8 Cool Things You Can Listen To On Spotify (Aside From Music)

If you don’t have Spotify on your mobile device, or are just using the free version, then you’re missing a lot. It’s one of the best (if not the best) streaming services ever, with a neverending treasure trove of material for your listening pleasure. And while there’s certainly tons of great music on Spotify, there’s way more to the app than songs from your favorite artists. Here are some things you should check out ASAP:

The News

It’s always good to be in the know about the latest news around the world. Spotify has some podcasts about current events, perfect for tuning in during your daily commute. We like the BBC Global News Podcast, where you can hear reports from around the world, and Anderson Cooper 360, which delivers news with a dash of Mr. Cooper’s commentary.

Language Lessons

If you want to learn a new language from scratch, we’ll point you in the direction of Duolingo. But if you want to get more accustomed to hearing the language you’re learning, or learn new phrases or pronunciation tips, several Spotify podcasts have got your back. Tune in to Learn Japanese w/ Manga Sensei to brush up on your Japanese, Learn French by Podcast for a French refresher, and the Duolingo Spanish Podcast to hear stories in Spanish.

Stand-up Comedy

Spotify probably isn’t the first place you’d turn to for a bellyaching laugh, but surprisingly, they’ve got recordings from the best personalities in comedy. Kevin Hart, Ali Wong, Jo Koy, and Russell Peters are some of the comedic greats you can find on Spotify. Perfect for a long drive with your friends!

Advice From Global Leaders

How would you like to receive advice from some of the most remarkable people on earth? If your answer is a resounding yes, you should look at Tim Ferriss’ podcasts on Spotify, Tribe of Mentors and The Tim Ferriss Show. In these podcasts, he interviews people like Bear Grylls, James Cameron, and Neil Gaiman—all luminaries in their fields—and picks their brains to learn the secrets behind their successes. Have a pen and paper on hand while listening—you’re going to want to take down a lot of notes!

Mythology

If you’ve always been fascinated by ancient mythology, you’ll find a lot of kindred spirits on Spotify. Whatever your poison is–Greek or Roman mythology, Egyptian legends, even Tolkien lore–you’ll find something about it on Spotify. We highly recommend Mythology by the Parcast Network—it’s got a great selection of stories from several parts of the world, told in an engaging manner.

Literary Classics

If your literary tastes lean towards the classics—think Jane Austen, H.G. Wells, or Arthur Conan Doyle—you’ll be pleased to know that there are some great audiobooks on Spotify. Bookstream audiobooks and DBS Audiobooks have a great selection of classic literary works. Some audiobooks are even divided into chapters for easier listening. You probably won’t fall asleep while listening to these!

Modern Love

The New York Times’ Modern Love column is one of the best things in its corner of the web. Its podcast counterpart is just as remarkable. Your favorite love stories, narrated by Hollywood personalities like Kate Winslet, Zoe Saldana, and Willem Dafoe. Make yourself a warm cup of tea, prop your feet up, play an episode, and get ready for a relaxing day in.

TED Talks

In case you haven’t opened YouTube in a while, TED Talks are bite-sized, transformative videos from experts from various fields, from business to literature to science. And now, they’re on Spotify. If you want a quick break from the hustle or bustle of your everyday life, pick an interesting topic from the dozens of uploaded recordings. Who knows, it might just change your life.

With Spotify Connect, you can now listen to all these, plus your favorite songs, on the Nixplay Seed Wave! Stream your favorite playlists using your frame, and use the Spotify app on your mobile, tablet or computer to control the music. The best part? The songs won’t stop even if you make a call, watch a video, or go out of range. There’s never been a better way to listen at home.