In 2018 and early this year, podcasts have been on the rise. Honestly, it looks like it’s here to stay, and we’re not complaining!
Podcasts are easy entertainment that can be consumed anytime, anywhere – and there are so many options out there, that there’s something for every occasion and interest. It could help you fall asleep, concentrate on your work better, and its the perfect alternative to music during your daily commute – it might even be a more productive option that kicks off your day on the right note. So if you haven’t already delved into the world of podcasts, now’s the time.
Today we’ve compiled a handful of diverse podcasts suitable for anyone, and at any point of the day. Plus all the podcasts we selected are easily accessible, highly-rated, and free. All you’ve gotta do is pick and click subscribe!
1. Your Dream Life
Imagine living with the belief that nothing is impossible and that failure didn’t exist. Hosted by the founder of global stationery and lifestyle brand kikki.K – and author of Your Dream Life Starts Here – Kristina Karlsson’s podcast brings your dreams to life.
Described by reviewers on iTunes as the “perfect start to the day”, the podcast’s episodes brings you simple, practical and useful insights that guide you to actualising the future you love and dream of. If you don’t have time to complete her self-enrichment guide, then this is for you.
Kristina is a strong believer in the power of dreaming and having met her, I can personally say that she’s one of the most inspiring people you’ll ever meet and hear. So you can imagine that when you put her together with the world’s most inspiring thought-leaders (that are featured on each episode), you get the front row seat to an utterly inspiring, mind-opening conversation.
One-line description: A refreshing, motivational start to the day, that guides you towards living the life of your dreams.
Duration: 30 mins – 1 hour 30 mins
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
2. Comedy Bang Bang
For LOLs and lighthearted content, jump into Scott Aukerman’s weekly podcast! Scott, unarguably one of the funniest comedians out there, blends conversation and character work. The episode starts off with a traditional interview with celebrities – the latest one being The Good Place’s D’Arcy Carden, who plays Janet. However, with the podcast’s open-door policy, you can expect an array of eclectic characters to pop by every now and then.
On top of that, there are games, comic revelry, and comically out-of-place topics to keep you entertained for a longtime and keep the MRT seat-snatchers from ruining your mood.
One-line description: Laughter’s the best medicine, so here’s some medicine to keep you laughing for a long time.
Duration: Usually about 1 hour – 1 hour 30 mins, but can stretch up to 5 hours sometimes
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
3. Global News Podcast
If you’d rather relax your eyes and stay away from online and print news platforms, then give BBC’s Global News Podcast a listen. Broadcasting twice a day every day on weekdays, and once a day on weekends. It gives you a summary of the day’s top stories from BBC News, all under 30 minutes.
One-line description: The need-to-know stories around the world, presented in a bite-size fashion.
Duration: 30 minutes and less.
Listen on Spotify here and download from BBC’s website here.
4. Today, Explained
Perfect for the commute to and fro work. For those of us who prefer our news unravelled and simplified, Today, Explained is for you. Released at the end of each day, host Sean Rameswaram explores one story-making headlines. Think common, universal topics like burning plastic, and the world of social media ‘likes’, or more specific issues that affect us from far – such as America’s never-ending water crisis.
Alongside the finest explainers from Vox and more, you’ll find yourself gaining more knowledge on what matters – all you have to do is hit play.
One-line description: Current issues affecting the world around us, but comprehensively explained so anyone can digest it.
Duration: 15 – 30 mins
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
5. The Pulse
For a Singaporean take on current issues, give The Pulse a listen. The weekly podcast discusses literally anything and everything – from politics to entertainment, to why locals were enraged by Nas Daily’s (vlogger Nuseir Yassin) comment on Singapore’s near-perfection.
With different personalities featuring, this local news podcast brings funny, irreverent and insightful discussion that follows the pulse of the country’s most important issues.
One-line description: Local issues with a little entertaining twist.
Duration: 20 – 30 mins
Listen on Apple Podcasts here or download from CNA here.
6. Skimm’d from The Couch
Targeted at female teens, young adults, and adults of today, Skimm’d from The Couch invites powerful female leaders for a chat on the couch. Expect them to talk about everything from celebrating career wins to the worst advice they could’ve received. The podcast gives you an insider’s no-BS perspective on the road to success.
On the latest episode, the two Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporters who broke the world-changing news of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassments and abuse allegations, open up. Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, hosted by theSkimm’s co-founders and co-CEOs, discuss how a single tip led to an article that started a massive social movement.
One-line description: Go deep in career advice, with the real-life empowering women who’ve lived it.
Duration: 15-45 mins
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
7. Blackout
Starring in this apocalyptic thriller is Academy Award® winner Rami Malek! The Mr. Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody star voices in – and executive produces – Blackout. The podcast, written and created by Scott Conroy, tells the story of a small-town radio DJ fighting to protect his family and community after the power grid goes down nationwide – sending modern civilisation into instant chaos.
If Rami Malek isn’t reason enough for you to start listening to this narration, then trust its rave reviews. So far, it’s gotten a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, with nearly 21,000 reviewers, it’s definitely fantastic.
One-line description: A suspense-filled, hooking apocalyptic thriller you should not start when you have no time to binge-listen.
Duration: 20-30 mins
Listen on Google Podcasts here and on Apple Podcasts here.
8. Some Scuffs
This local podcast series, founded and created by writer Davelle Lee, makes for the perfect addition in light of the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week (6 Oct to 12 Oct). Why? By now, we’re aware of how the fast, high-energy lifestyle in Singapore can be overwhelming – especially for someone with high social anxiety.
