Valentine's Day podcast recommendations
14 interesting podcasts episodes for February 14th
It’s Valentine’s Day; here are 14 podcast episodes recommendations for February 14th. I of course didn’t choose just cheesy lovey-dovey podcast episodes. I like a little more nuance.
Without further ado; 14 interesting podcast episodes for Valentine’s Day…..
Note: At the end of this list I will link a Spotify playlist containing all 14 episodes (or alternatively, you can click on each title to be directly linked to the episode)
Code Switch - Before the apps, people used newspapers to find love
Code Switch a great NPR podcast about race. This is a joyous episode celebrating the history of Black romance
The Weeds - Skipping the broom
The Weeds is a political podcast that examines how policies shape our lives. This episode is about how policies are in place to keep Black women from partnering; in what Professor and author Dianne M. Stewart calls "Forbidden Black Love”.
Modern Love has been a famed column in the New York Times for the last 18 years. The Podcast version brings the column to life. This episode is about a man with autism who married a neurotypical woman and how he navigated this - especially when 11 years in she told him she wanted to be “unmarried”
She Wants More - Inside a Mother’s Open Marriage
She Wants More was one of my favorite podcast of 2023 (listen to the series HERE); it explored why women have affairs. This is a bonus episode with author Molly Winter in conversation about her new memoir about her open marriage.
Well, Now - What We Got Wrong About Love
Well, Now is a weekly podcast by Slate; that tackles issues around “wellness”. This episode explores how loving relationships contribute to wellness, and how lack of loving relationships can have adverse health outcomes
Death, Sex, & Money - This Senator Saved My Love Life
This particular long-running podcast series is in my top 10 podcasts of all times. The premise of the series is honest and vulnerable conversations about the three things we think about a lot, and need to talk about more. Those three things of course being death, sex, and money. In this episode host Anna Sale revisits a conversation she had with former senator Al Simpson and his wife Ann; and how their relationship advice came at a crucial moment in host Anna’s life.
ICYMI - The State of Dating Apps
ICYMI is a podcast series that examines what’s currently happening on the internet and what it says about our culture at large. This episode examines the past, present, and future of dating apps
What's Next TBD - Breaking Up with Dating Apps
This daily podcast examines what is currently happening in the news in short, digestible episodes; so that it doesn’t feel as overwhelming. This episode is about how and why as a culture dating apps are becoming less popular
Pop Culture Happy Hour - Platonic Love in Pop Culture
NPR’s daily pop culture podcast with an episode the folks at Pop Culture Happy Hour look at media that show’s us examples of platonic love
It’s Been a Minute - Unlocking Desire Through Smut; Plus the Gospel of Bell Hooks
One of my favorite culture podcast with an episode that examines what the fantasies we read in romance novels says about what we want in real life. Then a conversation about Bell Hooks’ work, and how she changed the way we think about love
All Songs Considered - Mix Messages: Songs that say “I’ve got a crush on you”
NPR’s flagship show for music discovery since 2000; in this episode listeners share about songs they’ve used on a mixtape or playlist to try to woo a crush
Life Kit - How to ‘fight right” with your partner
In my humble opinion NPR’s Life Kit is essential listening. It’s one of my go-to’s in the realm of personal development. These episodes have helped me so much. This particular one seems perfect for Valentine’s. With relationship comes conflict. How do we navigate conflict in a healthy way? Listen to get some tips
This American Life - Math or Magic
The KING of podcasts This American Life (and seriously my #1 podcast series of all time) with an episode that explores how we look for love; some say wait for that lightening strike moment others say to make a calculation and choose the best option available. But who has it right? Is it math or magic? Hear four different peoples stories exploring these two schools of thoughts on how to find love.
Up Fist - The Sunday Story: More than Friends
Up First; my favorite daily news podcast. During the week they do quick 10-15 minute episodes informing of what’s happening in the news. But on Sundays they do “The Sunday Story” where they delve a little deeper into a specific subject. This episode they delve into the nuance of where platonic friendship and relationship straddle the line
Playlist with all 14 episodes HERE