For the Love of Podcasts
It's Thursday newsletter time: recognizing the joy of listening to podcasts, a mindful experiment and an opportunity to share your favorite podcasts
With one AirPod in my ear…
Parenthood changes everything. Again.
I wrote in the past how parenthood changed my reading habits, but before I really found ways to read in my new parent reality…there were podcasts. I will admit I had never really listened to podcasts until after my 2nd child was born. I am often slow to join the cultural zeitgeist. With working full-time and navigating the needs of two kids, I felt like I was getting dumb. I know that sounds harsh on the heels of a big self-compassion post but I felt like my brain was slowly atrophying. I felt totally out of touch with what was going on in the world outside of work and Daniel Tiger. I didn’t know who was writing books or what topics were being discussed in popular culture (or how people had time to know about these things). Podcasts were a bridge. They were a manageable commitment, 30-60 minutes to feel like a grown up inside my brain. They supported me through chores, commuting and sometimes they were the other “adult” in the room when my conversation partners were all under the age of 5. So today I say let’s celebrate what we love to listen to! I’ve listed some of my current podcast favorites at the bottom and I hope you will share, too.
In Case You Missed It…
Check out Monday’s post, self-compassion is for everyone and I would argue essential to parents.
Your Weekly Mud Boot
The weekly offering of a practice or exercise to support you in your parenthood. Why Mud Boot? Mud boots can certainly make standing in the mud a little easier…
I have the official disclaimer at the bottom of the page but remember these are for educational purposes only and do not qualify as therapy.
Mindful of messages
There are now so many podcasts, something for everyone out there. And with so many choices, there is a lot of content out there—some helpful, some not. The counsel that exists around curating one’s social media feed is well suited to podcasts, too. Yet another opportunity for practicing conscious consuming and getting in tune with the content that is useful, pleasurable or engaging and if it’s not, moving on. Check out the exercise below for “tuning in” more when listening.
Experiment with Mindful Listening-Podcast or Music Style
Podcasts are often a companion for another activity like driving, chores or exercise. Same with music. Try a mindful listening experiment and see what it feels like to focus on only the listening experience. If you don’t listen to podcasts-try it with music.
Pick a podcast (or song) you want to direct your full attention to, doesn’t have to be the whole podcast episode, maybe just a portion.
Find an environment that will be conducive to focused listening and find a position that supports your body and attention.
Focus on the experience of listening. Distraction is to be expected. Just notice and come back to what you are listening to.
Notice any feelings, sensations or thoughts that arise while you are listening.
After, reflect on the experience-did it feel different from when you listen at other times? Any surprises in your response to what you were listening to?
And the podcasts please…
The podcast that helps me navigate tough topics like parenting in diet culture and additionally is an absolute delight:
Burnt Toast with
The podcast about social media (and so much more!) that makes me laugh and passionately head nod in agreement while driving in the car:
Under the Influence with
The podcast that expands on the neurodivergent experience:
Divergent Conversations: A Neurodivergent Podcast with Dr. Megan Anna Neff and Patrick Casale
The podcast for parents of differently wired kids:
Tilt Parenting with Debbie Reber
The podcast that I just soak up all the goodness with a cup of tea (although sometimes it’s a metaphorical cup of tea, let’s be real—I am usually driving):
Mother Culture with
and Miranda RakeThe podcast that gives me warm and fuzzy feelings because it reminds me of being in graduate school and thinking about all things psychology with my classmates (also not only for psychologists):
Psychologists Off the Clock with
, PhD , PhD Jill Stoddard, PhD and Michael Herold
Ok, your turn. What are you listening to? Drop it in the comments.
Disclaimer: The content on Mindful Mom in the Mud posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD on the Instagram account (@mindfulmominthmud), Youtube Channel (@mindfulinthemud) and newsletter (mindfulinthemud.substack.com) or any other medium or social media platform (the “information”) is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal and professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Reliance on any information provided by Mindful Mom in the Mud is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider.
This is great! I've found a few new podcasts to add to my TBL list :)
These are great recs, thank you, Kathryn! I love pop culture podcasts and listening to recaps of the Bravo shows I literally just watched. I also love Nora McInerny's Terrible Thanks for Asking podcast. Brain Candy is good too (when I feel like I need a little culture to complement Bravo.)