Personal Best
Personal Best celebrates small ambitions, half-wins and the quiet satisfaction of getting less bad at things. Each week we help ordinary people work through the little things they’d never bring to a life coach — like having the courage to dine alone at a fancy restaurant or getting less awkward at handshakes. Let us be your self-improvement sidekicks!
S3 E1 · Sun, October 27, 2024
Wilbo Baggins
Will likes the simple things in life, but he is haunted by a fear of commitment. Only a very special shawarma can break the curse.
S3 E2 · Sat, October 26, 2024
The Human Exclamation Point
Tracy is not mysterious, but she'd like to be. Her only hope is a reclusive oil baron named Clément Von Aubergine Sinclair.
S3 E3 · Fri, October 25, 2024
Alone Day
Shemika wants to eat at a fancy restaurant by herself. Her best shot at success? Advice from a naked man named Buck.
S3 E4 · Thu, October 24, 2024
An Unremarkable Handshake
Connor is a stand-up comedian who moved across the country to pursue his dream in show business. But he's self-conscious about his handshake. The solution: strangers put their hands inside a mysterious hole.
S3 E5 · Wed, October 23, 2024
Are You Still Making Lasagna?
This episode Rob and Andrew call their past guests to learn if they’re still keeping up with their goals, what’s changed in their lives and to find out if permanent change is even possible.
S3 E6 · Tue, October 22, 2024
Angor
Darryl is two people. The first Darryl is an incredibly calm, relaxed and mediative man. The second, a rage-fuelled golfer who is ruining the first Darryl’s life. Can Darryl find the source of his anger before it's too late? Our final episode of season 3.
S3 E7 · Mon, October 21, 2024
Open Your Eyes and Feel Good | Live Recording
A senior who doesn't know how to retire. An ex-teacher who suffers in the presence of incorrect facts. Rob creates an entire episode of Personal Best without Andrew knowing — all in this special live episode recorded from the PodSummit 2024 stage.
Trailer · Tue, September 03, 2024
We're back! Season 3 Trailer
After five years we’re back with a brand-new season! Episode 1 is coming September 10.
Bonus · Tue, January 23, 2024
A Big Announcement! And Check Out Radiotopia Presents: Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative
Rob and Andrew are back with some news. Also, a preview of a new show from Personal Best's very own Jess Shane. What really happens when stories about people’s lives are collected, edited, and consumed? Radiotopia Presents: Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative, a four-part non-fiction series created by Jess Shane, about the nuts and bolts of documentary storytelling, the power dynamics between makers and subjects, and rewriting unwritten rules of the documentary and non-fiction content industry. To learn more visit: https://radiotopiapresents.fm/shocking-heartbreaking-transformative
Bonus · Thu, November 18, 2021
Introducing: Limited Capacity
Limited Capacity is a collection of six short stories about the strange and twisted ways we interact with the internet, and with each other. Each immersive episode is packed with intimate and jarring stories that are both completely familiar and somehow confoundingly alien. It’s like Black Mirror for your ears. From the fiendishly clever mind of Rob Norman, co-creator of the hit podcast Personal Best. More episodes are available at: smarturl.it/limitedcapacity
Thu, October 15, 2020
Introducing: Tony Ho - Season 2
Award-winning sketch troupe Tony Ho takes listeners on a journey of dark comedy. Bite-sized narrative sketches explore the nature of human relationships and how careless we can be with each other. Featuring Miguel Rivas, Roger Bainbridge and Adam Niebergall. More episodes are available at: smarturl.it/tonyho
S2 E8 · Tue, July 02, 2019
Joe-Joe-Joe
Joe is a hobo punk anarchist who wants to jettison part of his old self, so that he can step out onto the dance floor. Our final episode of season 2.
S2 E7 · Tue, June 25, 2019
I Know What You Packed Last Summer
Two stories. Sienna cries when confronting authority figures. Also, four strangers wake-up chained in a spooky basement...
S2 E6 · Tue, June 18, 2019
Yours in Trial and Error and Error
Fan is a poet and writer of love letters. He basks in fantasy, but he's never been able to muster any passion for cooking.
S2 E5 · Tue, June 11, 2019
Timidly Fierce
Nick is an actor who has auditioned for over 100 commercials with very little success. Is it possible he's just too cool?
S2 E4 · Tue, June 04, 2019
Know More, Carry Less
Cihang is afraid of running out of things to say. She wishes for a database of interesting tidbits to pull from at parties.
S2 E3 · Tue, May 28, 2019
48 Hours
Rob and Andrew hit the streets to find a random stranger's problem and solve it within 48 hours.
S2 E2 · Tue, May 21, 2019
The Power of You
Colleen is a very big fan of her brother-in-law's abstract paintings. She offers to sell them on his behalf, withholding the fact she has no idea how to sell.
S2 E1 · Tue, May 14, 2019
The Egg Bag
Chandler is a woman in her thirties without a credit card. The answer might be found in an unusual self-help book.
S1 Enull · Tue, April 30, 2019
Season 2 Teaser
Eight weeks of new episodes start May 14th.
S1 E9 · Tue, April 03, 2018
A Ride on the Desert Bus
In our final episode of the season, Julia (different Julia than before) is a messy eater. But instead of a problem with table manners, she's convinced it's something else. Something that goes all the way back to ancient Buddhist teachings.
S1 E8 · Tue, March 27, 2018
Tragedy + Time
Two stories. Oriana can't lie and it's hurting those close to her. Also, Kevin wants to make his grandma laugh.
S1 E7 · Tue, March 20, 2018
Jackie Chan's Sleeveless Turtleneck
Yaw loved action movies as kid. As an adult, Yaw wants to land a backflip.
S1 E6 · Tue, March 13, 2018
Cow Watch 2018
Sheryl is a city person. But she feels like she hasn't had a chance to express her inner self - her true country self. Sheryl wants to deliver a baby cow.
S1 E5 · Tue, March 06, 2018
Jeffin'
Two stories. Michael is a musician who goes by the stage name Non-Swimmer. To no one's surprise, he can't swim. Also, Toula hates cancelling plans.
S1 E4 · Tue, February 27, 2018
The Doppelgänger
Julia struggles flirting over text messages and it's hampering her love life. But it's not just dating - she struggles with all text messages. Is it possible to communicate your authentic self via text, or are you doomed to prop up a performative husk dancing on a touch screen forever?
S1 E3 · Tue, February 20, 2018
Let's Go Schwimmin'
Two stories. It's tragic when you can't communicate to those closest to you. For Manu, it's his local cashier. Also, Jan is overwhelmed by menu options.
S1 E2 · Tue, February 13, 2018
Nine Fiver
Brent is a punk musician, radio announcer and an all-around fun guy who is completely unable to celebrate himself. His only hope might be a man with a keytar.
S1 E1 · Mon, February 12, 2018
One Time Snooze
Robin is a chronic snoozer. She's constantly late for work, sleeping in for upwards of two hours. She's also been keeping an elaborate secret since high school.
Fri, December 22, 2017
Trailer
A self-improvement show that helps you be your best you. As best we can. Given the constraints. Coming February 14
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