My Top 5 Podcasts for a Hot Girl Summer

Podcasts have taken talk radio and added a whole new level of variety, accessibility, and promise. I was never one to listen to the radio much, not even audiobooks. I couldn't get behind listening to something that I could watch or read instead. I wanted to be that girl who loved podcasts, and I tried and tried for so long, but really to no avail. It wasn't until I got COVID earlier this year that I really could finally break that wall. Boy, am I glad I did.

Basically, we have to look to podcasts as a resource. In this distanced world that we now find ourselves in, we have been robbed of the gift of getting to meet new people, and more importantly, hearing their stories. I have always been the person that loves to hear other people's points of view. I know that plenty of people do not, but it is important to know how other people feel, and I really value that. I also think that it's rooted in the fact that I love to learn. So, here we have it -- the five podcasts that YOU should be listening to be your best self.

Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

Now, this podcast is really what opened the door for me. I was sick as a dog with COVID in complete isolation at the lake in the middle of nowhere. I needed interaction and some

knowledge somehow and someway. So within the next 10 days, I listened to Brené have important conversations with important people. They talked about anxiety, grief, and other challenging moments. She has studied the cross-section of emotion and experiences over the past 20 years. From this, she has been able to have important conversations about the two's connection with the meaning and purpose of our lives. The podcast is real, unpolished, and reflects what it means to be human. Guests include Oprah, Glennon Doyle, Dolly Parton, Emmanuel Acho, Dolly Parton, and Presidents Obama and Biden. Each podcast has an important topic that is directed throughout the usual hour-long conversation. This is just so, so great.

UnF*ck your Brain -- Kara Loewentheil

This podcast is funny af. It is designed for high-achieving feminist women who struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. I am going to raise my hand high on that one!

When you know that you have accomplished a lot, but I still feel underqualified, this one is for you if you want to feel confident but worry about what everyone else thinks about you. If you want to succeed, this is hosted by a certified confidence coach whose main goal is to teach us how to overcome social conditioning and our own self-critical thoughts in a way that will reduce our anxiety and insecurity, boost self-confidence, and get what we want. Each episode varies in topics from procrastination, people-pleasing to getting over guilt. The episodes are usually from 25 to 40 minutes long, so they are great for a long car ride or walk. Loewentheil even provides a free guide to creating confidence that can be found at www.unfckyourbrain.com/podcastconfidence.

Modern Love -- The New York Times

About a year ago, I found myself glued to the TV watching a new prime called Modern Love. It featured a stunning cast, with each episode focussing on a love story in the city. Each

carries a sentimental message and branches across all different sorts of people. I was fascinated when I heard that it was based on a column in the Times. I

was even happier when I found the podcast. This is perfect for those days where you want some comfort. It is so easy to listen to these sweet stories to gain some happiness. I also highly recommend the series. For 16 years, the Modern Love column has given the Times readers a glimpse into the complicated love lives of real people. The podcast is hosted by Daniel Jones, the editor and creator of Modern Love, and Miya Lee, editor of Tiny Love Stories and Modern Love projects. They drop each week on Wednesdays!

Project Body Love -- Women's Health

This one is GREAT! This podcast, out on by Women's Health, is a 30-day program designed to help women improve their relationships with their own bodies...aka Self Love. Only 6% of

women describe themselves as body confident. With this, it is clear that image concerns and body image issues hold back women from reaching their full potential. These episodes are typically 3 to 5 minutes and are meant to listen to once a day. The best way to do it is to work it into your routine. Women's health has put together this podcast with evidence-based research and science-backed exercises to help decipher these negative thoughts. Each episode targets different societal aspects as to why we may feel the way we do and encourage us to set the right intentions to appreciate our bodies for what they are. This is a great resource for most girls and is SO easy to integrate into your day!

We Can do Hard Things -- Glennon Doyle

Ok, I saved the best for last. I am not usually one who reads books that aren't narrative-based. However, after I had COVID and was in a bit of a rut, I decided .to pick up finally.

Doyle's Untamed off of my shelf and finally read it as it had been sitting there for far too long. Oh my god. Everyone needs to read this book. It's just one of those things that you don't know you need until after you've taken it. I had heard of Glennon and listened to her guest appearance on Unlocking Us with Brené Brown. After I read her book, I was THRILLED when she dropped this podcast. I have listened to it religiously every week since. Topics include different "hard things" that we all face and how, as women, we can set boundaries for ourselves by breaking the others that have been set for us. Life is freaking HARD, and Glennon gets it. So read the book and LISTEN TO THIS!! Listen so we can help each other carry the hard, so we can all live a little bit lighter and braver, more free and less alone.

You can find all of these podcasts on your typical streaming devices, such as Spotify or Apple Music. So give them a try and let me know what you think.

XOXO, Annie