Why I’m Hooked on Podcasts

Why I’m Hooked on Podcasts (And You Probably Are Too)

I got into podcasts during Covid lockdown, and I intentionally stayed away from the heavy topics (serial killers, pandemics, end-of-days stuff), and listened to things that made me laugh.  I walked my dogs while listening to episodes of The Office Ladies and did backyard projects to Jim Jefferies’ podcast, I Don’t Know About That. .  I dabbled a bit in the self-help and inspiration genres with Mel Robbins and Gary John Bishop, and of course, I kept up with my reality TV addiction with The Viall Files.

I think at the time when real human connection was rare and valuable, listening to these podcasts was like joining in conversations with people I felt I knew, even if I was just listening to them all alone at home with my dogs.

When the world opened back up, I didn’t have as much time for podcasts, but I still squeezed in my favorites.  Lately, though, I’ve graduated from entertainment-only podcasts to those that help me understand complicated issues and allow me to get to know people I greatly respect in my industry.

So why are so many people hooked on podcasts, myself included? Turns out, there are some good reasons behind this podcast obsession sweeping the nation. And yes, I have stats to back it up. (Stats make everything more official, don’t they?)

1. They make you feel productive

It’s a fact—75% of podcast listeners tune in while doing other things like driving, cooking, or pretending to clean the house. (I’m not even sure where I found this stat, but hey, you know it’s true.) For some reason, listening to someone talk while I fold laundry makes me feel like I’ve got my life together. Multitasking at its finest, folks!

2. They turn boring moments into mini-escapes

Nobody likes sitting in traffic or waiting in line, but podcasts? They turn those mind-numbing moments into opportunities to learn something new or laugh out loud.  I fortunately don’t have much of a commute any more, but when I’m not headlining my own concert while driving to work, I’m catching up on the latest episode of one of my favorite podcasts.  

3. There’s something for everyone

From true crime to self-help, to those weirdly specific shows like Keep Calm and Carry Yarn, one of many dedicated to crocheting (my 22 y.o. daughter’s favorite hobby), the variety is endless. Whatever niche you’re into, there’s a podcast for it.  I just searched, “best podcasts for former attorneys” and found a new one I need to check out, The Former Lawyer Podcast.

4. The stats say it all

Did you know that over 55% of the U.S. population has listened to a podcast at least once? (Look at me throwing numbers around like I’m an expert!) And that’s just the beginning. People are turning to podcasts more than ever because they offer flexible, on-demand content that fits into our increasingly busy lives. No one has time to read a whole book or sit through an hour of news anymore, but a 30-minute podcast while walking the dog? Done.  Plus, most of them are FREE, so you can tune in when you want to what you want, and it costs you nothing to listen.

5.  My favorite Housing podcasts

People love podcasts, and people love lists, so, of course, people love to make lists of podcasts.  Just like there’s no shortage of podcasts, there’s no shortage of podcast lists. Podchaser alone features over 20,000 charts across different countries and genres ranking podcasts in its massive database. 

I recently discovered Good on Paper, the podcast hosted by Jerusalem Demsas of The Atlantic, and I loved her recent episode, “Who’s Responsible for the Housing Crisis?” .  Jerusalem recently completed a book that inspired the podcast episode, “On the Housing Crisis: Land, Development, Democracy.” These are a must listen/read for anyone in housing. 

I also really like The Affordable Houser, a relatively new podcast from host Neal Rackleff, who is an attorney here in Texas in the space, and his thoughtful questions elicit valuable information and insight from his guests. 

Another Texan with a new podcast is rental housing economist Jay Parsons.  The Rent Roll podcast dives into complex issues, unravels misconceptions, and entertains with trivia Jay promises will make you the life of the party at your next outing (if you’re at a party with fellow housing enthusiasts of course).

And I certainly must give a shout-out to the WAHNcast, Women’s Affordable Housing Network’s special brand of podcast that amplifies voices in housing with inspiring stories about women and allies in the affordable housing industry.  I’ve been a guest on that one and have hosted and co-hosted it as well, so I realize I’m biased, but we have great content you won’t hear anywhere else.

Closing thoughts

At the end of the day, podcasts have become more than just background noise for multitasking—they’re like a cozy chat with friends, a personal coach, and a mentor, all rolled into one. Whether I’m in the mood for a laugh with The Office Ladies or diving deep into housing issues with The Affordable Houser, there’s always a podcast that fits my mood.

It’s incredible how podcasts have evolved for me—what started as a light escape during lockdown has turned into a go-to resource for learning, growing, and staying connected with my industry. And even though I may not be as addicted as I once was, I’ll never stray too far from my favorite podcasts. So, if you haven’t yet, give podcasts a shot. Trust me, there’s a show out there just waiting to hook you too!

And that’s a wrap.