Podcast Listening Dates: What to Listen To Together

Why Podcasts Work for Long Distance Couples

Podcasts offer a unique middle ground between entertainment and education, passive and active engagement. When you listen to the same podcast, you're creating shared cultural touchstones, learning together, and generating endless conversation topics—all while fitting seamlessly into busy schedules and different time zones.

Unlike movies or TV shows that require simultaneous viewing, podcasts allow asynchronous listening with scheduled discussion. You can listen during your commute, while doing chores, or during a workout, then come together to discuss and connect over what you heard. This flexibility makes podcasts ideal for long distance couples juggling complex schedules.

Research shows that couples who learn new things together report higher relationship satisfaction and stronger bonds. Podcasts provide structured learning experiences across infinite topics, from true crime to philosophy, comedy to science, ensuring you'll never run out of things to explore and discuss together.

Ways to Listen to Podcasts Together

Simultaneous Listening Over Call

Listen to the same podcast episode at the exact same time while on a call.

How it works:

Both start episode at exact same time (countdown: 3, 2, 1, play!)
Stay on call but keep voices muted
Can unmute to make brief comments
Discuss immediately after finishing

Best for: Short episodes (15-30 min), reactions in real-time
Pros: Shared real-time experience, immediate discussion
Cons: Requires scheduled time, can't multi-task easily

Asynchronous Listening with Scheduled Discussion

Each listen independently, then schedule time to discuss.

How it works:

Agree on which episode to listen to
Each listen at your own convenience during the week
Schedule discussion call (30-60 minutes)
Share reactions, insights, and questions

Best for: Busy schedules, longer episodes
Pros: Maximum flexibility, can listen while doing other tasks
Cons: Delay between listening and discussing

Listen Together During Other Activities

Turn on podcast during virtual activities you're already doing together.

Examples:

While cooking dinner "together" on video call
During virtual workout sessions (lower intensity)
While both doing household chores
During morning coffee/evening tea rituals

Best for: Casual listening, comedy or storytelling podcasts
Pros: Combines activities, feels natural and domestic
Cons: May miss details, hard to discuss dense content

Podcast Discussion as Regular Date

Make podcast discussion a structured weekly date night activity.

Format:

Weekly "Podcast Tuesday" or similar tradition
Both listen to episode during week
Video date to discuss over dinner/drinks
30-45 minute discussion following prepared questions
Choose next week's episode together

Best for: Building routine, deeper discussion
Pros: Regular structure, meaningful conversation, anticipation
Cons: Requires commitment, planning ahead

Best Podcasts for Couples by Category

True Crime (Most Popular)

Crime Junkie

30-60 minute episodes
Well-researched, engaging storytelling
Weekly release schedule
Great for discussion and theories

My Favorite Murder

Comedy meets true crime
Two hosts with great chemistry
Longer episodes (1-2 hours)
Funny but respectful

Serial

Season-long investigations
Journalistic deep dives
Compelling narratives
Perfect for committed listening

Comedy & Entertainment

SmartLess

Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Sean Hayes
Celebrity interviews
Funny and surprisingly heartfelt
Hour-long episodes

Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend

Conan's signature humor
Celebrity guests
Insightful and hilarious
Weekly episodes

How Did This Get Made?

Comedians discuss bad movies
Hilarious analysis
Can watch movie first, then listen
Perfect for movie-loving couples

Relationships & Self-Improvement

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

Real couples therapy sessions
Relationship insights
Sparks deep conversations
Warning: Can be heavy

The Marriage and Family Therapy Podcast

Expert relationship advice
Science-backed insights
Practical tools
Great for growing together

Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

Vulnerability and human connection
Meaningful conversations
Personal growth focus
Inspires deep discussion

Science & Learning

Radiolab

Science storytelling masterclass
Incredible sound design
Makes complex topics accessible
Sparks fascinating discussions

Stuff You Should Know

Learn about random topics
Approachable hosts
45-minute episodes
Endless variety

Science Vs

Tackles popular claims with science
Myth-busting
Well-researched
Settles friendly debates

History & Culture

Hardcore History with Dan Carlin

Epic, multi-hour historical deep dives
Compelling storytelling
Perfect for long-term listening projects
New episodes infrequent but worth it

You're Wrong About

Reexamines misunderstood events and people
Great research and empathy
Changes perspectives
Excellent discussion starter

The History Chicks

Women's history told engagingly
Two-part deep dives
Accessible and educational

Fiction & Storytelling

Welcome to Night Vale

Fictional town's bizarre community radio
Surreal humor and horror
Ongoing narrative
20-30 minute episodes

