As I write this, in the year of our goddess 2015, as the summer winds down and the crisp air of fall rolls through our apple orchards, our pumpkin patches, our corn mazes; as the sun peeks through a layer of fog to wink at us with its golden rays; as the leaves turn to goldenrod, to ochre, to crimson, and finally fall to the forest floor in their russet slumber — only four of the top 20 podcasts on iTunes are hosted by women. Of those hosts, one is Terri Gross (bless), one is Sarah Koenig (praise), and one is an out queer (Lulu Miller —who we will get to later.) Just one queer woman. While those top iTunes spots change daily, my point rests: there aren’t many of us hosting podcasts.
While more and more women are getting into the podcast game, they are primarily heterosexual and white. As podcasts become more ubiquitous, the trend seems to be leaning towards diversity, but painfully slowly. This is not to say there aren’t queer women working in the field. The majority of queer Ladios (that’s lady radio-makers) are producers and reporters, responsible for making the things you hear, but without any of the glory of hosting. Award winning, department leading, game changing queers are out there, but they don’t always live in your ear buds.
So in the interest of telling the world we want more queers in our ears, here are a few shows hosted by queer women, for your listening pleasure.
The Read
Once in awhile, a truly excellent podcast comes along. A podcast so good, you feel like the hosts are the best friends you meet once a week for the most excellent celebrity gossip, straight talk, solid advice, and drinks. The Read is that podcast, Crissle and Kid Fury are those hosts, and those drinks are full glasses of champagne, provided, indirectly, by Drake. The Read is billed as a “weekly podcast covering hip-hop and pop culture’s most trying stars” but it’s way more than that. It’s a celebration of black excellence, a takedown of casual racism, and a soapbox for two engaging, intelligent, hilarious queers to do what they do best — read the world to filth.
Where to start: O_OFest
Invisibilia
If you are a person who likes podcasts, chances are you hopped on the Invisibilia train months ago. Alix Spiegel and Lulu Miller (who quietly came out on twitter in February) helm this NPR podcast, which “explores the intangible forces that shape human behavior — things like ideas, beliefs, assumptions, and emotions.” Spiegel and Miller are This American Life and Radiolab alums, respectively, and it’s easy to tell how strongly their former shows influence their style. However, luckily, Invisibilia is building a distinct voice of its own.
Where to start: Entanglement
The Heart
The Heart is a narrative podcast that covers “the triumphs and terrors of human intimacy, the bliss and banality of being in love, and the wild diversity of the human heart.” Also, I’m one of its producers and it’s my actual dream job. The Heart, formerly known as Audio Smut, was started by sex workers on Canadian community radio, then passed through the hands of various feminist media-makers until Kaitlin Prest and Mitra Kaboli took on the show and moved it to NYC. Since then, we’ve told stories about Lili Elbe, one day’s love, passing, Riis Park, vaginismus, and a whole bunch of other topics that don’t usually show up on public radio. Next up, taking over the world with sex-positive, feminist content.
Where to start: First
That Was Us with Julia Nunes
Julia Nunes’ brand new show is so dang cute. Nunes, one of Autostraddle’s favorite musicians, invites her guests to bring textual evidence of “who they used to be,” be that an old diary, LiveJournal entries, or an email or two. The memories are equal parts sweet and cringeworthy, and Nunes and her guests laugh pretty much the whole way through. The show is only six episodes old, so get listening to this thing before it blows up and you can say you were one of the cool early adopters.
Where to start: Episode 3: Dannielle Owens-Reid
Coupla Questions
What?! Another Autostraddle contributor has a podcast?! Yes. Of course. I’m actually kind of mad at you for doubting that. Listen, that miscommunication was hard for us, but we’ll get through it together with help from Coupla Questions! Dannielle Owens-Reid (Everyone is Gay, Autostraddle) and Claire Beitcher (Lady Shakes, Hair Creature) bring on couples to talk about their relationships, via Claire and Dannielle’s “coupla questions.” Get it? The show, as you might expect, is funny, goofy, and charming. Claire and Dannielle’s questions are simple and sweet, and the couples are always down to get personal. It’s a winning combination.
Where to start: It Was On The Shoulder Then Off The Shoulder
Questionable At Best
You already know about Deanne Smith’s podcast, Questionable at Best, so strictly speaking I don’t need to tell you about it. However, it is so delightful that I have chosen to mention it anyway. Every episode, Smith invites a guest on the show to answer one question. That’s all it takes to fill 55 minutes with sweetness, pathos, and hilarity. Plus, a few of your Autostraddle faves have made it on the show and they are all charming, of course.
Where to start: #52 Carolyn Yates
Brand New Podcast
Brittani Nichols (who you know) and Ariana Lenarsky (who you are about to meet) have a brand new podcast, appropriately titled Brand New Podcast, featuring the two aforementioned funny people in conversation. That’s it. And it’s dang entertaining. If you want to listen to a “podcast about nothing” hosted by “conventionally attractive comedians,” this is the podcast for you. And really, isn’t that what we all want? Attractive people making us laugh?
