Media Recommendations

22 Podcasts kids and teens are listening to right now

Delaney Ruston, MD
June 30, 2020
podcast microphone

More than ever, I have heard from teens about the podcasts they have discovered and enjoyed listening to. I also hear from parents telling me about the podcasts their kids are listening to. Today, I am really happy to share with you some wonderful podcast recommendations from my kids, my co-producer Lisa's kids, and from our Facebook page.

Does this sound familiar… you've heard about podcasts that sound interesting, but then when you finally find a moment with the family together where you can actually listen to one, you think to yourself, "Oh, there was this podcast I wanted to check out, but what was the name of it? What was the episode?" One thing I find helpful is to have a contact called "Podcasts 2020" in my contacts app on my computer.  When I learn of podcasts I want to try out, I put them in there. That way I always know where to find them. I will even cut and paste lists like the one in this TTT and just stick the whole list in my "Podcast  2020" contact.

I hope this list helps you prepare for when you might be with your kids, in the backyard, in the car, or some other time that a podcast seems in order. Also if you are alone, going for a walk or doing a home workout, consider tuning in to one of these podcasts — they will give you lots of ideas for starting up conversations. Some of the topics include a reexamination of Brown v Board of Education by the master storyteller Malcomb Gladwell, the power of human connection with the former US General Surgeon, and a spy story involving corn.

Here goes...

We launched the Screenagers Podcast this year. Join me as I explore strategies for raising screen-wise and tech-balanced youth. Through interviews with researchers, thought leaders, and young people themselves, the Screenagers Podcast delivers the latest in science along with practical tips. Most episodes are geared for parents, kids, and teens to listen to and thus spark common ground for inspired conversations

My 18-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son have both enjoyed many episodes of Hidden Brain. This podcast has done several episodes recently on race and bias that will spark dialogue. For example, A Social Prescription: Why Human Connection Is Crucial To Our Health that includes Vivek Murphy, the former US General Surgeon.

My kids also liked the episode Miss Buchanan's Period Of Adjustment from the Revisionist History podcast by Malcomb Gladwell. We (my husband and I listened to it with them) learned that although Brown v Board of Education was a major victory in the fight for civil rights, there are aspects to the history that need to be reexamined. Gladwell said this in an interview,

“The court, for its own peculiar reasons, wanted to claim that black people, as a result of segregation, had suffered a kind of grievous and catastrophic psychological injury. And I’m sorry, that’s just not true.”

My son Chase has recently enjoyed these podcasts:

  1. Off Book, The Improvised Musical, which he says has he and his friends laughing a ton when they listen to it.
  2. The Ezra Klein Show. Klein is a vegan, and Chase said that Klein's discussion of veganism was really interesting. In his recent episode, he interviews Nicolas Carr — who was also in Screenagers — on “deep reading and digital thinking.”
  3. The New York Times', The Daily, is a podcast that takes one story reported by the NYT a day and goes in-depth by either including more reporting or interviewing the reporter.
  4. Freakanomics. The episode Reasons to Be Cheerful is one of many good ones.
  5. Rabbit Hole. This is an interesting insight into the power of YouTube counterculture. This podcast talks about the unknown brainwashing in masses happening through the internet, exploring both ends of the political spectrum, extreme left, and extreme right.

    My co-producer’s kids, Meleah (16) and Aaron (21), are on a road trip from California to Colorado. This is what they've listened to that they've like so far (all these descriptions are written by them):
  6. How I Built This. This podcast is a behind-the-scenes look at large companies that we interact with, in our daily lives. It provides entrepreneurial insight, and unexpected insights to the products we know and love.
  7. Robinhood Snacks. This is a 15-minute daily podcast about business dealings made understandable for the "normal" person.
  8. The Daily (Chase recommended it too) A digestible range of topics that cover everything from race to environmental issues to lighthearted stories. Coverage by New York Times senior reporters.
  9. S-town. A crime mystery podcast. Jaw-dropping story and coverage.
  10. Michael Lewis' new podcast series, Against the Rules, is next up on their trip. Lewis is a master storyteller and author of books such as "The Big Short" and "Money Ball."

