So many podcasts, so little time! Here are Aruga’s top listening picks

3 minutes read

There are more than two million podcasts on the market, meaning a cool 48 million episodes clamouring for attention.

Although we lag a little behind rest of the world, Australia’s love affair with podcasts is growing at a rate of five per cent each year.

About 30 per cent of our population listened to a podcast in the past 12 months and those who do listen keep coming back.

One in four Aussies plug into a podcast every month and 17 per cent of the country listens to at least one episode each week.

With so much out there – and so few hours in the day – how do listeners sort the good from the… not so good?

Most of us rely on word of mouth and recommendations from friends and workmates.

To help you unearth a nugget of podcast gold, the Aruga team shares our favourite finds, guilty pleasures and unmissable instalments.

Senior Account Manager Claire listens to learn. “I’m enjoying Stuff You Should Know simply because I often find myself interested in hearing more about topics that I wouldn’t actively seek out more information on. It’s the same with the Brain Snacks podcast playlist on Spotify – it’s a short and sharp playlist that is a mix of ‘the best of’.’’

Account Manager Shannon is an avid podcast listener and loves You’re Wrong About because it “busts common myths and makes you see all sides of pop culture’s commonly mis-told stories”. Also on her playlist is Dare to Lead with Brene Brown. “I love everything Brene does. Shameless is the only way I find out about pop culture news. The Cut is good for work and pleasure as it tells a lot of feminist tales. Table Manners with Jessie Ware is purely for entertainment. Jessie’s mum is hilarious and they have great guests. I highly recommend the Kylie episode.’’ Shannon also rates Maintenance Phase as it “busts myths about health and wellbeing’’.

Content Manager Cassie listens while exercising. “On the mornings I walk, I listen to Second Life, a podcast that spotlights women who have made major career changes and masterfully managed the pivot; How I Built This with Guy Raz (although his voice drives me to distraction); The Dave Chang Show because I’m a massive fan of Lucky Peach and everything Dave does; Content Inc with Joe Pulizzi – short, sharp content marketing bites; and 2 Dope Queens.’’

Senior Account Executive Anna starts the day with 7am “to get up to speed on the news’’. She’s also a fan of “Doing it Right with Pandora Sykes because I miss The High Low’’.

Account Co-ordinator Julia listens to Pod Save the World because “it’s a great weekly look into international news and foreign policy from two ex-Obama staffers”.

Account Manager Beth says it’s a “classic but I’m back listening to Shameless for pop culture news, otherwise She’s On The Money to try and encourage me to save/invest (bank account yet to see outcomes of weekly listening).’’

Aruga Co-Founder DK says she listens to The Squiz Today, a short daily news podcast just to get across the morning headlines.

Content Writer Brian is enjoying Roy and HG’s Bludging on the Blindside; The Rory & Carson Podcast for golf news; and The Matty Johns Podcast for a dose of rugby league gossip.

Happy podcasting!