There are tons of articles and blog posts dedicated to the best podcasts, but even still, I occasionally find myself overwhelmed. Often, I end up subscribing to that particular podcast. But I find myself wanting a little more direction on specific episodes I need to be looking for. Especially if that podcast has so many to weave through. This post, thanks to all of you who’ve sent in your favorite, specific episodes, is just that. A breakdown of episodes that motivated you, inspired, made you laugh or left any sort of impact.

Please be sure to leave your favorites in the comment section!

Your Favorite Podcast Episodes

WORK + CAREER

How to Ask for a Promotion or Raise with Arielle Patrick, SVP at Edelman | One Quick Thing

Nellie Diamond asks working women to share One Quick Thing they’ve mastered at work or at home.

Spanx: Sarah Blakely | How I Built This with Guy Raz

At 27, Sara Blakely was selling fax machines and desperate to reinvent her life. So she came up with Spanx — hosiery that eliminates panty lines — and set to work building her business.

Kate Spade: Kate & Andy Spade | How I Built This with Guy Raz

A 1991 conversation at a Mexican restaurant led Kate & Andy Spade to ask, “What’s missing in designer handbags?” Kate’s answer was a simple modern-shaped handbag that launched the iconic fashion brand: Kate Spade.

Dermalogica: Jane Wurwand | How I Built This with Guy Raz

Jane Wurwand moved to Los Angeles with a suitcase and a beauty school diploma. She started what would become Dermalogica, an international beauty empire that set the standard for skin care.

Jen Atkin: “The World’s Most Influential Hair Stylist” | Second Life

Hillary Kerr sits down with the one and only Jen Atkin, celebrity stylist and founder of cult haircare line Ouai. Dubbed the “most influential hairstylist in the world” by The New York Times, Atkin counts Bella Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, and Kendall Jenner as clients. Here, she gets candid about the power of social media, reflects on her journey from salon apprentice to CEO of a thriving business, and explains why mental toughness is the most underrated quality.

Always Ask For More Money – Negotiating Your Salary, Getting A Promotion, and Setting Freelance Rates | Bad On Paper

From salaries (actual numbers!) to negotiations, asking for raises, and talking to your friends about money, we are diving deep. We answer your questions like how often do you ask for a raise and how to know how much to ask for? Becca steps on her soapbox when talking about stock options and how she wishes she could give her past self this advice. No matter where you are in life, we hope you find this episode helpful!

Alyssa Mastromonaco, COO Vice Media & Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Obama | Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso

From her early days bagging groceries, Alyssa Mastromonaco realized she had a gift for logistics. That gift led her all the way to the White House where she served as President Obama’s Deputy Chief of Staff. If you wanted to talk to President Obama, you had to go through Alyssa first. She left politics in 2014, and now works as the Chief Operating Officer of Vice Media. On this week’s episode, Sophia and Alyssa discuss Alyssa’s early days interning for Bernie Sanders, what good leadership means, and Alyssa’s hilarious misadventures in Buckingham Palace and on Marine One.

Ep 143: From Stay-At-Home Mom to $100 Million | Almost 30

Alli Webb has managed to capture that lightning in a bottle with Drybar.  Alli has never let the fear of failure stop her from building a business. She has experienced exponential growth over the last 8 years because she filled a gap in the market at the perfect time.  105+ Drybar locations (doing 1.2 million blowouts every year), developing a hair care product line, writing a New York Times bestseller, and raising two incredible children.

Ep 21: Living a Life Without Limits | everywoman

We talk to Caroline Casey, founder of The Valuable 500 campaign, on how she took on the world on her terms and why she’s challenging business to create more inclusive cultures for those with a disability.

Ep 4: Mo Gawdat | How To Fail with Elizabeth Day

Mo Gawdat is the former chief business officer at Google X (Google’s so-called ‘moonshot factory’ responsible for off-the-wall ideas such as self-driving cars and a balloon-powered internet) but for a long time in his life, despite having professional, personal and material success, he realized he wasn’t happy. So he set about solving this problem by applying his scientific research skills to the issue: how can one individual be happy?

Wes Moore: The Difference Between Your Job and Your Work | Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

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LIFE ADVICE

How to Defeat Your Inner Critic | The Goop

Psychotherapist Barry Michels—bestselling coauthor of The Tools—doesn’t believe that uncovering the roots of problems sets people free. Instead, he’s designed quick, accessible tools for getting unstuck and moving through fear, which he coaches some of the most prolific, creative, and established people in the world to use. Part of this work is learning how to find the opportunity in a problem, and part is making peace with the aspects of yourself you’ve always put down, repressed, ignored.

