Meredith Goldstein is a journalist, author, and the longtime advice columnist at The Boston Globe. In 2018, her column – Love Letters – launched a storytelling podcast about big moments in all kinds of relationships.
I sit in feelings all day. It’s my job. At any given moment, while others are considering their finances, the gym, or weather, I’m thinking about O.P.B. (other people’s breakups); how middle-aged people care for children and parents at the same time; and how difficult it is to find love when so many of us are in a silo at home.
I love podcasts that make the world seem less lonely. I adore shows that make me feel like I’m hanging out with friends. These are some on heavy rotation:
Love Letters
Our podcast features real people telling stories about turning points in their relationship lives. Lessons they’ve learned. Weird things they experienced. Episodes include: the one about the woman who took a clown class and became a better dater; the one about the most romantic prenup ever; the one about the husbands who say psilocybin saved their marriage; and the one about the woman who got over a terrible situationship by singing one specific karaoke song. With recurring characters and nuanced narratives, we hope you’ll love it – and dive in with a binge.
We’re Here to Help
New Girl fans can listen to The Mess Around rewatch podcast. But people who think Jake Johnson’s voice is ASMR can try this one, which features actor Johnson and his lovely pal Gareth Reynolds solving problems for callers – an advice columnist’s dream. Really, this is a pod about two friends who probably give each other good hugs. I love that for them.
Who? Weekly
Now that I’m wildly middle-aged and can’t tell you who Benson Boone is – because perimenopause makes it impossible for me to retain who Benson Boone is – Who? Weekly feels like a public service. Who is the new Hadid sister? Can Brie Larson write a good cookbook? Is Lucas Bravo mad at someone? I don’t know! But I love to be entertained!
Life Kit
Life Kit astounds me with its range. The NPR show will be like, “How to find the right religion!” one day, and “How to sew a button!” the next. In the span of two episodes, I learned everything about my pelvic floor … and how to prepare for hurricane season. I should mention that I’ve guest-hosted a Life Kit episode about how to give the best advice. Everyone was so kind. Points for kindness off-mic.
Savage Lovecast
In 2004, I read a Dan Savage advice column about a man who was aroused by bread. As in, a loaf of bread. The guy asked Dan, basically, “Am I weird?” Dan answered this letter writer with kindness, respect, and a few good one-liners. Dan has long brought his wit, empathy, and openness to his Savage Lovecast, which feels like a safe place to talk about anything. Even loaves.
Slayerfest98
This is a Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatch podcast – but it goes beyond that. Host Ian Carlos Crawford welcomes novelists, original “Buffy” writers, and cultural critics as he dives into character arcs, relationship metaphors, and how fictional people can teach us how to be real. Mostly, I just love Ian, who lets me stop by to cry about the undead and their breakups.
Heavyweight
This is really just my way of saying to Heavyweight: I have a good story. Don’t you want me to be a guest? Don’t you want a double-Goldstein bill? I swear, my tale – and my baggage – is juicy. Don’t make me beg.
Murder in Boston
I’m not a big crime-podcast person, but The Boston Globe made a riveting show about the Charles Stuart case, which is a terrible and important moment in Boston history. This case is so intertwined with Boston that it’s referenced in a Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch song (“Wildside”). The Stuart narrative is about murder, racism, and how a city comes to terms with its own truth. It’s hosted by my colleague Adrian Walker, who is a wonderful columnist.
Fated Mates
I love romance novels. My desert-island bookshelf would include many books by Sarah MacLean, who writes historical romance with a contemporary flair. On this podcast, MacLean and critic Jen Prokop get into the best tropes, which include “enemies to lovers” and “only one bed.” In so many romance novels, there’s only one bed! What are two attractive people to do? They might as well share it!
Why Won’t You Date Me with Nicole Byer
This one’s obvious, but hanging out with Nicole Byer in podcast form makes the world seem more fun. People go on this show ready to disclose.
The AMPire Diaries/Cole Turner Cast
This rewatch podcast is about “The Vampire Diaries” universe. But the weirdest/most chaotic/most amazing thing they do (in my opinion) is a Patreon-only bonus series about “Charmed” that focuses on sexy character Cole Turner, played, in the early 2000s, by Julian McMahon, of “Nip/Tuck” fame. This seems like a niche topic, but for “Charmed” fans – and Cole Turner die-hards – this bonus offering is escapist joy. I should note: actor McMahon passed away this summer from cancer. Somehow, this podcast – which is designed to be silly – winds up being a moving tribute to McMahon’s talent and magnetism o
Crimes of the Heart
Rory Uphold, host of this show, will be a guest on the next season of Love Letters. She’s a good listener, a whipsmart talker, and is unflinchingly honest about how complicated it can be to seek love in 2025. Rory’s guests on this pod have included Nikki Boyer of the podcast and TV show Dying for Sex, relationship coach Marie Thouin, and Colton Underwood, from that little-known show The Bachelor.
The Arkham Sessions
In the middle of a Venn Diagram of Batman geeks and fans of clinical psychology is: me. And maybe you. If so, meet Dr. Andrea Letamendi, a real psychologist, who is so good at discussing the mental health of fictional Batman characters that she was written into Batman canon as Barbara Gordon’s psychologist in an issue of “Batgirl.” That makes her a superhero. Letamendi hosts this show with Brian Ward. Yes, they do have an episode about the psychology of the Snyder Cut.
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