If you’re looking for something to listen to while gardening, doing chores or simply while sipping your morning coffee, we have some ideas for you.
Our team at Eventide recently researched some of the best and most popular podcasts for people over age 50 and came up with five we really like.
We chose these particular podcasts because they focus on topics of interest to people over age 50, such as careers and retirement, cooking and food, spirituality and creativity, fitness and reminiscing.
We also chose these five based on their entertainment and education value—two prerequisites for classes we offer at Eventide University.
We hope you enjoy this list of podcasts for people over age 50 as much as we do!
Camp Codger, Gary Ebersole, Richard Kipling and Randy Schultz
Described as “rocking-chair wisdom,” Camp Codger is hosted by three men in the “last third of their lives” who discuss everything from lifelong learning to loneliness to cannabis use and other hot-button issues.
Ebersole is a startup founder, while Kipling and Schultz worked in marketing and journalism. The trio started Camp Codger just for fun, but the series quickly grew popular among Baby Boomers and older for their witty banter and often insightful commentary. You can stream episodes on YouTube or subscribe to the podcast.
This American Life, Ira Glass
If you listen to NPR, it’s likely you’ve listened to This American Life, hosted by Ira Glass. The show explores different people, places and topics even Glass has a hard time summing up in words: “When I’m trying to explain our program to someone who doesn’t know it, I stammer a bunch of words like ‘entertaining,’ ‘funny,’ ‘surprising plot twists,’ ‘true stories but not boring I swear’ … and then I just give them this list.” — Ira Glass
The series began airing on NPR stations throughout the country in 1995 and has more than 800 episodes. You can listen to all of them online.Ira Glass’s recommended episodes
Mature Preneurs Talk, Diana Todd-Banks
Featuring people who have redefined their personal and professional lives in their 50s, 60s, 70s and older, these 22-minute interviews are hosted by Aussie personality Diana Todd-Banks. Topics include:
- Making an income after retirement
- Networking and social media
- Emotional intelligence and spirituality
- Tips for aging solo
- Overcoming trauma and emotional barriers at any age
- Creative pursuits
The podcast went off the air in April 2020 during the pandemic, but you still can enjoy all 198 episodes on your preferred podcast platform.
Lux Radio Theatre
Many people over age 50 will remember Lux Radio Theatre and Lux Video Theatre, one of the most popular radio programs of the 20th century. Each episode opens with Cecil B. DeMille’s famous line, “Ladies and gentlemen, Lux presents Hollywood!”
The shows, which began airing on NBC Radio in 1934, features dramatic plays and TV. They were recorded in front of a live studio audience.Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Take On Today, AARP
Health, money, entertainment and current events are frequent topics on AARP’s popular Take On Today podcast. New episodes drop every week and are hosted by former NPR correspondent Bob Edwards.
Edwards called the podcasts “a truly powerful opportunity to connect with listeners about news that’s relevant in their lives. With this show, we hope to bring something new yet familiar — not just to AARP members, but to all podcast listeners who want to be informed and entertained. This show is about conversations that matter.”
If a good, old whodunit is more your thing, check out AARP’s first podcast series, The Perfect Scam. Stream and download at aarp.org/podcasts, or find them at Apple podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify and TuneIn.
