We’re thrilled to be partnering with Anchor again to showcase some of the best podcasts out there. As a fast follow to their first collection for Flipboard, they’ve curated a new selection designed to help you get the most out of the new year. Here’s what Anchor Digital Media Manager Lisa Fierstein picked in this set and why. When you decide to do something big in your life or make a change—whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or a moment of inspiration any time of the year—it’s exciting, but often daunting. It helps to have some outside validation pushing you forward. That’s where podcasts come in. Research shows audio is the most intimate medium, and we’ve found that podcasts can be a friendly voice in your ear anytime, anywhere. They’re a free, accessible source of encouragement to stay on track for whatever you want to achieve. No matter what your goals are, here are some of Anchor’s best podcasts to start you off on your journey to… …climb a mountain: Two-time Olympian Nick Symmonds is on a mission to be the first person to reach the tallest mountain on every continent. In his podcast “Now Climbing” he records an audio diary (right from the mountain!) as he works his way toward the summit. His energy, enthusiasm, and positive attitude toward this physical and mental feat could motivate anyone to try a climb of their own. …watch more indie movies: The film and TV production company A24 interviews actors who have appeared in recent silver screen sensations. “The A24 Podcast” will keep you cued in on the latest flicks and the inner workings of film industry professionals. Soon enough, you’ll be on your way to being the film guru you always dreamed about. …be more creative and learn from the pros: You never know when inspiration can strike, and that can be both frustrating and exciting. “High Resolution” gets your gears turning and teaches you how to be more creative through interviews with design industry professionals. You’ll hear about their roadblocks and breakthroughs, and apply their insights to your own life and artistic process. …embrace curiosity once a week: The internet is a rabbit hole that can be quite delightful. “Let Me Google That” hosted by Abby Norman presents a collection of fantastical, unknown facts that she finds on the internet. So instead of kicking yourself for spending too much time scrolling on your phone, you can embrace it and call it curiosity. …get new book recommendations: There’s something about the sincerity that Howard, the host of “Tell Me What You’re Reading,” puts into his exploration of the written word that encourages listeners to pick up a book and dive into the pages. Howard interviews people he finds interesting about the books they’re reading—and then those people quickly become your trusted book club comrades and friends. You’ll be picking up a good read in no time. …prioritize mental health and self-care: Life can get overwhelming, and sometimes we forget that we need to take time to breathe. Tiffany Roe, mental health counselor and host of “Therapy Thoughts,” teaches you how to love yourself and take care of your own well-being. Roe takes a holistic approach by incorporating clinical research, motivational words, and mantras to set you up for success. …learn more weird things: “The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week,” a podcast published by the magazine Popular Science, explores some of the strangest fun facts they stumble across that don’t make it into their articles. From discussions about illegal cheese to levitating frogs, and vanishing twins to torturous treadmills, you’ll be showing off your newfound knowledge in no time. …get eight hours of sleep each night: Sink into a meditative state with simple and clean soothing sounds. “ASMR Sleep Triggers” will kick your REM cycle into high gear and have you sleeping better in no time. Snooze goals: achieved. …be more radiantly positive: At the end of the day, the secret to living your best life is to be positive, according to the “Positiviteeny!” podcast. The hosts’ radiant energy and relatable advice will help motivate you to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be. Wow! We’ve got some listening to do. You can find all these great podcasts on Flipboard in this magazine, as well as featured in our culture destination, The Culturist, for the next two weeks. And if you want to inspire people through podcasting, Anchor’s handy How to Start a Podcast guide has tips and tricks on how to make something awesome on their platform. We can’t wait to see what you create—and be sure to share it on Flipboard. —Mia can’t wait to listen to many of these podcasts