For 7 or 8 years now, I’ve been a podcast junkie. My wireless Bose earbuds are never far away. I listen when I’m cooking, cleaning, exercising, drying my hair, putting on makeup, or trying to fall asleep. If you’re new to podcasts, here’s great tutorial on how to download them automatically when new episodes are released. It’s so easy—don’t be intimidated. Let me know your favorites! Here are my picks for the three best podcasts on death and dying.
Death, Sex & Money is a podcast about the questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation. Host Anna Sale talks to celebrities you heard of — and to regular people you haven’t — about the Big Stuff: relationships, money, family, work and making it all count while we’re here.
NOTE: I stopped listening to DSM about a year ago because I don’t give a flip about celebrity angst, and there was more and more of it on the show. If you can stomach that, there’s a lot that’s great about this podcast.
2. Terrible, Thanks for Asking
You know how every day someone asks “how are you?” And even if you’re totally dying inside, you just say “fine,” so everyone can go about their day? This show is the opposite of that. Hosted by author and notable widow (her words) Nora McInerny, this is a funny/sad/uncomfortable podcast about talking honestly about our pain, our awkwardness, and our humanness, which is not an actual word.
NOTE: Listen to this one at 1.5x speed—that is, unless you’re really into dramatic pauses.
If you’ve lost someone to a drug overdose, start at episode 1 and go on a few really long runs or clean out every closet in your house. You have a lot of listening to do. Spoiler alert: One of the “sober” hosts died of an overdose in 2018. It’s utterly heartbreaking. If you’re the judgy type who thinks drug addicts are just a bunch of spineless fuck-ups, you’ll change your mind as you get to know Chris and Dave through your earbuds. (Click here for advice on writing an obituary for someone who has died a tragic death.)