The Truth

Short fiction stories
Movie-quality sound design
Various genres
Perfect for varied tastes

Homecoming

Psychological thriller
Season-long narrative
Later adapted for TV
Great for serial listening

Business & Inspiration

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Founder stories
Inspirational and practical
Great for entrepreneurial couples
Hour-long episodes

WorkLife with Adam Grant

Organizational psychology
Better work-life balance
Evidence-based insights

Specific Interest

Reply All (Tech & Internet Culture)

Internet mysteries and stories
Accessible tech discussions
Entertaining and informative

The Sporkful (Food)

"Not for foodies, for eaters"
Cultural food discussions
Makes you hungry

99% Invisible (Design)

Design and architecture
Makes you see world differently
20-40 minute episodes

Creating Your Podcast Listening Routine

Weekly Podcast Date Structure

Monday-Thursday: Independent Listening

Each listen to agreed-upon episode
Take notes on interesting points
Mark timestamps of favorite moments
Jot down discussion questions

Friday Evening: Discussion Date (60 min)

Opening (5 min): Initial reactions, overall thoughts
Deep Dive (35 min): Discuss specific points, share perspectives
Personal Connection (15 min): How does this relate to your lives?
Closing (5 min): Choose next week's episode

Selection Strategies

Taking Turns:

Alternate who chooses each week
Exposes each other to new interests
Ensures both feel ownership

Theme Months:

January: Science podcasts
February: Love and relationship focused
March: History
etc.

Series Commitment:

Choose serialized podcast
Work through entire season together
Creates ongoing narrative
Built-in weekly structure

Sampling Approach:

Try different podcast each week
Discover new favorites together
Variety keeps things fresh
Build a library of shows you both love

Discussion Questions and Techniques

Universal Discussion Prompts

Opening Questions:

"What was your overall reaction?"
"What surprised you most?"
"Did this change your perspective on anything?"
"What's one thing you'll remember from this?"

Deeper Analysis:

"What assumption did the hosts make that you disagree with?"
"If you could ask the guest one question, what would it be?"
"What wasn't discussed that should have been?"
"How would you have approached this topic differently?"

Personal Application:

"Does this apply to our relationship in any way?"
"What can we learn from this?"
"Have you experienced anything similar?"
"Would you want to try what they suggested?"

Genre-Specific Questions

True Crime:

"What do you think really happened?"
"Do you think justice was served?"
"What would you have done in that situation?"
"Were there any red flags people missed?"

Interview/Conversation Podcasts:

"What was the most interesting thing the guest said?"
"Do you admire this person? Why or why not?"
"What would you ask if you interviewed them?"
"What surprised you about their story?"

Educational/Informational:

"What's the most important thing you learned?"
"What fact shocked you?"
"Does this make you want to learn more about the topic?"
"How will you use this information?"

Fiction:

"What do you think happens next?"
"Which character do you relate to?"
"What would you do in their situation?"
"What themes are emerging?"

Taking Notes for Better Discussions

Note-Taking Methods

Timestamp Notes:

Jot down time stamps of interesting moments
Easy to reference during discussion
"At 23:45, when they said..."

Key Points List:

Bullet point main ideas
Facts you want to discuss
Questions that arose
Personal reactions

Shared Document:

Google Doc you both can edit
Add notes while listening
See each other's reactions before call
Creates anticipation for discussion

What to Note

Facts or statistics that surprised you
Quotes you want to discuss
Moments that made you laugh
Arguments you disagreed with
Connections to your own life
Questions you have
Topics to research further

Building Your Podcast Library Together

Discovering New Podcasts

Podcast Discovery Methods:

Recommendations: Ask friends, follow podcast recommendations on social media
Awards: Check Webby Awards, Podcast Awards winners
Charts: Browse top charts in podcast apps
Related shows: Apps suggest similar podcasts
Cross-promotion: Podcasts often promote similar shows

Creating Your Shared Podcast List

Maintain shared document with:

"To Listen" queue: Episodes/series you want to try
"Currently Listening": Active series you're working through
"Completed": Episodes/series finished, with ratings
"Favorites": Best episodes to recommend or re-listen
"Pass": Tried but didn't enjoy (prevents re-suggesting)

Rating System

Rate each podcast or episode together:

Overall enjoyment: 1-10 scale
Discussion value: How much it sparked conversation
Would recommend: Yes/No
Would listen to more: If series, continue?
Favorite moments: Brief notes

Podcast Apps and Technical Setup

Best Podcast Apps

Apple Podcasts (iOS)

