My Top 3 is a weekly post where I countdown three things I love in a random category. This week, we’re counting down my top three NPR podcasts.

NPR is one of those things that used to get me through the work day. When I worked in library technical services, I would stream shows while barcoding books, stamping pages, and editing catalog records. I liked staying up on current events and learning about various pop culture things.

As my devices got better (hello, smart phone!) I segued into podcasts that I could enjoy everywhere. While I listen to a lot of podcasts, NPR’s shows are my favorite. They are, on the whole, well researched, produced with high standards, and cover fascinating stories. When a new show pops into my feed, I’m always excited by what I might learn next.

There are oodles of great national and local stations shows. Frankly, you probably can’t go wrong with any of them.

In this week’s countdown, I’ve included links to some of my recommended episodes of each show.

Life Kit

Life Kit is one of those shows that is practical. It covers things that you can put into use in your own life. If this show had an alternative title, it would be “How to Adult.” Life Kit covers everything. Name a topic - health, sustainability, parenting, finances, life skills - Life Kit will cover it. They also don’t shy away from hard topics like suicide, pregnancy loss, and grief.

In each episode, the host interviews and works with experts to pull out tangible and actionable advice. The episodes are usually less than 30 minutes making them easy to to digest. Plus, they all wrap up with the main take away points you need to remember. Each episode also includes information about where to learn more or tools you can use.

Depending on your preferred podcast app, you can follow the whole feed or just pick a main topic like money, health, or parenting. Life Kit will replay past episodes that are timely to current events and include new relevant information.

Is It OK To Lie About Santa And The Tooth Fairy?

How "unmasking" leads to freedom for autistic and other neurodivergent people

How to talk to customer service – and actually get what you want

Planet Money

I don’t actually care about business and economic news all that much. Yes, I know it’s incredibly important, but it’s not something I’m drawn to follow. Planet Money is the one exception. This show makes a dense and complex topic interesting. Not only do they use plain language to make difficult things understandable, but they always seem to find a way to make it seem relevant to the average person’s life.

Plus, when this show gets an idea, they run with it. The run so much it’s a marathon. They put so much heart and soul into things that it’s almost absurd. But, it’s so earnest that it feels like your getting up to capers with your best friends. For example, they bought a toxic asset with their own money. They also got the rights to a long lost superhero, brought him back to life, and did so much they made a comic book you can now buy.

Also, this show is genuinely funny. I often laugh out loud while listening as I walk to work.

When Subaru came out

Peanuts and Cracker Jack

We Buy A Lot Of Christmas Trees (**You really need to listen to this one all the way to the end)

Throughline

Throughline is not only my favorite NPR podcast, it’s my favorite podcast of all time. This shows is essential listening. Each episode takes a topic, breaks down the history, and shows you the impact it has on today. The essence of the show seeks to demonstrate that the past is not over. It has immense ramifications on today and what our future looks like.

The hosts work with experts to narrate and explain the complexity and nuances of history. This is your typical textbook exploded out beyond what you thought you knew. There is always more to the story and this show explains what that more is.

The reporting is exceptional, but it’s made forceful by the masterful radio storytelling. This may be a non-fiction program, but it’s narrated, acted, and crafted to be a radio drama. There is foley work, original music, and soundscaping that keeps you rapt.

The Supreme Court

Throughline Sleeps (**Not a typical episode but a soundscape based off their The Way We Dream episode. I save this one for repeat listens on stressful days.)

The Aftermath of Collapse: Bronze Age Edition

The Most Sacred Right

Warm chocolate chip cookies are a great aroma, but they don’t make the list. Next week, we’re looking at my top three scents.

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This post is a part of the free preview. My Top 3 will go behind a paywall on September 1, 2022.