Relating to other people can empower us and give us strength to face challenges. Check out some of these podcasts–some are serious and some are not at all. Many are bold and edgy. People are sharing stories that are kept secret and not exposing their best side. When you share a common experience, it can be inspiring, moving and comforting to hear it out in the open. Others are just good information. Many of these cover strictly adult topics that may not work well for kids to hear.
- The Hilarious World of Depression/A Funny Thing Happened. One of our local St. Paul celebrities, John Moe, talks with comedians about their experiences with depression, how it has affected them, and how they have dealt with it. Why does this podcast have two names? Maybe because people who experience depression are so often very bright and funny?
- Mental Illness Happy Hour. Trauma, anxiety and mental health are some of the themes. People will share stories of abuse they have experienced and their effort toward recovery. If you’d like to know more about mental health and substance use recovery, this podcast and Hilarious World of Depression are great for that.
- S-Town. It is a riveting serial that covers one person’s lived experience, with twists and turns you just don’t see coming. It makes you think and feel, it’s unforgettable.
- My Favorite Murder. It is violent. For people who have been through trauma, it may be the last thing you’d want to hear. If it’s not for you, just skip it. For some people who experience dread and worry in the form of anxiety, they can find its discussion of real violence to be exposure to worst-case scenario, in a good way. It lets them relieve their big, shapeless anxiety by thinking about something that really is scary and terrifying, not imagined at all. In contrast, troubling thoughts might not be so bad. That’s some of the same psychology as watching horror movies, right? You’ve been warned, know yourself.
- Risk. Their slogan is “people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share.” The risk-taking that goes on here could be hilarious, weird, unpredictable or painful. This podcast really supports a diversity of people and experiences and accepting who you are. Each episode is different and could possibly be offensive.
- Death, Sex and Money. Isn’t it helpful to know you’re not the only one with tough challenges and hard choices? They talk about some of their dark times in life and some struggles they’ve been through. Anna Sale is sensitive and asks great questions, sometimes talking with celebrities and sometimes just interesting people.
- Bob & Sheri. Bob & Sheri is just fun and usually light. People call in and share stories. They’ll talk about some of their quirks and their struggles, vent, and have a good laugh over them.
- 2 Dope Queens. The hosts are so clever. Intersectionality definitely plays a part (note: quick look up intersectionality if you don’t know what it is). Phoebe and Jessica are in their mid-to-late 20s and really funny. Sometimes they’re talking about dressing like Janet Jackson and drinking rosé. But one episode that stands out is when Jessica talked in a casual and honest way about having an ultrasound and how she was treated like a non-person during a time when she felt vulnerable.
- Savage Lovecast. Relationship and sex advice means a lot of talking about our boundaries: what’s okay with us and what we can’t tolerate in a relationship, how we’re going to talk to people about it and take care of ourselves.
