7 Podcasts Perfect for Commuting

Because boring trips and commutes aren't worth it. 

Do you listen to podcasts? It seems like everyone and their mother does so now. Last summer, I was addicted to Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin and fell in love with the intimacy of hearing stories and fun anecdotes from people I didn't know or may never know. If you get to your job via the subway, are a consultant who travels via plane multiple times a week, or need interesting audio for your drives into school or work, these seven podcasts are sure to help you pass any length of time...

1. My Favorite Murder

I. Am. Obsessed. Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff invite you into their cozy podcast where they catch up, chat their favorite murders, and remind you to stay sexy. I was hooked from the very first episode. Needless to say, some nights I have to sleep with a nightlight, but it's worth every moment, because you'll find yourself laughing, disgusted, and horrified in the span of two minutes. 11/10 would start all over again. 

Perfect for: on your way to work, in the car to the grocery store, basically anywhere you want to laugh or listen to some crazy s***
Try this episode: My Firstest Murder

2. 2 Dope Queens

Straight from their bio: "Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams, along with their favorite comedians, tell stories about sex, romance, race, hair journeys, living in New York, and Billy Joel". It can't get much better than that. One of my favorites, I listed it below, stars Connie Britton, and they chat haunted houses (yasss). 

Perfect for: long commutes to or from work
Try this episode: Sleepover Accidents

3. Another Round

Buzzfeed is great, and Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton make it sparkle. Over a few drinks, these ladies chat everything from pop culture to politics, and make you laugh at their bold humor and charisma. 

Perfect for: a shorter commute to finish with a glass of wine on the couch to feel like you were with the girls all evening
Try this episode: This is the Most Beautiful Laugh

4. Last Podcast on the Left

Definitely darker and more researched than My Favorite Murder, this one explores the ins and outs of the horrific, and they spend more than one episode on one topic. It's kind of like being immersed in a scary book, except it is even more fascinating, in depth, and well, real. 

Perfect for: on the way in to work if you're jittery, so you can spend the whole day on an adrenaline rush and decompressing
Try this episode: Sexy Ghosts

5. Beautiful/Anonymous

Readers call in anonymously to discuss any topic of their choosing with actor and comedian, Chris Gethard. Beautiful, poignant stories, sometimes heavy, like a woman who found out she was married to a child molester and sometimes light, like the journey of one person getting their passport renewed. Either way, you feel wrapped into conversation and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be human -- and how it's never all black and white.  

Perfect for: when you're trying to connect to humanity or on your commute home after a particularly uneventful day
Try this episode: Married to a Monster

6. Call Your Girlfriend

Hosts Anna Friedman and Aminatou Sow, journalist and digital strategist respectively, discuss everything from politics to pleasure and have the kind of conversations you and your best friend have on the roof over a glass of wine. 

Perfect for: your ride into work when you're stressed and would rather be having a fun chat with your bestie
Try this episode: Wear Sunscreen

7. Splendid Table

If you like learning about food, cooking, or really just eating, you'll love this podcast. People who are passionate about food talk about it almost to excess (yet it's always the perfect amount). Splendid Table is hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper, an award-winning food writer and radio journalist. She interviews cookbook authors, chefs, wine experts, and others, so you learn about what to make, where to go, and have an in-depth understanding of the food world. Tip: Don't listen when hungry. 

Perfect for: your lunch break or commute home to wine and snacks
Try this episode: Cheddar

What I'm excited to start next: Homecoming

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+What did you think of these seven podcasts for commuting to work? Have you listened to any of them? 

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The Productivity Trick I'm Using Most This Week

Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere wrote last week on some time-saving tips, and after reading her suggestions, I'm truly taking her number five to heart. It's called the Top Two Trick.

Here's how it works:

Identify the top two most important items you have to accomplish each day -- ideally the night before, and put them at the tippy top of your to-do list. Choosing two items that without-a-doubt will be done by the close of the day means your day revolves around accomplishing those tasks. Depending on how time-consuming or resource-draining those two pieces are of your day, you'll probably get other things done as well! This concept really helps focus your day on what is most important. If you know exactly what must be accomplished, at the end of the day you feel productive while minimizing those overwhelming thoughts that often come with a mile long to-do list.

It's a lesson in recognizing that life is not "all or nothing". You can get very important work done in a day even if it isn't every little thing you wrote down in a panic. For an added bonus, pick the most-involved two tasks of your week and place them on Monday or Tuesday where you have more focus and determination to make it through the week. Come Friday, your to-do list seems downright lovely (even if it's still far too long for anyone not falling in the superhero category).

Just in case you're still struggling to see how it works, take my today for example: I have to do a problem set for my one class and study for a final in another. Both will take about 4.5 hours each. While I am getting this blog post in, meeting with a client, etc., those two are taking the cake in terms of focus. I'll know that by the end of the day, I will have completed that assignment and studied for tomorrow's exam. And to be honest, no matter how stressful or long this day will be, I feel relieved knowing they are a sure thing.

+ What do you do to stay on track?

[UP NEXT: fight anxiety with one surprisingly effective tool]

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