It’s the dead of winter. The holidays have passed, the decorations are packed away, and now it’s just shoveling and early bedtimes for everyone until we start thawing out in spring. It’s times like these where we need a full, medical-grade dose of laughter to get us through the frigid darkness, but we’re also now out and about again, so sitting inside and hibernating isn’t always possible for everyone.
That’s where podcasts, and specifically comedy podcasts, come in handy. There are thousands of them out there, and it’s staggering to think about how many tend to fall in the exact same category in terms of approach, but we went ahead and pulled a few out of the ether that we truly appreciate, and we hope they can help you get a little color back into your own life during the dreary New England winter months.
In pods we trust, so give these selections a gander, and perhaps you’ll find your next favorite go-to show as you look to shake things up on your playlist a little bit. Check it out.
Clown People with Brieana Woodward & Al Christakis
It’s zany, it’s grotesque, it’s hilarious. It’s Clown People, helmed by Brieana Woodward and Al Christakis. Averaging right around 20 minutes per episode, the intensity of each edition makes the gut-busting hell ride perfect for a lunch break pick-me-up, wielding zero fucks to give, and a whole lot of heart and creative force to share. Whether they’re just talking shit, telling jokes or paying respect to Woodward’s dad with a full tribute episode (a brilliantly done tribute, at that), you’re not going to find a show like this too often. If you do, it’s most likely not as good or genuine as this one.
Stavvy’s World with Stavros Halkias
Stavros Halkias is for the people, and his podcast highlights the reasons for that notion beyond his critically-acclaimed work on stage and screen. Of course, the show has been around for a bit, but it’s reaching new heights in 2026, and more Stavvy in the world is a good problem to have. His guests are always top notch, he keeps the conversation expansive and loose, yet intriguing and still wildly funny at all times. The podcasting forefathers set a standard, and the proud Baltimore native is taking that to a new level by bringing laughs, logic, advice, stories, and a consistent sprinkling of personal philosophy into the mix with every episode. It’s very easy to get lost in Stavvy’s World, but sometimes, you just have to throw the map away and enjoy the vibes of the land.
Tank Top Talks with Matt Braunger
In the months of bitter cold and 4 p.m. darkness, there’s nothing like a little bit of “sun’s out, guns out” energy to get the serotonin flowing. Braunger brings all of that and more as he and his weekly guest wax philosophical on anything and everything, with laughs and musings aplenty. If you’re looking for something to help the morning commute pass by a bit quicker, Braunger’s got you. The best part is, he doesn’t exclusively chat with comedians. Of course, they take the brunt of the episodes, but Braunger is more than willing to step outside the comfort zone, and spark up a chat with pretty much anyone. Leave the sleeves at home, take the wit and good conversation with you.
Casuals with Katie Nolan
Are you constantly struggling to balance a desire to laugh and a yearning for sports talk that transcends your normal babbling local radio guys who aren’t even fans of the team they talk about every day? Well, Katie Nolan has brought the best of both worlds over the past year with Casuals. Not only is the Framingham native one of the best in the industry in terms of knowing ball better than most of the windbag armchair analysts that permeate the airwaves, but she’s also a dangerously funny and genuine host who seeks to have a conversation rather than simply filling the weekly time slot with words for the sake of filling air and space.
The Wayback with Ryan Sickler
Everyone loves a little nostalgia. A trip down memory lane is healthy and so deeply needed sometimes, so it really feels like Ryan Sickler is doing the lord’s work here. Bringing us back to a times of unbridled joy, curiosity, and zero safety standards when it comes to the back-facing seat of a vintage station wagon, Sickler keeps the good times rollin’ with reflections on a simpler time, and with that naturally comes a little smile that finds it way to your face amidst a midweek stresstopia that has you wanting to walk into the ocean. Sickler is all about enjoying life, and sometimes, you need to look back to appreciate what’s in front of you.