Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

18 great podcasts to listen to on your commute this year

There’s something for everyone.

THE COMMUTE TO work is the last thing you want to be doing after spending days with your hand glued to the Roses tin, isn’t it?

These podcasts will help. We promise.

1. RuPaul: What’s The Tee? With Michelle Visage

whatsthetee rupaulpodcast.com rupaulpodcast.com

What’s The Tee? is a glorious hour of RuPaul and Michelle Visage having a grand chinwag and interviewing people from the Drag Race queens to Leah Remini to Henry Rollins. If you love the show, you’ll love this.

2. You Must Remember This

Hosted by Karina Longworth, this podcast explores the secret histories of 20th century Hollywood. The episodes focusing on Madonna and the 12-part series on the Manson Family’s connections to Hollywood are particular standouts.

3. My Brother, My Brother And Me

My_Brother,_My_Brother_and_Me_logo Wikimedia Wikimedia

Real-life brothers Justin, Travis, and Griffin McEvoy offer ‘advice for the modern era’ – each week, they answer any question you have for them, with often hilarious results.

4. Song Exploder

Music nerds will be all over this podcast, in which musicians take apart their songs and share the story of how they were made. Artists to appear on Song Exploder in the past include U2, The National, Wilco and Bjork (Bjork!).

5. Limetown

Limetown-logo-SQ-Large Amazon Amazon

This spooky, engaging podcast tells the (fictional) story of Limetown, a small town in Tennessee where 300 people ‘disappeared’ in 2004. Reporter Lia Haddock tries to investigate what happened to them.

6. Another Round

Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton get the wine in and sound off on every subject under the sun, from race and gender to ‘squirrels and mangoes’. They’ve even grilled Hillary Clinton, asking her straight out if husband Bill “f**ked things up”. Well now.

7. Gilmore Guys

QbvnuI3a Twitter Twitter

Just two guys, discussing and analysing the Gilmore Girls, episode by episode. Hosts Kevin T Porter and Demi Adejuyigbe are practically responsible for getting the show back on the air, so it’s an essential listen for fans of all things Stars Hollow.

8. Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Think of this podcast as the perfect way to combat the January blues. Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books on happiness and good habits – each week, she and sister Elizabeth Craft offer listeners practical life advice on everything from gym motivation to impulse shopping.

9. Answer Me This

answer-me-this Wordpress Wordpress

Every two weeks, Helen Zaltzman and Olly Mann answer questions sent in by listeners. What kind of questions? Well, any kind. They’ve been known to give relationship advice, but also inform people on how to clean burnt bits off a stove. So there.

10. Criminal

Quite simply, a podcast about crime. Hosted by Phoebe Judge, each episode tells the story of people who’ve “done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle”. Think of it as bite-size versions of Serial.

11. Tom & Lorenzo’s Pop Style Opinionfest

TomAndLorenzo-Socialpost Tomandlorenzo Tomandlorenzo

Obsessed with red carpets and celebrity style? Fashion bloggers Tom and Lorenzo are too. They eagerly discuss the best of film and television with an emphasis on fashion, and interview people in the business, like Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant.

12. Mystery Show

Mystery Show does exactly what it says on the tin – six seemingly inconsequential mysteries, solved by the charming Starlee Kine. We don’t want to single any of them out, but episode three, ‘Belt Buckle’, will have you feeling all the feelings. All of them.

13. Throwing Shade

throwing-shade-logo Ontheragmag Ontheragmag

Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi discuss issues “important to ladies and gays”, but don’t expect this pair to tiptoe around them. They’re loud, they’re brash, and relentlessly funny.

14. Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo have compelling conversations about the movies out each week, alongside interviews with all sorts of movie stars. If you need convincing, just listen to Kermode’s scathing takedown of the Entourage movie. *hits subscribe*

15. 99% Invisible

99invisible-logo-1400 99percentinvisible 99percentinvisible

This podcast focuses on design and architecture – more specifically, the design of the ’99% invisible’ everyday things that shape our world. Listen, and find yourself absorbed in the discussion of things like Monopoly boards, paper money, and computer mice.

