Start Episode: “How Many Friends Do I Need?”
Slate was one of the first players in the podcast game — the Political Gabfest started in 2005 — so it’s no surprise that the long-running “Dear Prudence” advice column made a successful move into audio. Between 2016 and 2021, that podcast featured Daniel M. Lavery (who wrote as Prudence at the time) who responded to listeners’ letters more deeply than a regular column would allow. But after Lavery left the Prudence role last year, his podcast changed form to “Big Mood, Little Mood.” In the new show, Lavery continues to mentor letter writers, but in the context of extended conversations with a diverse array of guests, including writers, comedians, and even fellow advisory columnist Heather Havrilevsky.
Starting Episode: “Sore Loser”
Dan Savage has been one of America’s leading sex advice columnists for over three decades, and half of that time its leading sex advice podcaster. When it started in 1991, the “Savage Love” printed column was intended as an ironic antidote to mainstream advice pharmacies; Savage, who is gay, planned to “treat straight people with the same disdain that straight-advice columnists had always treated gays”. But as it turned out, Savage had more insight to share than disdain, and his trademark blunt, explicit advice continued to resonate. In the audio version, Savage takes voicemail messages from listeners on topics like monogamy, infidelity, and navigational issues, and while not all of his advice is well outdated, he is mostly candid about those mistakes.
Start Episode: “Savage Lovecast Episode 799”
No list of shows about manners would be complete without this eight-year-old series descended from the grande dame of American etiquette, Emily Post. Hosted by her great-great-grandchildren, Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning, “Awesome Etiquette” is a haven for anyone seeking advice on social mores. The Posts have covered just about every issue imaginable in the long run of the show, like how to properly tip takeout orders (it’s optional, but they suggest 10 percent) and how to approach dinner when your diet is different from that of yours. the hosts. (give them ample notice, and if it’s a preference rather than an allergy, be flexible). And as the past two years have reshaped the world, introducing new layers of planning and risk into the simplest of social activities, their soothingly structured advice has never felt more welcome.
Starting Episode: “Episode 385 – No Problem”
Esther Perel, the well-known relationship therapist and author, has become an expert on sex and relationships. That’s largely thanks to her hit podcast “Where Do We Start?”, which allows listeners to be a fly on the wall during real-life couples therapy sessions. Her second series, “How’s Work?” takes a similar approach, but instead of romantic partners, it highlights sessions between co-workers, co-founders, and even family members working together. As Perel explains in the opening episode, we all have a “relationship pattern,” which is as common in the workplace as it is in romance and friendships. Now that many Americans are heading back to the office, this should be a particularly enlightening listen.
Start Episode: “My Promotion Ended Our Friendship”
