"Growing up, I never wished for a sister. Some little girls begged their parents for a sisterly sidekick, but I was perfectly content with my brothers. I mean, how could I complain? Being the youngest and only girl with two older brothers was a pretty good setup in my mind—I got my own bathroom while they had to share, we never argued over stealing each other’s clothes, and I still had siblings to hang out with. It wasn’t until my 20s, when I lived with roommates who had older sisters that I realized there was some essential information I was missing out on in my male-majority household.
When faced with complicated relationship issues, fashion dilemmas, or just needing some advice when in a rut, my friends had this seemingly omnipotent, sage figure to turn to. Older sisters have known you your whole life, understand the environment you were raised in, and have recently been through the situations you often need advice for. Don’t get me wrong, my brothers give me great advice, but sometimes a female perspective is essential. Unfortunately, we’d need a time machine for me to acquire an older sister, so while I’m on a quest for that, I found an alternative source to bring some big sis energy into my life: podcasts. Keep reading for my podcast recommendations that will make you feel like you have a big sister.
1. It’s Me, Tinx
Episodes: 350+
Tinx introduced me to the world of big sister advice, and I will forever be thankful to her for that. No topic is too taboo for her, and she’s on a mission to inform and empower her audience. She most likely has a podcast covering whatever situation you need advice for. She’s the queen of mantras and employs helpful mottos like “comparison is the thief of joy,” “you’re not too old, and it’s not too late,” and “life is not a dress rehearsal, it’s the real performance.” My absolute favorite part of her podcasts is her live episodes, where listeners call in to ask for specific advice they need in their own lives. So, if you’re in desperate need of advice and there’s not an ep about your situation, you can always call in to get some live advice from Tinx.
2. Girls Gotta Eat
Episodes: 330+
Navigating the dating world in your 20s can be incredibly confusing, and Girls Gotta Eat has been my go-to resource for unfiltered conversations about sex and relationships. The hosts, Rayna Greenberg and Ashley Hesseltin, “candidly discuss any and all dating-related topics from sexual fetishes to finances.” Both hosts are comedians, so they open up about their lives in hilarious, raw conversations that will have you constantly laughing while listening. The podcast also features guests like fellow comedians, authors, and therapists for expert and alternative POVs.
3. The Everygirl Podcast
Episodes: 100+
Of course, I have to include The Everygirl Podcast in this round-up because it is pretty much the pinnacle of sisterly advice. Hosted by our very own Wellness Editor, Josie Santi, the podcast offers words of wisdom from experts on a range of topics. Looking for answers to your money questions but don’t know who to ask? Ready to dip your toe in the wild world of bio-hacking? Want to actually improve your body image? Whatever you’re struggling with that you really wish you could turn to an older sister for help with, The Everygirl Podcast has an episode that will hit home.
4. Giggly Squad
Episodes: 185+
Hosts Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner may not actually be sisters, but they could fool me. The podcast is very true to its name, and I’m constantly giggling with the girls. It reminds me of the silly conversations you have with siblings, filled with inside jokes, hilarious tangents, and a dynamic that can only exist with someone you have known for years. Their topics are relatable and hilarious; listening to them is an immediate mood booster.
5. Almost 30
Episodes: 700+
Almost 30 was started when the two hosts were going through their Saturn return during the transition from their 20s to 30s. Years later, the podcast has evolved into a massive platform for wellness, spirituality, and self-improvement content. When I’m looking to level up my life, I always turn to this pod for tangible tips and great conversations. The guests are always incredibly informed and interesting, and I feel better after listening to an episode than I did before.
6. Miss Congeniality with Eli Rallo
Episodes: 115+
You may be familiar with Eli Rallo from her TikTok presence, her feature on The Everygirl Podcast, or her book, I Didn’t Know I Needed This: The New Rules for Flirting, Feeling, and Finding Yourself. Her podcast infuses the same fun personality as her other content with a combination of advice, pop culture, and casual convos. Some episodes recap Taylor Swift’s albums, others follow her famous “rules” format, like diving into her rules for first dates, and some are entertaining conversations with her friends. Eli has been referred to as Gen Z’s Carrie Bradshaw, so whenever you need advice for dating in your 20s or figuring out who you are, check out Miss Congeniality.
7. Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
Episodes: 275+
Emma Chamberlain may only be a month older than me, but she somehow has advice that feels wise beyond her years. Some episodes are advice-focused, and others are rants on topics like the ethics of anti-aging products. Episodes also feature guest interviews and stories from Emma’s life, like her oh-so-relatable Met Gala recap. While the events we attend may be wildly different, and my recaps are more like “Here’s what happened at the local dive last Saturday,” Emma somehow remains relatable. At the end of the day, no matter what she’s talking about, she validates the confusion and chaotic nature of your 20s.
8. Style-ish
Episodes: 5+
I know I said it wasn’t until my 20s that I began to want an older sister, but there’s one caveat to that statement. In elementary and middle school, the girls with older sisters were always five steps ahead of us in terms of fashion. Their cool girl, older sisters, were always ahead of the curve when it came to trends, and we only brother girls couldn’t keep up. I was so jealous of the Ugg boots they somehow knew to rock when I was still stuck in my no-longer-cool Toms (remember those?). Style-ish is a new obsession of mine and fills the role of parroting my non-existent fashionable older sisters’ outfits through audio format. They break down fashion and beauty trends, keeping me up-to-date and well-informed on everything style.
9. The Toast
Episodes: 860+
You can’t have a roundup of podcast recommendations that feel like you’re listening to an older sister without one that features sisters, and The Toast is just that. The hosts are IRL sisters Jackie and Claudia Oshry, and listening truly feels like you’re a part of the fam. They recap five pop culture stories every day, and the episodes are filled with sisterly banter. Listening to their episodes feels as close as I can get to having a big sis of my own.
