Best Podcasts - Sept. 15
Whether you’re doing homework, taking a powerwalk or trying to fall asleep, podcasts are a great listen.
The newest entertainment medium has skyrocketed in popularity over the last five years. Here’s the best podcasts to listen to:
“SmartLess” w/ Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett
A small project that started during quarantine has transcended into one of the biggest and funniest podcasts online. Starring veteran actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, they bring their chemistry and history together to life in each episode.
Each week, one trio member brings on a celebrity guest that is kept secret from the other two. After a vague introduction and a few guesses on who they might be, the guest is introduced and they all have fascinating conversations.
They manage to book some A-list actors, musicians, comedians and directors. Some recent examples include Jack Black, Jordan Peele, David Spade and more. It is apparent that some of these guests are the host's longtime friends giving audiences exclusive stories and answers to questions they cannot hear anywhere else.
Bateman, Hayes and Arnett are not afraid to inquire about personal and awkward questions about each other and their guests. There will be many times that they cut each other off, and even sometimes themselves.
The way that the hosts start and end the show is particularly interesting as well. The theme music is an absolute earworm, with a robotic voice and soothing electronic music. Wrapping up the show is impromptu, they always try to say “bye” by having a play on their words. Sometimes it works astonishingly well, other times it fails miserably. Either way, it’s pretty hilarious.
Even the advertisements that are promoted are unique. Each of the hosts voice them over, making them seem more personalized and bearable.
“SmartLess” is a must-listen for anyone who is looking for something humorous yet thought-provoking. The podcast is a masterclass of storytelling from some of those who are the best in the business.
- Caelan Chevrier
“Violating Community Guidelines” w/ Brittany Broski and Sarah Schauer
If there were ever a good podcast for those of us who are chronically online, it’s this one.
“Violating Community Guidelines” is a podcast hosted by internet celebrities Brittany Broski and Sarah Schauer. Although the pair both gained their large followings in different eras of the internet, the two have been friends and roommates for years, and their humor is infectious.
Each week, the pair discusses an internet topic in depth, and they usually speak about their respective experiences with the topic. Both of them have been on the internet for a long time, and the topics range from early 2000s YouTube challenges to so-called “LinkedIn Influencers.”
This is a relatively new podcast, with only 35 episodes out, but it has the means to go on for a long while. Broski and Schauer have a way of making you feel like you’re in on all the jokes and that you’re in the studio with them while they record.
- Izzy Charboneau
“Las Culturistas” - w/ Bowen Yang and Matt Rodgers
While it seems like there is a never-ending stream of podcasts, whether true crime, political or interview-based, “Las Culturistas” has created its own distinct genre.
Hosted by “SNL” cast member Bowen Yang and his longtime best friend, Matt Rodgers, also an accomplished comedian/actor.
“Las Culturistas” is primarily based on pop culture. Some episodes are “culture catch-ups,” which feature just Yang and Rodgers talking about current entertainment news.
Additionally, Yang and Rodgers are excellent interviewers who know how to use their witty banter with other people and be just as hilarious.
The iconic question they ask every guest, “what culture made you realize culture is for you” may go down as one of the greatest ice breakers of all time.
Yang and Rodgers seemingly have their own vernacular, relatable for anyone with a best friend. Whether it’s their unceasing “rules of culture,” “I Don’t Think So Honey” or their own culture awards, this duo has grown their inside jokes into a fanbase.
“Las Culturistas” is hysterical, charming and delightful to listen to, no matter the episode's context.
- Sophia D’Ovidio
“Dungeons and Daddies (Not a BDSM podcast)”
This “Dungeons and Dragons” podcast is about four dads who are lost in the forgotten realms trying to save their kids and get home.
Although it is a homebrew D&D campaign, it’s the least D&D podcast there is, so it makes it a comedy podcast for anyone.
The most intriguing part is that all of the players are professional writers trying to derail the campaign from the DM (Dungeon Master) or what they call the Daddy Master. No matter how far off the rails the podcast goes, it always ends up back on track with a story that will make you go from laughing to crying in a second.
It’s a beautiful D&D story that is filled to the brim with dad jokes. The players and DM table talk is just as funny as the actual game. So, this is the best D&D podcast for any type of listener.
- Ethan Hetrick
Caelan Chevrier is a third-year majoring in marketing. To contact him, email cjc6789@psu.edu.
Izzy Charboneau is a second-year student majoring in journalism. To contact her, email ijc5186@psu.edu.
Sophia D’Ovidio is a second-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.
Ethan Hetrick is a second-year telecommunications major. To contact him, email eth5186@psu.edu.
About the Contributors
Caelan Chevrier
Third Year / Marketing & Journalism
Caelan Chevrier is a third-year student in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University studying marketing and broadcast journalism with the goal of graduating with a bachelor’s degree in four years. His career goal is to spread informative, meaningful, and entertaining content across various platforms and to be a positive impact on the community. He has also spent time working at WWE in the communications department and writing for The Westport Local Press in his hometown of Westport, CT. If you’d like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Ethan Hetrick
First-year /
Ethan Hetrick is a first-year communications major. He has done State High and Lady Lion’s broadcasts, wrote multiple movie and music reviews, and sports articles.
Sophia D'Ovidio
First-Year /
Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year from Allentown, New Jersey. She is now a communications (undecided) major at Penn State University. Sophia intends on pursuing a career in journalism. Sophia writes for the CommRadio Arts department.
Isabelle Charboneau
/ Journalism
Izzy Charboneau is a second-year student majoring in digital and print journalism. She is from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Izzy is in the news department and the arts and entertainment department of CommRadio. In the arts and entertainment department, she contributes to many listicles, writes reviews, participates in talk shows, and co-hosts a podcast. In the news department, she is on a weekly newscast and writes news stories. To contact her, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
