International Podcast Day is a day dedicated to celebrating podcasts and generating awareness for audio media. Podcasts are a favorite charm of my life. They keep me awake while driving, prevent boredom while doing chores, and provide entertainment in a house with no cable. In celebration of International Podcast Day, I am sharing a list of my current favorites. There are so many podcasts in the world, everyone can find something of interest. I happen to love true crime and history, and my podcast preferences definitely reflect such topics.
1. Serial
Serial is the first podcast I ever listened to and it is what got me hooked on the media. Each season, Serial tells one story through a series of episodes. The first season told the story of Adnan Syed, a teenage boy convicted of the murder of his girlfriend in 1999. The story is told through a series of interviews with Adnan, his friends, and others involved in the case. What may sound like a lackluster story comes to life through the amazing storytelling of Serial.
2. S-Town
My all time favorite podcast. I can’t explain it any better than S-Town’s official website so here you go, “JOHN DESPISES HIS ALABAMA TOWN AND DECIDES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. He asks a reporter to investigate the son of a wealthy family who’s allegedly been bragging that he got away with murder. But then someone else ends up dead, sparking a nasty feud, a hunt for hidden treasure, and an unearthing of the mysteries of one man’s life.” A truly riveting story filled with characters that you will have a hard time saying goodbye to when the show is over.
3. Inside Jaws
I love movies. I especially love classic movies. So not surprisingly, I also love learning about how classic movies were made. Brought you by Wondery (an absolutely wonderful storytelling network), Inside Jaws recounts the creation of the classic film. This podcast is done by one man who plays the roles of narrator, Spielberg, and countless other characters. Though it originally annoyed me; the usage of music, sound effects, and fictionalized conversations is what really makes this podcast so intriguing.
4. Criminal
Criminal is a podcast about crime. Each episode explores the personal story of a person who was affected or involved in a particular criminal act. The episodes vary drastically so feel free to pick and choose what you what to listen to. Some of my favorite episodes include “Episode 91: The ‘It’ Girl” and “Episode 84: Masterpiece.” Be warned: the narrator Phoebe Judge has one of the most unique voices in podcasting. While I dislike the sound of her voice, I love the stories and that’s what keeps me coming back.
5. Omnibus!
The Omnibus! is an informative, yet hilarious podcast about the most random historical (and not so historical) subjects. Hosted by Ken Jennings and John Roderick, the Omnibus! is the work in progress of an audio encyclopedia of everything. They have a hilarious schtick that is introduced in episode one and continues throughout the show. If you’re looking for something that will make you laugh and leave you feeling satisfyingly educated, turn on the Omnibus!.
6. The Vanished
The Vanished is a podcast that covers the stories of missing persons. Delivered through an interview with a relative, each episode recounts the disappearance of an individual. This is not a podcast to listen to if you’re looking for something uplifting. The stories rarely end with a resolution, and if they do, it’s usually not a happy ending.
7. Gone
Gone searches for things. In the course of human history, things have gone missing. The writers of Gone want to find those missing things. Each episode takes a new missing object (or person), tells its story, then gives possible theories for where it could have gone. My favorite episodes include “‘The Eight Wonder of the World’- The Amber Room” and “The Disappearance of Korean Airlines Flight 007.”
And there you have it! My seven favorites. If you click on any of the icons above it will take you to the podcast’s website where you will be able to listen to episodes. I use Stitcher for all of my listening. Stitcher is a handy app that allows me to download episodes, save my favorite shows in a list, and discover new podcasts based on my interests.
I have had so much fun sharing my podcast charms with you. I have so many more I could have shared too. Do you have a favorite podcast you listen to regularly? Share it with me in the comments!
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