These days it seems like there’s a podcast episode for everything, from comedy to a true crime podcast to podcasts about podcasts. No matter how meta you’re willing to get, fording your way through the weeds of audio entertainment can feel like an odyssey in itself—so we’ve taken care of some of the legwork for you.
Road trips, whether they're long or short, are a great way to get some time away from your desk. Listening to podcasts while you drive can make the trip even more entertaining, and it's one of the few ways that you'll actually benefit from using your phone in a car. Here are 10 podcasts that every road tripper should listen to:
1. Road Trip with Rajon Rondo.
The Road Trip with Rajon Rondo podcast is a must-listen if you're a basketball fan, because the former NBA player has some interesting stories to share. Rondo's podcast covers his life off the court and in the locker room, as well as his work with nonprofits like Chicago Public Schools and Team USA Basketball. It also dives into his interests outside of basketball—Rondo is a musician who plays piano, guitar and sings in a band called The Tri-State Bandits (he's their lead singer). In addition to all these topics, he often invites guests on the show to share their experiences or opinions about things like sports and music.
The Road Trip With Rajon Rondo is hosted by Rondo himself along with producer Jonathan Yudin from Kicks 93 FM. You can listen here!
2. The Chernobyl Podcast.
If you're a history buff, you'll appreciate this podcast. The Chernobyl Podcast is a 10-part series that examines the 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine. If you've been following world news at all over the past few years, then you probably know that Chernobyl was one of the most devastating nuclear disasters in modern history. The accident affected thousands of people and forced an entire country to retreat from an area where most people had lived for generations. This podcast goes into detail about what happened during those events, but it also discusses how those events have impacted lives today (and possibly even future generations).
The podcasts are narrated by actor Jared Harris (Mad Men), who does a fantastic job bringing each story to life with his voice acting skills. If you listen to any other show on this list, make sure it's this one!
3. Reply All.
Reply All is a podcast about the internet, hosted by PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman. The show was created by Gimlet Media and first aired in September 2014. It's been called the "best podcast for nerds," which makes sense when you learn that its hosts are obsessed with technology and the culture surrounding it—they even discuss their own tech habits on air.
The episodes tend to fall into one of two categories: either they're funny or they offer an interesting look into how our lives intersect with technology (or both). In one episode, PJ talks about his struggle to get rid of cable TV; in another, Alex shares his love/hate relationship with three-day weekends.
4. Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful Podcast.
Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful Podcast is a show where Bobbi Brown and her guests discuss topics ranging from beauty to business, relationships and more.
Each week, Bobbi Brown interviews a different guest, from celebrities to entrepreneurs. The podcast is full of inspiration, insight and advice from these women who are living their best life.
5. The Dropout.
The Dropout is the best business podcast, and it’s a must-listen for anyone who loves to learn about the world of tech and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Kara Swisher and Jason Del Rey, The Dropout is a weekly podcast that covers the latest news in technology and business.
The show has gained a reputation for being informative, entertaining, and insightful. It’s no surprise that Kara Swisher has been called "the most influential journalist in Silicon Valley," while Jason Del Rey is known as "the guy who knows everything about tech."
6. Missing Richard Simmons.
Missing Richard Simmons is an audio documentary series that looks into the mysterious disappearance of Richard Simmons. The series explores what happened to him and how his life has changed since he stopped showing up. It's hosted by Dan Taberski, who used to be a student of Richard's in Los Angeles. The podcast has been around since 2016, but it gained popularity after its second season was released in May 2018.
The series is currently in its third season with no sign of stopping soon!
7. Ann Friedman Weekly.
Ann Friedman Weekly is a weekly podcast hosted by Ann Friedman, who has written for The Cut, New York Magazine, The Guardian and more. In the show, she covers political news and social trends with her signature humor while also giving listeners an inside look at how she navigates life as a woman in modern America. Episodes are typically topical discussions about current events or personal essays that explore topics like sexism and dating as a feminist.
8. Sounds Good With Branden Harvey.
Branden Harvey is a Canadian comedian, writer and producer. He has created and produced several podcasts, including the interview show Sounds Good with Branden Harvey. The podcast features celebrities from all areas of entertainment, including musicians and comedians like Kevin Smith and Jimmy Pardo. You can find the latest episodes on your favorite podcasting service or listen to them at soundsgoodpod.com
9. Dirty John.
Dirty John is a true crime podcast that tells the story of Debra Newell, who falls in love with John Meehan, a charming and handsome man who introduces himself as a doctor.
The podcast is produced by The Los Angeles Times and Wondery, which also produces other popular podcasts such as Dr. Death, Crimetown and Dirty John.
Dirty John has been downloaded more than 20 million times on Apple Podcasts and reached number one on the iTunes charts in 2018.
10. Business of Fashion Podcast
The Business of Fashion Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Imran Amed and Berenice Lim. It covers topics like business, fashion, and the intersection between the two. You can listen to interviews with people in the industry who are shaping it right now—including Frank Muytjens (the head of men's design at United Arrows), Marissa Webb (the first woman to have her own show at New York Fashion Week), and Jeff Klein (the head of e-commerce at Net-A-Porter).
A few episodes that are particularly great for road trips:
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The Business of Personal Style: How To Build Your Own Personal Brand - with Tim Gunn from Project Runway
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Why Fashion Is So Hard To Predict - with Tim Blanks from Business Of Fashion
Pack Light with BÉIS
These are just a few of the best podcasts for road trips, but there are many more out there to choose from. The key is finding one that fits your interests and personality, so you can enjoy listening to it on your next trip.
Whether you’re dedicated to learning how to become a digital nomad, consider yourself a seasoned traveler, or you are on your first long distance road trip, we can all agree that spending hours in the car can wear on your nerves and your patience.
To minimize any travel stress when prepping for a road trip across America or another country, it’s critical to have travel essentials designed with maximum functionality while meeting your aesthetic expectations. It doesn't matter if you’re traveling light or prepping for an Eat, Pray, Love-worthy trek, BÉIS travel accessories from our travel fanny pack to our luggage and so on, can carry the weight for whatever trip you have planned.
Sources:
- Atlas Obscura. About. https://www.atlasobscura.com/about
- Harvard Health Publishing. What meditation can do for your mind, mood, and health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/what-meditation-can-do-for-your-mind-mood-and-health-
- Love and Radio. The Secrets Hotline. http://loveandradio.org/2017/04/the-secrets-hotline/
