Since i’ve been out of school for almost three years now, i’ve realized that it’s up to me, myself and I to keep teaching myself and staying informed. When you are in school, you are being pumped with information all day everyday and (if you have the right teachers) are stating up-to-date with current events. I made a commitment to myself awhile ago to keep learning, stretching my brain (outside of my career) and feed it with information that just makes me think. Particularly because of the political climate, it is not just important to be informed, it is necessary. Necessary to know who your representatives are, how various amendments are impacting today’s legislation, organizations to support that have goal-specific platforms, women in power to look up to, the list goes on and on. The answer to keep learning and teaching yourself? PODCASTS. I have rounded up my top 5 favorite podcasts and why you should give them a listen if you want to impress your parents when you go home for the holidays when the impending political debate breaks out over the casserole.
For an every morning commute listen, The New York Times podcast, The Daily, is my go-to. The podcast dives into the day’s biggest stories and hosts guests that specialize in various topics. Whether its shedding light on the crisis in Myanmar or understanding the impact of Jeff Flake’s recent speech to the senate, Michael Barbaro does a really great job of breaking down the topics so you can really understand what the f*** is going on.
This podcast hosted by a conservative women and liberal women brings out a larger conversation to the multi-pronged question of what it means to not only be a feminist but a women in today’s culture. As a 25-year old girl who grew up with a conservative, military father from the south (who taught me how to shoot a rifle at 5) and a very liberal SoCal mom, the podcast brings in a familiar juxtaposition that has been missing in the media but helps (in my biased opinion) bring a leveled approach to understanding views with a bi-partisan approach.
The New Washington is a weekly spinoff of The Daily and provides a deeper dive into the nature of the government in the Trump era. It dives into previous no-name people/lobbyists/media/officials who have stepped into the spotlight (i.e. why Breitbart News has suddenly been thrust to the forefront) and why they are relevant. The podcast also has top tier guests, such as Representative Nancy Pelosi which gives me a little hope and pep in my step when walking to work in the morning.
Sarah from the left and Beth from the right talk everything from today’s news, to politics, to feminism in today’s culture. It provides a well-rounded view from two women (one conservative and one liberal) who don’t see each other as the enemy but as an opportunity to widen their perspective and allow for productive political discourse.
Stuff You Should Know is exactly that – shit you wish you knew but never had time to read about. Take it from me, being able to speak knowledgeably about the era of Genghis Khan is a great first date conversation…or maybe it’s why there’s not usually a second – oh well at least i’m entertained.
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