Best Easing The Reader Podcasts (2025)

1
Finding Your Center When Everything Feels Like Doomsday | The Empress Podcast 22:23

6d ago22:23

22:23

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of negative news? In this episode, we explore practical ways to stay present and take care of your mental health when the world feels chaotic. Learn three common scenarios where we get lost in worry—from morning doom-scrolling to tense dinner conversations—and discover simple techniques to bring yourself b…

1
April 2025 Collective Tarot Lesson 36:27

25d ago36:27

36:27

Happy Spring, babes! Get cozy, grab some snacks, and let's dive into the card of the month, its lesson, and its application in your daily life. 💋 📱 CONNECT & FOLLOW THE JOURNEY: - Instagram: @jess_the_empress (Professional) - Instagram: @theempresspodcast (Show Updates) - Pinterest: JessEmpressTarot - YouTube: @jesstheempress - Podcast: The Empress…

1
Supercommunicators | 2. How to Communicate Without Words 28:37

1M ago28:37

28:37

Why is it that we can tell someone “I’m totally fine!” and they instantly know we’re not? Gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and other subtle nonverbal cues play a huge role in how we connect with one another. In this episode, host Charles Duhigg explores how we communicate without words, including a deep dive into the visual and tonal cu…

1
Supercommunicators | 1. How to Talk to Anyone 32:22

1M ago32:22

32:22

Why are some people able to talk with just about anyone—about almost anything? One answer may lie in the questions we ask—and how deeply we ask them. Stick with us here… In this episode, host Charles Duhigg examines why deep questions are so powerful and how to ask them in everyday life. He talks to Nick Epley, psychology professor at the Universit…

1
The Wisdom in Feminine Rage: Understanding, Embracing, and Channeling Your Power | Jess the Empress 🌹 20:49

2M ago20:49

20:49

Discover why feminine rage isn't something to be feared or suppressed but a powerful source of wisdom and transformation. Jess Mazzo explores how women are conditioned to hide their anger and offers four practical steps to develop a healthier relationship with rage. Learn to recognize what your anger is trying to tell you, investigate its roots wit…

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Beyond the Worst-Case Scenario: Finding Joy in an Imperfect World | Jess the Empress 🌹 26:15

2M ago26:15

26:15

Are you trapped in constant doom-scrolling through your own thoughts? This powerful episode explores why we hide from joy and connection when caught in worst-case-scenario thinking. Discover how the search for meaning gets derailed by fear, and learn three practical steps to break free from this cycle without toxic positivity. Through personal stor…

1
🎙️ The 6-6-6 "Rule": A Path to Clarity | The Empress Podcast 🌹 19:35

2M ago19:35

19:35

Trapped in overthinking? Learn how three simple questions can transform your relationship with life's challenges. In this episode, we're diving deep into a powerful perspective tool that helps you break free from anxiety and find clarity in chaos. Sometimes the simplest practices create the most profound shifts. ________________________________ 📱 C…

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February 2025 Collective Tarot Reading | Jess the Empress 🌹 29:06

3M ago29:06

29:06

Ready to move beyond surface-level self-love? In this episode, we discuss how love is about behaviors, not just feelings, and why taking consistent action is crucial. Using insights from tarot and psychology, discover three practical steps to cultivate authentic self-love through committed actions, even when you don’t feel loving towards yourself. …

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Spot Manipulators with Ease & Protect Your Peace | The Empress Podcast 🌹 23:52

4M ago23:52

23:52

🎙️ Episode Description: Ever left a conversation feeling confused, drained, or questioning your own judgment? In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the art of spotting manipulation and protecting your emotional well-being. Learn how to identify common manipulation tactics, understand the psychology behind them, and discover practical strat…

1
January 2025 Collective Tarot Reading | The Empress Podcast 🌹 20:38

4M ago20:38

20:38

January invites us to look at what we value, and I give you 3 tips for identifying your standards. Grab your coffee and snacks, and let's hang out! 📱 CONNECT & FOLLOW THE JOURNEY: - Instagram: @jess_the_empress (Professional) - Instagram: @theempresspodcast (Show Updates) - Pinterest: JessEmpressTarot - TikTok: @jess_the_empress - YouTube: @jessthe…

1
Time Alchemy: Transform Your Self-Development Journey While Juggling Life's Demands | Women's Growth on The Empress Podcast 🌹 17:06

5M ago17:06

17:06

Discover practical strategies for personal growth while managing multiple responsibilities. Learn how to overcome financial fears, break free from people-pleasing patterns, and create a sustainable path to self-development – all without adding more to your plate. Perfect for busy women seeking balanced, actionable advice for personal and profession…

