Podcast Recommendations Redux
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:18 am
It has been a couple of years since the original podcast thread had any activity, so - in the hopes of getting some new recommendations myself - here’s a bigger, better, brighter, bnewer podcast thread.
For my list, I’ve chosen to include most, but not all, the podcasts I listen to. Along with this, for some, I do only listen to the occasional episode. Some of the podcasts in my list contain potentially adult or upsetting content and I’ll try to mention that in the description of them, but please do check for yourself before listening if this is important to you.
99 Percent Invisible
It’s about design.
Alice Isn’t Dead
A truck driver searches America for her dead wife. To say any more would spoil too much of the story. Three seasons of ten (or so) episodes each, created by Joseph Fink of Welcome to Night Vale fame. Contains violence and other adult themes.
Within the Wires
Surreal audio guides. To me, not quite as good as Alice Isn’t Dead, but certainly different and not too bad. Created by Jeffrey Cranor, also of Night Vale fame.
The Allusionist
Linguistic adventures. I enjoy this podcast quite a bit. Easier for you to listen to an episode or two rather than trying to describe it here. Would recommend episode 79, “Queer”. Some episodes contain nsfw language.
Bedside Rounds
A doctor with an annoying voice talks about the history of medicine. Not much more to it than that.
Dreamboy
A fairly new podcast, coming from the Night Vale people. Its weird, but not effortlessly so. Still not sure if I'd describe it as good. Contains NSFW language and strong adult themes right from the start. Main character is a relatable {to me, for the first few minutes} gay dude, then a zebra gets involved.
Futility Closet
The best podcast in the world. Greg and Sharon Ross, along with Sasha the podcat, share interesting stories from the past. The first few episodes are a little shaky, but when they switch the last section of the show to lateral thinking puzzles it becomes great.
Hello Internet
Pretty boring honestly, but I feel like I’m stuck with it. Often only listened to when I’ve gone through my other podcasts for the week.
How I Built This
Rich people talk about how they got rich. Have only listened to a couple of episodes, but included it here in case any of the people featured are of interest to anyone here.
Imaginary Worlds
Discussion on creating science fiction and fantasy worlds. Can be interesting.
The Kitchen Sisters Present
An excellent podcast. Their website describes it best - “Stories from the b-side of history. Lost recordings, hidden worlds, people possessed by a sound, a vision, a mission. The episodes tell deeply layered stories, lush with interviews, field recordings and music.” Can contain NSFW and upsetting themes.
I would recommend episode 34 - "The Vietnam Tapes of Michael A. Baronowski", episode 37 - “Bone Music”, and episode 44 “Black Chef, White House”.
Legends of Surgery
A doctor with a boring voice reads out wikipedia articles. I’m convinced that’s what he does. Either way, there’s the occasional interesting fact, and I find it to be excellent white noise.
The Librarian is In
I’m including this one despite it being fairly new to me, and having only listened to three episodes. Two librarians from the New York Public Library discuss books and more. Sounds great, and I was really excited by it, but I just don’t like one of the hosts. At all.
the memory palace
Nate DiMeo takes a story, and in less than twenty minutes, using only audio, makes you feel like you’ve experienced it yourself. Can’t praise this podcast highly enough. Would recommend episode 132 - “Ida Lewis”.
omega tau
Fairly detailed discussions on science and engineering. The host interviews people with interesting jobs, and the episodes are usually a couple of hours long. Can be fairly dry.
Opening Arguments
If you want to learn more about {US} legal stuff you could try this. I’m including this podcast despite having only listened to one episode because I found it to be very helpful, and perhaps it may be useful to others.
Song Exploder
jesp’s future husband Hrishi Hirway talks to musicians about the creation process behind one of their songs.
The Story Collider
Stories told by those in science and technology, but not always about science and technology. Great podcast. Some episodes contain adult themes.
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Fairly enjoyable, and it does definitely cover stuff that I didn’t learn in history class. No particular episodes to recommend, best to just pick one with an interesting sounding title and go from there.
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Sound designers talk about sound. Follows the same format as 99pi.
48 Hours
I know I’ve listened to a few episodes, and I know that I liked them, but that’s all I remember.
Ear Hustle
Stories about life in prison, shared by those in prison. NSFW, adult themes.
The Ghost Museum
gdi jim and chels where are you. Funny, frustrating. Ostensibly about scary stuff like ghosts, but half of each episode is devoted to other stuff.
Invisibilia
Good. A product of NPR, and it shows.
Seven of Wine
Two people discuss an episode of Star Trek Voyager while drinking a bottle of wine. Pretty good and I laugh at it often.
The Undifferentiated Medical Student
A medical student with a voice I have no opinion of interviews people about their medical specialities. I like this podcast as white noise.
The West Wing Weekly
jesp’s future husband Hrishi “from Song Exploder and The One AM Radio” Hirway and Joshua “I’m the most annoying person ever” Malina discuss an episode of the West Wing each week. I gave up on it a long while ago because Josh "I was on West Wing, don't you know" Malina is so annoying, but the episodes I did get through were otherwise good.
