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The 6 Best Podcasts By Women For Women
And they're all aimed at Gen Xers.
Karen Kurycki (Courtesy Good Hang/Spotify, What Should I Read Next, Eve Simon/Gen X Stories)
The world of podcasts used to be dominated by men. But there has been a surge in women-led podcasts targeted at a Gen-X audience, many created and narrated by women in their 40s and 50s. They range from serious to self-help to hilarious. Themes include pop culture, nostalgia, literature, history, technology, navigating mid-life including finance and workplace culture. Here are six compelling and relatable podcasts to listen to now.
Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Spotify, YouTube
Who doesn’t love Amy? When she recently won the Golden Globe for Best Podcast (a new category), she said she was new to this medium and jumped into it without much knowledge (something a man might never admit on national TV). She described “Good Hang” as filling our world with a little bit more love and laughter — laughing with people, not at them. Her first podcast was an interview with Tina Fey — a Gen Xer who always entertains with wit and insight. Interview subjects range in age and include Quinta Brunson, Ian Garten, Ariana Grande and Olivia Colman. They all share stories about their work, friends and what makes them laugh. While listening to “Good Hang,” Poehler wants you to have a good time.
GenX Stories
Spotify, Apple, Google
Why has Gen X been labeled The Lost Generation? This fun and frank podcast is brimming with deeply personal stories about our unique generation. It focuses on who we are and how we are in 2026. Eve, Lori, Chris and Courtney provide a nostalgic look back at 1980s and 1990s music, our generational lifestyle and Gen X’s unique identity and cultural shifts. Their goal is to answer the question: What’s next for this generation?
What Should I Read Next?
Spotify, Apple
Do you have a “To Be Read” pile on your nightstand or Kindle? If you’re the type of reader who finishes one book before deciding on the next, you could peruse reviews, browse in a bookstore or online. My daughter gets her book recommendations on TikTok. I get advice from podcast host Anne Bogel, author of the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy (referring to a Jane Austen character). Bogel targets bookworms in an informative, insightful and entertaining way. On her podcast, Bogel recommends what you should read next by interviewing librarians, booksellers and authors, covering all genres. Rather than relying on celebrities’ tastes, she gets first-hand recommendations from people in the book business. You’ll discover who has the same reading tastes as you do in this literary matchmaking discussion. You can also check out her second podcast, "One Great Book."
Momma’s Motivational Messages — Inspirational Messages for Stressed-Out Generation-X Women
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Spotify, Apple
Host Dr. Peggie Kirkland is a certified life coach who wants you to put your needs first in order to be a better mother while tending to the needs of your aging parents. Putting your needs first, she claims, is not selfish. Her strategies and tips are focused on self-care — which, in times of crisis, can make you stronger mentally, physically, financially, spiritually and socially. Tune in to enjoy Dr. Kirkland’s passion for motivating and inspiring her listeners.
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music
This is the world’s #1 podcast specializing in life-changing advice. In each episode, Robbins translates science-backed tools into down-to-earth discussions about personal growth. She’s developed a practical “5 Second Rule” about how to change our habits and lives in positive ways. Her advice stems from her own personal stories, listeners’ questions and featured guests, experts in the fields of psychology and neuroscience. Topics include conquering productivity, family dynamics, anxiety, building confidence and improving relationships. She gives daily motivational tips that are easy to adapt to our busy lives.
Radio Cherry Bombe
Apple
Who doesn’t love food? Kerry Diamond surely does, and her weekly podcast features chefs, bakers, creatives and entrepreneurs. Her line-up includes restaurant owners, cookbook authors, pastry chefs and much more. Last Thanksgiving she did a special podcast with Melissa Clark, a down-to-earth New York Times recipe writer with over 40 cookbooks in her repertoire. You’ll discover global cuisine information and cooking genres you already love or want to know more about. Celebrities like Ayo Edebiri of the hit TV series The Bear chime in as well. The podcast delivers behind the scenes discussions from female-identifying food influencers about favorite family recipes, cooking trends and travels that inspire the love for food. This mouth-watering podcast is sure to make you hungry.
What's YOUR favorite podcast? Let us know in the comments below.
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