My Top 5 Favorite Podcasts

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How are you doing on your resolutions for the new year? To be completely (and embarrassingly) honest with you, I don't even remember my long list of resolutions aside from "listen to a podcast every day". I could have just glanced back at my blog post from that month but, I figured that I would go with full-disclosure here instead. Are you on the same page as me? Do you remember 1 or 2 of those resolutions or have you forgotten them all together?

That's okay babe. Just because you got off track (like most of us have, I'm sure) you have plenty of time to turn that around. There are almost 9 months left in this new year. You can start over right now. Think about a single resolution that you'd like to revisit and focus on that. For me, I've found that adding this one, small activity into my daily routine has made a significant difference in my overall happiness thus far.

I look forward to that one hour of "me time" that I use to listen to an episode every morning. Maybe it's because the hosts are so damn inspiring, or maybe it's because I feel like I'm learning something new everyday and opening my eyes to a perspective I didn't have before. For the longest time, I had listened to friends and colleagues rave about podcasts but, I decided that I didn't have the time or energy to really look into them myself. When the new year rolled around, I finally told myself that it was time to be selfish and invest in me (I also began a full morning self-care routine for this reason - read more about that here). 

Listening to a podcast everyday brings me joy, inspiration, and boosts my creativity to the next level, even if I'm standing in a cubicle for the remainder of that day. You will usually find me taking notes in my idea book or, at the very least, feverishly searching online for who or whatever they are talking about to learn more about the topic once the episode ends. Each of these podcasts and episodes are wildly different from one another; some are geared toward creative entrepreneurs, some are focused on health and mental wellness, and some make you feel like you are sitting in on a 3-way phone call with your best girl friends discussing the worst dates you've ever been on and gossiping about that bitch, Susan, from accounting. 

The best thing about podcasts, by the way, is that they NEVER end (unlike my favorite TV series, cough* cough* 'This is Us'). There is always a new episode or channel to listen to, and a new topic to discuss; it is forever entertaining. When I first downloaded the App, CastBox, I was a little bit lost on what channel to download and listen to first. There are so many to choose from - literally hundreds on each topic. So, today I wanted to round up my top 5 favorite channels and a few episodes that really stuck with me from each. Hopefully these will give you a head start if you are just now exploring this territory like I was in January. Enjoy!

*This might become a series to share my favorite channels/episodes every few months. Let me know if you're interested in that* 

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01. The Goal Digger Podcast

A live-workshop style business podcast hosted by Jenna Kutcher, a small-town Wisconsin wedding photographer turned educator, designed for creative girl bosses to train from the experts on how to dig in, do the work, and tackle your biggest goals along the way. Jenna's topics range from 'perfecting your elevator pitch' to sharing her personal struggle with a miscarriage. You can count on her to be honest, hard-working, and inspiring.

  • Finding a Job You LOVE with Alaina Kaczmarski of The Everygirl
  • Starting a Movement and Fostering Community with Natalie Franke
  • Handling Grief Publicly with Emily Meyers

02. Straight Up with Stassi

Love her or hate her, Stassi, the star of Bravo's hit TV show, 'Vanderpump Rules' is always entertaining. She is not one to hold back on any topic and is never afraid to share her full opinion, even if it is unpopular with her listeners. Stassi discusses everything from plastic surgery to dating advice, the fashion industry, and more. Described as "a biting and hilarious look at the world and everyone in it, according to the Queen Bee herself". 

  • Fashion Week from HELL
  • Stassi Meets her Idol Rachel Zoe
  • Dating Disorders & Eating Disorders w/ Amberleigh Carter

03. Being Carefull: Self Care & The Pursuit

A place to explore all of the ways to master self-care while being mindful of the people and world around us. Each week, Caroline Kwash speaks with exceptional guests who teach listeners how to be more mindful and how to take better care of ourselves. Caroline makes you want to hire a Naturopathic doctor, throw out all of your MAC beauty products, and smile at the woman who cut you off in the Trader Joe's parking lot. She is kind, intelligent, and uplifting. 

  • Caring When They "Don't Deserve It"
  • Gurl Gone Green: Clean Beauty, Clean Eating, Clean Living with Suzi Swope
  • From 9-5 to CEO with Erin Gargan

04. Happier with Gretchen Rubin

The author of the best-selling book, 'The Happiness Project', is back with a weekly podcast designed to discuss and discover good habits of happiness. When I read 'The Happiness Project' a few years back, I was inspired by Gretchen's willingness to change her old habits, rather than try to change those around her (her husband, friends, and children). In this podcast, she does exactly that; she discusses how to be effective in changing your habits, little by little everyday, in order to make you a happier and more fulfilled person. 

  • The One-Minute Rule
  • A Discussion of the Five Love Languages
  • Start Your Own Happiness Project

05. Lady Lovin'

A source for female empowerment. Jilly Hendrix, Greta Titelman, and Lo Bosworth tackle a variety of topics from Relationships and Sex, to Health & Wellness to Business and Start Ups. Every Monday, they interview some of their favorite entrepreneurs, comedians and activists and answer all of your "need to know questions". Lady Lovin' is all about inspiring women to stay true to who they are and loving the skin you're in and the life you live. 

  • Health & Wellness with Candice Kumai
  • The Coveteur
  • Working Hard with Ray Siegel

Photos by Emma Jean Photography: Website / Facebook / Instagram

What are some of your favorite podcasts? Episodes? I'm always looking for something new; let me know in the comments!

xo Anna Elizabeth