Up First – "Your Next Great Listen" (November 30, 2025)

Overview of the Episode

This Sunday Story edition of NPR's Up First, hosted by Ayesha Rascoe, dives into the explosion of podcast content and how NPR's new Pod Club newsletter helps listeners identify must-listen shows in an overwhelming landscape. With guest Lauren Gonzalez, a Pod Club writer, the episode explores the newsletter's mission, curation process, and examples of standout podcast recommendations—perfect for listeners seeking their next great listen, especially heading into the holiday season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin of NPR's Pod Club (01:08 – 02:10)

• Internal Beginnings:
  Lauren Gonzalez shares that Pod Club began as an internal Slack channel for NPR staff to reconnect with the joy of audio storytelling and share recommendations—serving as a “virtual water cooler” for staff discussions.

• Expanding to Listeners:
  With enthusiastic sharing of favorites developing into book club-style chats, the team decided to bring this same curated fandom and curiosity to NPR listeners.

  “We made a decision that we really wanted to bring this fandom and curiosity to our listeners as well, so that they could be enjoying and fangirling about podcasts as much as us.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (01:42)

2. How Pod Club Curates Recommendations (02:10 – 03:34)

• Personal Connection:
  Recommendations start with podcasts and episodes that resonate personally with the Pod Club writers—reflecting what they’re wrestling with or curious about at any moment.

• Example:
  Lauren mentions being moved by It's Been a Minute's episode on the murkiness of menopause and relating it to her mom’s experience. She also cites a Life Kit episode about using phones less, which sparked personal reflection and newsletter discussion.

  “We really start there. I had a few weeks ago, I was listening to this episode of It's Been a Minute... It was all about the murkiness of menopause. And it really made me think about my mom’s own journey...”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (02:41)

3. The Value of Human Curation in an Overwhelming Podcast Landscape (03:34 – 04:42)

• Combating Decision Fatigue:
  Both Ayesha and Lauren note that digital algorithms can’t replace the joy of a personal recommendation from a friend.

• Mission:
  Pod Club aims to serve as that recommending friend, surfacing “gems” that might otherwise not appear in algorithmic feeds.

  “I think we’re all missing the times in which a friend or a family member would just tell you, hey, I really loved this podcast episode. And so we wanna be your stand in friend to really, again, pick some of the gems...”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (04:15)

4. Building Community and Learning from Listeners (04:42 – 05:52)

• Newsletter Interactivity:
  The newsletter asks provocative questions tied to featured episodes, inviting reader replies.

• Listener Anecdotes:
  Lauren shares the story of a reader who, after reading the Life Kit recommendation on digital minimalism, decided not to buy a cell phone—a testament to podcasts’ real-life impact.

  “I actually had a person who wrote back to me after I shared my thoughts on digital minimalism, and they thanked me for reminding them not to buy a cell phone... Listened to the Life Kit episode and decided not to make that purchase.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (05:13)

5. Hidden Gem Recommendations (07:54 – 12:36)

A. Close All Tabs (08:17)

• Recommendation:
  A tech show from KQED focusing not on tech specs, but on how technology shapes individuals and societies.

• Coverage:
  Topics include tech’s effects on the war in Ukraine, “AI slop,” and positive online communities.

  “This is a tech show, but you don’t have to be a techie to like it. It’s really for listeners who are curious about how tech shapes our lives and our world...”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (08:19)

B. Spooked (Horror) (09:10–10:56)

• Description:
  A true favorite for horror and paranormal lovers—gripping storytelling even for those not usually into supernatural tales.

• Recommended Episode:
  "The Thin Place" about a paramedic who can see dead people.

  “Spooked is the kind of podcast that you wanna just press play when you’re just around a campfire with friends and just listen.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (09:46)

  “I was standing at the foot of her bed... and I remember standing there and just feeling this super immense sadness... I turned and the woman from the car crash was standing just right behind me.”
  — Snippet from "Spooked" episode (10:06)

C. Throughline (Captain America Episode) (11:03–12:07)

• Focus:
  Explores the evolution of Captain America as a symbol—from WWII to contemporary culture—and what it means to be an “American superhero.”

• Quote & Audio Excerpt:
  Features archival and narrative reframing of Captain America’s journey.

  “They really dive deep into the history of this superhero and how Captain America has really evolved from its... creation during World War II.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (11:36)

6. Binge-worthy Series for Holiday Travel (12:36–14:08)

• Operation Nightcat (New Hampshire Public Radio):
  True crime series following one of the biggest poaching cases in New England, including a surprising twist linked to violence in the prison system.

• A Whole Other Country (Marfa Public Radio):
  The offbeat real-life story of a 1990s Midwesterner who moves south and tries to create his own “Republic of Texas.”

• Our Common Nature (WNYC, hosted by Yo-Yo Ma):
  A “cross country road trip set to music,” with Yo-Yo Ma connecting to communities and natural places, including performances like welcoming the dawn in Acadia, Maine.

  “It’s really beautiful. And there is this one episode where he performs alongside Wabanaki musicians to welcome the dawn in Acadia, Maine.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (13:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Curating from the Heart:
  “The podcasts that I’m really excited to share are the ones that have connected with me because of where I’m at with my life, what I’m wrestling with, or just what I’m curious about.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (02:21)

• On Newsletter Impact:
  “I actually had a person... write back to me after I shared my thoughts on digital minimalism, and they thanked me for reminding them not to buy a cell phone.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (05:13)

• On Making Personal Recommendations:
  “We want you to give it a listen. They're the episodes that make you wanna take.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez (04:30)

• On Binge-worthy Shows:
  “So if you’re looking for a beautiful series and a new morning routine, I recommend you listen to that one too.”
  — Lauren Gonzalez on “Our Common Nature” (13:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:08 – Pod Club’s origin story and staff book-club style audio fandom
• 02:10 – How episodes are personally curated for the newsletter
• 03:34 – Importance of trusted recommendations in a noisy media world
• 04:42 – Connection and anecdotes from newsletter readers
• 08:17 – First podcast recommendation: Close All Tabs (tech & culture)
• 09:10 – Horror pick: Spooked; sample storytelling
• 11:03 – Comics pick: Throughline’s Captain America episode
• 12:36 – Lauren’s binge-worthy travel recommendations
• 13:45 – Yo-Yo Ma’s podcast moment in “Our Common Nature”

Conclusion

A lively, personable episode balancing behind-the-scenes insight on NPR's approach to podcast recommendations with actionable listening picks. Lauren Gonzalez and Ayesha Rascoe model the joy of audio discovery, emphasizing the importance of personal connection—and reinforcing why a curated approach matters in a crowded media landscape. Perfect for listeners seeking those rare, resonant podcast episodes that can turn any commute (or holiday lull) into a richer experience.