Where to start: Episode 1
Wham Bam Pow
Comedian Cameron Esposito, of the most highly coveted ALH of all time, leads this massively entertaining “action/sci fi moviecast.” Esposito and comedian panelists Rhea Butcher (Esposito’s fiancee) and Ricky Carmona (a pretty cool guy) chat about the TV and movies they have seen, both current and classic, in an enjoyably meandering kind of way. Recommended for anyone who likes sci fi, action, or listening to endearing couples make each other laugh. Esposito’s weekly UCB stand up show, Put Your Hands Together, also comes out as a regular podcast, also features co-host Rhea Butcher, also worth subscribing to.
Where to start: American Ultra
Homoground
Every episode of Homoground starts with “Same ground. Different sound. You’re on Homoground.” To me, those words mean “hell yes.” Hosts Jackatcha and scantron have featured over 400 independent bands since the show’s inception in 2011, but have reviewed zero. “As a community, we feel that we are judged enough by the rest of society,” their website states, “so why even bring that into the picture?” Each featured band has given permission to Homoground to play their music, so Jackatcha and scantron have developed relationships with bands of all sizes and localities. They’ve also interviewed some of your faves, including Amy Ray and Kimya Dawson. Get listening!
Where to start: Paper Lanterns, My Gay Banjo, Amy Ray + Interview!
Not All Women
Most podcasts don’t heavily emphasize their commitment to intersectionality in their show description. Then again, Not All Women isn’t most podcasts. Callie Rasmussen and Sarah Sahim (of this article you may have come across) are committed to amplifying the voices of badass women, particularly trans women, women with disabilities, and women of color. That has lead to a handful of strong episodes featuring cool cats such as Sanaa Hamid, Lena Waithe, and Sara Benincasa. With guests so remarkable, yes, all women can get behind this show.
Where to start: Episode 5: Kaleigh Trace
Queer Public
Queer Public, which is only two episodes in, has a degree of polish in production and storytelling that most newcomer podcasts do not. Host and creator Erin McGregor has a cool comfort in the hosting chair, guiding us through this show about “queer culture, queer politics, and queer identity.” Queer Public has a This American Life-esque 3 Act structure and has so far covered the challenges to binational same-sex couples, pre and post DOMA, and being friends with your ex. Here’s hoping McGregor keeps up that wide range of stories as the show progresses.
Where to start: Binational Same-Sex Couples and the Defense of Marriage Act
A+ Podcast
Sometimes, the love you were looking for was right in front of you. That is exceptionally true of the A+ Podcast, made and hosted by a bunch of queers, living on a site you already frequent. How convenient! Hosted and produced by Julia Wetherell and me, each show features stories and interviews by Autostraddle editors and contributors. We’ve themed shows on love letters, pop culture, and our baby queer years, and next episode is all about starting over. And speaking of starting over, folks who have been listening to the podcast can expect a new format for this new episode. Plus, it’s pretty cool hearing what your favorite Autostraddle writers sound like IRL.
Where to start: Episode 3
BONUS: Romantic Friendship
Romantic Friendship, a show out of community station BBOX Radio, is no longer making new episodes. But due to humanity’s spiking interest in marathoning defunct TV shows, it isn’t a far leap to assume you might enjoy living in this excellent podcast’s archives. DJ C-wag (Cassie Wagler) and DJ Sashay (Sasha Wortzel) explore “art, culture, and politics, through a queer, feminist lens.” Topics include mermaids, the feminist subtext of 1960s girl groups, and queer country music. Intrigued? Now you understand why I would recommend a podcast that doesn’t exist anymore. Happy binging!
Where to start: Adventures in Babysitting
Yay! New podcasts to check out!
This is exactly what I needed this afternoon! Thank you!
Happy listening!
so excited to dive right into all of these!
I’ve wanted to be the kind of cool person who listens to podcasts but was very overwhelmed by the options. Thanks for narrowing down some great starting points :D
No prob! Hope you like them!
This article finally motivated me to download a podcast app on my phone, thanks!
Thanks for knowing I needed this in my life.
This article motivated me to finally download a podcast app on my phone, thanks!
I have to say that Brand New Podcast has to be one of my favorite podcast and I really enjoyed ep 3 White Trickery, it had me laughing non stop and my coworkers looking at me funny cause I was silently giggling at my computer screen.
Just posting to say that The Read is my absolute favorite podcast ever. It’s so funny, I look forward to it every week. Hope Kid Fury is doing better!
I SECOND “THE READ!!!”
It is one of my favorite podcasts, in fact, it was “The Read” that got me into listening to podcasts. I love their break down of pop-culture. It feels like I’m talking to some friends spilling the “t” and when I’m really into it, I would talk back and imagine them laughing at my jokes (I try to telepathically communicate with them, one day).
Brand New Podcast is also really good and I love it! I also co-sign @ehmanna90 about ep 3. While listening to ep 3, I briefly choked on 2-day-old co-worker birthday cake (it was really good cake, omg) and dropped it.