Pre-installed on iPhones
Simple interface
Seamless sync across devices
Free

Spotify

Available on all platforms
Many exclusive shows
Integrates with music
Can create shared playlists
Free with ads, Premium $9.99/month

Overcast (iOS)

Smart speed feature (cuts silence)
Voice Boost for clarity
Excellent for commute listening
Free with optional Premium

Pocket Casts

Cross-platform
Beautiful interface
Excellent organization features
Free basic, $9.99/year Premium

Google Podcasts

Android default
Simple and clean
Syncs with Google account
Completely free

Synchronizing for Simultaneous Listening

Method 1: Countdown Start

Both load same episode
Start with both paused at 0:00
Count down together: "3, 2, 1, play!"
Both hit play simultaneously

Method 2: Share Screen (Computer)

One person plays on computer
Share screen via Zoom/Discord
Both hear same audio feed
Perfectly synchronized

Pro Tip: If sync issues occur, note timestamp and "meet up" at next chapter/natural break

Beyond Just Listening

Extended Activities

Research Together:

Look up facts mentioned in episode
Read articles about topics covered
Watch related documentaries or videos
Create shared bookmark folder

Create Content:

Write reviews of podcasts together
Start your own podcast discussion blog/vlog
Create Instagram stories discussing episodes
Make podcast recommendation lists for friends

Support Podcasters:

Leave reviews for shows you love
Support via Patreon together
Buy merchandise from favorite shows
Attend live podcast recordings (when together in person)

Themed Date Nights

Food + Podcast Pairing:

Listen to food podcast, cook related recipe together
True crime + comfort food
Science podcast + "experimental" cooking

Activity + Podcast:

Listen while both doing same craft/hobby
Workout together while listening to motivational podcast
Virtual walk-and-talk while listening to storytelling podcast

Handling Different Preferences

When Tastes Diverge

Compromise Strategies:

Strictly alternate choices week-to-week
Each person picks 2 options, other person chooses from those 2
Find "middle ground" podcasts that blend your interests
Agree to give each other's choice fair chance (full episode)

Maintain Individual Podcasts Too:

Not every podcast needs to be shared
Keep personal podcast interests alive
Occasionally share particularly good episodes
Balance is healthy

When One Person Didn't Like It

Discuss why—great learning opportunity
Still have discussion (different perspectives valuable)
Agree not to continue that podcast
No judgment—tastes differ
Use as data point for future selections

Special Podcast Projects

The Deep Dive Series

Commit to a long-form podcast series together:

Serial investigations (Serial, S-Town)
Hardcore History multi-part series
Fiction podcasts with ongoing narratives
Creates weeks or months of shared content
Like reading a book series together

The Challenge: 52 Podcasts in 52 Weeks

Commit to one episode per week for a year
Try different genres each month
Document your journey
End-of-year review of favorites

Anniversary or Special Occasion Podcasts

Listen to relationship-focused podcasts on anniversaries
True crime on Halloween
Holiday-themed podcasts in December
Birthday: birthday person chooses special episode

When Podcasts Lead to Bigger Conversations

Using Podcasts as Conversation Catalysts

Some podcast episodes naturally lead to important relationship discussions:

Relationship podcasts: "Should we try that communication technique?"
Financial podcasts: Opens money conversations
Parenting podcasts: Discusses future family plans
Philosophy podcasts: Explores values and beliefs
Travel podcasts: Plans future adventures together

Creating Safe Discussion Space

Use podcast as starting point, not final word
"This podcast made me think about..."
Disagree with respect
Podcast opinions aren't your opinions (necessarily)
Can discuss heavy topics with podcast as buffer

Conclusion

Podcast listening dates offer long distance couples a flexible, enriching way to connect intellectually and emotionally. Whether you're laughing together at a comedy podcast, solving a true crime mystery, or discussing complex ideas from an educational series, you're building shared knowledge, creating inside jokes, and strengthening your bond.

The beauty of podcasts is their infinite variety and accessibility. There's literally a podcast for every interest, mood, and moment. They fit into busy lives, work across time zones, and provide structured content that naturally generates meaningful conversation.

Every episode becomes part of your shared cultural vocabulary. References to favorite podcasts become inside jokes. Insights learned together inform your relationship and individual growth. And the simple act of setting aside time to discuss what you've heard demonstrates investment in your intellectual partnership.

So pick your first podcast, press play, and prepare to discover a whole new dimension of your long distance relationship. The conversations waiting on the other side are worth it.

Looking for more ways to learn together? Check out our guides on starting a book club for two, virtual museum tours, and trivia night dates.