Remote learning and isolation can get very quiet without the typical presence of others. The absence of a roommate or having your friends around can definitely impact motivation. During last semester, I found that podcasts were my best friend. Podcasts are almost like radio talk-shows, but there is a variety of different types to accommodate every personality.
Personally, I love listening to podcasts while I am driving or even doing basic chores. It either feels like a quick Ted Talk or a Facetime call with a friend. The best part is the anticipation of new episodes that give something to look forward to each week, especially knowing the conversation will never end.
Here are my recommendations and personal favorites on getting through this semester!
“Anything Goes” by Emma Chamberlain
Although it might seem silly to be getting my advice from someone younger than me, Emma is super personable during her podcast and super transparent. She deals with topics of school, burnout, personality dilemmas, and other personal topics that you would think only you deal with. Emma is a Youtuber from California who started her journey young in high school and has matured incredibly since then. She uses her experiences to relate to others, as she does not see herself as a crazy big influencer, but rather a peer to others. If you want to feel like you are on a casual call with a friend, this is the one for you! I recommend starting from the first episode of “Anything Goes” and making your way up (it’ll definitely keep you occupied for some time)!
“The Michelle Obama Podcast” by Michelle Obama
Regardless of your political background or views, Michelle Obama is the mother to all of us! Some of the episodes focus on more mature topics like children, marriage, etc., but it is still helpful to hear as she talks about how she herself was raised and how relatable she actually is to us all. Like the Emma Chamberlain podcast, it is very candid and casual and a great pick if you want advice from someone who has gone through life through its entirety! As a black woman, Michelle Obama gives great insight to all on how to get through life feeling fulfilled at every moment. Her first season is only 11 episodes long and a great way to feel more accomplished as you get through the semester!
“Dissect” by Spotify Studios
If you are interested in music and learning more about your favorite songs, this is the one for you! “Dissect” really dives into different albums and gives almost a deeper “Genius” review into the song structure. The cool thing about this podcast is that the details they go into connect to an overall story behind it all or a theme that encompasses the artist’s ideas. Each season covers an album, so you can pick wherever you would like to start! Some artists covered are Childish Gambino, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and more! This is a great alternative to just listening to music and furthering your knowledge on the music you are interested in.
“TED Talks Daily” by TED
This was the first podcast I ever listened to and I have been listening to it since high school! These episodes are very short and range from about 5-20 minutes depending on the topic. TED talks are popular amongst many platforms, but can honestly be lengthy to watch. As a student, time is precious and this is a great opportunity to incorporate some motivation into your day to really be your best self. I love shuffling this podcast and listening to random episodes each time. Some are news-related, others are personal, and some even are testimonials from different people around the world. If you want to start listening to podcasts, this is a great place to start!
Podcasts can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, and other music streaming platforms. They are great ways to fill time, stay motivated, and feel supported especially through times like these. A new semester is a fresh start, and a fresh start is the gateway to new healthy habits! Give it a try and browse around, or even start your own! If you like talking more than listening, start your journey and upload clips of you just talking and see where it takes you! Happy Spring Semester!
