The Big Listen

This week on The Big Listen, we talk Passover and Easter candy with America's favorite Jewish mothers, Ronna & Beverly. We also pet a lot of hypothetical dogs with the co-host ofCan I Pet Your Dog?, and we peer beyond prison bars with writer Alex Kotlowitz fromWritten Inside. Plus: best-selling author Pamela Druckerman uses podcasts as Xanax.

In our special Passover bonus episode, Ronna Glickman and Beverly Ginsburg — America's favorite middle-aged Jewish women — drop by the Big Listen HQ to gab about Liam Neeson, Canadian geography and the Jews' exodus from Egypt. Ronna and Beverly are the hosts of the eponymous podcast and are the creation of comedians Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo.

Most producers want to keep you awake; we talk to a podcaster bent on putting listeners to sleep. Then, we interview Oprah! Just kidding. But we check out a podcast that did, Making Oprah from WBEZ! Plus, we discover salacious sex columnist Dan Savage's vanilla tastes in podcasts.

Actress Gillian Jacobs lets us in on which podcasts she listens to when she's in the shower. Then we head out to sea to learn about cargo ships with Containers' Alexis Madrigal, and we tickle the ivories with some of piano's greatest young stars withThe Competition. And we get fizzy with the hosts of the heavily carbonatedSeltzer Death Match.

Pajama-wearing podcaster Katie Couric explains why she's over being America's sweetheart. And we talk Hawaii's complicated racial history with the host of Offshore. Plus, untold stories from the Middle East from the folks behindKerning Cultures. And a senior citizen podcast club where wine plays a prominent role.

Who's more hardcore: Dan Carlin, for making Hardcore History? Or his listeners for absorbing three-hour-plus episodes? We also ask Andrea SilenziWhy Oh Why dating today is so hard and learn how podcasting makes Gretchen Rubin and her daughterHappier. Plus: Which stories pass muster with master storyteller Shannon Cason?

Comedians Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher host a comedy show — in real life, in a podcast and on their TV sitcom, Take My Wife. We talk about their dog, their meta lifestyle and their favorite podcasts. And we find out if the host ofThe New York Times'The Daily ever sleeps and learn some art history withThe Lonely Palette.

Author Susan Orlean tells us about podcasts that make her cry. Also, comedian Phoebe Robinson shares the public radio personalities she would date. And we chat with a guy who is literally Making Gay History.

Actor Larenz Tate slides into your ears with the new fictional audio series, Bronzeville. And comedian Marina Franklin does impressions of her family. Plus, we go back to college with Chioke I'Anson and find ourselves charmed by Charm City.

Discomfort is the currency of Death, Sex & Money, according to host Anna Sale. Plus, we chat with the folks behindHistorically Black about everyday objects in African-American families. And Nate, our favorite kid podcaster, gives us interviewing tips.