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I went a-hunting for some newer ones that are making my podcast feed more robust in its awesomeness and was not disappointed. From true crime to truly geeky, here are some great podcasts to add to your feed…
Which of your faves did I miss?!
My Dad Wrote a Porno
Imagine if your dad wrote a dirty book. Instead of hiding from it, Jamie Morton decided to embrace it and turn it into a hilarious podcast. He’s decided to read it to the world in this epic and cringe-y comedy podcast.
I’m late to the game on this one, but it’s just so funny and awkward and will get you through that long commute with ease.
RISK!
RISK! is a live show and podcast where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public, hosted by Kevin Allison of the legendary TV sketch comedy troupe, The State. The live show has featured people like Janeane Garofalo, Lisa Lampanelli, Kevin Nealon, Margaret Cho, Marc Maron, Sarah Silverman, Lili Taylor, Rachel Dratch, and Andy Borowitz.
The cast alone is to draw you in.
Down to the Tea
Jasz Jones’ podcast covers millennial and gen z dating in the big city. Former dating hopefuls discuss what went right or really, really wrong with past relationships.
I’m a sucker for shows like Catfish, so this is right in line with my so-cringey-it’s-hard-to-watch genre that I hate to love.
Rattling the Cage
Whose career is more turbulent and fascinating than Nicolas Cage?!
Join hosts Caroline Diezyn and Dylan Clark-Moore (of Netflakes podcast fame, which is also worth your time) as they bring their own brand of film criticism to the diverse works of the one and only Nicolas Cage.
Fantastic Geeks (and Where to Find Them)
Nerdy YouTubers Anna Brisbin and Tessa Netting talk all things geek including TV shows, books, movies, animation, and pop culture. Harry Potter, Would You Rather, and all kinds of fandom chat await in this geeky youth-focused podcast.
It’s light, it’s fluffy, and it’ll get you through to the next book/movie/game you’re waiting for.
Slow Burn
Leon Neyfakh investigates the subplots and characters of recent political history and finds parallels to the present. Season one discussed Watergate, while season two investigates the saga of Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
It’s so fascinating, especially since we’re all re-examining our ’90s reactions to Bill Clinton’s impeachment in light of the #metoo movement. And if you weren’t even born then? Then it’s all new and fascinating to you, too.
Alternate Ending
Three different types of filmmgoers (a casual movie watcher, film school dropout, and legit movie critic) get together to talk movies from their unique perspectives, usually with themes like “top five movies I wish I lived in,” “top five films about the ’70s,” and “top five singers turned actors.” The best part is how accessible it is for those of us who aren’t film professors. Every kind of cinephile can find something relatable with this humorous crew.
Criminal
In the vein of Serial, true crime is the focus of the Criminal podcast. Stories of people who’ve done wrong,
been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.
This one is very addicting and you’ll be jonesing for the next installment, which is the best way to experience true crime stories.
Invisibilia
NPR’s Invisibilia — Latin for invisible things — combines narrative storytelling with human science that discusses the human brain, behavior, and sociology. And it’s totally not dry, I swear!
This one is perfect for a long car ride or commute where you just want the time to fly.
Code Switch
Code SwitchAnother NPR gem, Code Switch candidly and carefully discusses race in our current world. The name is based on the tendency for people of color to “switch” their vernacular depending on to whom they are speaking.
It’s a fascinating look at race from journalists of color within NPR.
2 Dope Queens
2 Dope QueensPhoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams (of Daily Show fame) host a live comedy show in Brooklyn. The 2 Dope Queens, along with their favorite comedians, talk sex, romance, race, hair, living in New York, and way more.
Happy Face
Happy FaceAnother true crime podcast, I know. But this one has a twist: it’s the story of a dad turning out to be a serial killer from the point of view of his daughter. It proves you never can tell someone’s true nature and delves into the slow descent of a “family man” into a killer.
Bag Man
Bag ManMSNBC’s Rachel Maddow hosts a new podcast called Bag Man, a deep dive into specific cultural and political situations including an American Vice President (Spiro Agnew) carrying out a criminal enterprise inside the White House and having nobody remember. Rachel is usually a good bet for good political history in a digestible package.
About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
If you’re into paper & pencil RPGs, then check out Fear The Boot.
I’m also a fan of 99% Invisible as well as Radiolab. The first is about design that often gets overlooked in day to day life. The second leans to more science-y topics. Both if them go down easy, even if you’re not an uber sci/tech nerd.
These were the two that I came here to recommend. 99pi is AMAZING and, as a designer myself, it has changed my life and the way I view the world. (I can tell we’d be friends!)
I like Ear Biscuits by Rhett and Link, who do Good Mythical Morning on youtube. Unlike their youtube show, this relaxed and spontaneous discussion of really varied topics. Getting older, friendship, movies, trends, music, fan questions, quirky rabbit holes whatever. You learn something, you laugh a lot and there is a great balance between them as friends that shines through.
Yes! I don’t know why it took me so long to get into podcasts…but now that I am…I’m enamored! I’m currently listening to Ethnically Ambiguous, Sex Out Loud with Tristan Taormino, the Hilarious World of Depression, and Levar Burton Reads (which I strongly recommend to anyone who grew up with Reading Rainbow and wishes they had more Levar Burton in their adult lives).
Can’t wait to check out your recommendations 🙂
I agree wholeheartedly with lots of these recommendations. I’d add The West Wing Weekly. They discuss an episode of the show each week, and their guests range from actors and other show business folks to politicians to people involved in the real world of the issues portrayed. I don’t always have the attention span for podcasts, and it was the first to really keep me interested.
Also, for those who were at all involved in Christian subculture in the 90s, check out Good Christian Fun. They analyze music, movies, etc., and generally walk a good line of respecting belief while poking fun at and pointing out issues with the things some believers produce.
Here are my favorite feminist podcasts:
1. By The Book. Two smart women pick a self-help book and live by it for two weeks and describe their experiences.
2. The Bechdel Cast. Two women watch movies and disect them for their portrayal of women in film. Hilarious, although a bit chatty.
3. Battle Tactics for your Sexist Workplace. This is self explanitory.
4. The Birth Hour. If you like hearing about real birth experiences.
Thanks for the article, I’m always looking for new podcasts. Can anyone recommend a good technology based podcast? I listen sometimes to the Internet Of Things but it is quite focused on the home tech environment, it would be cool to listen to new developments about broader tech.
Welcome to Night Vale is my all time favourite, I also enjoy Spooked podcast by Snap Judgement.
#WizardTeam by Black Girls Create! These AMAZING Women are doing a chapter by chapter dive into the Harry Potter sharing their perscpective as Black Women. as well as various other parts of Wizarding World. Its been going since i think 2015???? I found it after they guest hosted on another potter podcast.