16. Love + Radio

From the perspective of sound production, Love + Radio is probably the best of the bunch. These stunningly-crafted interviews on a range of eclectic subjects (from dominatrices to artists) are a treat for the ears.

17. Lena Dunham’s Women of the Hour

CRxKX2OXIAA8pnV Twitter Twitter

The Girls actress/director discusses the themes of friendship, sex, and women’s relationships with their bodies alongside a TON of well-known voices, including Emma Stone, Zadie Smith, and Emily Ratajkowski. It’s a short series (just five full episodes) but a good one.

18. Pitch

This series of stories about music – why we listen to it, how we listen to it, and how it makes us feel. One episode, for example, follows actress Cristin Milioti as she learns to play piano for her role in Once the Musical on Broadway.

Any more for any more? Tell us your favourite in the comments!

Written by Valerie Loftus and posted on DailyEdge.ie

[image alt="" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/01/img2-thejournal-198.png" width="600" height="115" credit-url="" credit-source="" credit-via="" credit-via-url="" wp-id="wp-image-2528484" class="alignnone" /end]

11 utterly decadent Irish treats for your Dessert Bucket List>

8 delightful Irish words and phrases that English could never match>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
54 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Byrne
    Favourite Martin Byrne
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:47 PM

    Wow. I listen to a lot of podcasts and wouldn’t be interested in any of those. Maybe I’m just too old

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jho Harris
    Favourite Jho Harris
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:50 PM

    There are over 300 free Irish podcasts at http://www.podcasts.ie promoting Irish writers and Irish culture

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alfie Bonney
    Favourite Alfie Bonney
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:08 PM

    Gilmore Guys I’d rather put out cigarette buts in my ears

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Farrell
    Favourite Eamonn Farrell
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 4:59 PM

    Burning cigarette butts at that!!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Sweeney
    Favourite Gavin Sweeney
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:27 PM

    This has to be, and I mean this literally, the gayest list ever written… Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Power
    Favourite Jack Power
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 7:03 PM

    Only about 3 possibly gay podcasts on that list of 18, so I don’t understand your comment at all.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Sweeney
    Favourite Gavin Sweeney
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 8:33 PM

    It was a joke Jack. If you look again you’ll see that’s hinted at in the bit where I exaggerate the extent of gay podcasts, for comedic effect, and then follow it with a Seinfeld reference.

    You understand jokes Jack? Good lad.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James McGill
    Favourite James McGill
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:26 PM

    Most of these sound atrocious. I think I’ll stick with audible for now.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trudy Taaffe
    Favourite Trudy Taaffe
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:36 PM

    Stuff you should know
    Question of the day
    Freakanomics radio
    There’s no such thing as a fish
    Desert island discs
    This American life
    The guardian long read

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute China Photo Daily
    Favourite China Photo Daily
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 6:51 PM

    The stuff you should know World Cup podcast made me question everything else they do, so many glaring inaccuracies

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Williamson
    Favourite Simon Williamson
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:06 PM

    Anything on that list for straight people, no?

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nollaig Shona Dylan
    Favourite Nollaig Shona Dylan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 4:15 PM

    This is the most pathetic comment I’ve seen in a long time because it actually suggests that you’re prohibited from listening to certain podcasts because of your sexuality. You’re such a sad case.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenneth
    Favourite Kenneth
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:14 PM

    If anyone is into Science and Comedy then look no further.. ‘The Infinite Monkey Cage’ is terrific

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Hickey
    Favourite Shane Hickey
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 5:58 PM

    Agreed and the naked scientist with Dr Karl. Wait wait don’t tell me from NPR. In our time with Melvin Bragg

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beano
    Favourite Beano
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:45 PM

    Any Irish or British podcast recommendations or as suspected this article was just copied and pasted from a sister US site?

