The best podcasts for life advice on anything and everything
From life’s big questions to random fun facts, Bella Sträuli gives you a breakdown on which advice and lifestyle podcasts to check out
Whether you have finished your exams and assignments or just need a little break, these podcasts might help you zone out so you can take that much deserved break. From talking about paperclips to relationships, they’ll keep you entertained for when you want to learn something new, take a deep dive into a niche topic or even when you just have a burning question.
1 - No Stupid Questions:
Hosted by a co-author of Freakonomics books (Stephen Dubner) and research psychologist Angela Dukworth, this podcast explores commonly posed behaviour questions. Ranging from “Are women required to be nicer than men?” to “why do we complain”, this is a podcast discussing funny, serious and controversial topics in a conversational manner. You will feel like you are in the room when they give out advice on friendships, jobs, human behaviour and psychology (among other things).
This has been my favourite podcast for years, spanning from ‘short stuff’ small episodes to longer episodes around 40 minutes to an hour. The content is simple (and quite similar to No Stupid Questions!) - what are some things we should all know, but just don’t? For example, the science behind runners high (is it real?), how sarcasm works, ketchup, parrots, tupperwares tooth fairies and more. Brought to you by Josh Clarke and Charles W. ‘Chuck’ Bryant, there's a reason it’s one of the top rated shows with over 1600 episodes.
As someone who studied Economics this podcast is accessible for both those who know everything and nothing about economics. Simply put, it addresses the economics of everything - of good ideas, architecture, COVID-19 and more. Hosted by Stephen J Dubner, the co-author of the ‘Freakonomics’ and co-host of No Stupid Questions, this podcast hosts professionals from various fields as well as intricately addressing complicated topics like ‘‘The Economist's Guide to parenting’. A lot of these podcast themes might trigger the question “what does economics have to do with advice?” but every episode seems to explain more and more the intertwined nature of behavioural economics. This podcast is incredibly accessible as a means to introduce the economics of human behaviour and why we do the things we do, but in a comical way. For example ‘How Stupid is our Obsession with Lawns?’ and ‘Should Traffic lights be abolished?’ are cracking topics.
4 - Life Uncut
A light podcast about relationships with Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne who are both former Bachelor contestants, this podcast takes a different route but is just as worth your while. Addressing relationships, love, modern dating and more, this podcast has taken the average dating story and flipped it on it’s side. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you want a funny podcast giving you raw, unfiltered dating advice - this one's for you. They also have a segment ‘Ask Uncut’ where they get listeners to send in their unadulterated questions of opinions on life including worst dating stories, sex experiences and online dating horrers. It’s honest, entertaining and gives an insight to the trials and tribulations of dating in Sydney.
5 - Directionally Challenged or Drama Queens
Hosts come from the case of Vampire Diaries and One Tree Hill respectively. In Directionally Challenged Candice King and Kayla Ewell talk about managing their thirties and dishing out life advice for younger (and older) listeners. They regularly have hosts on the show talking about different topics including building a family, surviving the pandemic, feminism, business and more. Drama Queens takes us to our teenage days unpacking all things One Tree Hill, casting, acting and the real friendships behind the scenes. These are lighthearted but important podcasts addressing serious issues and encouraging conversation around themes that might be stigmatised or ignored within society, including mental health, parenting and peer pressure.