Reads & Recs
Nature, Science, & the Environment
Podcasts
Ologies
Fun, informative, and foulmouthed interviews with scientists studying everything from the beer you drink to the next supervolcano. I love this podcast!
(Bleeped versions available!)
This podcast will kill you
Two epidemiologists named Erin share the wacky biology and world-changing history of different diseases, with a themed quarantini (haha, get it?) for each episode. This podcast is my current addiction!
Bill Nye Saves the world
Bill Nye rants entertainingly about the challenges facing science and nature, and what you can do to help. I'm just starting to listen to this, and so far content is relevant and fun!
In defense of plants
A deep dive into the incredible biology of plants and their role in our ecosystems, with the goal of curing humanity’s “plant blindness.” It’s really mind-blowing how incredibly advanced plants are!
Movies & TV
Planet Earth
Absolutely stunning views of wildlife all over the world, accompanied by David Attenborough's almost hypnotic voice. I love having this on in the background while I'm doing housework! Unfortunately no longer on Netflix.
Blue Planet
Planet Earth, but focused on the ocean. This show had me standing in the middle of my living room holding a sizzling frying pan screaming OH MY GOD YOU'RE RELATED TO THAT THING at my fish. Also no longer on Netflix.
Our Planet
Similar to Planet Earth, but focused on the ecosystems being decimated by climate change and the importance of acting to save these regions before they’re gone. This one is currently on Netflix!
Did any of these inspire you to take better care of the planet in your own home? Here’s a great starting point for making sustainable living easy.
Space
Podcasts
Main Engine Cutoff
An insider’s look at the space industry - who’s filling what niche, how their current work fits into their overall strategy, and how politics plays into it all. My favorite space podcast!
Are we there yet?
A very accessible (you don’t have to be familiar with space) podcast that highlights the coolest research, news, and future development work happening around the globe.
13 minutes to the moon
A riveting, suspenseful podcast that takes you through the story of the Apollo program’s drama, failures, and most heart-pounding moments leading to humanity’s first steps on the moon. I binged the whole thing in a week; it’s a must-listen!
We, Martians
A podcast focused on everything Mars: Research on the red planet, terrestrial programs that are gearing us up for making the trek, and the tech we’ll need to #OccupyMars.
Books/Reads
The Space Barons
A biography, written like a novel, detailing the path four billionaire space enthusiasts - Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, and Paul Allen - took to building their bids in the new space race.
The Martian
The (fictional) story of an astronaut’s struggle to survive after being stranded on Mars. Profane, relatable, hilarious, I could not put it down. I’ve read it twice and am ready for round 3!
Career & Lifestyle
Podcasts
The Goaldigger Podcast
An entrepreneur’s guide to becoming and succeeding as an entrepreneur. Also super relatable for anyone hoping to build a work-life balance or (*cough*) pursue a passion project.
Tracks to Relax
My absolute favorite sleep meditations, for nights when my brain just won’t shut up.
Also the only reliable way for me to convince my body to take naps.
Books/Reads
The Willpower Instinct
A really neat book that guides you through experimenting on yourself to figure out what’s killing your willpower and how to get around it. Not an automatic life-changer but a useful tool I still come back to.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
This book gives a phenomenal framework for how to approach the most difficult of situations, and has definitely helped me find new ways to understand and have better relationships with my coworkers.
The Daily Pnut
A free, independent email newspaper curated by a US Army veteran. I like that they have a ton of articles focused on the world at large, not just the US. As far as I can tell it does a decent job of being fairly unpartisan.
The Skimm
Another free, independent email newspaper that does a great job of digging into the implications behind national and world headlines.
My Favorite Fiction
Harry Potter
I actually have a semi-photographic memory, but it’s too full of Harry Potter to store any more info. Your age doesn’t matter; this is a story that will give you the warm and fuzzy, the dark, and everything in between.
Amelia Peabody Series
I may have told people this was my favorite book series…shh, don’t tell Harry Potter!
Wit, adventure, mystery, history, romance, and archaeology mix together in this can’t-put-it-down series. I’m re-reading it (again) now!
Pride and Prejudice
What is it about this book that lets me read it over and over?
Elizabeth Bennett struggles with dignity, prejudice, and Mr. Collins’s idiotic proposals as an intelligent woman in man’s 18th century.
I was disappointed in myself when I sat down and made this list of my favorite fiction books. How is this list so short?? I guess I’m still in a depression from finishing the 19-book Amelia Peabody series, most of which I read at least 4 times.
I do have a few books lined up to read, including Dark Star by Alan Furst, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (my mom’s rec), Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, and the complete Sherlock Holmes collection (it’s about time I read these!).
Do you have recommendations for me? Drop them here!