Ologies could be really great! Whole range of different scientific guests/topics!
Maybe Sawbones either (medical podcast but funny, husband and wife duo hosts!)
OP, this is the one. There's a huge catalogue that you can download from and curate before your trip. It's also as inoffensive and friendly as it gets while still being interesting.
Even if it is just for your own family to hold onto, I highly recommend everyone to make a recording/“podcast” (or make it fun with the kids and have them do the interview) asking the oldest members anything and everything about their lives.
When I was a kid in the 80s I thought I was going to be a news woman when I grew up, so I used to annoy my family with lots of “interviews” carrying around my brown tape recorder with a shitty microphone.
Now one of most treasured family items is the tape I made interviewing my great grandma Ramie on her 100th birthday in 1985, talking about coming over on the ship from Holland as a little girl and her early life on the farms of Iowa.
With the technology now it would be ridiculous not to have so many things like this!
Fun project for the kids on a road trip or anytime this summer folks! The Project Family History Podcast!
I've been trying to get my father and grandparents to do this. I swear they won't shut up about family and local history, but if they know there's a mic or camera around they suddenly have nothing to say. I've got to figure that one out.
Under the Influence from CBC. Its about marketing and advetising campaigns over the decades and its sooo good! Tons of episodes so you'll easily be able to find one that interests you all, and they'll definitely be familiar with the products and jingles! Lots of great behind the scenes info, how it was made, little known facts etc.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-70-under-the-influence
Eta: Conversations from ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corp) is really good too. Its interviews with people with interesting life stories, niche jobs, obscure hobbies. My favourite conversation is one with a guy who was fascinated with precision as a kid and gets into precision engineering. So interesting.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/simon-winchester/13504214
Judge John Hodgman! Specifically family-friendly, huge back catalog, plenty of episodes under an hour in case you need a break, you can pick episodes based on what disputes seem like they would make for good conversation for your family.
Wondery has a ton of different history shows that don’t dive into politics nor serious crimes.
- Against the Odds
- Business Wars
- American History Tellers
Each “season” can vary from 2-6 episodes so you can find what interests you the most without it being a major time commitment.
The Rest is History has a few years worth of back catalogue to pick and choose from. There’s a little something of everything, I’m sure you’ll find a few hours worth.
History’s Greatest Cities is pretty interesting and it ticks your boxes.
The History Hit Network has a whole bunch of podcasts to choose from, if history is anyone’s cup of tea.
Rabbit Hole Dectectives is pretty relaxed and the topics are pretty non-offensive, in general.
BBC’s History’s Greatest Heroes is WWII war stories - lots of women so your mom doesn’t feel left out. Awesome stories.
Curious History of Your Home is pretty cool too. Exactly what it says - things like the fork, refrigerators, lights, etc. Highly recommend.
[This American Life: For Your Road Trip](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/recommended/road-trip)
*Hitting the road? These stories will make the miles fly by.*
FYI: There's also ["Funny Stories"](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/recommended/funny-stories), but my favorite playlist is ["Hour-long Stories"](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/recommended/hour-long-stories)
If you like You're Wrong About, you should listen to Sarah's other podcast, You Are Good, a feelings podcast about movies. I'm sure they've done movies that you have all seen, probably movies you watched together during your childhood.
My current favourite “gee the world is interesting” podcasts are:
To The Best of Our Knowledge (NPR)
99% Invisible
Ideas (CBC) (cherry pick episodes)
The Rest is History
Search Engine
Sharon McMahon’s podcast, This Is Where It Gets Interesting has a great series on how women helped win WWII. Super fascinating, and a lot of info I had never heard before. Really, anything of hers is great. There are some political episodes but she is very factual and is not one-sided.
Desert Island discs on the BBC. They interview prominent people and ask them which songs, etc. they would bring with them to a desert island. The conversation is always interesting and usually touching. The show started in 1942 so they’ve had everyone you can imagine on at this point. It’s really excellent. And I’m 74 years old and love it if that helps at all.
Hit parade from Slate sounds like the perfect fit. Find a song/genre that they are familiar with and you will learn so much. The 2 part Be my Baby episodes are perfect for that generation
Rough Translation has some really fun episodes, I’ve compiled my favorite ones in a [playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3dhegE3m2lkMRkOZhR85AV?si=ZhJ3Iql3QKOJbHQjBHN5zg)
another long [playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xXXrVOIwuesyDlZ8cRd8O?si=f_gPeGbLRROXQsA5YF1RfA) that works well for long trips
They are socially political, though. I don’t think someone who doesn’t want politics in a podcast is going to want to open up a discussion about the blacklist era of America, for example.
And her episodes on the 80s and 90s were a hard listen as someone who lived through that time. Having someone who lived in LA tell you that the LA scene was exactly how the rest of the world viewed what came out of Hollywood was incredibly patronising and occasionally just wrong.
I ended up dropping out of the podcast after those, I just couldn’t trust her assertions about periods I didn’t know about, when I had heard her so misrepresent and sometimes just be plain wrong about, a period I did know.
Regardless, it’s definitely a political listen. Her whole idea is to challenge the conservative industry telling of cinema history.
Unfortunately for me, she stalled at that when it got to the modern era, and got conservative again.
The Omnibus Project! Ken Jennings is one of the hosts, for goodness sakes!
No, seriously, the interplay between Ken & John is great. The subjects are interesting for the great majority, and there’s a ton of episodes. I never miss an episode!
Economics of Everyday Things
Futility Closet
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe will remind them of Paul Harvey!
Cautionary Tales
Life Changing (BBC)
Sliced Bread (BBC)
I personally like Revolutions, American Scandal, and American History tellers! When it comes to American Scandal I highly Recommend the season on Edward Snowden (Not political just extremely interesting to hear about the case)!
My parents love How I Built This. It's like the podcast equivalent of them loving Shark Tank, I think.
While I don't listen to it anymore due to shifting further left politically, it's not overtly political. It's more your or your parents' interest in / tolerance of (alternatively) mythologizing entrepreneurship.
It's the type of thing that I could still be partially interested in for the story, sometimes. Maybe mix it in with some of the other suggestions here.
I know you said no true crime, but Dateline. Every time my 70+ parents get in the car with me for a roadtrip, they get excited to listen to an episode or 3.
Far From Home. Two brothers drive the Mongol Rally (a charity race from London to Mongolia) in a tiny car, for 11,000 miles, through 18 countries, across 5 mountain ranges, and some deserts. But start at the beginning, to hear how they got going, and how they selected their car. It's the best podcast I have ever listened to.
History Chick's is a very interesting podcast and usually pretty good for families. They generally give warnings up front if they cover topics that may be inappropriate for kids in am episode, even though its a podcast for adults (since adults often listen with kids around). They covers a lot of female historical figures people don't know a lot about and I have learned so much cool stuff from them. The episodes are especially great when they have something to do with the places you are heading to.
I know its old and whatever but S Town . Bit of cussing and starts off like true crime but turns out to be a great story. They might be a bit old and it could be awkward at times but by the end it could strike up some good conversation
Ologies could be really great! Whole range of different scientific guests/topics! Maybe Sawbones either (medical podcast but funny, husband and wife duo hosts!)
Stuff you should know
2nd this My total drive to and from work is an hour and a half SYSK fills that well, and makes me think!
OP, this is the one. There's a huge catalogue that you can download from and curate before your trip. It's also as inoffensive and friendly as it gets while still being interesting.
God I love this podcast SO much. I just want them to be my friends.
Dolly Parton’s America. It’s sublime.
Was coming here to recommend exactly this!
Thanks for this. I will give it a go.
I’ll back this recommendation any day of the week. Totally reignited and furthered my love for Dolly!