Living By Design Part 4 | Phil in the Blanks

Stop being a target. Learn about BAITERs and the Evil 8 qualities that identify a BAITER, so you can protect yourself and win in the world.

The Flight From Hell | Yoga Girl: Conversations From The Heart

In this episode, Rachel tells the hilarious story of how she flew from Stockholm to Aruba last week and how everything that could have gone wrong did (at the same time!). Prepare for some very disgusting but crazy funny storytelling! She also talks a little bit about anger and transforming it through comic relief.

A Beautiful Community | A Single Serving

Relationship coach Amanda Blair joins the podcast to talk about finding lessons in our most difficult moments, and joy in our most overlooked moments.

Episode 6: Developing Great Morning Routines | Good To Be Home

All about how to build and maintain morning routines. You’ll hear us discuss why it is important to have a morning routine, what each of our morning routines looks like, as well as some tips and tricks for developing your own morning routine.

“Discovering Your Gift” with Julie Plec | Directionally Challenged

Powerhouse Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, Writer, and Director Julie Plec knew that she wanted to work in the entertainment industry but didn’t know in what capacity. After being blackballed she had a major epiphany which led her to discovering her gift.

The One Minute Rule | Happier with Gretchen Rubin 

I’ve spoken about this particular episode in a few of my past posts, but it’s one that really helped me with my day-to-day. The episode goes into detail on how one minute of your day can help you with tackling clutter and overall, improve your happiness. Sounds so simple (and it is), but so effective.

Oprah Winfrey, Part 1 | Oprah’s Master Class

In Part 1 of Oprah Winfrey’s “Master Class” discussion, Oprah traces her extraordinary life story, from her tumultuous childhood through her early days in television. Oprah offers spiritual lessons she’s learned along the way about finding your purpose, listening to the universe and why our lives matter.

Oprah Winfrey, Part 2 | Oprah’s Master Class

In Part 2 of Oprah Winfrey’s “Master Class” discussion, she shares how “The Oprah Winfrey Show” started and how it healed her. Oprah also explains why she believes she was cast in the movie “The Color Purple.” Oprah offers spiritual lessons she’s learned about finding your purpose, listening to the universe and why our lives matter.

The Best Relationship Advice | Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

Oprah talks about the life-changing advice she received from her mentor Dr. Maya Angelou—”When someone tells you who they are, believe them”—and shares how she learned this lesson the hard way. Oprah also recalls teaming up with Dr. Phil to help engaged couple Angela and Eric confront mistrust and infidelity in their relationship. Then, Oprah revisits her interview with Dina McGreevey, ex-wife of former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, who resigned from office after admitting to an affair with a man. Dina shares the secrets and signs of deception she missed in their marriage.

Best Lifesaving Lessons | Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

Oprah discusses the best lifesaving lessons she’s learned and says we should use our intuition and the voice in our heads that says, “Something is off here.” Oprah reflects on her Oprah Winfrey Show conversation with protection expert Gavin de Becker about what he calls “the gift of fear.” Oprah also recalls the lifesaving advice she never forgot from expert Sanford Strong: Never let an attacker take you to a second location. Actress Gabrielle Union shares her story about how she was brutally raped when she was 19 while working in a shoe store. Gabrielle said she ignored her instincts about an approaching customer because she didn’t want to be rude.

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MOTHERHOOD

Episode 16 | With Whit 

Dr. Aliza Pressman Helps Me Navigate Motherhood, Separation Anxiety And Sonny’s First Day Of School. We dive deep into separation anxiety and the insecurities I have with leaving Sonny. She also gives me honest opinion about screen time! Aren’t we all dying for the answer to that?? Now, I am giving myself some slack in areas where I didn’t before. I walked away from this talk feeling much more confident as a mother.

The Dermatology Episode! | Mom Brain

Hilaria, Daphne and Dr. Akhavan delve into all the details regarding botox, fillers, laser treatments, cellulite, skin pigmentation and a ton of other questions on every mom’s mind regarding what to do and what not to do with your skin. Whether your pregnant or trying to get pregnant they cover it all.

It’s a Real Mother, Part 3: The Cliff | The Longest Shortest Time

Discrimination against mothers in the workplace is illegal but it still happens every day. Hillary tells her own story about becoming a working mom, and the career cliff she faced as a result. Then, we travel to a company that’s flipping the ideal American workplace totally upside down… by inviting screaming, pooping infants into the office.

