As students who grew up in the digital age, we watched media evolve in real time. One format that feels more popular than ever is the podcast. For college students constantly on the go, it’s often easier to slip in an earbud and press play than to sit down and watch a show or read a book.
Whether it’s during a walk to class, a gym session or while getting ready in the morning, podcasts have become an easy source of entertainment, comfort and curiosity. We’ve compiled a list of the shows that add a little shine to our days and keep our minds engaged. From laugh-out-loud pop culture conversations to thoughtful deep dives and quick daily news updates, these podcasts have something for every mood and every listener.
Daniela Aguilar, Life Editor
“TANGENT” with Tanner Devore
This is my comfort podcast. I had followed Tanner Devore on TikTok for years because of his hilarious skits, so when he launched a podcast, I knew I had to give it a listen. I’m usually someone who can’t stick with podcasts, but this one changed that. Devore’s humor and wit balance surprisingly well with the more serious topics he sometimes dives into.
At 26, he’s only a few years older than me and talks about experiences I’m either going through now or am sure will happen soon. Some of my favorite episodes include “The Psychology Behind Alcohol Culture” and “The Privilege of Being Single,” but my all-time favorite is “Not Everything Has to Be a Serve.” In that episode, he captures exactly how obsessed I used to be with maintaining a “perfect” image on social media and around others — and how true confidence comes from accepting yourself even when you’re not at your best. In the least corny way possible, this podcast feels like therapy, and I can’t wait to see what other relatable topics Devore covers next.
“The Diary of a CEO” with Steven Bartlett
This is my more “informational” listen. I first came across this podcast after seeing a post on Instagram from an episode featuring former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson. The One Direction fangirl in me knew I had to check it out, so during a gym session I plugged in my AirPods, tuned out the world and let Steven Bartlett’s thoughtful interviewing and Tomlinson’s stories take over. Bartlett’s ability to research, ask sharp questions and create genuine conversation is unmatched, and Tomlinson’s openness made the episode feel surprisingly intimate.
Since then, I’ve explored a handful of other episodes, each featuring an expert in a different field from nutritionists and researchers to comedians and politicians. While some of the longer episodes can feel hard to digest, I appreciate that Bartlett also releases shorter cuts featuring the “Most Replayed Moments” from certain episodes. So, if you’re anything like me and love learning about random topics, this podcast is definitely worth a listen.
Alex Brodeur, Former Deputy Life Editor
“The Headlines” with Tracy Mumford
I don’t tend to listen to many podcasts, but this is one I find myself listening to almost every day. As I began college in 2023, I found myself becoming more interested in learning about current events taking place in real time, but not having a subscription to any news outlet or the time to scroll through the entire front page of a newspaper each day. After getting a recommendation from a friend to find a podcast with a similar theme, I found this one.
“The Headlines” is one of the many podcasts produced by The New York Times and is released every weekday of the year, apart from big holidays like Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Hosted by Tracy Mumford, the podcast focuses on breaking down a handful of the top news stories from the previous day in under 10 minutes, from political news coming directly from The White House to key updates on the economy and technological advancements.
“The Headlines” is the perfect podcast for anyone like me who may not have the time in their day to read an entire newspaper or turn on the television for multiple hours. With few episodes ever stretching over the 10-minute mark, according to The New York Times itself on its website, it gives listeners the opportunity to stay connected to the world around them without taking an hour or two to do so. I also find the podcast’s ending something fun to look forward to: Mumford closes with a story on the lighter side of topics, usually from pop culture, or presents listeners with a quiz to contrast heavier topics that may be present in the news that day.
Skyelor DeLoach, Deputy Copy Editor
“Critics at Large” with Naomi Fry, Vinson Cunningham and Alex Schwartz
I first discovered “Critics at Large” while I was scrolling on Substack, trying to find a new go-to podcast. I was searching for something fun but also informative. Eventually, I stumbled upon “Critics at Large,” and it quickly became my new favorite.
The podcast is hosted by The New Yorker staff writers Naomi Fry, Vinson Cunningham and Alex Schwartz, who discuss all things popular culture. With episodes titled “How the Trad Wife Took Over” and “Kendrick Lamar, Drake and the Benefits of Beef,” there is something for everyone’s niche interests. The hosts do a tremendous job of dissecting culture and helping their listeners understand the current moment and how we got here.
One of my favorite things about “Critics at Large” is the organic and intellectual conversations that happen between the critics. They remind me of discussions that happen in my political science classes at Vanderbilt, but instead of discussing Mao Zedong’s China, the hosts analyze “Wicked: For Good” and the psychology of musicals.
Whether you are a podcast newbie or long timer listener, “Critics at Large” is sure to entertain.
Adriana Carvalho, Staff Podcaster
“The Mel Robbins Podcast” with Mel Robbins
“The Mel Robbins Podcast” is a recent favorite of mine. Mel Robbins is a well-known author who released a book called “The Let Them Theory” in 2024, which is how I found out about her podcast. The podcast covers a variety of topics, all of them leading back to how each of us can improve our lives through small changes or mindset shifts. Robbins interviews professors, scientists, authors, journalists and more to uncover the secrets to living a more intentional and fulfilling life.
I found the episode “How to Communicate With Confidence and Ease” particularly interesting because it opened my eyes to the minute details of conversations that can make communicating so much more enjoyable. Robbins interviews Harvard Business School professor, Alison Wood Brooks, who teaches a wildly popular class on how to communicate better through a simple framework. “The Mel Robbins Podcast” takes interesting and complex topics and breaks them down for its listeners, along with talking through the expert advice of her guests.
Savannah Rangel, Former Podcasts Editor
“Therapuss” with Jake Shane
If there’s one person I could listen to talk for hours, it’s Jake Shane. I’ve been a fan of his since he was reviewing different octopus dishes and making comedy skits based on fan-requested scenarios on TikTok. Shane is absurdly funny, relatable and a very honest creator. I knew when he launched his podcast “Therapuss” that it would be an instant hit, and I was right.
On “Therapuss,”Shane interviews guests in a therapy-style format, with a segment in each show, called “Tell Me What’s Wrong,” dedicated to answering questions sent in by fans. He diagnoses each problem with a “pusscription” (usually a song to listen to or TV show to watch) specifically tailored by him and his guest. Sometimes Shane will even call fans who send in questions if they leave their phone number on their submission. Guests vary from his college best friends Brett Chody, Julia Mervis and Payton Purther, to celebrities like Lorde, Glen Powell and Selena Gomez.
“Therapuss” is my comfort podcast. I really admire the way Shane has evolved as an interviewer and how his ability to create a safe space makes each guest feel comfortable to open up about themselves. Episodes feel like easygoing, fun conversations, as opposed to strict interviews where guests filter their personalities. I love listening particularly on walks or while I’m getting ready for class because it’s a great blend of humor, pop culture and advice. Whether I want to laugh or need something to play in the background, “Therapuss” is my go-to show.
