Queer-Friendly Podcast For Your Self-Care Needs

Like most people, I often find that I am not prioritizing my mental well-being. As a way to combat that, I try to participate in self-care as often as possible. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about self-care as making crafts and face masks, both of which I love, but I can’t do those on busy days when I’m at school or work. So for my own sanity, I started listening to podcasts — and they changed the self-care game for me. Podcast listening is really convenient for my lifestyle because I can listen on the go or in the background at work, and, most importantly, they’re FREE!

While I love them for their convenience, they really put my mind at ease. Listening to my fav podcast every week makes me feel like I have people to laugh with or learn from. This is helpful because I find that I don’t spend a lot of time with people who have the same interests or sense of humor as I do. So to spread the joy I get from podcasts, I created a list of my favorites, LAHR board member favs, and friend favs

The Read

The Read is one of my favorite podcasts ever, and I listen to the show religiously. It’s hosted by two queer Black people: Kid Fury and Crissle. Their show is a pop culture podcast that typically consists of acknowledging Black excellence, covering pop culture shenanigans, and reading problematic people or companies for being trash (hence “the read”). Listening to this show often makes me literally laugh out loud because the hosts are excellent comedians and writers.

2 Dope Queens

Hosted by Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams, this is a comedy-filled podcast.If you watch stand-up comedy shows, love Broad City and the Netflix special The Incredible Jessica James, than this podcast is for you! A LAHR board member noted that, “while it’s not hosted by queer people, it is super queer friendly,” and I agree. Bonus, if you love Phoebe Robinson, she has an another podcast called Sooo Many White Guys where she interviews performers, musicians, authors, and artists and, “Oh, and none of them are white dudes! Whew.” It’s brilliant.

Mixxed Zone

Mixxed Zone was brought to my attention from a LAHR board member who said, “I regularly listen to the Mixxed Zone, which is about women’s professional soccer. There are a ton of queer players, and many of the teams host pride nights to celebrate their queer fans.” I’m not even a fan of sports, but I’m SOLD! Host Jen Cooper interviews players, coaches, and journalists on all issues that matter in women’s soccer. I know my friends who love sports often watch videos with commentators, so this is for all the women’s soccer fans out there who didn’t know they could get their sports fix in a podcast.

Nancy

Another favorite, the Nancy podcast is hosted by Kathy Tu and Tobin Low. Their show is great if you are familiar with and may be looking for another NPR podcast. They have amazing interviews that range from really deep political conversations, such as the trans military ban to debates about whether Dumbledore was really gay. It’s a well produced podcast, and I am not ashamed to say I have found myself with tears in my eyes at my desk on a few occasions. It’s that moving.

Pod Save the People

As a top-rated podcast online, Pod Save the People is perfect for those of us engaged in social justice and activism. Host Deray McKeesen, who is well-known for his involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement, explores culture, social justice, and politics with historical analysis. Recent episodes talk about Indigenous Peoples Day and the Las Vegas shooting.

Safe Word Society

A special shout-out to a friend of mine who suggested Safe Word Society. My friend says, “I’m obsessed with it right now. They talk about dating, professional development, and mental/physical wellness. It’s hosted by two queer Black women and they have various QTPOC guest on every week. It’s great; I highly recommend.” The show, hosted by Kristen McCallum and Lamika Young, was created with the goal of being a QTPOC visibility podcast.