1
December Collective Tarot Reading | The Empress Podcast 🌹 27:34

5M ago27:34

27:34

December's Tarot Reading for the Collective is here! Grab a snack and cozy up for this episode as I share wisdom from the tarot. 📱 CONNECT & FOLLOW THE JOURNEY: - Instagram: @jess_the_empress (Professional) - Instagram: @theempresspodcast (Show Updates) - Pinterest: JessEmpressTarot - TikTok: @jess_the_empress - YouTube: @jesstheempress - Podcast: …

1
November Thoughts 17:14

6M ago17:14

17:14

Sharing what's on my mind. Book reference: https://amzn.to/3ClfmuJ *Disclaimer: This podcast can sound like therapy, but it is not a substitute for support from a licensed mental health professional ☕️✨ The Empress Podcast Sponsor is Heartwork Coffee Bar. Take 10% off your online orders with code "EMPRESS10" at checkout! Browse https://heartworkcof…

1
October Collective Tarot Reading | The Empress Podcast 🌹 26:17

7M ago26:17

26:17

Join me for a short and sweet tarot reading on the October vibes! 🎃 *Disclaimer: This podcast can sound like therapy, but it is not a substitute for support from a licensed mental health professional ☕️✨ The Empress Podcast Sponsor is Heartwork Coffee Bar. Take 10% off your online orders with code "EMPRESS10" at checkout! Browse https://heartworkco…

1
A Working Farewell and What We’ve Learned 48:09

8M ago48:09

48:09

This week, hosts June Thomas, Isaac Butler, and Ronald Young Jr. reflect on the best tips, tools, and words of wisdom from the past four years of Working. They bid farewell to the show, to the listeners, and discuss the lessons that stuck with them and changed the way they work. They also save time at the end to reply to some heartwarming listener …

1
Working Overtime: Saying Goodbye 21:35

8M ago21:35

21:35

On this, the final episode of Working Overtime, hosts Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas share some last bits of advice on how best to leave a job! Ronald has been let go, quit jobs, and switched gears in every possible way. June has moved across countries and allowed turning points in her life to be catalysts for moving on from certain work. Both of…

1
September Collective Tarot Reading | The Empress Podcast 🌹 23:56

8M ago23:56

23:56

New month, new vibes! Join me for our chill September tarot reading. We're diving into the cards to explore personal growth, mindfulness, and those aha moments that make life interesting. Perfect for the curious soul who loves a dash of mysticism with their self-care routine. Grab your favorite mug, get comfy, and let's chat about what the universe…

1
An Artist’s Guide to ADHD and Getting Stuff Done 51:36

8M ago51:36

51:36

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Andy J. Pizza, an illustrator and creator of children’s books who’s also the host of the Creative Pep Talk podcast. In the interview, Andy explains what it’s like to be a working artist with ADHD, and he shares some strategies that have helped him channel his attention, accomplish tasks, and evolve in his c…

1
How a Big Band Leader and Composer Wrangles All the Moving Parts 54:02

8M ago54:02

54:02

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue, who fronts the 18-piece big band jazz group Secret Society. In the interview, Darcy talks about the thought processes that go into his compositions, like how his interest in mathematician Alan Turning inspired a track on the group’s most recent album Dynamic Maximum Te…

1
Working Overtime: Transitioning From One Project to the Next 25:22

8M ago25:22

25:22

On this week's episode of Working Overtime, hosts Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas get into the weeds on in-between time and pivoting from one job to the next. June is at the tail end of the promotional tour of her book, while Ronald is gearing up for a new season of his podcast Weight For It. How do you take the final steps of wrapping up one proj…

1
The Founder of a Life-Changing Writers’ Retreat 42:49

8M ago42:49

42:49

This week, host June Thomas talks to author and poet Judith Barrington about her knack for memoir writing and about a retreat called Flight of the Mind that she ran with her partner for 17 years. In the interview, they discuss what makes good memoir writing, what Flight of the Mind meant to women writers, and how to get the most out of writing retr…

1
Smart Money Podcast: How to Navigate Income Swings in a Creative Career 31:05

9M ago31:05

31:05

It's an off-week for Working Overtime, so we're presenting a special bonus episode from the Smart Money podcast! Smart Money features real-world advice to help people make better decisions about their money. In today's episode, a jazz saxophonist talks about navigating the financial ups and downs of a career in the arts. If you like this episode, a…

1
How a TV Writer Keeps the Ideas Coming 48:07

9M ago48:07

48:07

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Mike Gauyo, a TV writer and creator whose credits include the beloved series Insecure and Ginny and Georgia. In the interview, Mike shares his process for thinking of new ideas for shows, refining those ideas over time, and pitching them to industry gatekeepers. He also talks about being from an immigrant f…

1
Working Overtime: Surviving the Book Release Process 33:40

9M ago33:40

33:40

June Thomas recently published her book A Place of Our Own: Six Places That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture, and on this episode of Working Overtime co-host Isaac Butler asks her what went into the release and its promo-campaign. The weeks leading up to a release can be long and exhaustive, with questionnaires, blurb requests, and audiobook recordings…

