Podcasts That'll Rewire Your Brain, Curated by Miriam Tinberg 🧠

Podcasts episodes that stopped Miriam in her tracks and made her rethink... everything

Podcast artwork for The Best of “How To,” Longform, The Gray Area with Sean Illing, A Slight Change of Plans with Maya Shankar, and Diabolical Lies

Curator:

👉🏽 Miriam Tinberg (@miriam_tinny)

Why this theme?

👉🏽 I listen to a ton of podcasts, and occasionally, I'll suddenly stop in my tracks because I know that the thing I just heard is something that will change my lens on the world.

So then, I'll replay the clip. These episodes have all given me that experience in some way, and it feels like I'm building my worldview through them — what I think, how I feel about different things, and ultimately, how I can show up smarter for myself and others.

Podcast Picks

The Best of “How To” podcast cover art

So many of us feel disconnected from our communities, even as we engage with them in some capacity — visiting the library, supporting small businesses, or greeting our neighbors.

This episode explores how U.S. cities are not structured to facilitate community, but how we can and must work more intentionally to change that. Deep community is possible (and crucial for our health)!

Longform podcast cover art

Mona is a prolific illustrator and data journalist who is unapologetically vocal about her politics and values — even when it comes at a cost.

In this episode, she speaks candidly about her outspoken support of Palestine over the years and how she navigates that activism within a media landscape that often skews pro-Israel. Legacy news organizations provide her with a platform and a living — so how do you balance living a values-aligned life when doing so feels (or is) risky?

The Gray Area with Sean Illing podcast cover art

Who gets to decide how much pain is enough? Why must we suffer if we have the option to end it? This episode wrestles with some of the most difficult questions surrounding physician-assisted death, a topic that is almost impossibly nuanced.

I'd definitely put a trigger warning on this one, but if you're at all curious, it's invaluable to reflect on. Honestly, it feels taboo to even have this conversation.

A Slight Change of Plans with Maya Shankar podcast cover art

It turns out most of us think of our future selves as entirely different people, disconnected from who we are today.

That mental gap does us a huge disservice. The more we can strengthen the connection between our present and future selves, the healthier and happier we’ll be.

Diabolical Lies podcast cover art

Ever stumble across a Substack or Instagram account that claims to be anti-capitalist and “for women’s rights” but something just feels… off? Like they're somehow promoting a trad-wife lifestyle but through an anti-capitalist lens?

This episode unpacks the rise of this phenomenon — how to spot it, what it really means, and why we should avoid these spaces at all costs.

Speaking of Miriam Tinberg… EarBuds founder Arielle Nissenblatt is co-hosting an event with her later this week. Learn more and register here.

Community

🔋TechSurge: Deep Tech VC Podcast explores the frontiers of emerging tech, venture capital, and business.

🎙️Now What? with Carole Zimmer celebrates SNL’s 50th anniversary with a special conversation with Laraine Newman, who was in the original cast of SNL.

💖In Podcast The Newsletter, Lauren Passell recommends Living For We. She writes: “It’s the most honest conversation about city gun violence I’ve ever heard.”

📱How can you show up on social media in a way that feels authentic to you AND actually helps you reach your goals? EarBuds founder Arielle Nissenblatt and this week’s curator, Miriam Tinberg, have some ideas they’ll share in an event on February 25th. Get your ticket here.

🚀Get your show or news featured in our Community section. Fill out this form.

Podcast news from Podnews

  • AIR released its 2025 Rate Guide, with updated benchmark freelance rates for producers, sound designers, story editors, fact-checkers, and researchers in the U.S. audio industry.

  • Branded podcasts work: listeners like the brand more after listening to a branded podcast. That’s the finding of the new 2025 Benchmark Report on Branded Podcasts released by Signal Hill Insights.

  • The Podcast Academy has announced the nominees for the fifth annual ceremony of The Ambies. The show will be on Monday Mar 31st in Chicago, and will be hosted by comedian and podcaster Tig Notaro.

Spotlight

We Came To The Forest podcast cover art

Vienna is working a delivery job when she hears about Cop City, a massive police training facility being built in Atlanta. She decides to join a group of activists attempting to stop construction. When Vienna arrives in the South River Forest, she quickly finds a community, a cause, and a love unlike any other. But the events of one morning shatter everything.

Vienna and everyone connected to the forest begin asking themselves a question: what are you willing to die for?

Thank you to our community supporters: