5 Podcasts for Change Makers to Listen to During Holiday Travels

Travel over the holidays can be stressful, but it’s also a great time to zone out and tune in.

While I love a solid playlist, I find podcasts so cathartic, and the perfect way to just be. What are you listening to? Whether you’re new to podcasts, or slightly addicted, here’s a list of five shows for future change makers of the world. You won’t be able to help but feel inspired! If reading is more your thing, check out this change maker reading list.

If you’re the entrepreneurial type…

Listen to: How I Built This
Here’s why you’ll love it: Get ready to say “Why didn’t I think of that first?!” This NPR show, hosted by Guy Raz, gets the creative and entrepreneurial juices flowing. Learn how big, household name companies began, and get inspired to take your seed of an idea to a reality.
Give it a listen: Teach for America with Wendy Kopp

If you’re looking for a deep (awakening) dive into history…

Listen to: Uncivil
Here’s why you’ll love it: We all learned about the Civil War in school, but Uncivil tells a different story to prove that this event in history may, in fact, no longer be in the past.
Give it a listen: Episode 2, The Deed

If you’re looking to learn something random and interesting…

Listen to: Stuff You Should Know
Here’s why you’ll love it: Get ready to start conversations with your family about giraffes, the Secret Service, empathy, and free speech. Okay, so maybe all of these topics won’t come up naturally at big family get-togethers, but if they do, you’ll be ready.
Give it a listen: The Gettysburg Address (Short and Sweet)

If you’re interested in the intersection of culture and race…

Listen to: Code Switch
Here’s why you’ll love it: Hear is from the hosts, not me: “Ever find yourself in a conversation about race and identity where you just get…stuck? Code Switch can help. We’re all journalists of color, and this isn’t just the work we do. It’s the lives we lead. Sometimes, we’ll make you laugh. Other times, you’ll get uncomfortable. But we’ll always be unflinchingly honest and empathetic.”
Give it a listen: To Fail or Not to Fail: The Fierce Debate Over High Standards

If you’re a storyteller…

Listen to: The Moth
Here’s why you’ll love it: The Moth is all about recognizing the art and craft of telling a story. Listen to unique, gripping, hysterical (just to scratch the surface) five-minute stories while developing your own.
Give it a listen: Wedding Dress, Prison Choir, and a Hot Dog

BONUS: Not a podcast, but this spoken word duo of professional poets, Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye will inspire you with their inherently positive but oh so real outlooks on what it means to be young people developing their own voice. Get started with An Origin Story.

I hope you enjoy these podcasts during your holiday break. Are we missing one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below.

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If you’re inspired by these podcasts to learn about how to take action or get more involved in your community, check out Rustic Pathways’ Critical Issues programs.