It’s that time of the year again, where I round up the best podcasts I’ve enjoyed in 2022 and that you need to listen to! If you’ve missed the previous years, check out my favourite podcasts of 2019 here and 2020 here.
Podcasts have long been one of my favourite forms of media. Before the pandemic, I used to commute downtown via public transit spending hours on the subway. Although often stressful in the evenings when it became super busy during rush hour, I always used my time on the subway wisely whether it be reading a book on my kindle or listening to podcasts. Now that the pandemic has changed the way I live, I now work from home and no longer commute, I generally listen to podcasts daily during my lunch time walks.
Here is this year’s list of some of my favourites (some old and some new).
I have placed this on my list because this is a story that I have been followed closely this year thanks to the coverage in the news. When I discovered this podcast, I found this scandal even more interesting. If you are a lawyer or generally love a scandal, you will love this podcast. I appreciate the investigative journalism involved as well as the different point of views (including commentary from other lawyers) that Mandy and her team incorporate into this podcast. I admire the time and dedication that they put into this one and find the story both riveting and truthfully perplexing. It is certainly one I am always excited about when a new episode drops.
Edit: even more salacious is the 6 week televised trial that just concluded as I am writing this post, even more of a reason to give this podcast a try!
2. Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald
This is a podcast I almost exclusively watch on youtube. It’s a fun lighthearted celebrity gossip podcast that will occasionally touch on reality TV topics as well as true crime. I generally like the guests that appear on the podcast and enjoy the commentary about various hot Netflix shows and other reality TV. If you’re a regular Bravo fan you will certainly get a laugh out of this podcast. If you have any interest on hot topics with a funny and lighthearted spin this one is for you.
This is a newer podcast that I have been enjoying lately. The episodes vary in duration from 20 minutes to 37 minutes. Stephen Dubner (co-author of Freakonomics – another great podcast) and research psychologist Angela Duckworth speak about various random questions that some may find irrelevant or silly but I quite enjoy. They have episodes analyzing the value of family, when it’s acceptable to tell a lie and whether it’s better to give kids an allowance or make them get a job. This podcast is quite similar to the style of the Freakonomics podcast with a psychological twist and a female perspective which I can certainly appreciate.
If you are trying to curb any toxic shopping habits or would like to develop a healthier relationship with money, this podcast is a great way to start. Jen and Jill are two friends friends who talk about saving, spending and financial independence. I found this podcast when it was mentioned in How To Money (another past favourite of mine). It’s very similar with with a female perspective. I particularly enjoy the unique take of both Jen and Jill given their different lifestyles. I find their advice and commentary clear and relatable and enjoy hearing their perspective on various money issues that we as women find ourselves faced with. A note worth episode I recently enjoyed was 211 – How to Save Money on Clothing and 228 – Tips for Creating a Capsule Wardrobe You’ll Love for Years.
5. Serial
The Serial podcast has a special place in my heart as this is one of the very first podcasts that really made me love this form of media. I was a retail worker at a shoe store at the time and I recall coming in early and staying late, tagging product and listening to this podcast during off hours. I loved the reporting and the quality of the journalism involved in this podcast and was so invested in Adnan’s story. I was alerted to a new season called “The Trojan Horse Affair”. It is about 8 episodes was truly very interesting. If you love a perplexing scandal this is a great one to check out as well. Circling back to the original Serial podcast about Adnan’s story (if you haven’t listened to that one, please check it out), great news is that earlier this year he was released and the charges against him were dropped. I believe that the reporting done through the Serial podcast was truly pivotal in shedding light and media attention on Adnan’s story and on the miscarriage of justice that occurred there.
That wraps up my list. I am always on the hunt for the next best podcast to keep my motivated on my daily walks as well as provide me with a reason to get excited to go on a walk especially on days when I don’t particularly feel like going out. If you have any favourites I haven’t mentioned before or that you would like to share please feel free to leave them in the comments below!
