The Top Five (Mostly Political) Podcasts You Need Right Now

NOTE: I know this post isn't for everyone. Ignore or politely suggest podcasts you listen to that you think the community should check out. Thanks in advance.

In a hustle and bustle world, it's often hard to get things done around the house with SO much news going on. Let's not forget about our friends across the aisle constantly telling us "Lame Stream Media" is part of the problem. So why not kill two birds with one stone and try some independent podcasts! That way you can enjoy a long car ride or mow the lawn and get the most up-to-date media fed directly into your brain.

1. Pod Save America
   From the Crooked Media podcast network. Four former President Obama staffers give a rundown of the news of the day and what you can do about it. This podcast posts twice a week and always hits on great information from people who have worked in the WH.

2. Pod Save the People
   Activist, DeRay Mckesson, forms a great roundtable of trusted friends. He also has extremely thoughtful interviews with all the smartest people in government, the sharpest activist of the day, and even a politically active celebrity or two. If you want to get deep into the policy side of activism, this is your best bet.

3. Lovett or Leave It
   Just need a laugh while living through all this craziness? This is your jam right here. Former Obama speech writer and comedian Jon Lovett (not Jon Lovitz) hosts a panel with comedians, activists, and politicians. This is my favorite podcast at the moment. Audio quality is live, so you will want to get a comfortable set up so you can kick back and have a chuckle on a Saturday.

4. NYT's The Daily
   I listen to this every morning. This is just as important as a well-balanced breakfast in the morning. The production and content value is off the charts good. I plan on subscribing to the NYT just to show my appreciation for this podcast. Great stuff.

5. BBC Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)
   If you want to hear how the world sees America in the headlines, this is a great podcast. Though, you may not like the headlines coming to the forefront these days. The segments get a bit duller toward the end, but a great podcast for 15-20 minutes of world news never hurt anyone.

Here are some runner-ups!

FiveThirtyEight Politics
NPR Politics
NPR UpFirst
OPB Politics Now* (For Oregonians)
OPB Think Out Loud* (For Oregonians)
The Axe Files with David Axelrod
Slate Political Gabfest
DecodeDC
Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air
Stay Tuned with Preet* (Coming soon)
The Young Turks (I haven't listened in quite some time)

Non-political but offers alternative perspectives
Bad Crypto Podcast
Neocash Radio
The Cryptoverse (by the guy who does Cryptoversity)
Unchained (Forbes writer who is obsessed with Crypto and has great interviews)
Fresh Air NPR
On the Media
Radiolab
2 Dope Queens
NASA | Houston We Have a Podcast
NPR's Science Friday
Marketplace
Marketplace Tech
Marketplace's Make Me Smart

I had to stop listening to Democracy Now because I just don't have time (and the headlines are so brutally sad it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel at times), but I do my best to listen to Chris Wallace via FOX News Sunday via podcast just to make sure I'm informed. He is also as fair and balanced as they come from FOX. Also, he has the best WH officials that we need to be paying attention to as well. I've been pleasantly surprised at the integrity of Chris Wallace's push back when it's needed.