Earbud.fm is NPR's friendly guide to great podcasts. Each of the episodes in this app was hand-picked for you by a listener or a radio/podcast pro. It's like getting recommendations from a couple hundred of your savviest friends. If you want to keep up with us as we add new episodes, sign up here for our newsletter. You'll hear from us once a week, every Saturday morning. You can also read through our archives below.
What's Julia Stiles Listening To?
Newsletter No. 11, Jan. 30, 2016
First off, thanks so much for sending your thoughts about the newsletter. It's fun putting this thing together every week, but newsletters can be kind of a weird one-way street, and it was really great to hear from you guys. If you ever have anything you want to share with us — questions/critiques/knock-knock jokes — you can always reach us at earbud@npr.org . We love hearing from you. And now, without further ado:
Have 10 minutes?
ARRVLS: "Two Doves"
Julie Sparenberg recounts meeting the love of her life — and his daughter — while she was mourning a big loss. Listener Naazish YarKhan says, "What I loved about this episode is how in a single conversation the narrator knew that she would marry the man she had just spoken to."
Have Half An Hour?
The Mash-Up Americans: "Getting Down With Our Genome" (Newly add ed to earbud.fm!)
"The Mash-Up Americans is a lively, optimistic exploration of multicultural life in the U.S. Hosts Amy S. Choi and Rebecca Lehrer find humor in the occasional misunderstanding, all the while celebrating how all of us are enriched by exploring our deep cultural roots. The recipes are pretty delicious, too. It makes me laugh, but I also feel like I'm constantly learning."
— Recommended by Julia Stiles, actress
Have More Than An Hour?
The Music Snobs: "Michael"
"The Music Snobs is a four-man roundtable that goes deep on one artist or concept at a time, with a focus on putting contemporary, black music forms into historical context. The Michael Jackson episode has a long middle section on the so-called 'black male identity crisis' of the 1980s, and it is riveting."
— Recommended by Daoud Tyler-Ameen, NPR Music
And, as always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us.
Happy listening,
Rose Friedman , Nicole Cohen & Beth Novey
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Terryn Hall.
So, how's this going for you?
Newsletter No. 10, Jan. 23, 2016
Hey earbudders,
We've been at this newsletter thing for a few months now, and we thought it would be a good time to check in with you. So? How's it going? Is this working for you? How do you feel about the format? Does the Saturday delivery fit well with your schedule? Are these suggestions helpful when you're looking for something to listen to? What would you like to see more of/less of?
We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at earbud@npr.org and tell us what the podcast newsletter of your dreams would look like. We're all ears!
Have a great weekend,
Beth Novey, Nicole Cohen & Rose Friedman
Producers of earbud.fm
Love Hotels! Siberia! The Bus Passengers From 'Speed'!
Newsletter No. 9, Jan. 16, 2016
Hey!
We're back with some new recommendations. Here you go!
Have A Half Hour (And Speak Spanish?) Try:
Fuera De Contexto: "El Arquitecto Del Amor/The Architect Of Love" (Newly added to earbud.fm!)
"These two designers from Mexico City were clearly meant to launch a podcast — they have a fun, engaging chemistry as co-hosts of this show, which is dedicated to highlighting stories about design in Mexico and beyond. This episode struck me as especially interesting and lively because it's about the love motel industry in Mexico City. These motels are a staple in most Latin American cities, and are usually seen as seedy, despicable places. But in this episode they talk to a designer/architect duo who decided to use their know-how to turn 'hoteles de paso' (hotels for a quick stop) into 'hoteles de amor' (love hotels)."
— Recommended by Martina Castro, senior producer, Radio Ambulante
Have An Hour? Try:
Benjamen Walker's Theory Of Everything: "Occupy Siberia (Dislike Club Prequel)"
"After a five-part series about what's terrible about social media, Benjamen Walker revisited this story in which he trains aspiring Siberian journalists to use social media, with surprisingly violent results. Part personal diary, part radio drama, this episode is long, but worth the listen."
— Recommended by Ariel Zambelich, editor, NPR Visuals
Have More Than An Hour? Try:
I Was There Too: "Speed With The Passengers Of Bus 2525"
Remember the 1994 movie Speed? This episode follows up with some of the actors who played characters on that ill-fated bus. Listener Maura O'Leary recommends this podcast, in which "the excellent Matt Gourley interviews actors who played smaller parts in iconic movies."
As always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us. And if you have any feedback about what you'd like to see more of in this newsletter drop us a line at earbud@npr.org.
Happy listening,
Rose Friedman, Nicole Cohen & Beth Novey
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help fromearbud.fm panelist Terryn Hall.
