【1989 Archives】

As movies like 989 ArchivesPostand TV shows like The Newsroomwill tell you, it is the civic duty of every citizen to stay informed.

But with so much happening all at once in our news cycle, it can be tough to keep up with what's going on in current events, let alone make sense of it all.

That's where podcasts come in.

In recent years, a number of podcasts have cropped up to help us keep track of what's happening in the world. Some are daily briefs outlining the big stories we need to know; others offer smart analyses about the important news of the week. No matter what, if you want to understand *gestures broadly at everything happening in the news,* there IS a podcast for you.

Here are 9 that make us feel significantly less overwhelmed.

1. The Daily

Published at roughly 6 a.m ET Monday through Friday, the New York Times' daily podcast breaks down the biggest news of the day. Each episode features journalists and experts from the Times, explaining what you need to know about the story, how it was reported, and more. It's made all the better by host Michael Barbaro, who is equal parts calming narrator, thoughtful interviewer, and empathetic listener.

Episode to start with: The Climate Change Battle Through One Coal Miner's Eyes

2. Call Your Girlfriend

Sometimes the best way to keep up with current events is by talking to your news-wonky friends. And that's where Call Your Girlfriendcomes in. Created in 2014 as a way for friends Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman to stay in touch, it bills itself as "a podcast for long-distance besties everywhere." But more than anything, it's discussion about current events delivered as if you were sitting at the bar chatting with your friends. "We’re highbrow and lowbrow, fiercely opinionated, and not afraid to real-talk each other about everything from menstrual cycles and body shaming to the Cheeto in Chief and workplace drama with devastating wit," the hosts explain. (Cheeto in Chief is what they call Donald Trump, btw.) In addition, the show is incredibly feminist, highlighting the voices of women who shape the news.

Episode to start with: The Best of Call Your Girlfriend 2017

3. Still Processing

Still Processingis another podcast from the New York Timesthat'll help you keep up with what's happening in the world. Tech writer Jenna Wortham and culture writer Wesley Morris are the hosts; they talk about everything from how technology drives anxiety to what shows like Roseanneand movies like A Quiet Placetell us about race in America. Not only do Wortham and Morris break down what's happening in the world and in pop culture, but they connect it to history and other social conversations, and they do it with charm and wit to boot.

Episode to start with: We Talk BeyChella.

4. Slate's Political Gabfest

Slate's Political Gabfestis a roundtable discussion that covers news and politics. The show is hosted by Atlas Obscura's David Plotz, New York Times Magazine's Emily Bazelon, and CBS This Morning 'sJohn Dickerson. They each have a different political perspective, which results in robust and well-rounded conversations. Bonus, each episode ends with "cocktail chatter" — you know, those interesting nuggets of information you bring up at a party — so in addition to staying informed about politics, you'll also hear interesting factoids and trivia about anything and everything, too.

Episode to start with: The "Very Stable Genius" Edition

5. Trumpcast

Regardless of everything else happening in the world, keeping up with what President Donald Trump is up to daily is a task of its own. That's where the Trumpcast comes in. Produced by Slate and hosted by Jacob Weisberg, Virginia Heffernan, and Jamelle Bouie, it's a "quasi-daily" podcast about what's happening with the current administration and president. Top political authors and reporters all pop by to help listeners make sense of it all.

Episode to start with: A Measured View of the Cohen Probe

6. Reveal

Reveal is a news podcast that brings investigative journalism about the things happening in the world directly to your ears. Created in partnership with The Center for Investigative Journalism and PRX, it bills itself as a show that "takes you deep inside stories that impact your world, revealing injustice and holding the powerful accountable." Episode topics range from hate speech to worker safety and diversity in Silicon Valley. If you want a comprehensive deep-dive into big global stories, Revealis for you.

Episode to start with: Tesla and beyond: Hidden problems of Silicon Valley

7. Pod Save America

For politics deconstructed by the people who know it best, look no further than Pod Save America. The show is hosted by four former Obama staffers, which means that in addition to breaking down the news, they also provide incredible insight into why each story matters, and how each news item fits within the larger framework of Washington. On top of that, the show is just fun. The discussions are passionate and the hosts are charismatic, which means you'll be as entertained as you are informed.

Episode to start with: Zombie Correspondents' Dinner

8. Counter Stories

Counter Storiesis a podcast about race and social justice, especially about how those topics intersect with the news. Episodes range from conversations about whether the arrest of two black men at Starbucks was an isolated event to how racism affects your health. The news doesn't happen in isolation, and Counter Stories is a good podcast if you want to hear about the real people the news is affecting and how.

Episode to start with: Is the arrest of two black men at Starbucks an isolated incident?

9. On the Media

Sometimes it's helpful to step back and look not just at the news but also at how we talk about the news. That's where WNYC's On the Mediacomes in. The show is hosted by journalists Bob Garfield and Brooke Gladstone, and each week, they discuss how the media coveredthe big news stories. It's part of effectively staying informed. On The Media promises to be "a weekly investigation of how the media shapes our worldview."

Episode to start with: TV News Anchors Speaking From the Heart — Uh, Teleprompter