Your Next Great Listen

Ayesha Rascoe interviews Lauren Gonzales, a writer for NPR's Pod Club newsletter, about the newsletter's origins and purpose: to offer curated podcast recommendations to listeners overwhelmed by choices. Lauren explains that Pod Club began as an internal NPR Slack channel for sharing podcast discoveries among producers and reporters. The newsletter aims to be a trusted friend, guiding listeners to worthwhile podcasts that might be missed by algorithms. Lauren highlights specific podcast episodes and provides recommendations based on listener interests, including horror, comics, and binge-worthy series for holiday travel. The discussion also touches on the intimate relationship between podcasts, newsletters, and their audiences, emphasizing the importance of listener feedback and engagement.