When I was a kid, I used to listen to AM radio at night to fall asleep. I loved talk radio and whatever came on. News, interviews, DJs.

Unlike most people, I even enjoyed what they said between the music.

Maybe especially that. 

My progression to podcasts was natural, and I’ve been listening since the early days of the medium.

Some shows are regular listens. Some drift in and out depending on the season.

And lately there has been a little extra activity on the audio front because Word Raccoon occasionally gets inspired enough to record poems on our podcast, which she approaches with great seriousness.

Mostly. Though there have been some complaints about the sound of snack wrappers rattling and trains in the background.

In no particular order, here are some words in Word Raccoon’s ears on the regular.

The Lazy Genius

Word Raccoon appreciates any philosophy built around the idea that you should care deeply about a few things and stop overcomplicating the rest.

This aligns nicely with her own life strategy:

Write poems.
Eat snacks.
Ignore most other systems.

You might remember that I met Kendra at a book signing. She’s a peach.

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Co-hosted with her sister, TV writer Elizabeth Craft, this show explores habits, personality tendencies, and in general, how to build a happier life.

I remember listening to an episode in Japan while getting ready one morning before heading out to navigate the labyrinthine train station in Kyoto to get to class.

Side note: I never really “learned” how to get there. After the first day I just felt my way through the maze. Apparently something in me knows how to solve mazes.

But back to Rubin.

I especially enjoy her “four tendencies” framework and have strong-armed many people in my life into taking her quiz.

If I’ve met you, I’ve probably tried to figure out which tendency you are:

Obliger
Questioner
Rebel
Upholder

Which do you think I am?

(Hint: my last sentence ended with a question mark. But Word Raccoon leans hard towards Rebel. The tendencies can overlap.)

Happier in Hollywood

I love Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, her childhood best friend and longtime writing partner. They’re TV writers.

And psst…one of them also co-hosts Happier with Gretchen Rubin.

They once hosted a writing retreat for people hoping to break into television writing, and I was very tempted to go (couldn’t afford it, but tempted) just to talk writing with them, even though I’m not planning to write for TV.

(WR, don’t let me say that. We know what happens when I do. See: poetry.)

Also, Sarah has a Substack newsletter, Chickening Out, where she’s cooking a roasted chicken recipe every week in 2026 to determine the best one.

Yes, I’m subscribed. I’m feeling inspired.

Clutterbug Podcast

I’d listen to Cass (“Clutterbug”) talk about anything.

This podcast has done more for the drawers in this house than anything else. She gives you permission to just release the things. MOST of the things! WR loves permission.

Alas, she also loves her earrings.

Cass also has a “tendencies” framework. (Maybe I just like frameworks? I do love a good quiz.)

Apparently I’m a butterfly: I like to see pretty or important things so I don’t forget them, but I also want everyday clutter out of sight. (Most artists fit this category.)

Actually, I tend to watch her YouTube channel more often than listen to the podcast. She has great comedic timing and is refreshingly herself. Does she overshare sometimes? Sure. But she’s so friendly it’s difficult to mind. 

Freakonomics

WR enjoys any show that calmly examines the hidden logic behind everyday systems.

Why do humans behave the way they do?
Why do institutions function the way they do?

These are questions raccoons have been asking about humans for a very long time.

No Stupid Questions

This podcast pairs behavioral economist Stephen Dubner with psychologist Angela Duckworth.

The premise is simple: ask questions that seem basic but turn out to be surprisingly deep.

WR appreciates the reassurance that curiosity is never a bad thing.

Also that some questions don’t have tidy answers.

As noted, WR has LOTS of questions.

Fresh Air

Terry Gross interviewing writers, musicians, actors, and thinkers.

Word Raccoon approves of any show where intelligent curiosity is the central activity.

Also, many of the guests are people she would happily invite to tea.

(The mug version of Vonnegut may already be attending.)

The Book Review Podcast

Perfect for literary browsing.

You hear about interesting books, learn a little about them, and occasionally discover something you absolutely must read.

Word Raccoon considers this a very civilized arrangement.

She also appreciates that the show’s tone has lightened a bit in recent years (not everyone agrees).

Other book podcasts drift through the rotation as well.

The Secret Life of Books is excellent.

And What Should I Read Next? Anne Bogel’s voice is basically auditory melatonin. Recommended.

Smartless

Three actors interviewing interesting guests and making each other laugh.

One of them seems, frankly, a little orthorexic.
One gets talked over too often for WR’s comfort.
One has a sense of humor that suspiciously matches WR’s.

She suspects they could have been friends in another life.

The tone is curious, relaxed, and occasionally chaotic, which Word Raccoon considers the ideal conversational atmosphere.

She also does not buy the premise that two of them each week don’t know who the “surprise” guest will be. How else do they keep referring to notes?

Just saying.

Office Ladies

If you loved The Office, this podcast is basically a guided tour of how the show was made.

WR enjoys hearing about tiny behind-the-scenes details from scenes people have watched a hundred times.

Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer are just good people, and I love knowing they are best friends in real life. Fischer’s book, The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide, is a great, practical read for any artist. 

Literally! with Rob Lowe

Part Hollywood stories, part interviews, part charm.

Word Raccoon listens mostly for the behind-the-scenes perspective and the unexpectedly thoughtful conversations.

Also, as she once wrote in a poem, Rob Lowe is surprisingly funny, and she enjoys hearing how his kids dunk on him.

Relatable.

TBH, sometimes he has guests WR doesn’t recognize. Occasionally she skips those, though I admit that may be small-minded.

The Splendid Table
Self-explanatory. Also pretend I mentioned other cooking shows. This list is getting long, WR.

Radiolab
(If you can get past that intro, it’s a fascinating show. Sorry not sorry.)

Basically asks questions on topics you’ve never heard of before but can’t quit thinking about after. WR is mesmerized.

Middling with Eden and Brock

A podcast by two of the actors from the sitcom The Middle, set in Indiana.

Eden Sher and Brock Ciarlelli revisit episodes and talk about the humor and heart of ordinary family life.

WR often starts Wednesdays with this one. 

Hot and Bothered

A smart look at romance storytelling and why certain narrative patterns keep appearing, usually through a feminist lens. Season 3 was On Eyre, a WHOLE SEASON about Jane Eyre. Recently they talked about the didn’t-age-well movie The Wedding Singer. But Drew Barrymore forever! 

This podcast is underrated.

Clearly, this list is not exhaustive, though I suspect it is exhausting. 

Time to listen to another podcast while I proofread this.

#meta