I’m looking to expand my podcasts horizon!
What are some of SDMB members’ favorite podcasts?
One of my recommendations would be The Last Podcast on the Left
WTF with Marc Maron
Penn’s Sunday School
My top two are Planet Money and 50 Things That Made The Modern Economy.
Oh No Ross and Carrie–“We show up [at alternative reliigious/scientific events] so you don’t have to.”
Revisionist History – Malcom Gladwell musing on various topics such as McDonald’s fries
I pretty much only listen to podcasts from comedians. Tuesday’s with Stories from Mark Normand and Joe List. Kevin Pollacks Chatshow. The Nerdist. WTF. Bill Burr’s Monday Morning Podcast. Jay Mohr Mohr Stories.
Waking Up with Sam Harris
Hardcore History with Dan Carlin
Rubin Report with Dave Rubin (if you can handle a bit of a right-wing echo chamber)
Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. I need cheap laughs, and this delivers the goods.
If you like horror, and it sounds like you do, check out the Magnus Archives.
It’s a really compelling horror audio-drama thing. Each episode is different written statement in the Mangus Institute, an academic institution dedicated to studying the supernatural.
Each story is self contained, but as the series progresses as much larger narrative comes into focus; if you’re paying attention you’ll be able to piece together the mysteries before the protagonist does. There are currently something like 80 episodes, and each is about 20-30 minutes in length.
Give it a listen, I guarantee that you’ll be hooked by the second episode.
My two favorites are Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Stuff You Missed in History Class.
The Black Guy Who Tips
The Evening Jones
The Insanity Check
The Interracial Jawn
This Week in Blackness
Dear Hank and John
StarTalk
Stuff You Should Know
2 Guys and a River, a podcast about fly fishing.
There are only two that I listen to regularly.
No Such Thing As a Fish – Unusual facts uncovered by some of the researchers of the BBC show QI.
Futility Closet – Unusual and neglected stories from history, hosted by a husband and wife team. This week’s episode was about two American servicemen who escaped from the Philippines in a small boat early in World War II and made their way to Australia. Each show also has one of the hosts trying to solve a lateral thinking puzzle given by the other.
(If you follow the Futility Closet link it might not have the episode I described. It’s on their main page but I think they forgot to put it on the podcast page.)
The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe. Great, geeky podcast that discusses current affairs in science and some pop-culture, applying critical thinking and heathy skepticism.
A Way with Words - “a lively hour-long public radio show and podcast about language.”
Mohr Sports from Los Angeles - “Comedian, actor, and sports radio and television host Jay Mohr brings sports fans a taste of his hometown Los Angeles each weekend.”
Radiolab- “with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, is a radio show and podcast weaving stories and science into sound and music-rich documentaries.”
Reasonable Doubt - Comedian Adam Carolla is joined by criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos for a no holds barred conversation about current events, pop-culture and their own personal lives."
TED Radio Hour - “a journey through fascinating ideas: astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create.”
Adam and Dr. Drew Show - “Adam and Drew take uncensored, nothing-off-limits, calls about sex, drug, medical and relationship issues.”
Big Podcast with Shaq - “Shaquille O’Neal talks news, entertainment, controversy, and the crazy life of the Diesel himself.”
Dan Patrick Show - “he interviews the top personalities in the world of sports in his trademark wry, irreverent style.”
Dr. Drew Podcast - “a variety of topics relating to health, relationships, sex and drug addiction.”
Joe Rogan Experience - “a long form conversation hosted by comedian, UFC color commentator, and actor Joe Rogan.”
This American Life
Some of my faves not mentioned yet:
RHLSTP - Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast. Shambolic UK comedian interviews top names in comedy with both insightful and ridiculous questions. It’s been going for many years, hundreds of podcasts to listen to.
Never Not Funny - Jimmy Pardo and his retinue interview actors and comedians. A lot of rambling about topical nonsense.
Adam Buxton Podcast - Ramblechat. Much like the above, though somewhat more disciplined. Adam’s a singular talent at this kind of podcasting.
The JV Club - Actress and comedian Janet Varney interviews female celebrities about their teenage years. Also includes Boys of Summer when she recently introduced men into the mix.
Probably Science - Andy Wood and Matt Kirshen talk about recent science articles with a guest comedian or scientist.
Half Hour Happy Hour - Tech TV hosts Alison Haislip and Alex Albrecht talk about topical new items, usually science or pop culture oriented, though most frequently they forget about what they’re supposed to talk about and tell stories from their own lives.
I used to listen to a bunch more, less thematically similar to the aforementioned, but a lot of them have ended or lost their edge.
Here’s what I’m subscribed to:
(I obviously don’t listen to every episode of every podcast; especially not the current affairs ones - I mean, especially with the Trump presidency, a few days out is no longer “current.”)
Lovett or Leave It - Obama speech-writer John Lovett
Comedy Bang Bang, The Podcast - Scott Auckerman
The Diane Rehm Show - which I never listen to; I was trying to show my mom how to stream podcasts and this was my in with her.
Pod Save America - Obama staffers (Lovett, Tommy Vietor, Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer
The Majority Report with Sam Seder
Politically Reactive with Kamau Bell
Slate’s Political Gabfest - I never listen to this one either; usually too wonky and boring
The Dana Gould Hour - he only posts one a month though
**Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast **- the best podcast in the history of the internet
Kevin Pollack’s Chat Show - “I am as always, Chat Show.”
**Real Time with Bill Maher **- I subscribed to this one on the off chance I wanted to listen to the HBO show. I never do.
NPR Politics Podcast
**WTF with Mark Maron Podcast **- one of my longest subscribed pods.
The Joe Rogan Experience - hit or miss. He can go pretty far off the rails sometiems.
**The Young Turks **- Progressive with a capital P. They even hate Democrats.
**You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes **- great show, but heavy on the spiritual.
The Nerdist
**Monday Morning Podcast **- Bill Burr. The first one I ever subscribed to. I’ve been a steady listener for at least six or seven years - however long he’s been doing it…
- Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me - NPR Funny goodness
- WTF with Marc Maron
- Live at the Poundstone Institute - new from Wait Wait regular Paula Poundstone
- Still Processing - NYTimes culture podcast with an African American emphasis
- Pop Culture Happy Hour - NYTimes
NPR and the NYTimes - hmm, hadn’t fully realized that.
Beautiful/Anonymous - Hosted by Chris Gethard, each episode is a one-hour phone call from an anonymous person who can talk about whatever they want. Pretty hit or miss.
Wait, Wait… - Sometimes disappoints
**This American Life ** - Almost never disappoints
mmm
This American Life - it stays on the list having been the first one I got in to though I don’t listen as much as I used to.
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Casefiles - Very straightforward, detailed but respectful (to the victims) true crime.
My Favorite Murder- funny true crime and 80’s/90s nostalgia mixed into one show.
Criminal
Strangers - for when I get tired of true crime and want to think better of people for a moment.
Hardcore History- I cannot recommend this enough for history buffs. It only releases maybe 2 times a year but about 6 hour episodes. My favorites are the recent episode on Julius Caesar & the Gauls and the Genghis Khan series- the host really gets in to every perspective and how both the aggressors and the affected populations would have perceived what was happening to them.