New Year's Resolution: MORE PODCASTS!
Newsletter No. 8, Jan. 9, 2016
Finally! A New Year's resolution you can stick to. Here are some recommendations to get you started.
Have 15 Minutes? Try:
Note To Self: "Seriously, Listen To Your Voicemail"
After her father's sudden death, writer Leslie Horn makes the case for good, old-fashioned voicemail. "This episode makes a tech show about more than tech," says listener Steven Thrasher. "It becomes about emotion."
Have An Hour? Try:
Dead Authors Podcast: "Walt Whitman, Featuring James Adomian"
"James Adomian nails Walt Whitman's distinctive cadence, and gives him a skewering that manages to feel simultaneously fond and gleefully disrespectful. Which is this literary-nerd comedy show in a nutshell." (Note: Whitman makes his entrance around the 2:50 mark.)
— Recommended by Camila Domonoske, reporter, NPR.org
Have More Than An Hour? Try:
The Tim Ferriss Show: "Amanda Palmer On How To Fight, Meditate, And Make Good Art" (Newly added to earbud.fm!)
"In a wide-ranging and wildly inspiring conversation, Amanda Palmer expands on her ideas from the indispensable The Art of Asking as she contemplates creativity, sanity, integrity and what it means to be an artist."
— Recommended by Maria Popova, founder of Brain Pickings (find more of her favorite podcasts here)
As always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us. And if you have any feedback about what you'd like to see more of in this newsletter drop us a line at earbud@npr.org.
Happy listening,
Rose Friedman, Nicole Cohen & Beth Novey
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Terryn Hall.
Recommendations From Your Podcast Elves
Newsletter No. 7, Dec. 26, 2015
Good morning!
Been with family for days on end? Here are some podcasts for your much-needed me time.
Have Only 20 Minutes? Try:
Planet Money: "The Prisoner's Solution"
While incarcerated for shipping marijuana in the mail, entrepreneur Frederick Hutson applies his business acumen to the problems of prison. Listener Nikki Garcia says this "fascinating, well reported" story "brings out the best of Planet Money."
Have An Hour? Try:
RuPaul: What's The Tee?: "Becoming The Observer Of Your Mind" (Newly added to earbud.fm!)
"In the language of drag queens, 'What's the Tee?' is an invitation to share the Truth. In this episode, glamazon RuPaul and co-host Michelle Visage distill the spiritual wisdom of Eckhart Tolle and Judge Judy to shed light (and throw shade) on our inner saboteurs. Listen, and you may skip a few years of therapy."
— Recommended by Scott Stroud, user experience strategist, NPR
Have More Than An Hour? Try:
The Read: "Beyoncé Holiday Spectacular"
"In the days following Beyoncé's shocking album drop in 2013, four friends breathlessly try to process what just happened. The episode is hilarious, rousing and smart as it breaks down the album not just as album, but also as cultural coup." For adult listeners.
— Recommended by Jeffrey Cranor, co-creator/writer, Welcome to Night Vale podcast
As always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us.
Happy listening,
Nicole Cohen, Beth Novey & Rose Friedman
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
PS: We're taking a little break for the holiday, so you won't see a newsletter from us next week. Happy New Year — we'll see you in 2016!
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Terryn Hall.
What ARE Those Glowing Orbs?
Newsletter No. 6, Dec. 19, 2015
Hey!
We're back. Here are some podcasts to fill your weekend:
Have Only 5 Minutes? Try:
The Memory Palace: "The Glowing Orbs"
"I love forgotten/quirky history, and this has everything I want from an audio piece. It starts with a good story [a mysterious discovery made by John Glenn while he orbited Earth] that takes me somewhere unexpected; it has just the right amount of audio-production magic; and it makes me laugh, which is probably the hardest thing to do on the radio."
— Recommended by Michael Garofalo, executive producer, StoryCorps
Have 20 Minutes? Try:
The Leap: "The Dinner Date" (Newly added to earbud.fm!) "Every episode features incredible people making big, risky decisions in their lives — something I find really hard to do! This episode will leave you marveling at the incredible resilience of the human spirit — after you're done laughing/crying."
— Recommended by Becky Lettenberger, NPR Visuals
Have An Hour? Try:
Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period: "A Soldier's Play"
"You get the behind-the-scenes of an amazing play, and David Alan Grier does hilarious impressions of Samuel L. Jackson, Adolph Caesar and of course Denzel."
— Recommended by Sonari Rhodes Glinton, NPR business correspondent
(And when you're done with this episode, earbud.fm panelist Terryn Hall recommends two recent episodes: "The Wiz Live! with David Alan Grier" and "Creed with Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington")
And, as always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us.
Happy listening,
Rose Friedman, Nicole Cohen & Beth Novey
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Terryn Hall.
More Podcasts! Check 'Em Out
Newsletter No. 5, Dec. 12, 2015
Hi, podcast people!
Here are some podcasts to listen to as you go about your weekend:
Have Only 20 Minutes? Try:
How To Be A Girl: "Deep Stealth Mode" (Newly added to earbud.fm!)
"This is a personal journal navigating the joy and challenge of raising a young transgender daughter. Marlo Mack tells the story of her daughter's first day of camp through candid conversations. She tries to anticipate the challenges of meeting new friends with different identities and expectations. But the daughter is given choices every step along the way, choices she manages with heartwarming grace."
— Recommended by Charlie Harding, producer and co-host, Switched on Pop podcast
Have 40 Minutes? Try:
Stuff You Missed In History Class: "The Lady Juliana"
The Lady Juliana was a ship that transported female criminals — some convicted of relatively minor crimes — from Britain to Australia in the late 1700s. Listener Sierra Chandler says she was fascinated by the story of these women "who were transplanted from the U.K. to Australia at a time when neither society wanted them."
Have An Hour Or More? Try:
For Colored Nerds: "Boomerang Revisited"
Hosts Brittany and Eric discuss news, race and pop culture. This episode includes an extended discussion of the movie Boomerang. Listener Chelsea Marks says she enjoys this show because the hosts are "smart and funny all the time."
And, as always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us.
Happy listening,
Beth Novey, Rose Friedman & Nicole Cohen
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Terryn Hall.
Fred Savage! Wrestling! Birth Control!
Newsletter No. 4, Dec. 5, 2015
Hi guys,
We're back with five podcasts to keep you company while you go about your weekend.
Have Only 15 Minutes? Try:
Song Exploder: "Ghostface Killah"
"Host Hrishikesh Hirway interviews musicians and somehow gets them to talk about how they make their songs in an interesting and satisfying way. In this episode, Hirway doesn't actually talk to Ghostface — instead he talks to the A&R guy whose job it was to get all the different rappers who collaborated on the album booked into a room together." — Recommended by PJ Vogt, host, Reply All podcast
Have 30 Minutes? Try:
The Business: "Fred Savage: From 'Wonder Years' To Director's Chair" (Newly added to earbud.fm!)
"Each half-hour show starts with a conversation with a 'banter buddy' (often a Hollywood Reporter or TV Guide editor) about current Hollywood news, followed by an in-depth interview with creators/producers/actors. Very often the show highlights independent films and documentaries. I find it very compelling and not too 'insidery.'" — Recommended by Jeff Lunden, freelance reporter, NPR Arts, Books & Culture
Have An Hour Or More? Try:
Why Oh Why: "Hacking The Uterus"
"This is host Andrea Silenzi's meditation on whether or not to get an IUD, complete with a visit to the examination table. And there's a surprise ending." — Recommended by Sam Greenspan, producer, 99% Invisible podcast
The Fan Bros Show: "Ta-Nehisi Coates Versus The Fan Bros Show"
The Atlantic's Ta-Nehisi Coates joins three hosts to discuss superheroes, black voices in media and growing up in Baltimore. Podcaster Cicero Holmes says, "Ta-Nehisi brings his patented salient perspective and is completely unfiltered when he talks about race relations in the United States."
Art of Wrestling: "CM Punk"
Professional wrestler Colt Cabana talks to his wrestling friends about their career struggles and triumphs. Listener Liam Azogui says, "This episode was great because it took you on a journey through the mind of a top-level athlete, CM Punk, who left millions of dollars on the table in order to keep his sanity."
And, as always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us.
Happy listening,
Rose Friedman, Nicole Cohen & Beth Novey
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Max Linsky.
Sex! Garth Brooks! Man-Apes!
Newsletter No. 3, Nov. 21, 2015
Hi guys,
We're back with five podcasts to keep you company while you go about your weekend.
Have An Hour? Try:
Sex Nerd Sandra: "Girl Sex 101"
"It's so refreshing to hear adults talking about sex like adults! It's educational, direct and helpful." — recommended by Eliza Xavier, listener
Have 30 Minutes? Try:
Rumble Strip Vermont: "An American Life"
"By stripping the episode to its barest essentials — just one voice telling a compelling story — producers Erica Heilman and Larry Massett remind us of an enduring truth: A single life is unimaginably large; it contains multitudes, even opposites like heartbreak, humor and hope. Who knew the whole universe lived in small-town Vermont?" — recommended by Colin Dwyer, producer, NPR.org
Hello From the Magic Tavern: "Tom The Traveler"
Arnie Niekamp has been whisked away to the magical kingdom of Foon, where he now hosts a podcast. "Arnie is a veteran Chicago comedian and podcaster, and his interviews with wizards and shape-changing badgers are fantastic," says Improvised Star Trek actor and producer Sean Kelley.
Have Only 10 Minutes? Try:
Nature PastCast: "February 1925: The Man-Ape Of South Africa"
This series — which resurfaces some of the biggest articles from the 180-year history of the journal Nature — "brings old science to life," says NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel. This episode is about paleontologist Raymond Dart and his groundbreaking fossil discovery.
Ten Minute Podcast: "Garth Brooks" (Newly added to earbud.fm!)
The name says it all: If you have 10 minutes and are looking for a laugh, Will Sasso's podcast — full of impressions, silliness and good-natured mockery — is a good place to start. Comedian and podcaster Melissa Villaseñor says it's "short and wacky."
And, as always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us.
Happy listening,
Nicole Cohen, Rose Friedman & Beth Novey
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Max Linsky.
Podcasts That Bring Music To Your Ears
Newsletter No. 2, Nov. 14, 2015
We're back!
Each week, we're sending you one episode that we've just added to earbud.fm, and one or two (sort of) related episodes from the site's archives. This second installment breaks down the way music can make us feel.
Domingo Martinez, author of Boy Kings of Texas, sends this recommendation for a Crybabies episode with radio personality Phil Hendrie:
"Susan Orlean and Sarah Thyre host a show where they share music, moments, books, poems or movies that automatically trigger a knot in the throat. It's like participating in a clever conversation with friends. In the opening of Episode 12, Susan and Sarah delve into music theory and discuss why a tear-jerker like Adele's 'Someone Like You' is clinically proven to make your sympathetic nervous system respond. It has all the hallmarks of the show — their sassiness, their wit and exchange, anecdotes and information."
(Domingo also recommends the episodes featuring Guy Branum, Matthew Weiner, Moby and "Weird Al" Yankovic.)
Crybabies' music theory conversation reminded us of an episode of Pitch, recommended by Audible's Eric Nuzum. In "Somewhere In My Memory" co-host Alex Kapelman tries to get to the bottom of why the iPhone text notification "ding!" reminds him of the Beach Boys song "Sloop John B." Eric says:
"I love this podcast because I always learn from it, or hear music in a slightly different way afterwards. Always a pleasure; always surprising."
And while we're talking music mechanics, NPR's Linda Holmes recommends an episode of Switched on Pop that breaks down the new Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You." Linda says:
"This show is such a treasure. It's great at applying principles of music theory and structure to songs that usually escape that kind of attention, and in doing so, it reveals how much is going on even in things often treated as confections. Carly Rae Jepsen is, as the hosts admit, the show's patron saint."
Happy listening!
Beth Novey, Rose Friedman & Nicole Cohen
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Max Linsky.
Happy Saturday — Here Are Your Podcasts!
Newsletter No. 1: Nov. 7, 2015
Oh, hi! Remember earlier this week when we promised to send you two podcasts every weekend? Well, here they are! Each week, we'll send you one episode that has just been added to earbud.fm, and one (sort of) related episode from the site's archives. This first installment is a meditation on winning, losing and knowing when to quit.
Daniel Alarcón, executive producer of Radio Ambulante, sends this recommendation for "The Closest Person You're Gonna Get to a Miracle Worker" from The Season :
"I'm really enjoying this new podcast from WNYC called The Season, which is surprising, because it's about football, which I don't care much about. The producers tell the story of Columbia University's football team, which hadn't won a game in two full seasons, and their attempts to turn it around. The production, writing and storytelling are great. It's so good I might actually go watch a game one of these days."
Daniel's pick reminded us of "The Upside of Quitting," an episode from Freakonomics Radio, recommended by listener Jackie Lee, who says:
"In the U.S. we think you should always stick with things. This episode looks at when and why you might be better off giving up. It's a great listen if you are trying to make a decision in your life, and for me it helped me not feel guilty about quitting a few jobs that I hated."
We hope you've enjoyed using earbud.fm this week, and, as always, if you hear something you love, please share it with us.
See you next week!
Rose Friedman, Nicole Cohen & Beth Novey
NPR Arts, Books & Culture
This week's newsletter was curated with help from earbud.fm panelist Max Linsky.
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