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A Senior-Friendly Guide to Podcasts

woman listening to headphones

Thanks to on-demand technology, we have millions of video and audio programs right at our fingertips. While you may think that means streaming TV shows, movies or music, there’s one entertainment option that continues to grow: podcasts. Started in 2004, podcasts are similar to radio programs, but they can be played whenever and wherever you want. And you can choose from virtually any topic that interests you, such as history, art, true crime, home improvement, or just really great stories.

This blog post will suggest apps where you can listen to podcasts and also has 22 programs for you to check out, including some interesting podcasts for seniors.

 

Podcast Services

Here are some of the podcast services where you can find a range of topics: 

 

Best Podcasts

Whether you’re new to podcasts or have been listening for years, there are always new ones being created. Below are some of our favorites, including some of the best podcasts for seniors. If you see something you like, start listening to it by selecting a link.

  1. Between the Liner Notes: Each month, record producer Matthew Billy fully explores a music history topic, taking listeners on a musical journey. This podcast is perfect for both casual music fans and dedicated musicians.
  2. Criminal: If you love true crime but don’t want the blood and gore, join host Phoebe Judge. Her story-driven show focuses on the sociological and historical aspects of crime. 
  3. Dirty John: Hosted by Christopher Goffard from the L.A. Times, this six-episode podcast explores the true story of Debra Newell and John Meehan and their complex story of love, deception, forgiveness, denial and survival.
  4. Ear Hustle: Hosted by Earlonne Woods, an inmate at San Quentin State Prison, and Nigel Poor, a Bay Area visual artist, you’ll hear from prisoners about life inside prison. What is solitary confinement like, and what does it do to your brain? How do you actually leave prison? What’s it like to deal with aging and death while in prison?
  5. Freakonomics Radio: This podcast, hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, can help you understand basic economic principles and how they fit into nearly every aspect of life — from pop culture and health to leisure activities and retirement.
  6. Girl Talk: Women Aging, and Sexuality: During each 20-minute episode, host Marcia Meier and her guests have some serious girl talk about aging, sexuality, and everything else related to women and growing older.
  7. Good Job, Brain: This interactive quiz show showcases random and strange trivia facts on a wide range of topics. It’s an entertaining activity to do with family and friends and a great way to exercise your brain. 
  8. Guided Meditations: Created and hosted by psychotherapist Tara Brach, she’ll walk you through calm discussions of body and mind to help deal with life’s stresses or show you how to decompress after a long day.
  9. How I Built This With Guy Raz: Dive into some of the world’s best known companies and hear the fascinating stories of how they were formed. 
  10. In the Dark: This eight-part podcast follows the story of Jacob Wetterling, who was just 11 years old when he was kidnapped on a rural road near his Minnesota home in 1989. Learn about his case and the shocking ineptitude of the police investigation.
  11. Living to 100 Club: This podcast is all about aging successfully. It features topics including staying positive in the face of adversity, leading healthy lifestyles, starting new chapters, and doing what you can’t.
  12. Lux Radio Theater: Originally a radio show running from 1934 to 1955, this podcast features adaptations of Broadway plays and Hollywood films voiced by a diverse range of stars from John Wayne to Judy Garland. 
  13. Mature Prenerus Talk: Host Diana Todd-Banks conducts interviews with inspirational entrepreneurs in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, proving it’s never too late to start something new.
  14. Not Old – Better: Hosted by award-winning journalist Paul Vogelzang, this weekly podcast features interviews with fascinating people, from sports stars and celebrities to health experts and ordinary folks who live extraordinary lives.
  15. Radiolab: A show about curiosity, Radiolab is where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy and human experience.
  16. Science Friday: Host Ira Flatow interviews scientists, authors, and policymakers about science, technology, health, or the environment. 
  17. Stuff You Missed in History Class: Hosted by Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey, this podcast focuses on the premise that there are many events of social, cultural, and political importance that simply don’t get taught or emphasized in general history classes. 
  18. The Daily: A daily news podcast by The New York Times summarizes and comments on world news. It’s a great way to stay informed and current on global news.
  19. The Handyguys Podcast: Handymen Brian and Paul offer tips and tricks for home upkeep alongside anecdotes about their family lives and miscellaneous topics.
  20. The Moth: The mission of The Moth is to spread the art and craft of storytelling. Most of the shows have to do with human and social experiences, presenting stories that are always unique and unpredictable.
  21. This American Life: This show covers a wide variety of topics, but each episode has several stories revolving around that week’s theme. Some stories will break your heart, others will have you laughing, and others will leave you sitting in silence — speechless.

 

Your Story Continues at Freedom Village

We hope you enjoyed our list of podcasts for seniors. At Freedom Village, our senior living community offers maintenance-free living, planned social activities and a full continuum of on-site care so you can enjoy life your way every day. To learn more, contact us here.