8 Podcasts That Will Appeal to Every Type of Summer Breaker

By Amelia Woolard

It seems like just yesterday that you were beginning your most recent year of college, but somehow, it’s already summertime. Time is weird like that, but you certainly won’t find us complaining! With the start of summer, you’re able to let go of all concerns…well, apart from rejuvenating your mind for the semesters ahead – or, if you’re a recent graduate, whatever post-grad plans you might have in the works. With more time on your hands, you’re likely planning a trip or two, hitting all of your favorite local pools, and devouring summertime blockbusters— new Netflix specials and the like.

As we all well know, summer is practically synonymous with beach bumming, or just bumming around in general.  But, when the Netflix feed gets stale or the public pool is too crowded, where do you turn?  The next time you’re in need of some alternative entertainment, allow your interests to guide you to a must-listen podcast. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the selection on iTunes, Stitcher, or your podcast app of choice, you’ll be grateful to learn that we’ve done the legwork for you. Here’s 8 different podcasts to suit every kind of summer breaker – and they’re all equally amazing, if we do say so ourselves.

For the Go-Getting Recent Grad: Safe for Work

As a recent graduate, you couldn’t be more excited to take your next big step: entering the working world! All summer long, you’ve been hard at work already, perfecting your resume, securing amazing reference letters, and officially starting your post-grad job search. Heck, you’ve even cleared off your college work space to make room for a bit of portfolio designing! Now, it’s only a matter of time before your future employer gives you the good news, and you’re off to start your first “adult” job.

In the meantime, why not get up close and personal with career culture with Safe for Work? This podcast goes into the nitty gritty of office jobs, remote jobs, managerial roles, entry-level positions… you name it. Hosts Liz and Rico also serve up super-valuable career advice, like how to manage a work/life balance, how to handle office friendships, and what to do when you’re faced with a tricky workweek situation. Needless to say, Safe for Work is supremely useful for anyone already dreaming of the corner office and complimentary, catered lunches just weeks after claiming that diploma.

For the True Crime Fan: Monster: The Zodiac Killer

You’ve watched every crime documentary you’ve stumbled upon at least twice, and you enjoy rehashing the mysterious details and circumstances with your equally obsessed friends. You’re no stranger to the sensational, oddly hilarious My Favorite Murder podcast, and you’re rocking that “Murderino” status with pride. Now, you’re on the hunt for a new, bone-chilling tale to keep you up at night. It’s summer, anyway, and you know what that means: no school, no rules… and no bedtime! So, be sure to bookmark Monster: The Zodiac Killer for the next time you want a real-life scare.

While it’s not exactly a new story, Monster: The Zodiac Killer makes our list for its ingenious account of the engrossing case about a serial killer, who took the lives at least five people during the 1960s and ‘70s and was never caught by police. Taunting letters comprised of cryptic symbols, dozens of dead-end suspects, tons of media coverage – this case has got it all, in terms of creepy details. Created by a gang of media production pros, including iHeartRadio and HowStuffWorks, Monster: The Zodiac Killer includes interviews with investigators, journalists, and family members of the victims, so you get the whole story – and then some. They’ve also thrown in a healthy dose of reenacted audio from the Zodiac Killer’s infamous notes. Listen along to see if you can piece together any new leads – even if you don’t, it’s still the true crime story of our lifetime!

For the History Buff: Mobituaries

You’ve got an insatiable thirst for little-known history, and thus far, your summer plans include binging your favorite history documentaries, picking up the latest Historical Fiction release at Barnes & Noble, and paying a visit to that new Civil War museum. Honestly, it’s pretty hard to tell where your academic year ends, and your summer break begins, but hey – different strokes for different folks! If you’re looking for the perfect podcast to complement your constant inquiry into all things history, check out Mobituaries, featuring comedian Mo Rocca, his famous friends, and noted critics.

Mobituaries is built upon a simple premise: take a dismal obituary and turn it into a living, breathing tale of remarkable people, the life they led, and the legacy they’ve left behind. With episodes focusing on everyone from A-list celebrities to lesser-known figures, Rocca’s series provides an excellent way to brush up on the accomplishments of those who you’ve heard about time and again, or gain some perspective on how unsung heroes helped shaped our world.

For the Devoted Disneyphile: Dreamfinders

There’s no telling how many times you’ve visited a Disney theme park – and, yes, we’re counting both Disney World and Disneyland. Some people hit the beach when they’re in need of summertime rest and rejuvenation, but you? You’d rather spend an afternoon re-watching your childhood Disney favorites. You’re especially excited about Disney’s new streaming service, and once you graduate, you’ve sworn to find a way to explore Disneyland Paris, so you can hear your favorite park songs in French!

Take your love for all things Disney one step further with Dreamfinders, a brand-new podcast dedicated to Disney culture and the people who live and breathe it – AKA, people just like you! Hosted by award-winning screenwriter and Walt Disney World News Today contributor, Nathan Hartman, Dreamfinders allows you to sit down with Imagineers, authors, actors, dancers, photographers, YouTube personalities, and other artists to learn more about why Disney has inspired them to dedicate their lives to the brand. Believe us when we say that Disney superfans will be “all ears” when listening to this podcast – get it?

