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6 New(ish) Podcasts That'll Keep Your Brain Sharp

Updated 8/24/2020
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These new podcasts aren't just entertaining—they'll give you more small talk material and keep your brain sharp for the rest of the day.

We all love to feel smarter. It’s why we read career-boosting books, watch enlightening videos, and, if we’re super hip and cool, pick up podcasts to listen to.

And we don’t just do this for our own amusement (even if we enjoy nerding out to some random topic). Learning something new helps us have better conversations with co-workers, makes us better at our jobs, and it honestly gives us something interesting to talk about.

So, to feed your brain with all the knowledge (and all the small talk material), I’ve rounded up six newish podcasts you have to listen to this month. Whether you need your daily dose of news, want to try some fun memory exercises, or crave a bit of mystery in your life, these will do the trick.


1. The Daily by The New York Times



If 20 minutes a day is all you have to catch up on breaking news, The New York Times makes this an easy task with this short but extensive series.




We’re all dreamers—but how much do we really know about making those dreams a reality? Learn how others did it in this series that covers the paths of successful (and sometimes eccentric) entrepreneurs and innovators.




Curious how a company (like Airbnb) got its start? This podcast covers the timeline of a company from start to finish, interviewing famous founders on how they ended up where they are now. Because, turns out, we were all amateurs at some point in our careers—even the power players who we all look up to now.


4. Brain Training by Audioshows Ltd



If listening to someone talk about their life doesn’t interest you, this podcast might. It’s basically a “workout for your head”—you’ll be guided through a series of games that’ll make you sharper and more focused.


5. S-Town by WBEZ

Episode: Chapter I



The hype is well-deserved for this one. If you (somehow) haven’t listened yet, you’re going to want to check out S-Town, another mystery from the creators of Serial that you’ll be thinking about long after it’s over.


6. Every Little Thing by Gimlet Media



This show will, according to its poetic description, “turn over the rock, peek through the keyhole, go down the rabbit hole” of ordinary situations and discoveries. Need to be taken on a journey? This podcast might do just that.


Do you have another suggestion? Tell me on Twitter.


Photo of Alyse Maguire

Previously an editor for The Muse, Alyse is proud to prove that yes, English majors can change the world. She’s written almost 500 articles for The Muse on anything from productivity tips to cover letters to bad bosses to cool career changers, many of which have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., CNBC's Make It, USA Today College, Lifehacker, Mashable, and more. In addition to being an avid writer and reader, Alyse loves to dance, both professionally and while waiting for the subway. You can follow her work on her website, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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6 New(ish) Podcasts That'll Keep Your Brain Sharp | The Muse | The Muse