Episode 76: Being a Good Friend in Hard Seasons | Coffee + Crumbs

Today’s episode is coming from a more serious and somber place, as we talk about some of the hard seasons that we’ve walked through. We’re also talking about the most helpful ways our people showed up for us during these difficult times and the lessons we’ve learned about how to take care of each other when the season is hard and the answers aren’t coming easily.

When The News Is Scary, What To Say To Kids | Life Kit: Parenting

Whether a school shooting or a deadly tornado, scary events in the news can leave parents struggling to know when — and how — they should talk with their kids about it. Rosemarie Truglio of Sesame Workshop and Tara Conley, a media studies professor at Montclair State University, give us tips.

The Best Way to Deal with Intense Tantrums | Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled

In this episode: Janet responds to an email from a parent who says she feels like a failure when dealing with her two-year-old’s tantrums. She writes: “We’ve been great at heading them off before they begin and recognizing why they’re happening, but we are completely at a loss what to do once we’re stuck with one.” She’s tried several different strategies without success.

Knowledge is Power: Fertility Chat with Dr. Roohi Jeelani | As Your Friend

We sit down with Dr. Roohi Jeelani, a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist to talk about all things fertility. When should you start thinking about freezing your eggs? You’ll never guess peak fertility age! Deets on Zika, IUI vs IVF, at home fertility tests, family planning for same-sex couples, genetic testing, and more.

Emotional Labor: The Invisible Work (Most) Women Do | Dear Sugars

Remembering the grocery list, coordinating with the babysitter, making food for the potluck, scheduling a get-together with the in-laws: These are some of the invisible tasks that (most) women exclusively do in their romantic relationships — and the list goes on and on. Women from across the country wrote in to the Dear Sugars inbox echoing identical inequalities in their relationships with their husbands and boyfriends.

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MYSTERY + SUSPENSE

Case #3: Belt Buckle | The Mystery Show

A young boy finds an enchanting object in the street.

The Thing About Pam | Dateline NBC

Two days after Christmas, 2011, Russ Faria came home from game night to find his wife, Betsy, dead. He was soon charged and convicted of her murder. But Russ Faria insisted he did not kill his wife. Betsy’s brutal murder set off a chain of events that would leave one man dead, another man implicated, and expose a diabolical scheme. It would also see Dateline NBC—the true-crime original—become a part of the never-ending saga that proves the old adage: Truth is stranger than fiction. This original series from Keith Morrison and Dateline defies all expectations.

Season 1: Adnan Syed | Serial

It’s Baltimore, 1999. Hae Min Lee, a popular high-school senior, disappears after school one day. Six weeks later detectives arrest her classmate and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, for her murder. He says he’s innocent – though he can’t exactly remember what he was doing on that January afternoon. But someone can. A classmate at Woodlawn High School says she knows where Adnan was. The trouble is, she’s nowhere to be found.

Episode 2: Something Large & Wild | This Is Love

An unconventional love story about a teenager, the Pacific Ocean, and an encounter with something wild.

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SOCIETY + CULTURE

Unconditional Love | This American Life

Can love be taught? A family uses a controversial therapy to train their son to love them. And other stories about the hard and sometimes painful work of loving other people.

#50: The Cathedral | Reply All

Amy and Ryan Green’s one-year-old son is diagnosed with cancer and begins an agonizing period of treatment.And then, one night in the hospital, Ryan has a strange epiphany: this whole terrible ordeal should be a video game.

We Went to Elizabeth Warren’s House | The Cut on Tuesdays

Elizabeth Warren has spent most of her career as a teacher. Before she faced off with a stage full of opponents for the Democratic nomination, she was facing off with a room full of rowdy 5th graders intent on cutting each other’s hair. So what would it mean to have a teacher-in-chief? On this week’s episode, Rebecca Traister pays Warren a visit to talk about her life in the classroom (and drink tea on her sun porch)—and we call Warren’s students to see what they have to say.

#46: Two Letters | Terrible, Thanks For Asking

Annie’s husband Jim died by suicide. After his death, she got into a bad space of her own. Then came the letters.

Inside The Bizarre World of Internet Trolls & Propagandists | TED Talks Daily

Journalist Andrew Marantz spent three years embedded in the world of internet trolls and social media propagandists, seeking out the people who are propelling fringe talking points into the heart of conversation online and trying to understand how they’re making their ideas spread. Go down the rabbit hole of online propaganda and misinformation — and learn we can start to make the internet less toxic.

How Much Does Your Name Matter? | Freakonomics Radio

A kid’s name can tell us something about his parents — their race, social standing, even their politics. But is your name really your destiny?

