I've been down a black hole and it's called podcasts. I've never really been one for podcasts or really listening to anything that wasn't music. Like so many others, I became mildly obsessed with Serial back in the fall. I had never listened to a podcast before and didn't really have an inclination to, but never wanting to be left out of a pop culture craze, I jumped in with both feet and couldn't get enough!
Following Serial, I gave up on podcasts, but recently I was inspired to get back on board. I put out a call on Instagram for some podcast recommendations and today I'm rounding up some of my favorites!
Fresh Air. This is a great podcast for keeping up with pop culture. The first episode I listened to was an interview with Billy Crystal and Josh Gad and I was immediately hooked. Other episodes of interest: DJ Mark Ronson, Louis C.K., Graham Yost, who is the EP on Justified, an interview with a former SeaWorld trainer, and I have many more in the queue.
This American Life. I enjoy the randomness of this one. Lots of different stories about very different things. Yesterday, I listened to Same Bed, Different Dreams, stories of people who are tied together but have very different hopes and dreams.
Undisclosed: The State vs. Adnan Syed. This is kind of like a follow up to Serial, but by a different group of people. It's a different way of storytelling, and as the narrator admits, not a beautifully crafted narrative like Serial is. You need to listen to Serial prior to this one, so if you haven't...well what have you been doing for the last six months?
The Bugle. This was recommended by a friend whose opinion I trust implicitly, but I just haven't had a chance to listen yet. I have a few episodes downloaded though!
Nerdist. Love love love. I'm a self-proclaimed pop culture nerd and so is Chris Hardwick. It also now makes me appreciate his street cred prior to getting the Talking Dead gig on AMC (a post-mortem of The Walking Dead each week). This also features various interviews. I recently listened to Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and I loved it.
WTF with Mark Maron. More pop culture here. Funny interviews with big stars, pop culture icons and more. I tend to prefer the style of Nerdist and Fresh Air a bit more, but this is also a solid listen with huge name guests.
Also on my list to try based on your recommendations: Spilled Milk, The Moth, America's Test Kitchen, Doug Loves Movies, Cashing in with TJ Miller, The Motivating Mom and The Chalene Johnson Show.
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what are your favorites?