Podcast Therapy

I'll take a relationship podcast with a side of reality tv and a splash of humor.

Hello, my late summer buds. There’s something special about this time of year, and I especially love it because it means colder weather. Since moving to the East Coast, any tolerance for heat and humidity has become less and less. My soul craves a lake breeze. Aside from hoping for fall weather and cozy vibes, it’s been a busy season of life despite not working. Summer brought intentional visits to see family and friends, sleepovers, cold brews, and reading books. All things that I enjoy. But I think there is a desire to make more room for self-development.

There was a time after college when therapy, spiritual mentors, and long talks with friends about my emotions filled up a good chunk of my calendar. Since then, my obsession (and somewhat behind-the-trend) with podcasts has swallowed up any free space in my day. I don’t know about you, but there’s something special about escaping your mind. Maybe it makes me chronically online, and perhaps it leads to some disconnect in self, but it’s exhausting to continue on the hamster wheel of self-evolution. So while talking about any lessons learned from a session with a medical professional would be interesting, I’d argue that my sharing about all of my favorite podcasts is equally as insightful. I don’t have a medical degree, but I do think I have good taste.

Reality TV and “Trash” Podcasts

I think my aversion to podcasts came from my sisters and my mom. Haha. Sorry, guys, but after YEARS of listening to my mom’s talk shows and religious stories about leaders in communities coming back to Catholicism…I needed a break. Saturday morning was a guarantee for dishes clanking, floors being mopped, and 620 WTMJ or The Journey Home. Or my sisters listening to interview-based podcasts about people doing good deeds or the super popular Harry Potter fan podcast.

So I finally came back around to the form after I exhausted my ears from Spotify and decided I didn’t want to stare at a screen for an additional 3 hours a day on YouTube. What led me back? Reality TV. Specifically, The Bachelor. My passion for the Bachelor started years ago when my mom and sisters watched the show. The earliest one I can remember watching the full season of was Emily Maynard. Since then, most of my family doesn’t keep up. But I do! Aside from a few missed seasons here or there, it’s been a tradition I kept up with watching with roommates, and friends, or watching with my boyfriend. One of the best parts about it nowadays is that there are so many podcasts that do recaps of the show. Sometimes they are even more entertaining than the show.

I was talking with a friend and tried to describe the types of podcasts I like to listen to, and I couldn’t quite nail down the type. But after talking about it she landed on the topic of trash podcasts. Similar to trash TV, it makes you feel good while you focus on other people’s life problems and relationships. I mean, technically they’d be classified as humor, relationship, and a few informational podcasts. But I loved that comparison to trash TV. So what in the heck does Sarah listen to these days?

I Never Thought You’d Ask

As soon as I started linking all of my podcasts I realized just how full my weekly rotation of podcasts has become! Ahahaha. So hopefully there will be a little something for everyone. But I’m really happy to share this list because all of these shows have brought me joy, laughter, and some genuinely good listens without having to look at my screen. I believe most of them also have their shows on YouTube if you’re more of a visual person. For my reviews, I will include a short description, the best time to listen to the show, a general score out of 10, and then any other points. Enjoy!

Your Mom & Dad, formerly Chatty Broads

I mean, this is the OG podcast where I was immediately hooked. It started with Bekah and Jess as Chatty Broads. I didn’t watch the earlier seasons, but Bekah was a contestant on Arie’s season of the Bachelor so I would occasionally see updates about the podcast. I finally started watching their last 6 months or so of recording. It is filled with some fo the funniest interviews, astrology readings, and Chatty Bros where their husbands chat it up. Since then, they rebranded and Jess and her husband, Evan, started a podcast called Your Mom & Dad. It’s definitely different, but I feel like if you love reality tv, long tangential stories, hilarious stories, and a general homey, welcoming vibe - this is it.

The best time to listen is lunchtime or a long drive. Super funny and a great midday pick-me-up! Score: 8.5/10

Dear Shandy

This has to be another personal fav because I love Sharleen. She was previously a contestant on Juan Pablo’s season of the Bachelor. Sharleen really stood out for her poise and class. So it only makes sense she is an opera singer. So fabulous. She has a keen sense of fashion, emotional intelligence, and a great hosting presence. Her partner in crime, Andy, is fricken hilarious. He has great mid song breaks, great anecdotes and a healthy does of existential dread and cynicism. Their interviews and caller days are my favorite! Great for relationship advice, reality tv recaps, and generally a really lovely show.

The best time to watch is bright and early! I look forward to their usual drops at 9 a.m. EST. Score: 9/10

Vaughnerable

Chelsea Vaughn was another contestant on the Bachelor, but on Matt James’s season. I followed along more closely with some of the other girls from that season, but after seeing she started a podcast I got more connected with her content! So glad I did because she has such a refreshing presence. Not only are her interviews super authentic, warm, and real, but the guests she has are amazing! I feel like I could hear her talk about anything. Also, her episodes with Cashay Proudfoot are the best. Their bestie energy is top-tier.