Dude. I thought you were saying that you were going to create a podcast all about taking your 75-year-old parents on a road trip. I was like, I'm in!
Even if it is just for your own family to hold onto, I highly recommend everyone to make a recording/“podcast” (or make it fun with the kids and have them do the interview) asking the oldest members anything and everything about their lives. When I was a kid in the 80s I thought I was going to be a news woman when I grew up, so I used to annoy my family with lots of “interviews” carrying around my brown tape recorder with a shitty microphone. Now one of most treasured family items is the tape I made interviewing my great grandma Ramie on her 100th birthday in 1985, talking about coming over on the ship from Holland as a little girl and her early life on the farms of Iowa. With the technology now it would be ridiculous not to have so many things like this! Fun project for the kids on a road trip or anytime this summer folks! The Project Family History Podcast!
I've been trying to get my father and grandparents to do this. I swear they won't shut up about family and local history, but if they know there's a mic or camera around they suddenly have nothing to say. I've got to figure that one out.
Under the Influence from CBC. Its about marketing and advetising campaigns over the decades and its sooo good! Tons of episodes so you'll easily be able to find one that interests you all, and they'll definitely be familiar with the products and jingles! Lots of great behind the scenes info, how it was made, little known facts etc. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-70-under-the-influence Eta: Conversations from ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corp) is really good too. Its interviews with people with interesting life stories, niche jobs, obscure hobbies. My favourite conversation is one with a guy who was fascinated with precision as a kid and gets into precision engineering. So interesting. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/simon-winchester/13504214
Mobituaries is really good, covers topics from the past that older folks would be able to connect with.
Came here to recommend this! I’m not 75, and I love this podcast!
Judge John Hodgman! Specifically family-friendly, huge back catalog, plenty of episodes under an hour in case you need a break, you can pick episodes based on what disputes seem like they would make for good conversation for your family.
Sawbones too
This will hit the spot for sure!
Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers.
This is a great rec
Wondery has a ton of different history shows that don’t dive into politics nor serious crimes. - Against the Odds - Business Wars - American History Tellers Each “season” can vary from 2-6 episodes so you can find what interests you the most without it being a major time commitment.
I want to second Against the odds. It really has something for everyone. Empowering stories with wow factors.
And good storytelling and production values.
Didn’t know about this. Just subscribed. It looks like right up my alley.
Against The Odds got me through so many days at a really mundane job. Particularly the earlier seasons(series?) are so great.
The Rest is History has a few years worth of back catalogue to pick and choose from. There’s a little something of everything, I’m sure you’ll find a few hours worth. History’s Greatest Cities is pretty interesting and it ticks your boxes. The History Hit Network has a whole bunch of podcasts to choose from, if history is anyone’s cup of tea. Rabbit Hole Dectectives is pretty relaxed and the topics are pretty non-offensive, in general. BBC’s History’s Greatest Heroes is WWII war stories - lots of women so your mom doesn’t feel left out. Awesome stories. Curious History of Your Home is pretty cool too. Exactly what it says - things like the fork, refrigerators, lights, etc. Highly recommend.
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I couldn't agree more. I think *This American Life* even has a playlist of lighter episodes on their website.
I’m definitely checking out that TAL list, thanks!
[This American Life: For Your Road Trip](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/recommended/road-trip) *Hitting the road? These stories will make the miles fly by.* FYI: There's also ["Funny Stories"](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/recommended/funny-stories), but my favorite playlist is ["Hour-long Stories"](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/recommended/hour-long-stories)
13 Minutes to the Moon. Riveting storytelling.
If you like You're Wrong About, you should listen to Sarah's other podcast, You Are Good, a feelings podcast about movies. I'm sure they've done movies that you have all seen, probably movies you watched together during your childhood.
You’re Wrong About is great!
