My Top Favorite Podcasts of 2016

I drive at least 45 minutes to work in the morning and at least an hour on the way home. I’m in my car a LOT. And although the radio is great, it gets old pretty fast. {I have every pop song memorized at this point}. When I get bored with the radio, I almost always turn on a podcast. After discovering podcasts a few years ago with Serial, I’ve become obsessed. I download them right to my phone, so it doesn’t kill my data plan. You feel me?! 

Below are four of my absolute favorite podcasts from 2016. If you’re not already listening to these, definitely download them. They’ve gotten me through so many traffic nightmares and road rage incidents. These podcasts definitely make driving for hours a day enjoyable. 

1. The Lady Gang

The Lady Gang is probably my all-time favorite podcast. It’s run by Becca Tobin {Kitty from Glee!}, Keltie Knight {entertainment journalist}, and Jac Vanek {clothing designer – anyone remember her from MySpace days?!}. I think their website describes their podcast best: “Inspired by their bottomless mimosa brunches, each week a celebrity guest joins the girls for a raw, honest and hilarious look at what life is really like under the bright lights of Hollywood. Guests will help the girl gan answer life’s burning questions from listeners in #AsktheLadyGang and share their own unapologetic stories about stumbling through womanhood.” 

Why you should listen: The women are so real and down to earth. They talk about everyday problems and don’t sugar coat anything. For instance, Becca is constantly talking about her digestive issues, and Keltie loves plugging her Instagram to get Instagram-famous. They also give a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood. So, if you’re into celeb gossip, casting and show secrets, etc., you’ve got to listen. All three girls are hilarious and will have you cracking up each and every episode. 

2. Straight Up With Stassi

Stassi Schroeder, star of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules,” created a podcast last year called Straight Up With Stassi. I can’t believe it’s taken me to find this podcast, but I’m so glad that I did. She gives a hilarious take on any and all topics, such as being single in NYC, working on a reality TV show, her love for Charleston, witch doctors, and random events in her life. 

Why you should listen: Just like The Lady Gang Podcast, Stassi is raw. She doesn’t hold back on any topic, and is true to herself. She’s never afraid to voice her own opinion about anyone or anything. There’s no limit on what Stassi will cover on her podcast, which keeps things very interesting! Also – if you’re into reality TV, she’s had guests on her show, including JJ and Chad from the Bachelorette, Olivia from the Bachelor, numerous Vanderpump cast members, and Craig from Southern Charm. 

3. The Bitch Bible

The Bitch Bible is a blog turned podcast hosted by Jackie Schimmel. She talks about pop culture, celebrities, fashion and social faux-pas, and just general life as a millennial. She curses like a sailor and doesn’t give a damn what you think about her. iTunes describes Jackie in the best possible way, “your soon-to-be bitchy and super neurotic best friend.” 

Why you should listen: Jackie has no filter. She runs her podcast like she’s chatting with you over cocktails. She says whatever she wants, and that’s super refreshing {i.e., her obsession with olive martinis and her extreme hatred for Taylor Swift}. She says exactly what most people are thinking, but are too afraid to say out loud. She has guests on her show that are just as real as she is, including Morgan Stewart from Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and Lauryn Evarts from The Skinny Confidential. 

4. Here to Make Friends – A Bachelor Recap Show

Here to Make Friends is a Huffington Post podcast all about the Bachelor and Bachelor adjacent shows. Hosts Emma Gray and Claire Fallon snark on each episode and give their own recap on what went down. They almost always have a Bachelor contestant on the podcast, which makes things very interesting. 

Why you should listen: An obvious reason to listen is because it’s all about The Bachelor franchise. So, if you’re obsessed as much as I am, you’ll be thoroughly entertained. You’ll hear Emma and Claire’s own spin on the world of dating, Bachelor secrets straight from former cast members, Bachelor gossip/rumors, and of course a hilarious recap of each episode. 

// What are some of your favorite podcasts?! Comment below or send me a tweet.