When your commute to work every day feels endless, podcasts are a great way to keep yourself entertained for hours on end.
Let’s face it – commuting is not a fun time. Whether you’re sitting in your car in bumper to bumper traffic or squished up against the window of a train, it can be so easy to get frustrated with the lost time spent commuting every day.
Spending 1-2 hours on your way to and from work can lead to feelings of boredom. As well as that, while scrolling through social media can be fun, it is proven that spending extended amounts of time looking at our screens is not good for our mental health. So perhaps spending your commute scrolling through social media is not the best remedy for your boredom.
Podcasts are a great way to keep your mind stimulated while also relaxing during your commute. Plus, there is a podcast for just about every topic of interest nowadays, making it easier than ever for you to make your commute an entertaining one.
Here are the best podcasts that will beat your commute
boredom:
The Mystery-Solver: My Favourite Murder
True crime has always been a topic which has long fascinated
people. However, in recent years, there seems to be more and more true crime
films, documentaries and books coming out. Who doesn’t love a spooky story?
In this podcast, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark tell
each other their favourite murder stories while also listening to true crime
tales from the hometowns of their friends and fans. If you have an interest in
fascinating mysteries and true crime, this one’s for you.
Favourite Episode: Weighted Blanket
The Mindset-Changer: The Mindset Makeover
Social media can be a fun way to explore our interests and keep up with our friends and family. However, it can also take its toll on our mental health. No one knows this better than Lauren Curtis.
This YouTuber started out on social media in 2014 and has since garnered over 7 million followers across her various social media platforms. In this podcast, Lauren will talk you through body image, diet culture, choosing happiness and reaching your goals.
Favourite Episode: Life Chats: Why I become happier the older I get
The Book Lover: What Should I Read Next?
Reaching the end of a good book is both satisfying and bittersweet. After being engrossed in a particular story for a while, how can we just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and dive headfirst into another book?
As WSIRN podcast presenter Anne Bogul says herself, this is a podcast dedicated to the question which plagues every reader – what should I read next? Every week Anne conducts some “literary matchmaking” with a particular guest, who may be an average reader or a bestselling author. Each guest must talk about their favourite book, a book they hate and a book that they’re currently reading. Then, Anne recommends a book they should read next. This podcast will evoke the inner book worm in you.
Favourite Episode: You'll never conquer your TBR - and that's a good thing
The Knee Slapper: Laughs of Your Life with Doireann
Garrihy
Okay, we’ve gone through lots of productive podcasts there.
Our mindsets are makeover’ed and our brains are full of true crime mysteries.
Now we just need a good laugh.
If laughing out loud on your commute is embarrassing to you,
then do not listen to this podcast – it will truly have you in stitches.
This is a podcast with an unusual premise. Irish comedian and radio host Doireann Garrihy interviews various guests about laughter in their lives. Guests must answer questions about their first memory of laughter, their last laugh moment, their “If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry” moment and the results are hysterical.
Favourite Episode: PJ Gallagher
The Just Plain Weird One: The Blindboy Podcast
If you live in Ireland, you will have undoubtedly heard of
the RubberBandits. No matter how many times we’ve heard ‘Horse Outside’ and
‘Roisin I Wanna Fight Your Father’ they still have us in stitches.
One half of the plastic bag donning duo, Blindboy Boatman, currently hosts one of the most popular podcasts in Ireland, ‘The Blindboy Podcast’. It is impossible to explain what this podcast is about, but it includes interesting “hot takes”, controversial conspiracy theories and education around mental health. It’s definitely worth a listen.
Favourite Episode: Poltergeist of a Builder
The Helping Hand: Motherboard
Family Friendly HQ’s own podcast, Motherboard, is created by mothers for mothers. No subject is off-limits and everything from wobblers and toddlers to those difficult teenage years is discussed.
Motherboard is a great helping hand for all parents, no matter what stage your child is at. Presented by Avril Flynn, this podcasts dives deep into the beauty of raising children as well as the various issues affecting parents today.
Favourite Episode: The Sleep Whisperer