Whether you're on the move, multitasking, or just lounging around, podcasts are a great way to remain informed and entertained. As podcasts continue to rise in popularity, more and more great shows pop up almost every week.
For Global Citizens looking to stay up to date on the issues from environment to women and girls, check out this list of podcasts we've compiled below.
Girls and Women
“How To Be A Girl”
“How To Be A Girl” is a podcast about the life of a single mother and her young transgender daughter living in Seattle, Washington. Its producer, who operates under the pseudonym “Marlo Mack,” provides an intimate mix of lessons on transgender issues, interviews with other transgender activists, and a heartwarming look into the relationship between a mother and daughter who are working to figure out what it means to be transgender, together.
“How To Be A Girl” was nominated for a Peabody Award in 2017, and named one of the “Top 50 Podcasts” by The Atlantic, Time, and The Guardian.
Health
“This Week in Health”
This weekly podcast is produced out of Harvard’s T.H Chan School of Public Health, and focuses on newsy issues related to global health. Most episodes are under 20 minutes, which is the perfect length to give you the basics on what you need to know about critical issues in current conversations about global health. “This Week In Health” often features profiles and interviews with members of Harvard’s faculty who are on the cutting edge of public health research around the globe.
Sometimes humorous, but always thought provoking, “This Week in Health” offers listeners a great way to stay up-to-date on important developments in global health policy and technology.
Finance and Innovation
“Stanford Social Innovation Review”
If you’re looking for a podcast that explains how leading innovators are leveraging technology to tackle the world’s most pressing problems, look no further. The “Stanford Social Innovation Review” brings you 30-minute to one hour clips of audio talks and lecturers from Stanford faculty, visiting thought leaders, and other social change leaders. Topics range from using how technology can be used to expand global education efforts, to using big data for growing social movements.
Hosted by the Stanford Social Review’s editor Eric Nee, this is a must-listen for Global Citizens who want to learn about how change is made.
Food and Hunger
“Hacking Hunger”
Produced by the World Food Program, “Hacking Hunger” brings listeners the latest news on issues of global hunger through interviews with leading experts in the fields of research, journalism, and humanitarianism.
Global hunger is one of the most devastating threats to humanity, and for Global Citizens who want to know more about the latest campaigns to battle against it, “Hacking Hunger” is a fantastic place to start. Episodes range from 10-30 minutes, allowing listeners to understand the big ideas without getting overwhelmed by all of the details. Their recent guests have included an Olympic athlete, a war correspondent, and an award winning author who are all dedicated to eradicating global hunger.
Water and Sanitation
“Hotspots H20”
There aren’t a ton of podcasts focusing on water and sanitation access, but “HotSpots H20” is a standout when it comes to bringing awareness to this vital issue. Brought to you by the resource advocacy non-profit Circle of Blue, this innovative podcast brings you cutting edge journalism on water and its relationship to food, health, and the environment.
Some of the best minds in research team up to highlight new methods of understanding and solving water crises around the world. Each month the show delivers a concise update on some important aspect of water use and conservation — a perfect way for Global Citizens to stay informed on an issue that unfortunately gets less attention than it deserves.
Environment
“A Sustainable Mind”
Environmental activist Marjorie Alexander produces this interview-based podcast all about eco-friendly lifestyles. Twice a week the show doesn’t simply inform listeners about best practices for environmentally friendly behaviours, but also inspires them to take action.
Past episodes have discussed urban farming, green beauty products, and the tiny house movement. What makes this podcast unique is its focus on providing actionable advice to audiences interested in making changes in their life and community. For Global Citizens who want to stay up to date on the most innovative campaigns, start-ups, and thought-leaders in the environmental world, this is the podcast for you.
Citizenship
“Working A Refugee Crisis”
“Working a Refugee Crisis” is a podcast from the front lines of the Syrian refugee crisis in Jordan. The show documents the experience of refugees, NGO workers, local volunteers, and many others working to aid the thousands of refugees now settled in Jordan.
Through interviews with people on the ground, the podcast aims to “to help people living the West understand more about the NGO world, the crisis, programs, funding, and life in the Middle East.” Listening to the actual voices of the men and women living and working in the area is a good way for concerned Global Citizens to deepen their knowledge of this complex issue.
Global Citizen campaigns to end extreme poverty by 2030, by achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. You can take action with us here.