Podcasts are the sole thing that make my morning and afternoon commute bearable. They sit perfectly in the venn diagram of wanting to learn without effort, wanting to be entertained and wanting to have something to talk about at work.

We’ve taken the liberty of rounding up some that’ll make your day especially great. The following are personal faves, but I genuinely think they’ve shifted my thinking on everything from the Gilmore Girls, to true crime, to race relations in Australia and the student loan crisis in America. As Kelly Kapoor famously said, “You guys, I’m, like, really smart now, you don’t even know.”

#1 Gilmore Guys

If you love The Gilmore Girls, then I bet you love the Gilmore Girls. I don’t know anyone who has lukewarm (pun intended, shout out to Mr Danes) feelings towards the show. It’s so heartwarming, it’s like a mug of hot chocolate and a big fluffy blanket and visiting your Mum at Christmas.

In their podcast, The Gilmore Guys rewatch every single episode from the seven-series run (as well as the dreadful revival, RIP) and chat about how they feel about it. It looks at the problematic parts of the show (what kind of American town has zero people of colour in it?) but also the really great parts. It’s funny and sweet and it brings The Gilmore Girls into 2017. Any episode with fellow guest fan Jason Mantzoukas is a good place to start.

#2 Strong Opinions Loosely Held

This podcast is more than just an excellent name. Created by the fab people over at Refinery29, Strong Opinions Loosely Held covers everything that concerns the modern women: from the Kardashians, to lipstick, to babies, to whether or not Taylor Swift is a feminist. Nothing is too silly or too serious to be talked about.

#3 The Daily

If your Facebook feed is nothing but videos of puppies and your distance cousin Jess complaining about a bad eggplant she got in her Woolies order, then you probably aren’t getting your daily dose of news. Or, if you are, it’s just a little too overwhelming to keep up with.

The Daily delivers a 20-minute podcast by the New York Times with nothing but the day’s most important international news. It’s quick, handy and it’ll make you feel relevant AF.

#4 My Dad Wrote A Porno

The premise of this one is pretty clear: the host’s dad wrote a porno. And he gathered two of his mates to painstakingly read it out with him. It’s genuinely hilarious and extremely bizarre.

#5 My Favourite Murder

The coolest thing about listening to My Favourite Murder (MFM) is the community that comes along with it. Not only are the hosts, Karen Gilgariff and Georgia Hardstark unbelievably charming, hilarious and bad to the bone, but they welcome you with open arms into a huge community of weirdos called “Murderinos”. The hosts take turns recounting different true crime cases throughout history, but in a very funny way.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll definitely quiver in fear. Stay sexy. Don’t get murdered.

#6 Love + Radio

This podcast will make you look at your fellow human beings with a lot more love. It tells really unique stories in a super interesting way. Episodes The Living Room and The Silver Dollar are personal faves.

#7 Death, Sex And Money

Death, Sex And Money is about all the things you’d never bring up in polite conversation. Some of the best episodes includes those on student loan debt, shoplifting, murder, uber drivers and illegitimate children. Honestly, every episode is a gem.

#8 Terrible, Thanks For Asking

There are a lot of podcasts out there about people who do amazing things or have amazing things happen to them. Terrible, Thanks For Asking is about people who have drawn the short straw in life. Who have just had a really shit go at things.

I’d recommend starting with episode two, “I’ve Made A Huge Mistake” which follows a New York Times journalist who made a career-ending mishap when she was just starting out. It’s enthralling listening and tbh, will give you a lot of perspective on a lot of different things.

#9 Bad With Money

This one’s not so much a financial advice podcast but an exploration into why the host Gaby Dunn is seemingly unable to get a handle on her finances. Just like, well, the majority of us! Her exploration into why things are the way they are, and why we don’t talk about it, is fascinating.

Breathe a sigh of relief, you’re not the only one who’s bad with money.

#10 Pretty For An Aboriginal

Nakkiah Lui and Miranda Tapsell, bonafide acting/theatre/creative geniuses host this podcast about the things Australia has trouble talking about. Stuff like sex, politics, dating, but most importantly, race. They have conversations with a bunch of interesting guests, including Briggs, Roxane Gay and Yael Stone. It’s essential listening for any young Australian and will make you wonder when you realised your race mattered.

Happy listening!

(Lead image: Girls/HBO)