TO ALL THE PANDEMIC PODCASTS I HAVE LOVED… AND A WISH LIST FOR PODCAST HOSTS OF 2021

Pre-Covid-19, podcasts were simply not on my radar. Life was meant to be lived not observed via the iPhone. But since the world stopped, I have found peace, humor, mood elevation, vital knowledge and fun facts in a host of excellent podcasts. Here are some of my favorites (with specific episodes noted where applicable):

Am I Embarrassing You— “…Mother-daughter duo, dermatologist and psychiatrist, Dr. Amy, and her 20-something daughter Zoe Wechsler…tackle a variety of issues…”

This is clearly a summer Covid project for college student Zoe, but it is still a sweet listen on account of the duo’s warm and casual rapport. Zoe is so clearly goo goo eyed over her mom—she deeply admires her—and you can’t help but love how she owns it and doesn’t find it uncool (sending subliminal messages to my own college-aged daughter!).

Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions

The title is as self-explanatory as the pairing is unexpected, but it totally works and is so good. I recommend all the episodes.

Divorced Not Dead—“Recently divorced at 44, Caroline is here to let you that not only is there life after divorce-it can be your best one yet!”

As someone who is neither divorced nor dead (I can hear my mother telling me to knock on wood!), there is still much to enjoy here, not the least of which is the former Bravolebrity’s languid, nonplussed approach to basically everything.

Season 1, Episode 15—Holding Back the Years

In which she literally spills the beans on all her beauty procedures, favorite docs, etc.—gotta appreciate that!

Having It All & Other Lies—“…a show that celebrates the delicate balance between leaning in and falling over as we strive to lead full lives with intention and purpose…”

Because the logline doesn’t tell you much, I will give you the short translation—host Sara Riff has a job that puts her at the nexus of fashion and entertainment, and she has a series of chummy convos with her friends who are leaders in those spaces. Sara and guests have a sort of “we are insiders” vibe, but it doesn’t stand in the way of being a good listen.

November 11—JJ Martin: Founder of La DoubleJ

**This one I highly recommend (hence the double asterisk), but you need some suspension of disbelief. I tuned in to this one almost as an afterthought on account of a happy, colorful La DoubleJ dress that I own that reminds me of when we used to go to parties, but lifestyle brand founder JJ Martin had me hooked from the moment Sara Riff allowed her to speak. She has an alluring, husky voice a la Cybill Shepherd and distinctive WASPY style of enunciation. She is like the college friend whom you haven’t seen in 20 years (but with whom you can pick up where you left off) who has since moved to Italy and started making dresses in Lake Como. She fills you in with disarming candidness about her experiences with infertility and a failed marriage. With about 20 minutes to spare in the podcast, Richards gets full astro ethereal activated, sharing her deep belief in energy healing. She lost me for a couple minutes but then I was back on track—without giving away too much, she is one of the more fascinating ones out there.

The High Low—“…Conversation between writers Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes that covers highbrow and lowbrow culture.”

What can I even say except that listening to these hilarious Brits evokes my every fantasy of 1960s London, Twiggy, British invasion, the original Annabel’s, etc., even though that’s not at all what they are talking about. I am a sucker for the accent, and I could probably listen to them read the phone book. And it’s like voyeuristically listening in on how our friends across the pond think about us here in America.

Just B with Bethenny Frankel—“Self-made mogul…unapologetic takes on food, investing, relationships, fame…”

Bethenny has a cloying interviewing style in which she is leads with a frenetic, nervous energy and seems to want to both ask and answer every question she poses, but the two episodes below were worth it for honest revelations by the guests (Maria—while everything’s great, her life didn’t turn out the way she dreamed, and that’s ok; Ryan—everyone’s “yes” moment eventually comes (I am paraphrasing wildly).

December 8—Maria Shriver

December 1—Ryan Murphy

On the Pass—Gabriel Ornelas—“Conversations…in the food, beverage and hospitality space”

October 13—Marisa Hermer: Creating A Home Away From Home

I have loved Marisa Hermer’s, two restaurants in Los Angeles, The Draycott in Pacific Palisades and Olivetta in West Hollywood and found them two of the safest and most enjoyable places to dine during the pandemic. This conversation is about the very admirable pivot Hermer made in a Covid environment. The interview took place prior to L.A. restaurants’ second shut down which has been a serious setback for all So Cal restaurants, but it’s still worth a listen for Hermer’s ingenuity and spirit, which hopefully will make her well positioned for a comeback.

Second Life—“Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr…chronicles the career changes that can come at any age…”

October 26—Jenna Lyons: Founder of LoveSeen

Hillary Kerr is a deft and not overly obsequious interviewer, so I would recommend any guest who catches your eye. The episode with J.Crew vet Jenna Lyons, who is very much on the Podcast circuit promoting her TV show, is well done. Lyons is salty and vulnerable all at the same time, and it’s interesting to consider what a second chapter could look like for someone who has been synonymous with an iconic brand for almost three decades.

Here is my wish list for podcast hosts in 2021:

Zoya Akhtar

Jennifer Aniston

David Chang

Gillian Flynn

Cassandra Grey

Neena and Masaba Gupta

Gary Janetti

Abby Phllip

JJ Martin (see above)

Xo-P