Best Weird Distractions Podcasts (2025)

1
Delivering for Ordinary People (with Marina Hyde) 38:24

8h ago38:24

38:24

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci decodes the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen Lewis is still away, so Journalist Marina Hyde steps in to join Armando. They discuss what an ordinary person might be, and examine if politicians use them as cover? Why is it always that things 'ordinary people' are saying 'on the doorstep' ju…

1
Aquaculture Ecology (SUSTAINABLE OCEAN FOODS) with Ben Halpern 1:25:08

3d ago1:25:08

1:25:08

Farmed versus wild. Basement shrimp hustles. Mangrove drama. Anthropology. Animal welfare and plant-based diets. Climb aboard to meet UCSB’s super cool dude, researcher and Aquaculture Ecologist, Dr. Ben Halpern. You’ll hear about sustainable food sources, land vs. sea farming, bycatch, shellfish guilt, salmon who wear makeup, global marine populat…

1
TFT Episode 4: Distracted Adventures 30:03

1d ago30:03

30:03

🎙 Episode 4: Short Attention Span Adventures Some adventures start with a plan. These didn’t. This week, Archie and Shelly follow the trail of distractions that led to much more than either of them intended. Archie meets someone with a curious connection to a folk legend and a habit of planting things that don’t quite belong. Shelly brings a desert…

1
The Hill I'll Die On 42:47

2d ago42:47

42:47

You know those random, slightly unhinged opinions you have that make zero sense to other people, but you will defend them no matter what? This week on Laugh Lines, Penn and I planting our flags on the silliest and most passionately defended opinions — also known as “the hill you’ll die on.” Mine? People who back into parking spaces in busy lots are…

1
Bonus Episode: THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. Let's read it together. 1:25:02

7d ago1:25:02

1:25:02

Have you ever read every word of The U.S. Constitution? You don't have to, because I read it with my mouth into your brain in this weird but vital episode on civil liberties. And of course, there are little sidenotes to make sure we both understand it. There has never been a better time to know what your legal protections are. This episode is a fol…

1
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) 1:22:15

6d ago1:22:15

1:22:15

Join Richard, Jason, Allie, and Hector as they discuss the very satisfying follow up to the 2008 Dreamworks classic! Support the showBy MediaDrome

1
TFT Episode 3: Too Good to Be True 26:42

7d ago26:42

26:42

🎙 Episode 3: Too Good to Be True You know that moment when something seems just a little too perfect? Yeah—this episode lives there. Shelly shares a wild tale from the California desert, where an ambitious restoration project turns larger-than-life in more ways than one. Archie spins a story about a slick-talking stranger and a so-called miracle fi…

1
I Regret Some of My Posts (with Sara Pascoe) 33:16

7d ago33:16

33:16

This week, Helen Lewis is still away, so comedian Sara Pascoe steps in to join Armando. They reminisce over their first meeting on the set of a classic episode of The Thick of It - which was also in a radio studio - and then go on to discuss politicians on both sides of the Atlantic having thunderous breakups, and then making up in record time. Mus…

1
TFT Episode 2: Things that Defy Explaniation 33:00

7d ago33:00

33:00

🎙 Episode 2: Things That Defy Explanation Some stories come with a twist. Others come with goosebumps. This week, Archie and Shelly explore those eerie moments that logic can’t quite explain. Archie brings a tale rooted in Southern legend, where a strange shift in a friend’s behavior might have something to do with a certain Tennessee spirit. Shell…

1
TFT Episode 1: Over Confidence Makes for Good Stories 26:43

7d ago26:43

26:43

🎙 Episode 1: Overconfidence Makes for Good Stories In their very first episode, Archie and Shelly dive into the theme of overconfidence—the kind that turns ordinary days into unforgettable disasters. They share two tales that start with bold decisions and end… well, let’s just say, not quite as planned. One involves extreme weather and an even more…

1
Macrophycology (SEAWEED) with Patrick Martone, Charles Yarish, Danielle McHaskell, Angela Jones, and Becky Swerida 1:30:20

10d ago1:30:20

1:30:20

Moonlit seaweeds. Dreamy underwater forests. Mounds of beach debris. Not plants. Let’s talk about where seaweed grows and whether or not it will save us all. Macrophycology means “big-ass algae” so let’s join five dazzling seaweed enthusiasts: guest-in-chief Dr. Patrick Martone of the University of British Columbia, UConn Professor Emeritus and “gr…

1
Lifesaving Work No One’s Talking About with Dr. David Fajgenbaum 44:18

9d ago44:18

44:18

There’s this phrase Penn and I say a lot when we’re overwhelmed making goofy internet videos—“It’s okay, we’re not saving lives.” But this week, we talk to a man who actually is saving lives and he needs us to help spread the word. Dr. David Fajgenbaum is the founder of Every Cure, a nonprofit that’s on a mission to do something that sounds impossi…

