seeing so many artists that I play on my segment now/ put in rotation for WKNC, especially considering I didn’t really know many artists back then. Cape Weather’s tantalizing track ‘Never Say’ made the list, and they were also recently put into rotation for the full length record they just released. Modern Diet has also been releasing a lot of new music lately and was the ‘perfect ending’ I had in this playlist. I was really obsessed with starting and finishing this set with two of my favorites, and this habit has definitely stuck since, start strong and finish even stronger. Overall I’ll give this playlist a 7 of 10, and not for the music itself, but because I sent two months making it and a good few of them weren’t as ‘new’ as I aim for on the show. Though I give myself props for that cheesy meme above that I used as the playlist cover.

Until next time, Let’s stay Psyched about Music

– DJ Psyched

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DJ Highlights

TV Soundtracks

Though I am not an avid TV person, I can really get into shows that have great soundtracks. I’ll share some of my favorites below.

Atlanta

If you weren’t aware, the show Atlanta is created by and starring Donald Glover, aka popular musician Childish Gambino. The show mainly features songs by hit hip-hop artists, but also contains a lot of lesser-known gems, and there is a blend of genres within the tracklist. I especially love the songs they chose for the soundtrack by The Pharcyde, King Krule, and Death Grips. Really an interesting mix!

Insecure

I’ll be honest, I have actually not seen this show. Spotify recommended the playlist and it is basically all I listen to besides new releases. It includes artists I love like Blood Orange, Sampha, The Internet, and so many more. Again, a lot of it is top-200 music, but there are definitely some hidden gems.

Euphoria

This show by far has the best soundtrack. Watching it and listening to the playlist for it has introduced me to SO much new music, by artists I had never before heard of. It’s actually how I got first introduced to the icon, Megan Thee Stallion. The music on the show is really varied and enjoyable to listen to.

Twin Peaks 

The epitome of weird, ambient soundtracks comes from Twin Peaks. I adore the show itself and like to listen to its soundtrack while working or studying. Listening to it always takes me right back to the mysteries of the show.

The Stand 

Stephen King’s The Stand has a place in my heart because it’s one of the only King adaptations I feel is genuine to the story. The soundtrack to this show has a mix of music including truly beautiful piano melodies, bluegrass-style songs, and of course the iconic (Don’t Fear) The Reaper. All emotional and inspiring, and a perfect fit for the show.

– Miranda

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DJ Highlights

Favorite Music Videos of April ‘20

I already did a list of my favorite tracks released (so far) in April last week, and we already have enough amazing new releases for another post. Not to be biased, because I definitely am, but this month has been my absolute favorite for releases this year (well so far). That being said I’ve continued updating my playlist with music released this month and while doing so I noticed something really cool, not only have a lot of my favorite musicians dropped tracks this month, but the vast majority have dropped videos with them as well. So this list is going to be a review of my favorite videos and tracks of the month so far, I highly recommend you check them out!

  1. ‘The Key to Life on Earth’ by Declan McKenna

As implied by the song title ‘The Key to Life on Earth’ focuses on what people value most in life, the unimportant trivialities. He showcasts this theme in the video by having two characters, one being the artist himself and one a look alike version of himself, who live mundanely together and seem to be in a feud over every boring event they do together. There seems to be a lot of focus on materialism as well, but I can’t explain why they are dressed in roach costumes in the end… so if you know please let me know.

  1. ‘Everyone blooms’ by The Front Bottoms

This video is full of blooming, both metaphorically and literally, and is insanely visually pleasing. The song is a sweet blend of the idea that we all grow and change at our own rate, and that there is no time frame for it, while also having undertones that acknowledge a relationship. The video shows a lot of faces on their own, but ends with two of these ‘blooming flower people’ dancing together. The message that comes across is one of self growth and what it’s like to bloom with another person, the beauty of what it’s like when those two things happen at the same time. The song is full of similar themes and it’s incredibly uplifting and thoughtful, really shedding light on the growth of the band.

  1. ‘XS’ by Rina Sawayama

I’ve talked about Rina a lot recently in anticipation for the release of her record SAWAYAMA, and I was very pleased to see she dropped a video for this track. I never really stopped to think too much about what this song meant, as it’s music and vocals are just extremely enticing on their own, but the meaning is made very clear in this video. Rina, much like Declan’s video, is mocking materialism, though to a much greater extent. ‘Rina water’ is the perfect way to symbolize the unnecessary and ridiculous things people long for, and I loved that she turned out to be a robot who got the life force sucked out of her in order to make this product. It’s a fun and original way of spreading her message that we sell ourselves, our energy, and our humanity when all we chase is more. 

Some ‘Honorable Mentions’ worth checking out: Level of Concern by Twenty One Pilots, My Friend by Hayley Williams, and Aries (feat. Peter Hook and Georgia) by the Gorillaz. 

I’m really excited to see what the rest of the month has in store for us music-wise. I recently realized that I don’t watch a lot of music videos anymore, but after viewing these releases I’ve started to really appreciate them more, so I’m going to be doing a lot more watching in the future. Until next time…

Let’s stay psyched about music,

– DJ Psyched

Playlist link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CHgt25jDtqy9eyIHKKP3n?si=XClaGgbJRHaGVXHkRHfmLw

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DJ Highlights

Podcast Recommendations

We find ourselves in unprecedented times so I curated this list of podcast recommendations of shows that will inspire you, provoke you, or make you laugh (or cry). With more of us (shout out essential workers) staying at home amid these anxious times there is need and yearning for connection. Let’s connect through the most fundamental human art form storytelling, stories provide us with a means to connect, inspire, and many more wonderful things. This list was curated with my personal favorite podcasts that I believe everyone will find interesting featuring shows about big ideas, to shows about the small interpersonal stories that tug at your heartstrings. So, let’s find a new podcast to binge!


Ministry Of Ideas

A small podcast about big ideas “that shape our society” from spiritual machines and transhumanism to the need to have an economy based on grace, this podcast tackles the big questions of society and definitely will engage you intellectually and broaden your perspective on various interesting topics.


Lore

A thrilling podcast about the dark side of history every two weeks host Aaron Mahnke explores true life scary stories. Well produced and well narrated this podcast is a very entertaining podcast that will keep you on the edge of your seat.


Myths and Legends

Jason Weiser brings humor to classic myths and legends that we may or may not be familiar with. Jason Weiser narrates myths from different cultures from classical Greek to India and everything in between, think you know these classic stories? Well, listen to these classic stories with a witty spin.


Serial/This American Life

This American Life is a podcast about stories specifically American stories with content so diverse it’s hard to put into a few sentences. Check this podcast out for great stories that can inspire you, make you laugh and can definitely make you cry.

Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life is another podcast about stories, Serial takes one story over a season exploring different angles and depths of the particular story making it an engaging podcast that millions of listeners have enjoyed.

Civics 101

A podcast about civics, civics is so important to our lives that a podcast refreshing us about how our government works is so important. Even if you do not consider yourself a political person you should at least have fundamental knowledge of how government works and this podcast is a great resource.

This Land

An assassination in 1889 and 1999 murder case crimes decades apart play into an important supreme court case in 2019 that involves half of Oklahoma and five tribes. This Land is a limited series podcast that explores the background of a supreme court case that could be the biggest tribal land restoration.

5-4

The supreme court sucks! According to this podcast anyway, From the people who brought you Slow Burn this podcast explores different landmark court cases that involve hot topic issues like affirmative action, gun rights, and campaign finance hosts Peter, Michael, and Rhiannon breakdown the ideological battles in the courtroom through a progressive lens.

Wolverine Podcast

A scripted podcast from Marvel featuring one of its cornerstone heroes Wolverine, for my comic book fans and non comic book fans Wolverine the Long Night is a great gateway into the world of scripted podcasts.

The Left Right Game

A scripted podcast starring and co-produced by Tessa Thompson, the engaging story is worth a listen but it is backed up by amazing production with immersive audio; this story offers not just an suspenseful mystery story but an experience.

Jemele Hill Is Unbothered  

An Original Podcast on Spotify featuring award winning journalist Jemele Hill. Jemele Hill interviews a who’s who in the entertainment industry but also politicians and activists to have interesting conversations.

Becoming Wise

In short episodes, most are less than 10 minutes, host Krista Tippett explores various topics that will make you wiser through the many interesting conversations she has with interesting people from Brene’ Brown to John Lewis become more wise with this podcast.

Optimal Relationships Advice

Optimal Living Daily is an audioblog where they narrate content to you and this particular audioblog is about relationships. And not just romantic relationships, although those are covered too, but other relationships everything from friendships and parenting. Get the best relationships content read to you for free, best deal ever.


How’s Work With Esther Perel

Couples therapist Esther Perel explores relationships at the workplace, from startups to family business and everything in between. In one time therapy sessions between co workers, co founders, and colleagues Perel unpacks the invisible forces that impact our relationships at work.  

Good For You

Comedian Whitney Cummings interviews guests (friends, comics, celebs etc) every week. These interviews are never boring as Cummings comedic background is in full effect with every interview, listen for laughs….and more laughs.

Good One A Podcast About Jokes

A podcast about jokes sounds funny right but it is funny and informative. What makes a good joke? That is what this podcast is all about as comics break down their best jokes and find out what makes a good joke, you might see your comedic skills improve too.

Zig Zag

A business podcast about the changing course of capitalism? Sign me up, this podcast hosted by Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant this podcast will help you understand a multitude of things from cryptocurrency to identity at work and how work is changing plus many more pertinent topics to the modern workplace and modern life.

-Shawn