By I have to admit I didn’t like the idea of podcasts in the beginning. I just never really got into them because I genuinely felt like it wasn’t a format I would enjoy, mainly because my brother listened to a lot of football podcasts, so I thought they were all like that. Yes, I do realize in hindsight that this was a stupid assumption. #SorryNotSorry
Moving on, it wasn’t until I decided to start listening to podcasts that I began to become engrossed in them, and trust me when I say this: even if there isn’t something on this list that you like, I’m sure there’s a podcast out there that you’ll love. Here’s my list of podcasts that I thought you might enjoy:
1. “Say Wallah!” by Muslim Girl
Why you should listen to it: In standard MuslimGirl.com fashion, the editors of Muslim Girl use this digital space invite the most happening guest hosts (Nabela Noor and Rashida Tlaib are no joke, y’all) to tackle taboo and exclusive subjects. We ask the important questions; Is modesty actually size-inclusive? What the true emotional cost of working for positive change in our nation’s capital, alongside some of the most Islamophobic politicians as your colleagues? Or how does deal with love, loss, and seemingly insurmountable heartbreak as a young Muslim widow? If these heart-wrenching, yet more-relevant-than ever topics sound like something that will spark your interest, then this is the podcast for you!
2. “Salam, Girl!” by Monica Traverzo and Nicole Queen
Why you should listen to it: Here are two American reverts who share their stories and experiences about converting to Islam. They also bring in different guest stars and what attracted them to Islam. If you’re curious about conversion stories, then waste no time in heading over to the “Salam, Girl!” podcast. It has got a fun “Gals on the Go” meets “With Friends Like These” type of vibe.
3. “Naptime Is Sacred” by Fousia Abdullahi
Why you should listen to it: Fousia brings in Muslim authors, bloggers, and other Muslim women professionals on the show, and boy, do we learn a lot!
4. “#GoodMuslimBadMuslim” by Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed and Zahra Noorbaksh
Why you should listen to it: These two lively hosts talk about what it’s like to be an unapologetic Muslim women living in today’s society. Could this subject be any more relevant?
5. “Tell Them, I Am”
Why you should listen to it: Host Misha Euceph opens a window into the lives of exciting guests like Tan France, Alia Shawkat, Ramy Youssef, Reza Aslan, Mercedes Iman Diamond and others. If you like podcasts like “Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard,” then you might enjoy “Tell Them, I am.”
6. “Curious with Josh Peck”
What’s it about: The former “Drake & Josh” star discusses anything that captivates him. He discusses a wide variety of topics and interviews various people on his show. A nice, easygoing podcast for your commute!
7. “Serial” by Sarah Koenig
This is an old podcast that recently got a Season 3. Each season is a completely different case, and if you’re into “Criminal Minds,” I highly recommend this podcast.
What it’s about: Season 1 tells the story of Adnan Syed as the host, Koenig, dives deeper into what was missing during Syed’s first trial. It’s set in 1999 Baltimore, and a popular student named Hae Min Lee is missing. Her body is found and her ex, Adnan Syed, is arrested for murder. He claims he’s innocent, but he can’t remember the details of what happened that night. There’s someone who can; only it’s difficult to get a hold of her.
8. “The Quibbler: A Harry Potter Book Club”
What it’s about: This is a Harry Potter book club for adults, hosted by Heather Price-Wright and Alex Dalenberg. The two discuss spells, theories, and analyze characters. A real haven for our Harry Potter fans!
9. “Otaku Spirit Anime” by Andrew and Chris
What it’s about: Need a place to hear about different anime shows without being judged? This is a really good podcast for you. Andrew and Chris are endlessly entertaining and will keep you updated on reviews and what’s up-and-coming in the world of animes.
10. “We Love YA: A Young Adult Novel Podcast”
What it’s about: The hosts — Johnny, Kayla, and the occasional guest star — discuss & read YA novels every three weeks. The most recent podcast episode was on ‘Leah on the Offbeat’ by Becky Albertalli. If you’re looking for a new YA, or have just recently read a YA novel, then you’ll love this one!
11. “KPOP Hot Pot” with Jonny, Erika, & Kimi
What it’s about: The hosts discuss a variety of the latest KPOP songs. They attend different KPOP concerts and are able to give you their personal insight. If KPOP is something you like or would like to try out, give this one a go!
12. “What’s Good Games: A Video Game Podcast”
What it’s about: Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Kristine discuss the latest video games and video game-related news.
13. “Isn’t Mo Muslim, Tho?”
What it’s about: Host Ziyad Dadabhoy brings in a guest each episode to answer the question: “What is the weirdest/funniest/awkwardest thing a non-Muslim has said to you?” He also touches upon what it’s like to live as a minority and discusses other Muslim struggles. This is truly a great podcast if you need the reassurance that your are NOT alone in your struggles.
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With that being said, I hope this gives you an idea on what kind of podcasts you might be interested in listening to. The world of podcasts features a variety of categories, but the ones mentioned above were ones I found to be the most enthralling, so happy listening!