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jho Harris
    Favourite Jho Harris
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:54 PM

    http://www.podcasts.ie has over 350 Irish podcasts for lovers of country life there is The Calendar Road, there are poets, authors and singer songwriters being with 2 podcasts each one is an interview and the other is a performance. You’d never know from the article that it was in the top 5 European Podcast Awards 2 years running though.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darragh Quinn
    Favourite Darragh Quinn
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:04 PM

    Car pooling with the boss this week, Gilmore guys it is..

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ruadhán MacEoin
    Favourite Ruadhán MacEoin
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:38 PM

    It’s a real pity – unless I’m mistaken – that there does not appear to be anything of Irish interest listed in the recommendations above.

    One such website that is particularly good is IrishHistoryPodcast.ie – which provides chapters tracing Irish history back as far as the arrival of the Normans, and brings it very much to life.

    Perhaps there are others that other people may care to recommend in the comments below?

    Happy new year :-)

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Stenson
    Favourite Jason Stenson
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:43 PM

    second captains is the best sports podcast out there, outstanding

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Pierce
    Favourite Barry Pierce
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 5:40 PM

    How do you make a podcasts list and NOT include Serial?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rust Cohle
    Favourite Rust Cohle
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:55 PM

    The Joe Rogan Experience & Infinite Monkey Cage are well worth a listen

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Candice
    Favourite Candice
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:39 PM

    Radiolab

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael O Connell
    Favourite Michael O Connell
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:02 PM

    Richard herrings RHLSTP rhlstp is the funniest and most interesting podcast around

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute driscly
    Favourite driscly
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:39 PM

    Radiolab is excellent

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Quinn
    Favourite Dermot Quinn
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 4:18 PM

    With the exception of the good doctor that’s a fairly weak list. Add This American Life, Anorak Irishman abroad, Guardian Football weekly and the Football Ramble in there. Hello to Jason Isaacs!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute liam ward
    Favourite liam ward
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:14 PM

    And what about William Melville from Kerry who ended up been one of the queens detective in mi5 and winston Churchill closest friends it was broadcast on radio Kerry Jan 1 excelliant radio drama from henchmans production s no way rte could come up this type of drama for radio wel done independent radio and congrats

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross Kiely
    Favourite Ross Kiely
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:54 PM

    Any drama lovers out there that like zombies check out We’re Alive! Riveting stuff

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alwaysrightokay
    Favourite alwaysrightokay
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:58 PM

    Tuneinradio is a great free app for podcasts. Jarlath o’regan does a great one called an Irishman abroad.It’s brilliant

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael cunnane
    Favourite Michael cunnane
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 6:56 PM

    The guardians football weekly with the cool and superb James Richardson is pod gold with his team of Barry glendenning et Al discussing the weeks football happenings in 40 minutes or thereabouts.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack
    Favourite Jack
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:22 PM

    Painkiller Already (PKA) Began as a gaming podcast, evolved into a conversation between a few friends about anything and everything. Usually very funny and entertaining.

    Catholic Stuff You Should Know. Genuinely great podcast. Ones with Fr Nathan Goebel are absolutely hilarious.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KevinMunster
    Favourite KevinMunster
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 4:32 PM

    Off the Ball podcasts are all a brother needs

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute China Photo Daily
    Favourite China Photo Daily
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 4:55 PM

    Has this list been vetted by PC principal?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan Hardy
    Favourite Ryan Hardy
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:46 PM

    Smodcast

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal O'Neill
    Favourite Cathal O'Neill
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:58 PM

    The Infinite Monkey Cage! Get on it!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Ward
    Favourite Thomas Ward
    Report
    Jan 4th 2016, 6:44 AM

    Irish Man Abroad,
    Stuff you Should know,
    Dan Carlins Hardcore History,
    Joe rogan experience (although be selective about who’s on it with him),
    Any Liverpool fan worth his weight should be a subscribed member of “The Anfield Wrap” Podcast
    Serial ( first series is probably the best podcast series ever made )

