Sometimes you just need a multiracial podcast that discusses the ways “we can’t talk, don’t talk, would rather not talk, but intermittently, fitfully, embarrassingly do talk about culture, identity, politics, power, and privilege in our pre-post-yet-still-very-racial America.” That’s exactly what Our National Conversation About Conversations About Race, or just the Show About Race, is all about. Want insight on thorny topics like identity politics, voting rights or white allyship? They got you.

When you think of riveting podcast material, oral histories might not make the cut. But trust me when I tell you that the show Making Gay History, which features excerpts of oral histories from the ‘80s and ‘90s, is worth a listen. Many of the victories won by the LGBT community would not have happened without the people featured in this podcast.

Author Susan Orlean loves to cry, which is good since she co-hosts a podcast called Crybabies. Naturally tears are shed, but they’re the good kind of tears. She shared some of her favorite shows (that may or may not inspire waterworks) with us:

• Embedded
• Song Exploder
• 99% Invisible
• Science Vs.
• Hidden Brain
• Criminal

• Very attractive listener recommendations for this week: Futility Closet and Everything Is Stories

• As we do each week, let’s check the charts! Or rather, the 289th-ranked podcast on iTunes: Slumber Party with Alie and Georgia. These two women apparently invented a beverage called the McNuggetini and just a few short years later, they have about a million shows on various food television channels. Now they also have a podcast, which sadly isn’t a slumber party. More pajamas, please!

• Best comedy podcast title of the week: Adderall and Compliments

Do you have a podcast recommendation you’d like to share with us? We want to hear it! Give us a ring on the Pod Line at 202-885-POD1 and leave a message. Then we’ll put you on the radio and your friends will never look at you the same way again.

Thanks for reading, pals! ‘Til next time…keep listening, America.