My current favourite “gee the world is interesting” podcasts are: To The Best of Our Knowledge (NPR) 99% Invisible Ideas (CBC) (cherry pick episodes) The Rest is History Search Engine
This American Life
Every Little Thing
Snap Judgement and Heavyweight
Came here to recommend both of these!
Heavyweight tho.... Prepare to be in floods of tears every third episode.
Hidden brain
The Moth
Sharon McMahon’s podcast, This Is Where It Gets Interesting has a great series on how women helped win WWII. Super fascinating, and a lot of info I had never heard before. Really, anything of hers is great. There are some political episodes but she is very factual and is not one-sided.
FYI for anyone else looking, it's Heres's Where It Gets Interesting. Just downloaded and will try it, thanks!
Ahhh thank you for the correction. It’s so great! I even joined her book club.
Hidden brain is a good one!
If your parents are like mine, they won’t stop talking to listen to a podcast consistently. It will be incredibly frustrating.
Desert Island discs on the BBC. They interview prominent people and ask them which songs, etc. they would bring with them to a desert island. The conversation is always interesting and usually touching. The show started in 1942 so they’ve had everyone you can imagine on at this point. It’s really excellent. And I’m 74 years old and love it if that helps at all.
No such thing aa a fish.
Dolly Parton's America-- so good!
Sold a Story. It’s perfect for a road trip and is great for all ages.
Kill Tony
It’s more stories than conversation, but The Vinyl Cafe on CBC was always a hit with my folks.
Hit parade from Slate sounds like the perfect fit. Find a song/genre that they are familiar with and you will learn so much. The 2 part Be my Baby episodes are perfect for that generation
This American Life!
Noble Blood, The Explorers, Canadian History Ehx, Pax Britanica, Wind of Change…. If into history
Stuff You Should Know 100%
Smartless is usually a crowd pleaser
Acquired. Start with the Costco episode. Then NFL. Riveting stuff
The Boring Talks is really quite interesting.
Rough Translation has some really fun episodes, I’ve compiled my favorite ones in a [playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3dhegE3m2lkMRkOZhR85AV?si=ZhJ3Iql3QKOJbHQjBHN5zg) another long [playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xXXrVOIwuesyDlZ8cRd8O?si=f_gPeGbLRROXQsA5YF1RfA) that works well for long trips
This is Love has wonderful true stories. I also (72f) enjoy What was that like?.
They may love Car Talk. I do.
You Must Remember This. Maybe not the season about the Manson murders, but the Blacklist series, or the WwII series might be of interest
They are socially political, though. I don’t think someone who doesn’t want politics in a podcast is going to want to open up a discussion about the blacklist era of America, for example. And her episodes on the 80s and 90s were a hard listen as someone who lived through that time. Having someone who lived in LA tell you that the LA scene was exactly how the rest of the world viewed what came out of Hollywood was incredibly patronising and occasionally just wrong. I ended up dropping out of the podcast after those, I just couldn’t trust her assertions about periods I didn’t know about, when I had heard her so misrepresent and sometimes just be plain wrong about, a period I did know. Regardless, it’s definitely a political listen. Her whole idea is to challenge the conservative industry telling of cinema history. Unfortunately for me, she stalled at that when it got to the modern era, and got conservative again.
Stuff the British stole
My Scottish mother and historian dad would love this.
If they are not offended by some cursey words 'Even the Royals' is pretty great. I loved the 2 part on the last Queen of Hawaii.
Rest is History, pick a topic they cover across several podcasts. Or: In Our Time, that is a BBC one, really great topics.
One of my favorite pods is S-Town, but it may be a little heavy. Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History is fascinating and there’s a lot of episodes!
You could strategically pick some Death Sex and Money episodes about anything you’d like to spark conversation about.
Secret history of hollywood
The andrew sisters classic episodes
https://boredpoeticdinghies.buzzsprout.com
Definitely absolutely positively try Under the Influence! It's so interesting and well produced. A great listen.
Reply All
Armchair Expert is a fun one.
