If you’re anything like me, you spend a good amount of your time in a car or with headphones in your ear. If you are already a podcast aficionado or are simply looking for a new pod to add to your rotation – this list is for you. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best podcasts that are female-oriented, hosted by women, and tackle women’s issues.
#1 Why Won’t You Date Me w/ Nicole Byer
Nicole Byer is trying to understand the problems in her dating life by bringing on guests with whom she’s previously hooked up with, or gone on dates with and asking them “why won’t you date me?” She begins by showing the guests her tinder profile and asking their thoughts on both her bio and the photographs. Their advice leads into regaling one another with dating stories, culminating in the big reveal: *surprise* she and the guest have actually hooked up. This reveal is then met with the question – “so, why won’t you date me?” The result is a hilariously honest podcast that provokes thoughtful responses from men and women alike.
#2 Glowing Up
What do you get when you combine comediennes Esther Povitsky and Caroline Goldfarb aka the creator of @officialseanpenn? You get the glowiest self-care podcast you’ve ever heard, that’s what. Listening to glowing up is like being at a slumber party – except everyone at this slumber party knows more about serums, makeup, and ashwagandha than you do. But that’s okay, because the vibe within Glowing Up is an inclusive one – where the goal is to banish the idea of keeping beauty tricks and hacks to yourself, instead opting to create a space where women feel comfortable sharing with one another. If you want to laugh your ass off and learn something at the same time, this is the podcast for you.
#3 2 Dope Queens
2 Dope Queens is a hilarious podcast and live comedy show hosted by comediennes and best friends, Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams. The women tackle a range of topics from sex, to race, to hairdressers who don’t have a clue how to handle black hair; as well as interviews with celebrities and stand-up performances from other comedians. A warning to listeners: if you don’t want to laugh out loud while walking by yourself, then don’t listen to this podcast in public – because I assure you – you will.
#4 Guys We F****d
Guys We F****d bills itself as an anti-slut shaming podcast, boasting that they have “spread their legs, now they’re spreading the word.” Hosts Corinne Fisher and Krystyna have no problem acknowledging their love of sex while blending frank discussions about current events affecting the sex lives of others. How do they do this? By interviewing guys they’ve f*****d. But be warned: the frank nature of these discussions isn’t intended to arouse listeners as much as they’re set up to empower them. The goal of this podcast is to help other women feel comfortable with their own sexuality and sexual exploits. If you’re looking to feel empowered – this is a podcast that is worth a listen.
#5 Bad with Money w/ Gaby Dunn
Money is a topic that makes most of us anxious, envious, insecure or some weird combination of all three. What’s worse is that so many of us have been taught to not talk about it which means we (1) don’t always know how much we should be getting or (2) quite what to do with it. Luckily, Gaby Dunn is setting out to change that narrative by talking openly about money and the difficult decisions that come along with it. Her hope is that bringing to light a subject that is so often kept in the shadows will help us to better understand our own finances and ultimately, be better with our money.
#6 Natch Beaut
Natch Beaut is the brainchild of Jackie Johnson, a proud southern belle who is as passionate about skincare as she is about animal rights. Natch Beaut is what beauty magazines should aspire to – instead of the shame and exclusion you normally see on magazine stands, this is a podcast that celebrates people of all shapes, sizes, and skin tones. While tackling helpful topics such as basic skincare routines and affordable cruelty-free products, Jackie conducts conversations with beauty experts that are as hilarious as they are informative. It is a beauty podcast with a conscious that “attempts to take the seriousness, mysteries, and intimidation out of makeup and skincare” through the discussions she has with industry insiders.
#7 What’s Your Sign?
What’s Your Sign? is a podcast that deals with all things astrology. If you’re interested in knowing the difference between your moon and sun sign (or why it matters in the first place), or if you’ve heard astrological terms like ‘ascendant’ and ‘cusp’ but never quite knew what they meant – this podcast is for you. If you already know the astrological terminology and want to hear the host’s roast a certain sun sign, then this podcast is also for you (but maybe not for you, Cancer. Just kidding. Kind of.)
#8 Never Before with Janet Mock
There are so many podcast gems out there that have stopped producing content. Never Before with Janet Mock would be one of them. If you haven’t yet listened to this enlightening, empowering and reflective podcast, we thought it would still be worth a mention. I mean, who doesn’t love Janet Mock? And second, the show features interviews with some of the biggest matriarchs in the industry: Tina Knowles-Lawson and Kris Jenner. Nuff said.
by Sara Estelle Grayum
