With categories from news and science to fiction and arts, there is a podcast out there for everyone. As someone who only started actively listening to podcasts recently, I can firmly say that all it takes is one good podcast to become a frequent listener. They are great to listen to in the morning for your daily news or after classes or work to relax and maybe even laugh a little. I’ve compiled a list of my best recommendations for podcasts spanning several of the most popular categories. Happy listening!

The Daily

“The Daily,” a daily news podcast by The New York Times, covers the biggest news stories of the day. Hosted by Michael BarBaro, “The Daily” uses a mix of soundbites and interviews with journalists who are covering the story to report the news for 20-30 minutes, five days a week. This is a great podcast to start off the day with as you can listen during your morning routine or as you’re drinking your coffee. 

Up First

The NPR podcast “Up First” is news for those crunched for time. With reporting and analysis of the three biggest news stories of the day in roughly 10 minutes, this podcast is perfect for a quick overview of the daily news. It’s great for people who want to stay up to date but don’t have the time to spare for a 30-minute news program.

My Favorite Murder

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstock, hosts of “My Favorite Murder” talk audiences through true murder stories as well as mini-episodes featuring stories from listeners’ hometowns. Every full episode starts with a good amount of non-murder related conversation between the hosts and then goes on to feature two stories with each host taking their turn to tell the tale of one of their favorite murders. While the conversation topics can be grisly, Kilgariff and Hardstock are charismatic and enjoyable to listen to –  although a little gossipy-sounding at times. For fans of true crime, this podcast offers a multitude of stories, some of which may be unknown. For those who are a little skeptical of listening to stories of murder, but are interested enough to try, this is a great place to start.

Ologies

“Ologies” is a podcast for people who are curious. Every episode, host Alie Ward interviews an -ologist with her own questions as well as questions submitted from the audience. This podcast has covered everything from oceanology to quantum ontology. If you have an interest or a curiosity about almost anything, there is probably an episode about it. Even if the subject of an episode is one you have never heard of before, the information is fascinating. Some educational podcasts, especially those in the realm of science, can make you feel as though you’re in way over your head, but thanks to the entertaining host and knowledgeable -ologists, this podcast does a good job of keeping the listener on the same page. “Ologies” is the perfect podcast for anyone who wants to learn something new or dive deeper into a topic of interest.

The Two Princes

In the genre of fiction podcasts, “The Two Princes” is one of a kind. Following Prince Rupert as he seeks to break the curse that is destroying his kingdom and meets prince Amir, a prince from another kingdom on his own quest, “The Two Princes” is humorous and heartfelt. The voice actors are phenomenal and the storyline is full of entertaining twists while continuing to be funny and easy to fall into. This podcast is the place to start for someone not too interested in non-fiction podcasts but would like to still join the craze while enjoying a good story. 

What began as a series of guest appearances on podcasts like “Comedy Bang! Bang!,” where Lapkus proved herself a hilarious and flexible performer, led to an offer to head her own show. Lapkus was initially uncomfortable with the idea of hosting a show, but when her husband suggested that she could be the guest every week, “With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus” was born.

This may come across as strange at first. If the guest is the same every week, where is the variety? However, the setup of the show is extremely fluid, covering a different “topic” each week. What’s more is that Lapkus and her guest hosts create new characters with every episode, so the possibilities seem endless.

What is best about the show is that Lapkus is able to create characters wholly unlike herself. On camera, she mostly fits into the same trope of the quiet, cute and sometimes-sassy sidekick. Though she has stolen many a scene on “Orange is the New Black,” she does not get to flex every comedy muscle she possesses.

On “With Special Guest,” however, she’s not on screen, which allows for freedom to create memorable characters like Traci Reardon, a 17 year-old with butt piercings, a mohawk and two jobs at Baskin Robbin’s 31 Flavors and Claire’s—a boutique for girls; Ho-Ho the elf, a genderless elf from the North Pole with a fantastically naughty mouth; and Rachel Rachel-Stoyd, one half of a gymnastic/acrobatic duo with dark past regarding the Grand Canyon. Her guest hosts have similar freedom that is unique to podcasting: the ability to be whomever they want without regard to physicality.

Photo courtesy of Ear Wolf, from left to right: Erin Whitehead, Lauren Lapkus, Mary Holland

This setup works best when Lapkus is paired with a host with whom she has established rapport. The best episodes feature her improv group “Wild Horses,” composed of Erin Whitehead, Stephanie Allynne, Mary Holland and Lapkus, with whom she has worked for years. Each of the women fills a specific trope that has created many memorable scenes and characters, smashing ideas of gender roles and challenging all who dare say women can’t be funny.

If you’re just starting out listening to the show, an excellent place to begin is episode one “Public Domain with Paul F. Tompkins.” Tompkins, another popular improv podcaster, plays a version of himself, and his guest is a character Lapkus created on “Comedy Bang! Bang!,” Traci Reardon, who you can, and probably should, follow on twitter. Reardon appears in every episode following, offering the sage advice only a 17 year-old can. Other great episodes include Kate Berlant’s “Healthy You,” Mary Holland and Erin Whitehead in “Sister Speak with Sheila and Margo” and Stephanie Allynne in “The Jillian Palmer Arbonne Podcast.”