7 Best Podcasts to Listen to While You're Self Isolating
From the thought-provoking wellness evangelism of Rich Roll, to the ‘Stuff You Should Know’ (no, seriously you should), to getting your sports fix in House of Rugby, Morson broadcast journalist, Jamal Niaz, ranks the best podcasts to listen to while in lockdown.
It is no secret that podcasts have now become one of the leading media platforms for people to consume information and for personalities and companies to network and grow their respective brand over the past decade. Whether you are at your desk, on a lunch break, exercising, in search of that creative spark to meet that deadline or just wanting to be transported to a different world, there is instant access to a range of channels and hosts that can educate and entertain us in all aspects of life.
With 500,000 podcasts currently available on Apple, it’s clear that there is an endless amount of quality content out there, but filtering to what fits your lifestyle and career path is often the trickiest part. Before the listener can take away something from their chosen podcast(s) and apply it in their day to day life, they need to first and foremost be entertained and engaged by the host. All the inspirational messages in the world won’t be heard if the host isn’t bringing originality and personality to the show that you ultimately need to be enjoying listening to.
With that in mind I’ve put together a list of the top podcasts that will tear you away from Netflix so you can exercise those ears:
1. The Joe Rogan Experience
First up is arguably the most renowned and skilled podcaster in the world right now, Joe Rogan. The stand-up comedian and MMA analyst gathers people from all walks of life to discuss how their experiences and ups and downs have helped them reach the pinnacle of their profession (for the most part). From highly successful athletes such as Tyson Fury and David Goggins, entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and even Hollywood stars such as Guy Ritchie, there is a lot to digest in terms of overcoming adversity, manifesting goals and helping the next generation.
As previously mentioned, the biggest reason why this podcast works is that because above all else it is consistently entertaining. You find yourself learning from a genuine conversation between two people, about their experiences and not having their ways of working forced upon you, but rather you the listener having that option of taking certain aspects that work for you. Rogan’s constant search for new viewpoints and ways of thinking with each guest shines through with each listen and the passion for knowledge is soon transferred to the audience. Whilst you may find that certain guests may not be as appealing as others, the sheer scale and range of guests on this show, coupled with a charismatic host, makes this a can’t miss.
2. Stuff You Should Know
Join Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant as they get to the bottom of odd questions, like how Twinkies work and if zombies exist. Confronted by the knowledge that what they are saying is fact, you end up taking their advice seriously. That’s why their episode on breakups will make you stop checking your ex’s Instagram stories and why their episode on viruses is especially important now and will push you to tackle handwashing with newfound vigour.
3. Eat Sleep Work Repeat
Hosted by the former managing director of YouTube UK, Bruce Daisley, this podcast aims to re-energise work-life with insights and solutions from psychologists, neuroscientist and workplace experts to help give more meaning, productivity and joy at work. The podcast is currently the most listened to in the UK and chooses the selection of the scientific approach over gurus and opinions. Topics of recent episodes include keys to successful team building, maintaining mental health at work and unlocking workplace creativity. With the working world in a state of unprecedented turmoil, can Bruce guide us through the madness?
4. The Rich Roll Podcast
A master-class in personal and professional development, ultra-athlete, wellness evangelist and bestselling author Rich Roll delves deep with the world’s brightest and most thought-provoking thought leaders to educate, inspire and empower you to unleash your best, most authentic self. Insightful and at times overwhelming, Rich puts a refreshing spin on reality and encourages us to focus on what really is important in life, something extremely important right now.
Fun fact, he used to sleep in a tent on his roof… so full marks for that.
5. The Dropout
The Dropout tells the story of the rise and fall of former Silicon Valley darling Elizabeth Holmes. The self-made billionaire dropped out of Stanford to launch her company Theranos – claiming her technology could detect hundreds of diseases from a drop or two of blood. If it worked, she would have changed healthcare forever. But today, Elizabeth Holmes is under criminal indictment, facing up to 20 years in prison on wire fraud charges. The podcast uses interviews with former employees, patients and investors to see how it all came crashing down.
6. The Gary Vee Audio Experience
World-famous entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuck uses his platform to share his experiences in business over the years to pinpoint patterns for success, positive lifestyle changes and delves into his own experiences when facing adversity and change. Much like the previously mentioned podcast, Gary isn’t afraid to be blunt with his advice and acknowledges some of his own and his guests’ biggest failures. The passion for success in a personal and professional sense that Gary conveys is contagious with every watch and has seen him develop a mass following. With episodes ranging from a ‘How to’ style to interviews, each show offers a fresh perspective on how to approach life both at home and at work.
7. Missing sports? House of Rugby
Sky Sports subscriptions cancelled and we’re watching Federer vs. Nadal re-runs on Eurosport - sports fans unite in their shared despair of no live-action. Never fear! Sports podcats are taking up the airtime slack. My pick, House of Rugby, shot up in popularity after the Rugby World Cup but has maintained its relevance and entertainment value long after the tournament end. Starring hosts ex-England rugby player James Haskell and commentator Alex Payne, you get a new episode every Wednesday where lad humour is tempered with serious discussions on mental health issues in the sport, retirement from the game through injury and how rugby will deal with the fallout from coronavirus.
