When I get a podcast recommendation, it’s helpful if I also get a specific episode that stands out. This is a list of the individual podcast episodes from the past few months that I highly recommend. What would you add to the list? 

NPR’s Embedded: Trump Stories (the whole season)

This has been one of my favorite series ever- it is SO well done and absolutely fascinating. It’s a behind the scenes look at Trump and some of the people who surround him and it really shines a light on the pieces that all fit together for him to rise to the presidency. The first in the series was on The Apprentice, and I now have some serious regret that I was a huge fan of the first few seasons of that show. And the episode on Steve Bannon was so interesting (and eerie).

Revisionist History: Miss Buchanan’s Period of Adjustment

In every episode of Revisionist History, Malcolm Gladwell takes a historical event and deep dives to show a different angle or the real truth behind that event. In this episode, he breaks down the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. I listened to this episode three times because it was so good and thought provoking.

Pantsuit Politics: #TakeAKnee: Kaepernick, Curry, and Trump

Pantsuit Politics is my favorite podcast, and their episodes cover current news, so normally I wouldn’t recommend an episode from weeks ago (although, stop what you are doing right now and subscribe to the show and listen to EVERY WORD going forward). But this is the exception. This discussion on the TakeA Knee controversy and patriotism is so nuanced and intelligent- I listened to the entire thing twice.

Impolite Company: I’m So Happy the Bar is that Low

Impolite Company is a new podcast with a premise of discussing the intersection of faith and politics- there’s only been 3 episodes so far, and this one is #2. It includes a really intelligent conversation on abortion backed up by my favorite things…facts and statistics.

For the Love with Jen Hatmaker: Chrissy Kelly: How to Survive When Your Dreams Dissolve

This is a MUST LISTEN for all special needs parents, especially those who are struggling with their child’s diagnosis. I listened to this one while I was grocery shopping, and had tears running down my face right there in the cereal aisle.

Blue Babies Pink (the whole thing) This is a blog that was adapted into a podcast. Brett Trapp is a committed Christian who is gay. He has no agenda here except to simply tell his story. The story is 44 chapters and any Christian who is involved in any way or is on any side of the LGBT-church debate (which is all of us) should really hear this story.

Holy Heretics: Messes and Moxie

This is an interview with Jen Hatmaker, who talks about her painful year and her relationship with the Christian Machine. (Note: she’s been on this show twice and this is the second of those two interviews)

Sorta Awesome: Stop Buying Cheap Clothes!

Sorta Awesome is my co-favorite podcast and this episode gave me a lot to consider about the clothes I choose to buy. It is really nonjudgmental and gives some really great tips about buying quality, well-made clothing instead of fast fashion.

The Longest Shortest Time: Coming of Age with Down Syndrome

I LOVED this episode- it was so endearing and refreshingly honest. Most of the time, pieces about raising special needs children either focus on the challenges, but not the joy, or vise versa. This one discusses both, from the point of view of a mom raising a daughter with Down syndrome who is now a teenager.

What would you add to my list? Any podcast episodes that stand out?