Below are my Top 5 podcast episodes with my commentary on why they are worth listening to over the weekend.
What are your favorite episodes of the week? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Happy Easter to those who celebrate!
Snack Queen
📰 News
Podcast: Start Here
Episode: “Use of Forceful Testimony”
Host: Brad Mielke
Guests: Kenneth Moton, Rebecca Jarvis & Victor Oquendo | Correspondents | ABC News
Apple | Spotify | 🕰️ 29 min | 🗓️ 04/02/2021
Podcasts have long been my primary source of information, even when it comes to the news. Instead of turning on the TV or reading newspapers, I prefer my daily dose of news podcasts, including “Start Here”. The award-winning ABC podcasts summarizes the current key topics in a succinct and thought-provoking way. To catch up on this week’s news, I recommend this episode, covering the Derek Chauvin trials, the latest on COVID vaccinations, new outbreaks, and more.
🗳️ Politics
Podcast: Today, Explained
Episode: “Making Tennis a Misdemeanor ”
Host: Sean Rameswaram
Guest: Katelyn Burns | Political Writer | Vox
Apple | Spotify | 🕰️ 32 min | 🗓️ 03/30/2021
This episode left me outraged. I had no idea that more than half of all US states are working to ban, or even criminalize, trans athletes playing sports. What makes this episode so special is that the guest, Katelyn Burns, was the first ever openly trans Capitol Hill correspondent. Her reporting provides unique insights, sharing personal experiences. Definitely worth a listen!
💬 Culture & Society
Podcast: Sway - A New York Times Podcast
Episode: “Why It's Taken Us So Long to Talk About Anti-Asian Racism”
Host: Kara Swisher
Guest: Cathy Park Hong | Writer & Poet
Apple | Spotify | 🕰️ 40 min | 🗓️ 04/01/2021
What would a week of podcasts be without Kara Swisher? This Sway episode was particularly intriguing, covering anti-Asian racism. I appreciated learning more about the “model minority” myth and why Asian-Americans have changed their response to hate crimes. If you are looking for a profound discussion on one of today’s most important social issues - this is your episode.
✨ Spirituality
Podcast: The TSC Podcast
Episode: “How To Improve & Change Your Life Using Forgiveness, Perspective, Resilience, Gratitude, & Love”
Hosts: Lauryn Evarts & Michael Bosstick
Guest: Dr. Edith Eger | Holocaust Survivor
Apple | Spotify | 🕰️ 52 min | 🗓️ 03/25/2021
The topic of this episode is near and dear to my heart for various reasons. Dr. Edith Eger is is a 93 year old Holocaust survivor, who’s life purpose is treating post-traumatic stress disorder. She shares her gruesome experiences in Auschwitz, however focuses more on how that time led to strength, gratitude, and resilience. One of the main quotes that stuck with me is “The opposite of depression is expression. What comes out of your body doesn’t make you ill.” Dr. Eger chose not to still be a prisoner in the concentration camp, but freed herself by forgiving and being of service to others. What an inspiring woman!
🎭 Entertainment
Podcast: The Quest with Justin Kan
Episode: “Molly Bloom: Molly’s Game”
Host: Justin Kan
Guest: Molly Bloom | Entrepreneur & Author
Apple | Spotify | 🕰️ 51 min | 🗓️ 03/30/2021
To many of you Molly’s Game probably sounds familiar - it’s a bestselling book and mostly known for its Oscar-nominated film adaptation. The author of the memoir and protagonist is Molly Bloom, the interviewee of this “The Quest” episode. Molly dives deep into how she got from Olympic skier to running one of the biggest high-stake poker games in the world. What happened after Molly got raided by the FBI and lost all her wealth? Find out by listening to this thrilling episode.
