5 Female - Run Podcasts that you need in your life right now

If you don’t listen to podcasts in 2020, sis what is you doin?

In case you couldn’t tell I’m a bit of a podcast connoisseur. They’ve been an integral part of my life for the past few years and I can’t imagine where I’d be today without them. This might feel like an exaggeration but I’m telling you podcasts are the metaphorical cherry on top of your daily routine.

What’s great about podcasts is that there’s something out there for everybody. If you’re into political commentary, history, mystery or some obscure nerdy sub-culture there’s a pod out there for you and I can guarantee that it’s amazing.

Podcasts can be your daily 15 minute nugget of auditory wisdom, that boost of girlboss motivation that you really needed, the one thing that makes you laugh out loud today or all of those things at the same time.

So, I decided to compile this list of my favourites for you, and surprise, surprise they’re all female run.

If you’re a podcast newbie or even a veteran like me I’m sure you’ll find something that you’ll enjoy listening along to.

1. Nerdette

Coming in hot at the number one spot is Nerdette, the podcast that started it all for me. Nerdette is a podcast that fully embraces your nerdy side while providing social commentary and a little bit of humor.

Co-hosts Trisha Bobeda and Greta Johnson discuss everything from Harry Potter to Lizzo and so much more.

This podcast marries pop culture, comedy, heart and intellect in a way that is so natural and seamless. I could go on for hours about how amazing this podcast is but why do that when you can listen to it for yourself.

Here’s a link to my favourite episode, and the one that I go back to at least once a month featuring the amazing feminist author Caitlin Moran.

2. Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso

If you didn't get on the Sophia Amoruso train during the Girlboss era then here’s your chance to fully embrace this powerhouse of a woman once and for all.

Girlboss Radio is an interview podcast where Sophia, founder of Nasty Gal and Girlboss, author and overall badass, interviews so many other game-changing women about their own stories and experiences in life, business and family.

She’s interviewed women like Anastasia Beverly Hills, Saweetie, Ayesha Curry, Arian Simone, Ibtihaj Mohammed and that’s just to name a few. Every episode is filled with countless helpful tidbits and life lessons from women who’ve achieved so much in their lives and careers. I recommend this one to start your day or anytime you need that extra boss bitch motivation.

Here’s a link to my favourite episode, which features the incredible Arian Simone, CEO of Arian Simone Enterprises

3. Recess: Creative Convos

Well, do I have a recommendation for you?

This podcast is manufactured locally, right here in Trinidad and Tobago and is headed by caribbean creatives D’Andre Wilson and Kamron Waithe.

This podcast explores what it means to be a creative here in the caribbean. Recess delves deep into the challenges and the triumphs of local creatives while also divulging into more thought provoking conversations on caribbean identity, branding and so much more.

This show gets into the bare bones of the local creative industry in a way that is never not smart, hilarious and full of warmth. These girls have an infectious and positive energy that will leave you yearning for more episodes ( like I am rn ).

Here’s a link to my favorite episode featuring The Freetown Collective and Jimmy October.

4. Gaslight

I’m not afraid to admit that I binged this entire podcast in a day. I mean to be fair it’s only ten episodes and they’re each like 15 minutes long but that’s beside the point.

This podcast will have you hooked from the first episode, especially if you’re into those mystery/ psychological thriller type books or series.

This podcast is a fictional podcast that follows a girl named Danny who’s been missing for eight years, then she randomly turns up on the doorstep of her highschool best friend and so the episodes unfold as her best friend Rebecca and her husband try to figure out what happened to Danny and why she’s suddenly back after all these years .

I’d recommend this pod to anybody because it’s just that good and it’s not just the plot, the audio quality on this one is top tier as well.

Here’s a link to the first episode.

5. 2 Dope Queens

I can guarantee that we all have that one friend who makes us laugh way too loud, I’m talking those loud scandalous laughs that make people side eye you in public. Now, multiply that by two and you have the amazing comedic duo that is Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams.

These girls marry comedy and sociopolitical commentary in a way that is so perfect you’ll be laughing out loud one minute and the next you’re thinking deeply about women's rights, media whitewashing or the Black Lives Matter Movement.

These episodes also feature amazing guests like Michelle Obama, Zoe Kravitz and Tig Notaro.

Here's a link to their episode with Michelle Obama and if you’re not into the strictly listening thing, they've migrated from the podcast format to specials on HBO. Here's them with lizzo.

And there you go, those are five of my favourite female- run podcasts, I hope you find something in there that you can vibe with.

Honourable Mentions

Y’all really thought I was gonna stick to just five?

• Like a Real Book Club

This one is for all of my bookworms out there. Formally, like a real book club is, well, a book club but it’s so much more than that.

These 3 women will be like your online besties as they discuss literature, womanhood and so much more.

I just got done listening to their newest episode about Learning to Love Complicated Mothers and it’s a definite must.

• Rookie

If you’re familiar with the work of Tavi Gevinson then you’d absolutely adore this podcast that is the perfect balance of emotion, curiosity and in depth analysis.

In Rookie Tavi explores feminism, body positivity, creativity and love through genuine and insightful conversations. With guests like Roxane Gay, Cecile Richards and Lorde this short-lived podcast packs a definite punch.

My favorite episode is the one where Tavi interviews Lorde about her new album ‘melodrama’ and listening to that just feels like you’re laying on the floor in lorde’s bedroom, staring at the ceiling as she nervously confesses to you the stories behind her new album as it plays through the speakers of her ipod shuffle.

If that sounds like something you’d love here’s the link to it

• Not too Deep with Grace Helbig

If you’re into lighthearted, oddball humor mixed in with some compelling conversations about life, body positivity and overcoming adversity then this is one for you.

Grace and her guests discuss touchy topics without getting too deep. This allows for a conversation that's compelling while maintaining it's lightness.

Here’s a link to her conversation with Jameela Jamil of I Weigh

Do you have a favorite podcast that I forgot to mention? Feel free to drop it in the comments below.