5 Things I Consumed Last Week (the year in listicles #3)
the best podcasts I listened to in 2022 🎧
Hello Nello! I can’t tell you how many times I resolved to create a meta version of podcast recommendations this year but I never really sat down and worked on it until today. Though I have thought of better ways to present this but hey who I am kidding, that ain’t gonna happen in a short span of time, hence bear with me.
On most days this year I have listened to a podcast for more than an hour, mostly long form interviews. I have listened more than I have read and I savored every moment of it. Time to tap tap and save some recommendations to supplement long travels and kitchen chores.
Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair
I am always on the lookout for scientists who can explain things lucidly. Thank goodness I stumbled on this. David breaks down the anatomy of the body at a molecular and cellular level behind the backdrop of longevity of life. Within 8 pithy episodes he discusses all the myths, science, statistics and research around aging. MUST LISTEN!
Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal
If you follow Ali on YouTube you might be aware of this. He started his podcast this year and I thoroughly enjoyed the following interviews amongst many others:
How to Design Your Career for Happiness | Samantha Clarke (The OG wellbeing consultant)
Confronting my Productivity Guru | Tiago Forte (The OG of note taking)
How To Turn Your Passion Into a Business without Sacrifice | James Hoffman (The OG of all things coffee)
The Seen and The Unseen with Amit Varma
This podcast needs no introduction. It is always on the top charts in India and I am an idiot to not have listened to it earlier. Amit Varma’s nuanced questions leave me stunned almost all the time and the panache with which he pulls out quotes from random essays is precisely the level I want to reach in order to call myself successful. Some of my favorites:
The Loneliness of The Indian Woman | Shrayana Bhattacharya (Author of Desperately Seeking Shahrukh)
The Loneliness of The Indian Man | Nikhil Taneja (Co-founder and CEO of Yuvaa)
Make Me a Canteen for My Soul | Sameer Seth and Yash Bhanage (Founders of The Bombay Canteen)
Womaning in India | Mahima Vashisht (Writer at )
The Life and Times of Nilanjana Roy (Every reader and writer should listen to this)
Hindustani Musalmaan | Hussain Haidry (If you think you know enough about Muslims in India, try this)
On Being with Krista Tippett
If I have to describe it in one word - this show is wholesome. There is nothing like this podcast—it’s depth, generosity, poetry and ever timeliness is truly notable. The topics range from inner healing, spirituality, dealing with emotions, long form interviews to poetry.
You may start with these:
David Whyte - Seeking Language Large Enough , Ocean Vuong - A Life Worthy of Our Breath
How to Build a Happy Life by The Atlantic
I generally don’t fall for basic self-help click baits but this podcast is worth it. It has an offshoot called ‘How to Start Over’ which is equally worth listening to. It takes a sophisticated approach to topics for which the wider discourse often lacks rigor. Arthur Brooks is an excellent host, and I enjoy the format's mixture of interview and monologue.
I found the following podcasts informative and impactful:
How to Identify What You Enjoy, Starting Over When You Think It’s Too Late, How to Find the Secret to Meaningful Work
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
I was looking for a change from mainstream long form interview hosts and guests and that’s when I stumbled on this. I have read Brené’s books and this podcast was a revision of some stuff peppered with humor and her Texan accent. I particularly enjoyed these two episodes:
Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway on Pivot, Reverence, and What’s Behind Big Tech
Scott Sonenshein on Why We’ll Never Be The Same Again (and Why It’s Time to Talk About It)
TED Talks Daily
Each one of us goes through a TED Talk phase on You Tube and if you become ultra-podcast savvy then even a TED podcast becomes a phase. I particularly enjoyed these:
How ethics can help you make better decisions | Michael Schur
Humanity’s search for cosmic truth and poetic beauty | Maria Popova
My secret to creating real magic | Christina Tosi (from an offshoot - TED Business)
Modern Love by The New York Times
When I am bored with listening to interview based podcasts I shift to these stories. Stories about love and relationships, narrated beautifully. The Guardian describes it the best:
Every episode of Modern Love is worth a listen, and you never know whether you’ll be moved, soothed or disturbed. It captures the minute details of love and relationships with some of the best storytelling around.
The Tim Ferriss Show
This list wouldn’t be complete if I don’t mention the OG podcast of podcasts. In the past years I listened to most of the prominent long form interviews on Tim Ferriss Show but this year I shifted gears to a new format he launched which is basically a cocktail of his podcasts and a short clip from other podcasters.
If you are a newbie to The Tim Ferriss Show, you should start with the top 30 episodes.
Poetry Unbound by On Being Studios
On some nights when I can’t sleep, I listen to this. Poetry from all around the world, narrated in the most soothing voice (I use it as a lullaby). I am so happy I came across this poem.
Huberman Lab
Can’t really wind up without mentioning this.In 2021, Dr. Andrew Huberman launched Huberman Lab. The podcast is frequently ranked in the Top 15 of all podcasts globally and is consistently ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education and Health & Fitness.
Huberman Lab discusses neuroscience: how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health.
It’s sad how less we know about our bodies. If you are curious, you should start with Huberman.
I can go on and on with this list but it is enough to give you a gist of the podcast world if you are a beginner. More to come in next listicle 🙆♀️ Wishing you a Merry Christmas, ‘tis the season to be merry 🎄
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With gratitude,
The Hummingbird🌺
These all are amazing! I have also read the newsletters mentioned by you earlier... Thankyou so much 🤗
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 💕
Great suggestions!! Listened to the seen & unseen after reading your newsletter and its so gooodd!! Thanks for thaat!!