Call Your Girlfriend

 Podcast Review by Ella Bodle

I acknowledge that I have no real legitimacy or credibility to review a podcast - but, I'm going to do it anyway... spoiler alert: I love this podcast.

Over the past year or I have gotten into podcasts. This is nothing revolutionary, but I love listening to them while I drive, workout, and even just in my free time. Podcasts have become a really great way for me to pass unpleasant time as well, like sitting in traffic or getting a cavity filled two things I've been doing a lot of this summer. While I first became hooked after listening to Serial, I have discovered some that I really enjoy, as well as a few that I don't quite like. I'm sure there are thousands fabulous podcasts I have yet to discover, so if you have any suggestions for me, let me know in the comments section below.

Call Your Girlfriend  is a "podcast for all the long-distance besties out there" that started in May 2014. The hosts Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, along with producer Gina Delvac, are irl long-distance best friends, so they know. Based off their real-life conversations, the podcast discusses anything and everything from race and political issues to Pitbull (yes, the musician) to menstruation news, and so much more. The show is based off a loose agenda and the topics often take twists and turns delving from work place issues to hard-hitting current events like the Ferguson shooting with more fluidity than your relationship with your best friend. The women have a great banter and connection providing a variety of intellectual opinions along the way in a way that just feels so natural. While immersed in the podcast it feels as if you're sitting in the room with them, surrounded by their infectious laughter with a bottle of wine and your long-distance best friend. To date, they have released 33 episodes, and full disclosure, I have only listened to nine episodes - but I am hooked; I am in it for the long run.

Ann and Aminatou (who goes by Amina at times) are both powerhouse ladies working respectively in journalism and tech. They provide more sophisticated, informed, and generally more intellectual opinions on topics than I typically conclude on my own - and that's part of the reason I love the podcast. Both ladies are not only bad-ass, but they are well established in their careers and their industries, making their opinions all the more insightful and informed. Both are slightly older than myself and my friend group, however their discussions and topics  are incredibly relevant and attainable. Both Ann and Aminatou have become positive forces on my social media feeds, providing a fresh take on culture and politics, and are women I can aspire to be like as I'm navigating my early twenties. I think my woman-crush on these two smart and reputable ladies is just beginning. Heart eye emoji.

I would recommend this podcast for all listeners, specifically young adults - even if you don't have a long distance bestie. Check out this podcast and let me know if you like it- or not.

Additional Podcasts to Check Out: Serial - if you haven't listened to this yet - grab yourself some headphones stat. Mystery Show, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and NPR's TED Radio Hour. All are hyperlinked and can be found in the iTunes store as well. 

Happy listening :)