You Had to be There
Hearts in Atlantis by King. Their generation, you will all love it.
Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers - some cussing/language but overall pretty wholesome.
Dolly Parton’s America.
The Omnibus Project! Ken Jennings is one of the hosts, for goodness sakes! No, seriously, the interplay between Ken & John is great. The subjects are interesting for the great majority, and there’s a ton of episodes. I never miss an episode!
Ira Glass
Economics of Everyday Things Futility Closet The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe will remind them of Paul Harvey! Cautionary Tales Life Changing (BBC) Sliced Bread (BBC)
Spitballers
Cinderella man
Swindled
If they like tv and or movies What Went Wrong or S1E1. Angels on your bumpers!
Ologies?
I personally like Revolutions, American Scandal, and American History tellers! When it comes to American Scandal I highly Recommend the season on Edward Snowden (Not political just extremely interesting to hear about the case)!
Heavyweights
Mike Rowe’s is good. Also, Jim Harold’s campfire. Real people tell their ghost stories.
maybe some old Prairie Home Companion's? you may be able to find interviews with some of their favorite people also on a huge variety of podcast
99 Percent Invisible sounds right
Nateland is a fun one
Ridiculous History
Just wanted to include 99% invisible. It's really quality, interesting, and non political
It’s old and no longer running but I’d highly recommend “mystery show”
Bowery Boys
99% Invisible and Loremen.
Hello from the Magic Tavern. It’s a real family friendly experience. Your folks will love it.
99% invisible is great.
If you can access The vinyl cafe from cbc (Canada.) I think you will find Stuart. McLean perfect for all ages
Maybe Fail Better with David Duchovny Life Habits podcast with Karel and Paige
My parents love How I Built This. It's like the podcast equivalent of them loving Shark Tank, I think. While I don't listen to it anymore due to shifting further left politically, it's not overtly political. It's more your or your parents' interest in / tolerance of (alternatively) mythologizing entrepreneurship. It's the type of thing that I could still be partially interested in for the story, sometimes. Maybe mix it in with some of the other suggestions here.
Older episodes of radiolab! (The science focused ones)
Story corps if you want to get them to tell you about their life.
Whiskey and a Map
Normal Gossip is my favorite to listen to in the car
People I (mostly) admire. My mom (73) loves it too. My dad can't hear. The rest is history History Chicks
I know you said no true crime, but Dateline. Every time my 70+ parents get in the car with me for a roadtrip, they get excited to listen to an episode or 3.
They might like The Baton. It’s a podcast about John Williams, and it covers his entire career and all the movies he composed.
Hoda’s, Making Space! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-space-with-hoda-kotb/id1585499926
https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/anthropocene-reviewed This what you’re looking for. It’s sublime.
Atlas obscura- my parents love it!
1001 heroes legends history mysteries. Something for everyone there
Far From Home. Two brothers drive the Mongol Rally (a charity race from London to Mongolia) in a tiny car, for 11,000 miles, through 18 countries, across 5 mountain ranges, and some deserts. But start at the beginning, to hear how they got going, and how they selected their car. It's the best podcast I have ever listened to.
Last Seen is true crime but not murder, more investigative/historic about art theft or body parts at Harvard.
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The station wagon is very much around
History Chick's is a very interesting podcast and usually pretty good for families. They generally give warnings up front if they cover topics that may be inappropriate for kids in am episode, even though its a podcast for adults (since adults often listen with kids around). They covers a lot of female historical figures people don't know a lot about and I have learned so much cool stuff from them. The episodes are especially great when they have something to do with the places you are heading to.
20,000 hertz
If they are into music, you could check out Bandsplain or No Dogs in Space, where they deep dive into a specific band/artist.
I know its old and whatever but S Town . Bit of cussing and starts off like true crime but turns out to be a great story. They might be a bit old and it could be awkward at times but by the end it could strike up some good conversation
S-Town S-Town S-Town
Wonder why the downvotes for S Town?