    Podcasts are the gift that keep on giving…. Not enough time to listen to them all thats the main problem with them

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Ryan
    Favourite Michael Ryan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:46 PM

    BSPN (Bill Simmons’ Podcast Network) is basically the new Grantland. Lots of the usual contributors. Still finding its feet but quality as always.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Mullen
    Favourite Kieran Mullen
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 6:50 PM

    Kermode and Mayo is excellent

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt Mc G
    Favourite Matt Mc G
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 6:33 PM

    The Pod Skwod

    New (ish) comedy podcast, two guys from Navan

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pete Gilmartin
    Favourite Pete Gilmartin
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 4:02 PM

    If you like videogames and surrealist humour you could do worse than Podquisition. It’s Jim Sterling’s podcast with Laura Kate Dale and Gavin Dunne (Miracle of Sound). It’s pretty great. It’s on Soundcloud.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phil Callanan
    Favourite Phil Callanan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 11:26 PM

    Worth a listen: Bill Burr – Monday Morning Podcast Scroobius Pip – Distraction Pieces Marc Maron – WTF CHAMPS Podcast The Adam Buxton Podcast The Hound Tall Discussion Series

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 9:03 PM

    RuPaul, how not to photoshop lol.
    Is Limetown Barleyhill by any chance lol?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan Hardy
    Favourite Ryan Hardy
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 3:46 PM

    WTSPOD

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien James Murray
    Favourite Damien James Murray
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 11:12 PM

    Radiolab
    Alison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend
    Alot of the Smodcast shows
    Airline pilot guy
    Kcrw’s here be monsters
    The smokeing tire
    Still untitled : The Adam Savage project
    What say you

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave p
    Favourite dave p
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:05 PM

    What about “THE FINAL THIRD” ? …3 up and coming journalist s and sports fans …. 3 Irish lads shooting the breeze about all things football .. Well worth a listen !!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Smith
    Favourite Paul Smith
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 2:36 PM

    Any link?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute zebedee
    Favourite zebedee
    Report
    Jan 4th 2016, 2:11 AM

    RTE’s radio documentaries are a treasure throve of goodness. Forget the ‘live’ broadcasts.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allan Brown
    Favourite Allan Brown
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 9:45 PM

    Just so you know, it’s “McElroy” not “McEvoy” for My Brother, My Brother and Me

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Campbell
    Favourite William Campbell
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 5:35 PM
    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chauncey Gardiner
    Favourite Chauncey Gardiner
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 4:07 PM

    The Moth, Soundings, Desert Island Discs Archive, Irish Times The Women’s Podcast.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maggie Elizabeth Walsh
    Favourite Maggie Elizabeth Walsh
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 7:43 PM

    The generation why, Sword and Scale – true crime
    Last Podcast on the Left – historical crime with humour
    Thinking Sideways – unsolved mysteries
    Truth and Justice – miscarriages of justice
    Stuff Mom Never Told You – women’s issues
    Caustic Soda – a mixed bag of stuff
    Those Conspiracy Guys – conspiracy theories done by two Irish lads

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maggie Elizabeth Walsh
    Favourite Maggie Elizabeth Walsh
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 7:46 PM

    Also check out Lore, Criminal, Punt PI, Welcome to Nightvale, The Black Tapes, Missing Maura Murray, Here Be Monsters and How To Do Everything

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 9:05 PM

    Still have more fun listening to Fr. Malachi Martin…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Colgan
    Favourite Tom Colgan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2016, 7:58 PM

    I think podcasts are a waste of time. I never got into them to be honest

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alt & Indie Rock!
    Favourite Alt & Indie Rock!
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 7:26 AM

    ALT & INDIE ROCK with Drop D

    Great music from up & coming bands worldwide + awesome prizes!

    http://www.altandindierock.podbean.com

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds