The world may be unpredictable right now as we enter season 3 of the pandemic, but you know what’s always going to be there for you no matter what? Podcasts, that’s what! Whether you need to get through a super boring commute or are desperately seeking motivation to go on one of those mental health walks we’ve heard so much about, or you simply want to shut off your brain and listen to someone else talk for a while, podcasts have got you covered.
Now, 2022 may have only started *checks watch* five whole seconds ago, but let me tell you, there are already hours upon hours of top-notch podcasts worthy of your attention this year. From brand new series to recurring shows that put out fresh episodes all year long, there’s no end in sight when it comes to podcast content. And the great thing about everyone and their mother having a podcast these days is that there’s something for everyone.
Want a funny podcast about modern dating? We’ve got you! Or how about an investigative deep dive into how boys are getting radicalized online? Because there’s a podcast for that too. Or if you’d prefer getting advice on how to adult better, there’s a podcast just for you! To paraphrase our lord and saviour Oprah Winfrey… EVERYBODY GETS A PODCAST!
To help narrow things down for you, I’ve put together the 9 best podcasts you need to listen to in 2022. So clear your schedule and charge up those headphones (or if you’re old school, plug ’em in) because you’ve got some serious listening to do.
1. ‘U Up?’
When I tell you this podcast is a game-changer for any modern dater out there, I mean it. Standup comedian Jared Freid and Betches co-founder Jordana Abraham dole out all of the (sometimes necessarily harsh) dating advice you need to thrive in the wild world of dating apps, situationships, and late-night “u up?” texts. Their awkward red flag or deal-breaker segments will have you laughing out loud, so if you choose to listen in public, you’ve been warned!
2. ‘Boys Like Me’
When Evan Mead heard about a man who drove a van down a busy Toronto sidewalk and killed 11 people, he had a shocking realization: the drive was his old high school classmate. Both of them were outcasts in school but took extremely different paths in life. This new five-part series dives into the violent, misogynistic radicalization of men in the “incel” community and what exactly draws them in. It’s fascinating and terrifying at the same time.
3. ‘What Happened To…?’
If you’re that person who’s always wondering “Whatever happened to that guy from the thing?” well, wonder no more! Because this podcast is way ahead of you. It gives updates on all of the obscure pop culture things you probably haven’t thought about in a looooong time like the Ice Bucket Challenge or even murder hornets.
4. ‘American Radical’
How does someone go from being a shy introvert uninterested in politics to getting killed at the Capitol while pushing through police during an insurrection? Well, this podcast tries to answer that question. The family of Rosanne Boyland, one of the rioters who died on January 6, retraces the last six months of her life, including the scary QAnon internet rabbit holes she went down.
5. ‘Sweet Bobby’
If you’re a fan of Catfish, this podcast is like that but on steroids. The gist is that a radio presenter named Kirat fell head-over-heels in love with a handsome stranger she met on Facebook only to discover he wasn’t what he seemed. This series investigates the catfish’s true identity and motivation behind their schemes.
6. ‘Diet Starts Tomorrow’
This podcast covers all things health, wellness, and weight loss, but not in an eye-roll-inducing way like a lot of posts you see on IG. Co-hosts Aleen Dreksler and Sami Sage get into the emotional and psychological side of health, and their excitement over all things wellness rubs off on you!
7. ‘Families Who Kill: The Donut Shop Murders’
True crime is the bread and butter of the podcast world, and this particular story is a doozy. It’s about a murderous family that even the most crime-obsessed listener may not have heard of: the McCrary’s. In the early ’70s, the family, led by their psychopathic patriarch Sherman, traveled around Texas committing a slew of crimes from robberies to abductions to many, many murders. The series even includes a taped confession from one of the killers. Yikes!
8. ‘Life Kit’
Look, adulting is hard. And sometimes we need a little help with all of those things that are seemingly basic but maybe don’t come so naturally to all of us. This podcast covers everything you can think of from how to budget and how to get better sleep, to how to give better advice. It’ll teach you things you didn’t even know you wanted to learn.
9. ‘Uncanny’
Even if you don’t 100 percent believe in ghost sightings and alien abductions, I think we can all agree they’re exciting to hear about, right? This podcast features stories from real people about their paranormal encounters and tries to dig into the reality behind them.
Watch this space for all the 2022 podcasts updates.
Via Cosmopolitan US.