For the Amateur Collegiate Chef: Proof

You’ve been collecting cookbooks since high school and love nothing more than to spend an evening preparing dinner for your college friends. Your entire social media feed consists of enticing food photography, and if you’re being honest with yourself, you probably follow more restaurant pages than people! You’ll be spending your summer perfecting your go-to dishes and finally snagging a subscription to Bon Appétit— although we both know that the food magazine has got nothing on your secret recipes. But, between your already busy schedule of cooking and cleaning, don’t forget to turn on a foodie-approved podcast you’re sure to love as you work: Proof.

If you’ve ever wondered about the origins of the quinoa craze, or why you can never turn down a deep-fried candy bar, Proof is the podcast you’ve been waiting for. Any food lover could talk for hours about their preferred recipes, but only Proof goes into the science behind your favorite and not-so-favorite foods. Created by America’s Test Kitchen, the most-watched cooking show on public television, the podcast discusses food from a scientific, cultural, and/or historical lens. One of the more recent episodes, for example, revisits the Miracle Berry, which was supposed to become a sugar substitute in the ‘70s and fell out of public knowledge. Learn more food-related fun facts and scientific explanations for common food fads when you queue up Proof during your next lazy summer day.

For the News Cycle Nut: Throughline

You might be a college student, but that doesn’t mean that you’ve let current events take a backseat. Quite the opposite is true! On any given day, you can be found informing your less-knowledgeable friends about the Brexit situation, strides in artificial intelligence, and day-to-day political happenings. During the summer, nothing makes you happier than pilfering through those stacks of TIME, which have been piling up since midterms, because you can’t wait to talk about all the latest happenings once you return to your political science class in the fall!

Complement all that reading with one of the year’s best news podcasts, Throughline. The podcast is a must-listen for any college student hoping to glean more from the national news cycle. Have you ever found yourself catching up on the gun control debate, only to realize that you’re completely out of the loop with current gun laws? Yeah, us too. That’s why we’re stoked that NPR has brought us Throughline, a handy guide to all of the context most news stories omit. Tuning in isn’t only a great way to learn information you might have forgotten about, but also to understand current events more deeply. There is a major election coming up next year, after all!

For the Self-Care Enthusiast: Becoming Wise

College life can be mega-stressful, but you’re so good at keeping cool, all of your friends beg you to teach them your ways. You’ve got your morning and nighttime routine down to a science and feel at your best when you’re journaling, preparing healthy meals, and researching the latest wellness trends. No doubt about it – you’re a burgeoning self-care guru! However, for all of your time spent reading books and watching meditative YouTube videos, one self-care avenue you might not have gone down just yet is podcasts. There’s still time to make 2019 your year – so, why not treat your earbuds to a weekly reminder of your mindfulness?

“Depth and discovery in the time it takes to make a cup of tea” is what Becoming Wise promises to its listeners. The podcast was developed by Krista Tippett, a broadcaster with a ton of accolades to her name, in addition to a prolific journalism career in the topics of spirituality and morality. But, Becoming Wise doesn’t talk about worship or dogmatic views. Instead, it takes a holistic approach to understanding humankind and what motivates us. What’s even more appealing about the program is that it’s composed of conversations Krista has had with notable people over the years, so tuning in feels like being a fly on the wall of these incredible interviews. A very enlightened fly, that is.

For the Total Science Nerd: Science Vs

Wait… is it summer already? You’ve been so busy in your university’s science lab, you’ve hardly noticed! Ever since discovering your affinity for science and technology, you’ve been smitten with the subject area— even dedicating your field of study to the topic. From conducting experiments as a kid to helping your college science department in their latest innovations, you’re a grade-A science nerd, and you’re proud of it! But, even the biggest fans of scientific development have to admit that in today’s world, it can be hard to tell the difference between science and, well, hot air.

The folks behind the podcast Science Vs seem to agree with this sentiment. The program tackles everything from the legitimacy of DNA testing kits and fasting diets to long-held myths about who really built the pyramids. Sprinkled in between are fascinating stories of science gone wrong and hot takes on of-the-moment, science-related lifestyle trends and current events, like the recent rise of service animals and the repercussions of gentrification. The most recent season of Science Vs just premiered in March, but fortunately for all of you science nerds out there, the program boasts five other seasons of content. Who needs sun and sand when you have so much science to get through?

When it comes to your entertainment options during the summer, streaming services are great, but podcasts are— without a doubt— the new frontier of cutting-edge content. If you haven’t jumped on the medium’s bandwagon just yet, use this summer break to catch up on those ‘casts your friends keep talking about and embark on a new auditory adventure with any of the above selections. With these and so many more relevant programs now streaming on Spotify, iTunes, and other platforms, you can look forward to a summer jam-packed with fun things to listen to – and you might even learn something worthwhile in between all of that fun-filled binging.

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