Five Favorite Podcasts
If you haven’t discovered the wonderful world of podcasts, you are missing out. I first started listening to podcasts when I was commuting into Boston for a summer internship. My road rage was building at a rapid pace, but a good podcast always made any commute better. Now I listen to podcasts almost every day as I get ready for class. I always enjoy listening to ones about career insight and female empowerment, as they get me hyped up for my day ahead. Take a look and a listen to some of my favorites below. Be prepared to be inspired.
1. Skimm’d from The Couch
The Skimm has been one of my favorite brands for the past few years, as I’ve watched them grow their company from a daily morning newsletter to projects like this podcast. Co-founders Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg interview powerful female leaders about their road to success and all the twists and turns along the way. I love how candid and honest their conversations are and I’ve learned so many lessons through them.
Favorite episode: Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Libby Leist
This dream team is the all-female driving force behind the TODAY Show. They talk about the morning the Matt Lauer news broke, mentorship on all levels, the myth of work-life balance, and many other topics. Hoda and Savannah are major leaders in their industry, so it’s so insightful to hear them talk so openly about what they’ve been through and where they’re going.
2. No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis
If you’re looking for stories from impressive and smart women, Rebecca Jarvis has rounded them up and put them in one place on her podcast. Rebecca is an Emmy Award-winning journalist from ABC News and she is not afraid to ask the tough questions. She always asks questions that I wish I could ask myself and gets the most honest answers out of the most inspirational women.
Favorite episode: Erika Nardini – Barstool Sports, CEO
Prior to this episode, I had no idea that a woman ran Barstool Sports, let alone that she was such a badass. She’s the company’s first CEO and only female employee when she started. Rebecca asks tough questions about what it’s like to be a woman at the head of a controversial empire. Erika says, “Men have always been the CEOs of media companies for women. I have the only company that has a female CEO and a female CRO in the entire media business.” The conversation changed my perspective completely, and you’ll have to check it out to see why.
3. UnStyled by Refinery29
This podcast uses the lens of beauty and fashion to tell the stories of the most influential women today. It’s filled with emotion of all kind, from the good times to the bad, but it’s always real. The conversations touch on a variety of topics, so I feel that I get a good look into powerful women that normally I wouldn’t get to hear their story. Guests include Cynthia Nixon, Gabrielle Union, Ashley Graham, and many more.
Favorite Episode: Sophia Bust on (finally) rewriting the rules of your own life
Sophia Bush has been one of my favorite actresses ever since we met Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill years ago. Today, she’s one of the best examples in Hollywood for using your platform for good. She’s been an advocate for reproductive rights, sexual assault, and women in general. She shares what it was like to leave a hit TV show and how it was so difficult, but ultimately the right decision. I was shocked at the honesty she shared, but I’m so glad she did.
4. Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
What isn’t there to like about Jonathan Van Ness?! One of the Fab Five from Netflix’s “Queer Eye” has a podcast where he explores anything and everything. He talks to celebrities, doctors, photographers, CEOs, and even other members of the Fab Five. His bubbly personality shines through the podcast, which is the best part as it combines with fascinating topics from all aspects of life.
Favorite Episode: How Are You Bridging Social Media & Lady Entrepreneurship? With Reese Witherspoon
The title alone should make you start listening instantly. Reese Witherspoon dishes on just about everything, from secrets about the next season of “Big Little Lies” to why she created her own company for women. My favorite part of the episode is how insanely positive they both are, and the fact that they both lift each other up during the podcast. Reese gives some pretty badass advice for women, which you can never have enough of.
5. Coffee Break w/ NYWICI
This is the very first podcast I became absolutely obsessed with. Host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovish chats with successful women in the communications industry about their career highs, lows, and everything in between (including their favorite coffee order). I especially love this podcast because it demonstrates the incredible network of women that NYWICI has to offer. It also helped me connect with NYWICI when I wasn’t in NYC. Listening to these women chat candidly made me feel like I was in the room with them and I got to learn from them even though I was hundreds of miles away.
Favorite Episode: Ann Shoket, Author of The Big Life and Former Editor-In-Chief, Seventeen
I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve listened to this episode. Getting to hear about Ann’s career and insight she’s gathered along the way is especially special because she was a driving force in a lot of the media I consumed when I was younger, via Seventeen Magazine. Now, I’m still pulling inspiration from her and she shares advice for our generation in our new phase of life, as we try to get a fabulous career, awesome side hustle, and a monumental relationship. This podcast inspired me to pick up her book, which I read in a record speed. Take a listen (or a read!) to become the “badass babe you were meant to be,” as Ann says.
Bonus!!
Check out IC WIC’s very own podcast! E-board members Lexy White and Emma Beltrandi get real about body positivity, femme issues, and how we see it all in the media. They’re beyond hilarious, so give it a listen on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube!