In this podcast, Davelle, accompanied by occasional guests, explores the psychological basis of the things that bother us and hold us back – the fears, insecurities, dreams and desires that connect us with each other in Singapore.
From stay-at-home dads talking about gender identity to the role of makeup, and a world without polar bears. But how can talking – or rather listening and thinking – about all of this help us lead happier and freer lives? Give this podcast a listen to find out.
One-line description: A high social anxiety woman’s local take on universal themes that affect our mind, and figuring them out.
Duration: 10 – 50 mins
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
9. Mysteries Abound
For the mystery lovers – this podcast is all about mysteries from anywhere and everywhere, the unusual and the strange, the perplexing and the down-right odd. Covering mysteries across all genres – from scientific to historical, unusual, to paranormal, you’ll find no shortage of mysteries here. Unless of course you binge-listen the podcast and finish it in a week.
Although it’s filled with suspense, avid listeners praise the host, Paul, for his soothing voice that helps to ease your body and mind into slumber. Their only warning though? Hit ‘skip’ the second you hear creepypasta mentioned. It’ll not put you to sleep at all. Save that for daylight storytelling instead!
One-line description: A mystifying podcast that’ll rock you to sleep – or keep you looking over your shoulder.
Duration: 1 hour – 1 hour 30 mins
Listen online here and on Apple Podcasts here.
10. Science Vs
It’s frustrating getting mixed responses from different family members on what’s good for your health. There’s blogs, strong opinions, and old wives tales. Then, there’s science.
In Science Vs, Gimlet Media discovers what’s fact and what’s not, and what’s in the middle. They do the research and all we do is listen for hard concrete evidence – so fake news stays as is.
In its recent episodes and upcoming ones, Science Vs explores football concussions, heartbreak, 5G networks, brutal police force, dinosaurs, asteroids, sleep, and so much more. Perfect for the ride home when you’re looking for something not too stimulating, but interesting!
One-line description: The scientific facts you need, all wrapped and bowtied in one podcast.
Duration: 15 – 50 mins
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
11. Food Heaven Podcast
Started by BFFs and registered dieticians Wendy and Jess, this podcast definitely needs to be a staple for anyone who wants a healthy lifestyle. The podcast, which is released every Wednesday, talks about all things food, health and nutrition – they also cover tips to make lifelong, sustainable changes to boost your health.
From time-to-time, the pair also interviews nutrition experts to give you tips on how to cultivate a healthy life you’re actually excited to live.
One-line description: The BFF duo making the world healthier one meal at a time.
Duration: 10 mins – 1 hour
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
12. LadyGang
For the ladies and gentleman looking to spice their lives up with a little Hollywood drama – here’s something for you! This celebrity-driven podcast hosted by Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek, and Becca Tobin, address any subject you could think of – nothing is off-limits.
LadyGang, inspired by the trio’s bottomless mimosa brunches, sees a celebrity guest joining the girls each week for a raw, genuine and tickling look at how life in Hollywood really is. Who exactly can you expect? Take a hint from previous guests who include the owner of Huda Beauty, Huda Kattan, actor Wells Adam, and singer Julia Michaels.
One-line description: All you’d wanna know about that glimmery Hollywood life.
Duration: 20 mins – 1 hour 15 minutes
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
13. The ASMR Podcast
ASMR fans, prepare for an eargasm like no other. The ASMR Podcast is well, simply put, a podcast full to the brim with ASMR. The collection of stimulating audio recordings are produced by a myriad of guests hosts such as Blu Steel, Ariel ASMR, and Hermetic Kitten.
Expect soothing rain-tapping, whispered (and exaggerated) Sherlock Holmes readings, gentle sleep-inducing whispers, and even uhm… matured readings. Be sure to keep the audio strictly to your ears only for that one. Some are suitable for your daily commute, others, maybe not.
One-line description: A podcast for major ASMR enthusiasts – with a whole array of sounds for every lover.
Duration: 10 mins – 45 minutes
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
14. Sleep With Me
If ASMR or mystery stories aren’t what you’ll consider good bedtime listening, then tune into Sleep With Me, which has received amazing reviews from all around the world. Perfect for insomniacs or for those with a restless mind, this podcast has bedtime stories you can tune in to so that you can tune out.
The stories range from a narration about a trip to the beach, to characters in Doctor Who, and counting sheep. Yes, they are marketed to get progressively boring so that you eventually fall asleep, so don’t worry about drifting away and missing out. All you’ve to do is plop yourself in bed, hit play, shut your peepers and get whisked into a wonderful slumber.
One-line description: Mindless bedtime stories for tired minds.
Duration: Mostly 1 hour, with a few stretching near 2 hours
Listen on Spotify here, on Apple Podcasts here, and on Google Podcasts here.
Honourable Mention
Dare I Say
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This podcast gets an honourable mention since it hasn’t been updated for over a year; a second season hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, it has eight episodes for you to check out. Dare I Say features intimate, unfiltered conversations between the world’s most influential women.
The first season saw actress/activist Olivia Wilde as its host, taking listeners through a discussion with another woman – which as some of us know can turn a little heated, vulnerable, and very animated. The thought-provoking conversations – such as white supremacy, diversity in the beauty and fashion industry, and the cost of fast-fashion – challenge the status quo as they tackle the most pressing issues women face today.
One-line description: Conversations between women who fear not, and speak the brutal truth.
Duration: 15 – 40 mins
Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.
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