The best time to watch or listen is really anytime. LOL. I like that the episodes are a little bit shorter and more bite-size if you’re not in the mood for over an hour. Score: 8.5/10

ya, but who cares?

In continuation with Bachelor theme, Bri was also on Matt James’s season of the show. She joined onto her friend’s podcast and together they create some great stuff. I think Bri and Sesana are on their second season together and it’s been off to a solid start with a bunch of interviews with NYC influencers like Eni, Kiana, Cedoni, etc. They talk business, career changes, and life as young professionals.

The best time to listen is when you need some encouragement or advice. Maybe during an afternoon break or a weekend reset. Score: 7.5/10

Everything is the Best

It’s pretty difficult to not fall in love with Pia Baroncini’s life. She’s the creative director or some big role at her Revolve brand, LPA. Serving class and sass in an old school coastal Italian way with a modern twist. Her and her husband also own an olive oil brand and plan to create a Baroncini Home and Cafe brand as well. I love her conversations with founders, friends, and everyone in between.

The perfect time to listen to this is right around 10 or 11 a.m. after you’ve hit that mid-morning slump. The romantic conversations about wine and dinner parties will give you enough turbo to get to the afternoon. Or right as you wind down for bed with a cup of tea. Score: 8.5/10

Relationsh*t

Kamie fricken Crawford is an icon. Seriously, I love everything she does and she is the most honest, loyal (from what I’ve heard her talk about), and badass Scorpio ever. I love her podcast, everything she does and her work in Catfish and other reality shows. Seriously listen to this podcast and you will feel like one of her besties. She’s on a break right now producing new content, but they’ve been re-releasing old episodes so you can catch up.

You can listen to this anytime, but make sure you are in a place where you can laugh out loud and maybe listen with a friend who also needs dating advice. Hahahah. Score: 9.5/10

Lovers and Friends

Shan Boodram is a super popular sex educator and personality in TV and YouTube. Her podcast structure is super unique and pulls in a bunch of different angles and perspectives from friends, therapists, and people in her circle. I appreciate the way she analyzes complex topics and isn’t afraid to ask her guests tough questions. Sometimes I skip a few episodes here and there, but I feel like there’s usually some good topics that come up I’m interested in learning more about.

I’d listen to this with headphones and a notebook in hand cuz you will be taking notes. It’s like an informational, relatable podcast about sex, relationships, intimacy, and more. Score: 7/10

Cocktales Dirty Discussions

I don’t remember how I came across this podcast, but boy I was not prepared for how much I would fricken love it! Not only are Kiki Said So and Medinah Monroe so honest, but they also are an amazing dynamic duo that makes every episode funny, relatable, and just so dang entertaining. I’m a newer listener, but this has got to be in the top of all time entertaining podcast hosts.

Listen when you want to laugh, be completely gobsmacked about some people’s crazy sex stories, and just whenever you need some fun. Maybe a longer drive home from work while you’re stuck in traffic. Score: 9.5/10

Hot Girl Talks

Idk how to say this without sounding rude, but this is one of those “trash” guilty pleasure type of shows hahahah. Jaz, Halley, and Carly are NYC influencers and a really funny, kind of basic trio. But for some reason their content and talks are really funny to me. Jaz was someone I originally followed on Tik Tok for her popular “Hi guys, I got food” content where she would order take out. I really like Halley’s content as well and she just moved into a new apartment in NYC and has grandma cottage core decor which I love. And her boyfriend cooks so it’s cute. Carly is very honest, generally like the lovable, fun friend who’s supportive and a good listener. But overall, their podcasts are kind of a hot mess.

Listen at your own risk, but be prepared to embrace their sometimes awkward and offbeat episodes lol. Score: 6/10

Trading Secrets

If you’re still here. Thank God, because I’m starting to second guess how my mind has this much space for this many people that I listen to talk about nonsense on a weekly basis. Anyways, Jason Tartick is SO CUTE and is also a Bachelor Nation alum. He was on Bekah Kufrin’s season (who is now pregnant and about to give birth btw) and is sadly recently single :( Him and Kaitlyn Bristowe were engaged and recently broke up. This show is about none of that and is instead A FINANCIAL PODCAST. Wowza. Somehow the way he talks about finance is kind of hot and entertaining and he does it in a way that gives us all the numbers we wonder about…and the guests are all famous. So give it a listen if you’re interested in the #s and how much influencers, reality tv stars, and the rest of ‘em make!

The best time to listen is when you are looking to level up in your career. Or just interested in hearing some good tips about finances. Score: 7/10

BONUS SECTION

Okay, I’m tired of writing all of these reviews so I am going to include a BONUS section of relatively new podcasts I have started to listen to. These you can check out on your own time or please reach out and ask about it if you’re interested.

Naked Beauty By Brooke DeVard

Pour Minds

The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie & Katya

Confident Collective

That’s all for now. Until next time. Thanks for reading this week’s edition of Aw Shucks.