    I also asked my Facebook community what their kids were listening to, and here are some of their kids' favorites:
  11. Mary Beth L — (Has a 12-year-old) Business wars!! Engaging story format, recognizable brands: Mars v Hershey, Marvel v DC, Coke v Pepsi, Post v Kellogg's, Nintendo v Sony, Ford v Chevy and lots more.
  12. Sarah M — (Has a nine-year-old) KidsNuz
  13. Mollie G. — (Don't know kids' age) Imagined Life is their favorite. (Described on their website, "Each episode of Imagined Life takes you on an immersive journey into the life of a world-famous person. It'll be someone you may think you know, even admire.")
  14. Aileen R — (Don't know kid's age) We found Shel Silverstein on Spotify kids app.
  15. Karen H. — (Has a nine & 11-year-old) Wow in World — "Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. We'll go inside our brains, out into space, and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology."
  16. Caryn B. — (Don't know kids' age) Mars Patel is a good mystery series.
  17. Monica B. — (Has an 11-year-old) My 11 y.o is a little odd, but he is a long time fan of NPR, especially RadioLab and The Reveal. I also just found the CodeSwitch Podcasts for kids, which he would love.
  18. Melissa L. — (Has a 12-year-old) 12-year-old just finished all episodes of Myths and Legends. Some of it is definitely not for younger kids or all kids, but very enjoyable for fans of mythology.
  19. Heather H. — (Has a 13- year-old) My 13-year-old just started his own podcast that's a reading book club. He also likes Hello Internet.
  20. Amanda B. — (Has an eight-year-old) My 8-year-old likes Smash, Boom, Best.
  21. Tracy G. — (Has an eight and 10-year-old) My kids enjoy: But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, Mystery Recipe, and Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls.
  22. Alexandria C. — (Don't know kid's age) The Office Ladies and The Try Guys

Ideas for conversation starters:

  1. Do you listen to any podcasts? How about your friends?
  2. Is there one you think I would like?
  3. When do you like to listen to podcasts?

We NOW have a way for people to host online events during this time. We still strongly believe in coming together as a group model for showing both movies, so these temporary online events will be here only while the social distancing is in place.

Click here if you are interested in hosting an ONLINE screening for your community.

Click here if you want to attend an ONLINE screening.

June 30, 2020


As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Order Here
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Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

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Screenagers Podcast - Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for the latest Podcast

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

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Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
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Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More

Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

Learn More
Screenagers Under The Influence Banner

Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

Learn More

The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

Learn More
Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
Find A screening Button

Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

Learn More

Screenagers Podcast - Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for the latest Podcast

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Learn More
Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
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Learn More

Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Our New Movie - Learn more about the latest movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

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Media Recommendations

22 Podcasts kids and teens are listening to right now

Delaney Ruston, MD
June 30, 2020
podcast microphone

More than ever, I have heard from teens about the podcasts they have discovered and enjoyed listening to. I also hear from parents telling me about the podcasts their kids are listening to. Today, I am really happy to share with you some wonderful podcast recommendations from my kids, my co-producer Lisa's kids, and from our Facebook page.

Does this sound familiar… you've heard about podcasts that sound interesting, but then when you finally find a moment with the family together where you can actually listen to one, you think to yourself, "Oh, there was this podcast I wanted to check out, but what was the name of it? What was the episode?" One thing I find helpful is to have a contact called "Podcasts 2020" in my contacts app on my computer.  When I learn of podcasts I want to try out, I put them in there. That way I always know where to find them. I will even cut and paste lists like the one in this TTT and just stick the whole list in my "Podcast  2020" contact.

I hope this list helps you prepare for when you might be with your kids, in the backyard, in the car, or some other time that a podcast seems in order. Also if you are alone, going for a walk or doing a home workout, consider tuning in to one of these podcasts — they will give you lots of ideas for starting up conversations. Some of the topics include a reexamination of Brown v Board of Education by the master storyteller Malcomb Gladwell, the power of human connection with the former US General Surgeon, and a spy story involving corn.

Here goes...

We launched the Screenagers Podcast this year. Join me as I explore strategies for raising screen-wise and tech-balanced youth. Through interviews with researchers, thought leaders, and young people themselves, the Screenagers Podcast delivers the latest in science along with practical tips. Most episodes are geared for parents, kids, and teens to listen to and thus spark common ground for inspired conversations

My 18-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son have both enjoyed many episodes of Hidden Brain. This podcast has done several episodes recently on race and bias that will spark dialogue. For example, A Social Prescription: Why Human Connection Is Crucial To Our Health that includes Vivek Murphy, the former US General Surgeon.