1
How a Stand Up Comedian’s Sense of Humor Evolves 52:41

9M ago52:41

52:41

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Dina Hashem, a stand-up comedian and writer for The Daily Show whose recent special is called Dark Little Whispers. In the interview, Dina discusses her reliance on inspiration rather than a formal writing process, her experiences in comedy roast battles, and the fact that her standards for good comedy keep get…

1
August Collective Tarot Reading | The Empress Podcast 🌹 17:45

9M ago17:45

17:45

Hi babes - it's short and sweet for August! I hope your month is AMAZING and I see you soon ♡ *Disclaimer: This podcast can sound like therapy, but it is not a substitute for support from a licensed mental health professional ☕️✨ The Empress Podcast Sponsor is Heartwork Coffee Bar. Take 10% off your online orders with code "EMPRESS10" at checkout! …

1
Writing the Two-Author Novel 52:27

9M ago52:27

52:27

Host June Thomas speaks with authors Rachel Dodes and Lauren Mechling about their new novel, The Memo and their collaborative writing process. The pandemic took its toll on everyone, but for Mechling and Dodes, it became a time to collaborate via a Google Doc. They spewed ideas and paragraphs onto the same page, editing each other’s output in real …

1
Working Overtime: Revisiting Your Resolutions 28:05

9M ago28:05

28:05

It's halfway through the year, and hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler are putting themselves back under the microscope to see which of their New Year's resolutions they’ve stuck with and which they’ve let peter out. June still wants to work more sustainably, and Isaac comes clean about his lapsed French studies. They get into routines that have tru…

1
A Newspaper Comic That Shows a Changing America 52:29

9M ago52:29

52:29

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Darrin Bell, creator of the syndicated newspaper comic strip Candorville. In the interview, Darrin explains how hard it was to get Candorville picked up for syndication and how all newspaper comics artists face an up-hill battle to get published. He also talks about his routine for creating new strips every…

1
An Author’s Mission to Make Her Readers Belly Laugh 54:33

10M ago54:33

54:33

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Sally Franson, the author of two novels: A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out and the brand new release Big in Sweden, which was inspired by her real-life experience as a contestant on a Swedish reality competition show. In the interview, Sally digs into the challenges of writing her second novel and the realizations …

1
Working Overtime: How to Ease Back into Work After Losing a Loved One 22:21

10M ago22:21

22:21

Hosts Ronald Young Jr. and Isaac Butler delve into coping with emotional trauma and the challenge of returning to work afterward. Following a death in his family, Ronald grapples with his grief while feeling overwhelmed by the backlog of work. Isaac, having faced his own unexpected personal struggles, explains that part of the return process is acc…

1
How to Photograph a Hardcore Punk Show 48:31

10M ago48:31

48:31

This week, host June Thomas talks to Jim Saah, a photographer who documented D.C.’s legendary hardcore punk scene in the 1980’s and 90’s. In the interview, Jim explains how he fell in love with punk music in high school and soon started photographing bands like Minor Threat and Fugazi. He also discusses the chaotic environments he had to work in, a…

1
July Collective Tarot Reading | The Empress Podcast 🌹 28:31

10M ago28:31

28:31

Hi babe - welcome to summer! Let's take a dive into the tarots messages for July ♡ Grab your coffee, snax, and get cozy. *Disclaimer: This podcast can sound like therapy, but it is not a substitute for support from a licensed mental health professional ☕️✨ The Empress Podcast Sponsor is Heartwork Coffee Bar. Take 10% off your online orders with cod…

1
How One of the Best Podcast Sound Designers Executes a Vision 50:16

10M ago50:16

50:16

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to John DeLore, a podcast editor and sound designer who’s been in the industry since its heyday. He’s produced hugely popular shows for companies like Gimlet and Stitcher, and now he runs his own production company, Starlight Diner Studio. In the interview, John breaks down his sound design process, shares tip…

1
How To Form Well Rounded Opinions | The Empress Podcast 🌹 22:20

10M ago22:20

22:20

If you want your opinions to be valued and respected and want to engage in better, more meaningful conversations with others, this episode is for you. Today's episode is a practical guide to forming well-rounded opinions. By the end, you'll be ready to apply your critical thinking skills to form opinions rather than relying on others' talking point…

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Working Overtime: How to Get Back into Books 26:31

10M ago26:31

26:31

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Ronald Young Jr and Isaac Butler are joined by writer Elisa Gabbert for a discussion of reading and rediscovering a love of books. Gabbert is the author of Any Person is the Only Self, a new collection of essays on art, culture, and reading habits. Gabbert delves into some of her reading practices …