For my list, I’ve chosen to include most, but not all, the podcasts I listen to. Along with this, for some, I do only listen to the occasional episode. Some of the podcasts in my list contain potentially adult or upsetting content and I’ll try to mention that in the description of them, but please do check for yourself before listening if this is important to you.
99 Percent Invisible
It’s about design.
Alice Isn’t Dead
A truck driver searches America for her dead wife. To say any more would spoil too much of the story. Three seasons of ten (or so) episodes each, created by Joseph Fink of Welcome to Night Vale fame. Contains violence and other adult themes.
Within the Wires
Surreal audio guides. To me, not quite as good as Alice Isn’t Dead, but certainly different and not too bad. Created by Jeffrey Cranor, also of Night Vale fame.
The Allusionist
Linguistic adventures. I enjoy this podcast quite a bit. Easier for you to listen to an episode or two rather than trying to describe it here. Would recommend episode 79, “Queer”. Some episodes contain nsfw language.
Bedside Rounds
A doctor with an annoying voice talks about the history of medicine. Not much more to it than that.
Dreamboy
A fairly new podcast, coming from the Night Vale people. Its weird, but not effortlessly so. Still not sure if I'd describe it as good. Contains NSFW language and strong adult themes right from the start. Main character is a relatable {to me, for the first few minutes} gay dude, then a zebra gets involved.
Futility Closet
The best podcast in the world. Greg and Sharon Ross, along with Sasha the podcat, share interesting stories from the past. The first few episodes are a little shaky, but when they switch the last section of the show to lateral thinking puzzles it becomes great.
Hello Internet
Pretty boring honestly, but I feel like I’m stuck with it. Often only listened to when I’ve gone through my other podcasts for the week.
How I Built This
Rich people talk about how they got rich. Have only listened to a couple of episodes, but included it here in case any of the people featured are of interest to anyone here.
Imaginary Worlds
Discussion on creating science fiction and fantasy worlds. Can be interesting.
The Kitchen Sisters Present
An excellent podcast. Their website describes it best - “Stories from the b-side of history. Lost recordings, hidden worlds, people possessed by a sound, a vision, a mission. The episodes tell deeply layered stories, lush with interviews, field recordings and music.” Can contain NSFW and upsetting themes.
I would recommend episode 34 - "The Vietnam Tapes of Michael A. Baronowski", episode 37 - “Bone Music”, and episode 44 “Black Chef, White House”.
Legends of Surgery
A doctor with a boring voice reads out wikipedia articles. I’m convinced that’s what he does. Either way, there’s the occasional interesting fact, and I find it to be excellent white noise.
The Librarian is In
I’m including this one despite it being fairly new to me, and having only listened to three episodes. Two librarians from the New York Public Library discuss books and more. Sounds great, and I was really excited by it, but I just don’t like one of the hosts. At all.
the memory palace
Nate DiMeo takes a story, and in less than twenty minutes, using only audio, makes you feel like you’ve experienced it yourself. Can’t praise this podcast highly enough. Would recommend episode 132 - “Ida Lewis”.
omega tau
Fairly detailed discussions on science and engineering. The host interviews people with interesting jobs, and the episodes are usually a couple of hours long. Can be fairly dry.
Opening Arguments
If you want to learn more about {US} legal stuff you could try this. I’m including this podcast despite having only listened to one episode because I found it to be very helpful, and perhaps it may be useful to others.
Song Exploder
jesp’s future husband Hrishi Hirway talks to musicians about the creation process behind one of their songs.
The Story Collider
Stories told by those in science and technology, but not always about science and technology. Great podcast. Some episodes contain adult themes.
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Fairly enjoyable, and it does definitely cover stuff that I didn’t learn in history class. No particular episodes to recommend, best to just pick one with an interesting sounding title and go from there.
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Sound designers talk about sound. Follows the same format as 99pi.
48 Hours
I know I’ve listened to a few episodes, and I know that I liked them, but that’s all I remember.
Ear Hustle
Stories about life in prison, shared by those in prison. NSFW, adult themes.
The Ghost Museum
gdi jim and chels where are you. Funny, frustrating. Ostensibly about scary stuff like ghosts, but half of each episode is devoted to other stuff.
Invisibilia
Good. A product of NPR, and it shows.
Seven of Wine
Two people discuss an episode of Star Trek Voyager while drinking a bottle of wine. Pretty good and I laugh at it often.
The Undifferentiated Medical Student
A medical student with a voice I have no opinion of interviews people about their medical specialities. I like this podcast as white noise.
The West Wing Weekly
jesp’s future husband Hrishi “from Song Exploder and The One AM Radio” Hirway and Joshua “I’m the most annoying person ever” Malina discuss an episode of the West Wing each week. I gave up on it a long while ago because Josh "I was on West Wing, don't you know" Malina is so annoying, but the episodes I did get through were otherwise good.