Audio content is revolutionising the way we consume media. I can’t help but be excited about the incredible impact that podcasts are having on the media landscape.

podcasting

It’s the flexibility of “tuning in” to a podcast for me, which allows you to easily integrate them into your daily routine.

Previously known as audio blogging, podcasts started to catch on in the early 2000s with the advancement of internet access and devices such as the Apple iPod.

Podcasts offer a listener a more curated listening experience with access to various personalities, thoughts, genres, and entertainment across streaming platforms.

Right now, there are more than 6 million podcast titles on Spotify alone and the number of people consuming audio content on-demand continues to grow by the day.

Safe to say we find ourselves in the golden age of podcasting and I’ve grown to love it even more as a parent in the digital age. Here’s why:

  • Whether you’re up for a nighttime feeding, driving home from work, or reorganizing the playroom for the zillionth time, listening to a podcast is one way to squeeze in some me time into your daily routine.
  • For many parents, podcasts play a significant role in education, entertainment, and escapism with an array of in-depth talks, interviews, and bite-sized trivia to choose from.
  • Focusing your attention on a podcast transforms daily mundane tasks into opportunities for learning for some of us and for others, isolated periods of relaxation and enjoyment.
  • I’m drawn to captivating storytelling but intimate conversations that haven’t enjoyed too much space in traditional media have its space on streaming platforms too.
  • Podcasts have become a medium through which we can connect with the world around us and it’s gaining popularity as it makes us feel more competent, autonomous, and related.

Another powerful digital tool that meets our basic psychological needs and positively impacts mental well-being.

These are my Top 4 parenting podcasts currently, each with a unique perspective, available and accessible on most streaming platforms.

  1. Raising Good Humans with Dr. Aliza
    Developmental psychologist and mom Dr. Aliza Pressman hosts this weekly parenting podcast where each episode dives into a specific topic. Whether speaking to her audience solo or hosting guests, Dr. Aliza inserts her professional advice in a way that feels authentic and practical. This podcast is for parents with kids of all ages, covering topics ranging from baby food to teen party culture. With episodes under an hour, this is a great parenting podcast to find episodes that fit your stage of the parenting journey and help you work through its challenges.

  2. Dear Doula with Brandi Jordan
    Hosted by baby and parenting expert Brandi Jordan, this podcast aims to remind parents of the joy that parenthood brings. Brandi brings on expert guests and covers a wide variety of topics like sexual health and wellness, traveling with young children and learning how to be a calmer parent. Listeners are able to connect with Brandi and feel seen while still hearing practical advice.

  3. The Daily Dad with Ryan Holiday
    Ryan Holiday is one of the world’s bestselling authors and philosophers, with the #1 New York Times bestseller Stillness Is the Key. He lives outside Austin with his wife and two boys…and a small herd of cows and donkeys and goats. The Daily Dad is the audio companion to DailyDad.com’s daily email meditations on fatherhood reds by Ryan. Each daily reading helps you find the wisdom, inner strength and good humor you need in order to be a great dad according to him.

  4. Baby Brunch with Elana Afrika
    Baby Brunch is the brainchild of Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp who, after welcoming her first daughter into the world in 2015, discovered a need for support from other moms and experts on parenting. So began this “advice for new parents” platform, encouraging all parents to learn and grow together in a positive, empowering environment. This podcast celebrates the roles of parents as well as the importance of ‘the village it takes to raise a child’ with a wealth of knowledge shared by remarkable guests.

As a parent in the digital era, do podcasts play a role in your day or weekly routine? Drop some of your suggestions with me in the comments.