1
A New Kind of “Live Documentary” Honors the Temporary 56:41

10M ago56:41

56:41

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Sam Green, a documentary filmmaker who has pioneered a new kind of performance called “live documentary,” which involves presenting ideas and images on-stage, accompanied by live music. In the interview, Sam explains why he started designing his films this way and why the temporary nature of these performances …

1
How a Colonial Williamsburg Actor Humanizes History 50:00

11M ago50:00

50:00

This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Stephen Seals, an actor and historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. In the interview, Stephen breaks down his process for researching and portraying Revolutionary War double-agent James Lafayette, a notable Black American whose story is seldom told. Stephen explains what it’s like …

1
Working Overtime: Storing and Revisiting Your Old Ideas 23:34

11M ago23:34

23:34

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Ronald Young Jr dive into the work of PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) and the different means of gathering one's thoughts. June, a PKM evangelist, breaks down some of the many apps and processes for collating one’s notes into an organized web of insights and connections. She als…

1
A Master Class in Character Description 49:42

11M ago49:42

49:42

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to writer Emma Copley Eisenberg about her new novel Housemates, which features a burgeoning friendship between two artists who decide to road trip across Pennsylvania together. In the interview, Emma explains how her nonfiction writing and her interest in history influenced this new work of fiction. She also t…

1
3 Surprising Mistakes Spiritual Women Make in Love - And How to Avoid Them! | The Empress Podcast 🌹 18:17

11M ago18:17

18:17

Hi babe! This enlightening podcast episode delves into the top three mistakes spiritual women often make when searching for a long-term partner. Join me as we uncover these common missteps and provide valuable insights on navigating the path to finding a genuinely fulfilling and balanced partnership. *Disclaimer: this podcast can sound like therapy…

1
Working Overtime: Money Advice for Freelancers 36:57

11M ago36:57

36:57

This week on Working Overtime, host Isaac Butler talks to AJ Ayers, a personal finance expert who specializes in helping creative people manage their money better. In the interview, AJ offers tips on everything from retirement accounts and taxes to homeownership and family planning. Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative pro…

1
A Broadway Hit That Defies Genre 51:54

11M ago51:54

51:54

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Justin Peck, a dancer and choreographer who helped create the hit Broadway show Illinoise, which is based on a classic album with a similar name by Sufjan Stevens. In the interview, Justin breaks down how he adapted Sufjan’s album into a narrative dance piece, with clear characters and storylines. He also talks…

1
June Collective Tarot Reading | The Empress Podcast 🌹 40:40

11M ago40:40

40:40

Hi babe! I'm stoked to get into this episode with you. Cozy up with me, grab your snax and coffee, and take notes! We're diving into what we leave behind in May and embrace in June. We're also focusing on where our mindset and actions need to be for the best mind-body-soul connection. *Disclaimer: this podcast can sound like therapy but it is not a…

1
Working Overtime: When Life Gets in the Way 22:28

11M ago22:28

22:28

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Ronald Young Jr, unpack how to deal with life’s unexpected challenges and their effect on your work. A car accident, a sick child, or even a bad breakup can seem to be a bolt from the blue when you’re not expecting it. Currently, Ronald and his family are caring for his sick mom, an…

1
A Classic Opera Gets an Overdue Update 48:34

11M ago48:34

48:34

This week, host June Thomas talks to Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera. In the interview, Francesca discusses the process of creating a brand new ending for Puccini’s unfinished final opera Turandot, from recruiting a composer and librettist to deciding on the visual language of the show. She also talks about he…

1
A Much-Needed History of Queer Women’s Spaces 47:09

11M ago47:09

47:09

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to June Thomas about her new book A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture. In the interview, June explains what it was like to bring journalistic rigor to a world that’s close to her heart. She also discusses her pivot to full-time book writing, the importance of passing history to fut…

1
Working Overtime: Keeping the Faith 26:47

12M ago26:47

26:47

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler are joined by author Justin Taylor, to discuss the process behind his new novel, Reboot. Taylor published numerous short pieces, as well as a memoir, during the years he spent writing this novel, yet it took multiple iterations before this book felt right. Later they sh…

1
The Evolution of One of Scotland’s Best Indie Bands 52:53

12M ago52:53

52:53

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Tracyanne Campbell, lead singer of the Scottish indie band Camera Obscura. In the interview, Tracyanne discusses the process of getting the band back together after a decade-long hiatus and the songwriting work that went into their new album Look to the East, Look to the West. She also talks about the humor and…

1
Writer Anne Lamott’s Difficult Personal Truths 53:53

12M ago53:53

53:53

This week, host June Thomas talks to the prolific writer Anne Lamott, whose latest book is called Somehow: Thoughts on Love. In the interview, Anne discusses the origin of her new book, the challenges of writing deeply personal memoirs, and the importance of writing groups. After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss Anne’s “bird-by-…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Easing The Reader Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen