I live and breathe podcasts these days. At any given moment you can find me listening to one while I work (as I type this!), in the car, as I cook, clean, sew, weave, knit, crochet… basically my entire day is filled with surprising episodes from amazing podcasters. ‘Tis the season for some heavy-duty crafting so I thought I would put together a short list of my favorite podcasts to listen to! So sit back, grab your WIP and a mug of favorite tea, and explore these absolutely delightful shows.
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey talk about history topics you might have missed but definitely want to hear about now! I love listening to Wilson and Frey’s great chemistry as co-hosts and learning about incredible stories from the past. My favorite episodes are Building Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion (parts 1 & 2), Rose Bertin: The First Fashion Designer and The Contentious Invention of the Sewing Machine!
This American Life
Ira Glass’ opening line each week is the best description for this show – “There’s a theme to each episode of This American Life, and a variety of stories on that theme.” It’s that time of year when I have the A Very Special Sedaris Christmas on repeat as I work on the catalog lay out. Hands down, my favorite episode is Christmas and Commerce featuring stories by David Sedaris as an elf in the Macy’s department and David Rakoff as Christmas Freud in a shop window. Timeless and seasonally appropriate, it’s the episode that has me giggling as I knit up those last-minute gifts.
99% Invisible
This is a new-to-me podcast and I’ve found myself listening to 7-8 episodes at a time as I work on my new floor loom. Each episode is an in-depth look at a single topic regarding design that shapes the way we all interact with the world around us. My favorite episodes are Inflatable Men, Hacking Ikea and The Sound of Sports.
The Memory Palace
Nate DiMeo tells true, short stories about forgotten things that happened in history. I love the episode O, How We Danced about marathon dancing in the 1920’s.
Here’s the Thing
Alec Baldwin interviews various celebrities about their careers and lives with a distinct Baldwinian flair. His interview with Ira Glass is an episode that I come back to time and again when I want to laugh on my commute or to keep me company during a particularly long section of stockinette.
Good Job Brain
Stacey and I listen to Good Job, Brain! every week. It’s our favorite quiz show with interesting trivia tid-bits and fast-paced games. Play along as you craft!
Seamwork Radio
Colette’s newest venture, Seamwork Radio is a brand-new podcast featuring interviews with sewing designers about their experiences. I was listening so intently to their episode with male sewist Matthew Holloway. It was such a touching interview and I felt like it really shone a light on the experiences of minority group in the craft world. Check it out!
Want more suggestions? Leave a message in the comments and I’ll give you another recommendation from the queue of 50 podcasts I have in regular rotation!