Dr. Maya Angelou | Oprah’s Master Class

The late poet, author, icon and activist Dr. Maya Angelou speaks about her creative process, the power of words and how she overcame a traumatic childhood. Dr. Angelou says that in order to be the best human being you can be, you must follow one simple directive: “Just do right.” She also discusses what it felt like to stand side-by-side with leaders of the civil rights movement. Dr. Angelou’s most notable work, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,” in on TIME magazine’s list of the “100 Best Non-Fiction Books of All Time.”

Malcolm Gladwell “Talking to Strangers” | Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

Journalist, podcaster and New York Times best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell discusses his new book, Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know. Malcolm examines his theory that prejudging people we don’t know can lead to dangerous consequences. Through well-known cases like the Bernie Madoff scandal, the Amanda Knox trial, the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse trial, and the racially charged arrest and death of Sandra Bland, Malcolm explains his belief that many of us unconsciously invite conflict and misunderstanding into our own lives.

Dr. Brené Brown: The Anatomy of Trust | Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

Research professor, social scientist, New York Times best-selling author and TED Talk sensation Dr. Brené Brown discusses the fundamentals of trust. Brené explains how she was moved to focus on the topic after watching her daughter struggle with a betrayal of trust. So Brené says she eventually found a way to teach her daughter to build trust and identify the people in her life who deserve it. She also explains why gossip harms relationships more than we realize and creates an intimacy that isn’t real.

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COMEDY

Episode 6: Glamorous Stroke with Jackie Schimmel of “The Bitch Bible” | Absolutely Not by Heather McMahan

On this episode of Absolutely Not, Heather sits down with fellow funny gal, Jackie Schimmel from “The Bitch Bible” and they discuss everything that makes them tick. From adults on adderall to wedding planning woes. They like sensible cars, tipping waiters 20% plus and very dirty martinis. No topic is too taboo for these two. Make sure to pour yourself a bottle of chianti and buckle up because this episode is wilder than an episode of ‘Live PD, Daytona Beach’.

Experts On Expert: Dog the Bounty Hunter | Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Duane “Dog” Chapman aka Dog the Bounty Hunter is an American reality TV star and bounty hunter. Dog sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss why he joined the Devil’s Disciples. How he got the name Dog The Bounty Hunter and his longest hunt. Dog talks about his connection to Tony Robbins and Dax sees many similarities between Dog and his dad. The two talk about being in public-facing marital relationships, building armor to cover trauma and creating moral boundaries within immoral situations.

Judaism on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (with Jordana Silverman) | Gilmore Guys

In this special episode of Maisel Goys, we talk to Jordana Silverman (@jmosilverman) all about Jewish culture on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel!

You’re Not The One | Girls Gotta Eat

Should you continue dating someone if you know they’re not The One? How do you break up with your partner when they’ve done nothing wrong? We’re discussing “lukewarm” relationships and breaking up with someone who’s great but just not great for you, and sharing our most recent experiences with this (ie. all your questions on our summer romances answered).

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HEALTHY LIVING

Plant Power; Eat Yourself Healthy | Deliciously Ella

Can we really eat in a way that supports and prevents some of the biggest health issues affecting us today? Will going vegan result in vitamin deficiencies? What’s the difference between a vegan and a wholefoods, plant-based diet? Should we eat five or ten portions of fruit and veg a day, does it make a difference? What benefits does eating organic really have? With so much conflicting information about diet and lifestyle, this season finale takes a deep dive into the data, evidence and studies around the power of a plant-rich diet with Dr. Gemma Newman.

Vaccination: A Biblical & Scientific Perspective | Very, Very, Quite Contrary

A conversation with Samantha Naturally regarding vaccine choice from a biblical lens.

#91: Dr. Dennis Gross | The Skinny Confidential: Him & Her

On this episode we sit down with Dr. Dennis Gross to discuss the essential ingredients for healthy skin, how to keep collagen levels stimulated, preventing aging, lymphatic drainage and the biggest mistakes people make in their skin care regiment.

Meditation for Self-Love | Mindful in Minutes

In this episode of Mindful in Minutes, Kelly leads you through on of her personal favorite meditations for self-love and kindness. This meditation is inspired by Ahimsa, one of the Yamas of yoga. Take time to release negative self-talk. And the harm we cause ourselves through thoughts and actions and replace it with love.

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So there you have it. Have you listened to any of these episodes? Are there any particular shows or episodes that have made you laugh? Left you inspired? Motivated? Entertained you? If so, please share them below!!