Two podcasts you should listen to this week: 'Reply All' and 'Tell Them, I Am'

Do you love podcasts, but don’t know how to find new shows? Are you new to podcasts, and don't know where to start?

Welcome to “Thanks for Listening” — a new column about the absolute best podcast episodes to listen to this week according to two producers at KUOW who make podcasts for a living. Every Monday, we'll both suggest a podcast that we really enjoy listening to and tell you why we like it.

You’ll hear about shows that span (and overlap) a variety of topics and genres: investigative journalism, fiction, food, feminism, comedy, history, true crime, mental health, Harry Potter, and much more.

So kick back and enjoy this week's picks.

Caroline’s Pick: Tell Them, I Am

Suggested Episode: "01: Tan"

Length: 15 minutes

Listen while: going on a short walk

Brainpower required: 3/5

Family Friendly? Yes

Aside from being on John Wick’s bad side, I don’t know if there’s anything I’m more afraid of than turning into my parents. That primal fear is the subject of the first episode of the delightful new podcast Tell Them I Am from KPCC in Los Angeles.

Misha Euceph hosts, and she speaks very directly and affectionately to the listener. She feels like a friend. The show brings everyday stories of Muslims living their lives, grappling with moments that shaped them.

This episode features Tan France, the style guy from Netflix’s Queer Eye (also my favorite of the fab five, he really does give the best advice!), and how his mother taught him to "I told you so." I found myself smiling while waiting for my bus in the rain through the whole bite-sized episode.

Clare's Pick: Reply All

Suggested Episode: "Negative Mount Pleasant"

Length: 61 minutes

Listen while: Doing DIY work around the house

Brainpower required: 3/5

Family Friendly? Yes

I have this complicated relationship with Reply All where I'll stop listening to it for months -- but all of a sudden, I'll decide to listen to an episode and remember just how insightful and delightful the show is. This episode was one of those ones, and it's among my all-time favorite podcast episodes.

In essence, Reply All tells stories about technology. But really, it tells stories about humanity, and all its complex twists and tangles.

In this story, the team (led by super producer Sruthi Pinnamaneni) go to the village of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. And they look at how a huge, international technology company has kicked up a huge controversy in this small town. It's entrancing; its funny; it's informative, and I love it.