No one in our office listens to more podcasts than I do.

I could say my addiction to online radio comes from a desire to harken back to a simpler time, when families sat around the tuner listening together. I won’t give you that hipster nonsense, though: I started listening to podcasts because I cut the cord and got rid of cable.

Podcasts are free. DirecTV isn’t.

Only recently did I learn that these shows I listen to every week are actually benefiting me. I’m part of a leadership program in which networking is required. Podcast knowledge has helped me make conversation when other people are floundering. Turns out that random facts are the ultimate icebreaker!

Podcasts aren’t just entertaining. These shows educate me, challenge my ideals, and expose me to new people and experiences.

No matter what your industry, the ability to network is important. Read on to hear my suggestions for the best podcasts to build your small-talk skills.

Now, Listen to This…

From finances to food, this list has a little something for everyone.

My recommendation with a new podcast? Give it a couple episodes before you decide whether or not to subscribe. Very few podcasts have won me over on the first listen.

1. The Tim Ferriss Show

The man behind The 4-Hour Workweek brings a podcast on how to be efficient and effective. Ferriss’ interviews are really natural, which is something I love in a podcast. It’s like you’re listening to friends talk, rather than watching the news.

This is a podcast that’ll make you better at work . . . for at least a few days after you listen to each episode.

2. The Payoff

Finance is something we all want advice on, but it’s not one of those things you bring up in normal conversation.

The Payoff makes money accessible and approachable — and gives you tips that you can mention in conversation without making everyone cringe.

3. Star Talk

I’m letting you in on a networking secret: a lot of my most interesting small-talk starters are from Neil deGrasse Tyson. Star Talk makes me feel like I understand the universe (kind of).

Plus, have you heard his voice? People got it right when the magazine voted him Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive.

4. Katie Couric

Everybody’s favorite news anchor took her sunny demeanor to podcasting, and honestly, she’s a treasure.

She sings. She tells great broadcast stories. And she asks tough questions. It’s the best mix of comedy and journalism from a long-time player in the news biz.

5. Lexicon Valley

When did everyone start saying “like”? How do words hook up and make new ones? Are emojis a language?

Lexicon Valley digs into the word-nerdiest questions you can imagine, and it’s fascinating. Our language is constantly developing; this podcast examines it in action.

6. The Sporkful

The Sporkful’s tagline is “It’s not for foodies; it’s for eaters” — and I couldn’t agree more. This is far from a pretentious podcast about the finest eateries in the world.

Instead, it looks at the ethnic dilemmas in American food, takes us through historical recipes, and of course, answers important food questions, like “When is cereal too soggy to eat?”

Listen to Us, Too…

While we’re not putting together a podcast, we are getting in the audio game. You can listen to a series of videos from the 9 Clouds team about Facebook advertising.

Check out 9 Clouds Live on our site. And enjoy my podcast recommendations!