My kids also liked the episode Miss Buchanan's Period Of Adjustment from the Revisionist History podcast by Malcomb Gladwell. We (my husband and I listened to it with them) learned that although Brown v Board of Education was a major victory in the fight for civil rights, there are aspects to the history that need to be reexamined. Gladwell said this in an interview,

“The court, for its own peculiar reasons, wanted to claim that black people, as a result of segregation, had suffered a kind of grievous and catastrophic psychological injury. And I’m sorry, that’s just not true.”

My son Chase has recently enjoyed these podcasts:

  1. Off Book, The Improvised Musical, which he says has he and his friends laughing a ton when they listen to it.
  2. The Ezra Klein Show. Klein is a vegan, and Chase said that Klein's discussion of veganism was really interesting. In his recent episode, he interviews Nicolas Carr — who was also in Screenagers — on “deep reading and digital thinking.”
  3. The New York Times', The Daily, is a podcast that takes one story reported by the NYT a day and goes in-depth by either including more reporting or interviewing the reporter.
  4. Freakanomics. The episode Reasons to Be Cheerful is one of many good ones.
  5. Rabbit Hole. This is an interesting insight into the power of YouTube counterculture. This podcast talks about the unknown brainwashing in masses happening through the internet, exploring both ends of the political spectrum, extreme left, and extreme right.

    My co-producer’s kids, Meleah (16) and Aaron (21), are on a road trip from California to Colorado. This is what they've listened to that they've like so far (all these descriptions are written by them):
  6. How I Built This. This podcast is a behind-the-scenes look at large companies that we interact with, in our daily lives. It provides entrepreneurial insight, and unexpected insights to the products we know and love.
  7. Robinhood Snacks. This is a 15-minute daily podcast about business dealings made understandable for the "normal" person.
  8. The Daily (Chase recommended it too) A digestible range of topics that cover everything from race to environmental issues to lighthearted stories. Coverage by New York Times senior reporters.
  9. S-town. A crime mystery podcast. Jaw-dropping story and coverage.
  10. Michael Lewis' new podcast series, Against the Rules, is next up on their trip. Lewis is a master storyteller and author of books such as "The Big Short" and "Money Ball."

    I also asked my Facebook community what their kids were listening to, and here are some of their kids' favorites:
  11. Mary Beth L — (Has a 12-year-old) Business wars!! Engaging story format, recognizable brands: Mars v Hershey, Marvel v DC, Coke v Pepsi, Post v Kellogg's, Nintendo v Sony, Ford v Chevy and lots more.
  12. Sarah M — (Has a nine-year-old) KidsNuz
  13. Mollie G. — (Don't know kids' age) Imagined Life is their favorite. (Described on their website, "Each episode of Imagined Life takes you on an immersive journey into the life of a world-famous person. It'll be someone you may think you know, even admire.")
  14. Aileen R — (Don't know kid's age) We found Shel Silverstein on Spotify kids app.
  15. Karen H. — (Has a nine & 11-year-old) Wow in World — "Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. We'll go inside our brains, out into space, and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology."
  16. Caryn B. — (Don't know kids' age) Mars Patel is a good mystery series.
  17. Monica B. — (Has an 11-year-old) My 11 y.o is a little odd, but he is a long time fan of NPR, especially RadioLab and The Reveal. I also just found the CodeSwitch Podcasts for kids, which he would love.
  18. Melissa L. — (Has a 12-year-old) 12-year-old just finished all episodes of Myths and Legends. Some of it is definitely not for younger kids or all kids, but very enjoyable for fans of mythology.
  19. Heather H. — (Has a 13- year-old) My 13-year-old just started his own podcast that's a reading book club. He also likes Hello Internet.
  20. Amanda B. — (Has an eight-year-old) My 8-year-old likes Smash, Boom, Best.
  21. Tracy G. — (Has an eight and 10-year-old) My kids enjoy: But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, Mystery Recipe, and Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls.
  22. Alexandria C. — (Don't know kid's age) The Office Ladies and The Try Guys

Ideas for conversation starters:

  1. Do you listen to any podcasts? How about your friends?
  2. Is there one you think I would like?
  3. When do you like to listen to podcasts?

We NOW have a way for people to host online events during this time. We still strongly believe in coming together as a group model for showing both movies, so these temporary online events will be here only while the social distancing is in place.

Click here if you are interested in hosting an ONLINE screening for your community.

Click here if you want to attend an ONLINE screening.

June 30, 2020


As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.  

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