It was so worth it and I got my ass another slice.
I’d also suggest the BGD podcast …
Definitely read that one podcast has a degree of Polish, not polish. Gutted to realise it’s not the queer discussion with added Polish lesson podcast that I thought it was.
It’s really only a matter of time until that podcast exists.
Great recommendations – I’m obsessed with The Read and Wham Bam Pow (and the A+ Podcast, of course!)
A few others I love:
Call Your Girlfriend – hosted by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow
The Mystery Show – hosted by Starlee Kine
I love Mystery Show! It is maybe my favorite podcast right now. I didn’t put it on the list because Starlee Kine isn’t queer to my knowledge, but I recommend it to everyone!
Oh gosh with this article, the previous gaming podcast article, and the other podcasts I already own I’m just going to have headphones on at all times aren’t I?
So excited to try these all! I picked the coupla questions one at random to start, and I love it!
I really REALLY want to make podcasts a part of my life. I have a kindle fire and listen to NPR on it. I haven’t a clue how to use it to listen to podcasts. Anyone willing to help this technologically impaired 30 year old queer?
I’m pretty sure Stitcher Radio for Podcasts is the app you’re looking for on your Kindle Fire! (I don’t have a Kindle Fire, so I am just going off the description here: http://www.amazon.com/Stitcher-Inc-Radio-for-Podcasts/dp/B004IA608O)
Hope that helps and if not, that someone else will chime in. :)
Thank you! I am downloading it now. Will have to check it out tomorrow.
And I have to comment again because I forgot to click the notify me option…
THANK YOU!!! I was so hoping this was coming, and I am so ecstatic it is here. I’ve been looking around on my own but had not run into most of these. And there’s nothing like having a curated list from someone who really knows. Deep appreciation. My commute will never be the same.
Thank youuuuuuuu.
I spend a lot of time listening to podcasts. Like a percentage of my life that a) concerns my friends and b) makes me start many many stories with “I was listening to this podcast and ____ said ____ about ____.” They are my main sources of laughs and learning. My phone will no longer accept more because I’ve maxed out my storage.
Somehow though, I keep running out! I need more! You have shown me a couple I wasn’t already listening to. And reminding me how much I’m ready for The Heart to be back from summer break. You’ve sated me for at least another week and a half.
A million thanks!
Podcast addict solidarity! “Storage Almost Full” alerts like whoa.
I’ve been meaning to listen to That Was Us for ages and this finally made me do it. It’s SO good, thank you! :D
Definitely gonna be checking some others out now. Never thought I was a podcast kinda person, but it’s so good to just chill out and listen.
Wonderful! This going to make me want to binge on podcasts for days!
This has broadened my horizons immensely! I’m especially enjoying Questionable At Best and Homoground.
thanks for checking out Homoground!
Amazing list. Thank you!
Hey friends! If you’ve caught the podcast bug, there have been a few exciting new developments this week that might interest you. It has been a BIG WEEK.
The winner of the WNYC Podcast Accelerator is a show called Gaydio about, you guessed it, gay shit. It’s produced by Tobin Low and Kathy Tu and it’s gonna be GOOD.
http://current.org/2015/09/podcast-accelerator-contest-winners-will-make-pilots-with-wnyc/
Crissle West, host of The Read, was on Drunk History this week talking about Harriet Tubman. Was it the funniest episode of Drunk History ever? You decide (that it was.)
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/2qw47o/drunk-history-harriet-tubman–superspy
Kaitlin Prest won the Prix Italia Golden Award for New Radio Formats with The Heart’s radio docu-drama “Movies In Your Head.” The Prix Italia is kind of like the radio Oscars, so this is a BFD. Also, we at The Heart are having a big event in Brooklyn on Oct 16th and we just announced the Homoground is DJing our party. That’s called queer podcast ~synergy~
http://thetimbre.com/buzz-september-17-23/
https://www.facebook.com/events/905478036212191/
Happy listening everybody!!!
This makes me so happy :)
Excellent list! Hurray for Homoground. :)
Not on this list but and LGBT podcast worth a listen http://www.nakedandinsideout.com/
For a fiction-centric podcast hosted by a lesbian character, I’d suggest a newer podcast called SubverCity Transmit. (http://www.subvercitytransmit.com)
Aha, this list should entertain me for quite a while :) Encountered so few of these on iTunes!
Also new: http://www.thelesbianromantic.com ! (Disclaimer: it’s my own podcast ;)
There’s also a great new lesbian podcast called another word for lesbian.
That one is great indeed!! http://www.lesbianromantic.com/another-word-for-lesbian-podcast/
I really don’t like the Invisibilia episode about Aspergers. Just a warning to NT people who want to learn more about Aspergers – if you really want to listen to it then understand that not all of us are looking for a cure.
‘A Lesbian Affair’ Podcast is pretty awesome, too. Just finished binging it.
‘A Lesbian Affair’ Podcast is pretty awesome, too. Just finished binging it.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/880990