1
Weird Turkish Barber Shops (with Stewart Lee) 36:32

14d ago36:32

36:32

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci decodes the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen Lewis is away, so comedian and writer Stewart Lee joins Armando to look at Robert Jenrick's flashy video in which he takes aim at 'weird Turkish barber shops', among other things. They discuss how the way politicians, entertainers and journalis…

1
Kung Fu Panda (2008) 1:24:37

14d ago1:24:37

1:24:37

We are beginning a brand new theme, this month we will be discussing Kung Fu Panda, the epic animated film series from Dreamworks. We hope you have a great time listening to us discuss this iconic animated film. Support the showBy MediaDrome

1
Cryptology (SECRET CODES) with Simon Singh 1:15:17

16d ago1:15:17

1:15:17

Secret ciphers. Hidden treasure. Enigma breakers. Mysterious manuscripts. And … hog Latin. Cryptology expert and author of “The Code Book,” Simon Singh finally lets me ask him about the small mistakes that lost huge battles, the prison plots of Mary Queen of Scots, a cryptology reality show that I wish existed, the legacy of Alan Turing, Indigenous…

1
Graduation & Fun Distractions 41:22

17d ago41:22

41:22

Penn and I have a daughter who is graduating high school and going to college in the fall. And I am doing totally fine, except the… chest pains… eye twitches… hair loss… (this is totally normal, right?) I process my emotions through preparation. I plot everything on the calendar and make all the Google Docs. Penn needs to process his emotions throu…

1
An Announcement President (with Jon Stewart) 44:10

21d ago44:10

44:10

This week, we have a very special guest, Jon Stewart! Jon joins Armando and Helen to discuss whether Trump is the political equivalent of Miles Davis, the quaintness of UK politics compared to the US, Jon does a flawless Margaret Thatcher impression and they answer the age old question... are escalators the most emasculating form of travel? Listen …

1
Urocyonology (LITTLE GRAY FOXES) with Bill Leikam 1:13:01

24d ago1:13:01

1:13:01

Bushy tails! Stinky butts! Faces so cute you weep! Let’s talk foxes – specifically the little gray ones you never knew you loved. Fox behavioral expert, researcher, conservationist, author of “The Road to Fox Hollow” and Urocyonologist Bill Leikam chats about fuzzy foxes, baby names, parental strategies, where they live, what they eat, advice for p…

1
How Did We Survive the 90s? 35:36

24d ago35:36

35:36

This week on Laugh Lines, Penn and I take a trip down memory lane with the most unhinged things Gen X did in the 90s. (Seriously… how are we even alive?) If you’ve ever gotten a late fee at Blockbuster or ridden in the back of a pickup truck without a seatbelt, this episode is for you. Welcome home. We heard from so many listeners who shared amazin…

1
The Island of Strangers and the Manacled Gimp of Brussels 34:53

28d ago34:53

34:53

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, we're looking at inflammatory language. From Immigration to EU deals, we've heard talk of of 'betrayal' 'surrender' 'invasion' and of course 'an island of strangers'. When is this hyperbole appropriate and when is it egregio…

1
Maritime Archaeology (SHIPWRECKS) Encore with Chanelle Zaphiropoulos 1:39:08

1M ago1:39:08

1:39:08

Shipwrecks. Treasure. Sunken planes. Scuttled submarines. New life forming around old machinery. There’s an -ology for that -- just ask Maritime Archaeologist and wreck nerd Chanelle Zaphiropoulos. This absolutely charming and passionate scuba diver, history buff and antiquities scholar dishes about pirates, warships, admirals worth admiring, and s…

1
How To Talk Back To Anxiety with Ethan Kross 43:15

1M ago43:15

43:15

If you’ve been here a while, you know your friend Kim walks with anxiety on a daily basis. I often have thought “if I could sleep through the night, eat enough protein, and manage my anxiety and emotions, I’d be unstoppable.” And that’s because anxiety has often stopped me — from resting, from focusing, from showing up the way I want to. My brand o…

1
Yes or No? 30:37

1M ago30:37

30:37

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando take a step back and look at whether we're seeing the death of nuance in political debate. Is everything boiled down to 'yes or no' questions? What are the shibboleths of modern politics, and does the langu…

1
Araneology (SPIDERS) with Marshal Hedin 1:33:05

1M ago1:33:05

1:33:05

Why would a spider have a frog best friend? Why do they love your shower? Does lemon repel them? Should you rehome them outside? Why so hairy? How do you identify the harmless ones? Which ones get kinky? Hey. This will be fun. If you’re afraid of spiders, this is the best first step to conquering that fear forever. If you love spiders, you’re in go…

1
Working Our Pelvic Floor with Dr. Danielle Owens 34:30

1M ago34:30

34:30

I have always endorsed my experience with pelvic floor therapy after having kids. It was life-changing, and insurance covered it. (Score.) But what if I told you that pelvic floor therapy wasn’t just for women who have had babies? What if I told you pelvic floor therapy could be for men too? This week on the podcast, we talked to Dr. Danielle Owens…

1
I Want My Country Back (with Phil Wang) 34:24

1M ago34:24

34:24

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, following Reform's announcement they will remove all flags from all council buildings under their jurisdiction - other than the Union Flag and the St George's Cross - Helen and Armando are joined by Phil Wang to discuss Brit…

1
Artificial Intelligence Ethicology (WILL A.I. CRASH OUT?) with Abeba Birhane 1:15:32

1M ago1:15:32

1:15:32

Who’s babysitting AI? Will it steal your job? What happens when you’re rude to a chatbot? Cognitive scientist, Trinity College professor and Artificial Intelligence Ethicologist Dr. Abeba Birhane lets me ask her not-smart questions about legislation around AI, auditing datasets, environmental impacts, booby traps, doorbell narcs, commonly used fall…

1
Could Ozempic Help Alzheimer's with Dr. Richard Isaacson 1:08:29

2M ago1:08:29

1:08:29

This week, Kim and I have a vulnerable discussion about my risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Three of my four grandparents, my late father, and my mother have all struggled with Alzheimer’s and dementia. As I have grown older, the fear of developing it has always been in the back of my mind. But I have something all of my family didn’t - new information…

1
The Official Language of the United States 32:12

2M ago32:12

32:12

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, a look over the pond at Trump's first 100 days. How have his administration used language to further their agenda? From the Gulf of America, to Making Showers Great Again, Helen and Armando examine how the US government is f…

1
Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) Part 2 with Julia Hotz 53:44

2M ago53:44

53:44

It’s Part 2 of how to fix your life with hobbies! Pretty much. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure” Julia Hotz explains the science behind forest bathing, how privilege affects accessibility to hobbies and what to do about it, how to figure out what lights you up, how to schedule time for hobbies if you have no time to do hobbies, why I used …

1
We're Gaining Weight In Weird Places with Dr. Herman Pontzer 40:48

2M ago40:48

40:48

As we age, items have shifted during flight. We're gaining weight in weird places, and Penn is convinced he has bread back. (More on that in the podcast.) But what if everything you thought you knew about metabolism was actually wrong? We sat down with Dr. Herman Pontzer, Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and Global Health at Duke University, …

1
How Much is a Pint of Milk? (with Rob Burley) 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Helen Lewis and Armando Iannucci are joined by the BBC's former Live Political Editor to discuss the art of the political interview. What's a valid question? What's a cheap gotcha? They also discuss Paxman's beard, the best political i…

1
Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) Part 1 with Julia Hotz 1:06:35

2M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Crafting. Motorcycle repair. Banjo lessons. Hobbies aren’t a reward, but tools to save your mental and physical health. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure,” — and professional Salugenology expert — Julia Hotz explains the science behind going outside, rediscovering what makes you happy, scheduling time for hobbies if you have no time for hob…

1
10 Lessons From 20 Years of Marriage 47:15

2M ago47:15

47:15

Welcome to Laugh Lines! We are so excited to launch this new chapter of our podcast and have you along for the ride. This week, Penn and I break down our best advice for staying married for 20 years (we’re too young to be celebrating such a milestone, right?) We also take our first calls from the Laugh Line to hear your input, including some very i…

1
Two Frogs Talkin' Trailer 2 0:36

2M ago0:36

0:36

Meet Archie and Shelly, two long distance cousins competing to tell the better tale and along the way trading good natured barbs and musings about life.By Not Quite Right Goods

1
Two Frogs Talkin' Trailer 1 1:13

2M ago1:13

1:13

Archie and Shelly introduce themselves and the show.By Not Quite Right Goods

1
Special Announcement: Welcome To Laugh Lines! 1:19

2M ago1:19

1:19

For the last 7 years, The Holderness Family Podcast has been our most favorite thing we do. We love getting to talk to experts, having meaningful conversations between the two of us, and being a place where you can laugh. A lot has changed since we started the show, and we feel lucky that our audience is growing older with us. So in the spirit of t…

1
Liberation Day (with Soumaya Keynes) 37:19

2M ago37:19

37:19

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando are joined by economist and journalist for the Financial Times, Soumaya Keynes. They take a look back on Liberation Day - what exactly was America being liberated from? What was the response in China to the…

1
Climate Fervorology (ECO-ADVOCACY WITHOUT IT BEING A BUMMER) with AJR’s Adam Met 1:19:58

2M ago1:19:58

1:19:58

Cleaner energy! Reasoning with climate deniers! Using fandom to pass policy! And not burning out. Adam Met, of the colossal indie pop band AJR is also a career climate activist, an International Human Rights Law PhD, adjunct professor at Columbia University, and the author of the upcoming book “Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage,…

1
Penn Does Stand-Up & Presentation Tips with Page Fehling 46:14

2M ago46:14

46:14

A year ago, our friend Charlie Berens asked Penn if he would open for him on his national stand-up tour. It was for a show in Durham, and Penn couldn't at the time. (I could tell he was almost relieved!) But when Charlie came back to NC this year and asked again, Penn said yes. To be clear, Penn has never tried stand-up comedy. And to my surprise, …

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Weird Distractions Podcasts

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