If you aren’t following financial podcasts, then you’re really missing out on a lot of terrific information. Here are 50 of the best money podcasts to get you started. In the past few months there have been some really smart podcast episodes for people who are interested in the way that the coronavirus pandemic intersects with finance. Even podcasts that aren’t solely focused on money have addressed this important topic.
Here are my top ten recommendations for smart podcast episodes related to COVID-19 and money:
1. Money and Coronavirus: Sam Sanders and Jill Schlesinger
This is the May 20, 2020 episode of It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders on NPR.
The episode begins by saying, “we are going to talk about the economy – but trust me, dear listener, it’s gonna be a chat that is ultimately uplifting in spite of all the numbers we’re all seeing.”
Sam goes on to note that:
- One in four workers have lost their jobs since coronavirus began
- More than 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment
- People want to know whether young, middle-aged, or older people are most impacted
That last point is what the podcast is about. Sam speaks with Jill Schlesinger about the economic impact on different generations. She doesn’t hesitate to say that this is the worst economic recession she has ever seen. Then they discuss the intersection of age and class with the economic impact of COVID-19.
(Fun fact: the second half of the episode is about a Judge Mathis newsletter. If you like something light following your coronavirus financial news, this is a good option.)
2. Coronavirus: Financial Priorities
Speaking of Jill Schlesinger, the Jill on Money show has a lot of smart podcast episodes on this topic. These are short (10-20 minute) that answer questions you might have. My favorite is the May 20th episode on reassessing your Financial Priorities. But other recent episodes address key things including how coronavirus has impacted:
- Negative interest rates
- Needing a trust
- Whether or not to buy Bitcoin
- The Future of Work
- Where to invest
- Maxing out a Roth IRA early
3. Rent in the Time of Coronavirus
This is the May 26, 2020 episode of The Indicator from Planet Money on NPR. It’s a short episodes, less than nine minutes. Nevertheless, I think it’s one of the smart podcast episodes out there addressing a key issue affecting many of us today.
Individuals are struggling to pay rent. Some states have eviction moratoriums, some don’t. Even if you have one, how will you pay the back rent when things return to “normal”?
And if you’re a landlord, how do you cover mortgage payments if your tenants can’t pay rent? This podcast begins with a personal individual story that highlights this important aspect of money concerns during COVID-19. Then it goes on to discuss the issue at a national level.
If you want to get more information about the impact of coronavirus on personal finance, I definitely recommend this podcast. The April 20th episodes is about “coronavirus and the digital divide” and the April 2nd episode is about how businesses are pivoting to adapt to the “new normal.”
4. Falling Interest Rates and Real Estate Investing in the COVID Era
The How to Money Podcast is a smart podcast that is well worth tuning in to if you’re interested in financial matters. In particular, the show’s Friday episodes are specifically about the intersection of current news and personal finance. As a result, many recent episodes have looked at how COVID impacts our money.
The June 5, 2020 episode covers four key topics:
- The increase in financial scams since COVID-19 began including stimulus check scams but also more unusual scams including pet adoption scams!
- The pros and cons of falling interest rates for student loans, mortgages and other loans
- Pay cuts at work for people who are still employed
- Whether or not it’s a good idea to invest in real estate during this precarious time
5. Being Sold A Better You During COVID-19 with Amanda Montell
Some people love listening to really short podcasts. Other people like lengthy podcasts. I appreciate the former but tend to prefer the latter. I’ve just always loved long-format media. So I’m a particular fan of smart podcast episodes that are around an hour long. If you feel the same way, then be sure to check out this podcast. It is Season 6, Episode 7 of the Bad With Money Podcast.
This one is all about how people are taking advantage of the fear of coronavirus to sell you things that you don’t need. It’s about scams. However, it’s also just about smart – but sketchy – marketing. It discusses linguistics, the change in marketing language, and how we are “being sold a better you.” You’ll learn to look for keywords such as “contactless delivery.” You’ll learn to pay attention to companies pushing anti-anxiety or anti-virus products that might not actually help you out. It’s fascinating and I highly recommend this one.
6. Coronavirus: Is It Time to Give Up on Financial Independence?
The BiggerPockets Money Podcast is another one that has longer (hour plus) episodes. If you’re interested in FIRE information then it’s a good one to check out. Not all of the recent episodes directly relate to the impact of coronavirus. However, several of them do.
In particular, I liked the April 5th episode. They brought together four guests that retired from traditional employment and live the FIRE lifestyle. They come together to discuss how this pandemic is shaping and changing their lives as well as current and future finances.
7. Saving Money During Coronavirus: Some Not-So-Obvious Tips
Even though I love those long episodes, I do also think it’s helpful to listen to some “quick hit” tips. The WSJ Your Money Briefing podcast has episodes that are typically ten minutes or less. The May 27, 2020 episode is seven minutes rich with some great relevant-right-now money-saving tips. They emphasize “little hacks” that save just a tiny bit at a time. For example, there’s a reminder (and how to guide) to rank your expenses not determine what spending. Then you can cut that thing out and use the money as part of your weekly savings plan.
Other recent episode topics include:
- How to Help Your Parents with Finances in a Pandemic
- Unemployment Fraud Rises as Claims Hit Record Levels
- Should You Withdraw From Your 401(k) During the Economic Crisis
8. Quarantine Life: What to Do Abut Kids, Celebrations, and “Free” Money
At thirteen minutes, this is one of the shortest episodes of The Rachel Cruze Show. She has some longer ones that address interesting topics including “what to do with your money during the coronavirus” and “how to bulletproof your emergency fund.” This one is a little lighter but I think it’s also really important for all of the people out there who have kids, especially kids who have birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations during coronavirus.
She talks about how the nice thing is she doesn’t have the pressure of “doing too much” for these celebrations because COVID-19 means that they’re just going to be at home. Nevertheless, you can do some fun memory-making things without spending much money. She also offers half a dozen suggestions for free entertainment at home for kids (that aren’t necessarily for parties or celebrations.)
9. Coronavirus, Oil, and Kansas
Have you ever wondered about the price of oil? Do you understand how it’s determined and what role global economics plays in that? If not (or even if you would just like a recap), this is one of those great smart podcast episodes that provides a succinct explanation. And it does so through the lens of coronavirus.
As they say at the top of the podcast, they “follow the plunge in oil prices from a viral outbreak in China to a meeting in Vienna to a little mom and pop oil business in Kansas.” They explain the history of OPEC. Then they delve into the geopolitics of oil prices. This episode came out early in the coronavirus pandemic, on March 11, 2020. It’s a Planet Money podcast episode.
10.The Emotions of Money with Suze Ormon
Suze Orman’s Women & Money podcast has several episodes that directly address the impact of coronavirus on personal finance. For example, March 22nd was about Getting Real With Your Money During the COVID-19 Crisis and March 29th addressed the stimulus.
However, my favorite recent episode doesn’t have COVID in the name or podcast description, and yet it seems highly relevant right now. It’s about The Emotions of Money. She talks about how desperate, and even suicidal, people feel because they are financially desperate. She shares that her own cousin took his own life in this situation last year.
Suze talks about how important it is not to let emotions dictate our financial decisions, including if/how we choose to deal with the stock market. In the face of not just coronavirus but also the BLM movement and the larger political landscape, emotions are running high. We can cope with those emotions in many ways, but she suggests we don’t let fear and anxiety make our financial decisions for us.
Am I missing any of your favorite recent podcast episodes about how coronavirus has impacted finances? Educate me by sharing in the comments!
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