Up (4) Another 10 Podcasts to Check Out in 2018

By now you should all know I am about that Podcast life. Lots of driving, lots of running, lots of cooking, lots of working. All great times to listen to podcasts. In just over a year and a half I have 10 more of my favorite podcasts. That is a total of 40 in that time. 8 Month ago I came out with 10 PODCASTS (X3) TO LISTEN TO IN 2018. 4 months before that, I released 10 More Podcasts You Should Listen to Today. And 6 months prior to that, in April of 2017, I wrote my first post called, "Top 10 Podcasts To Listen To Today".

Update: Check out the newest 20 at Let’s Talk Podcasts #6 and Singular Story #5

If you are up for it, let’s jump into the another 10 podcasts you should check out in 2018.

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10. Limetown

"Ten years ago, over three hundred men, women and children disappeared from a small town in Tennessee, never to be heard from again. American Public Radio reporter Lia Haddock asks the question once more, "What happened to the people of Limetown?""

Limetown is a fun fictional podcast series that is only 6 episodes. It’s a pretty simple story line narrated by a woman reporter and the series ends with a bang. The narration reminds me of the 1996 Play Station video game Resident Evil. Rumor has it season two will be released on Halloween 2018.

9. Cults

"Mystery. Manipulation. Murder. Cults are associated with all of these. But what really goes on inside a cult? More specifically, what goes on inside the minds of people who join cults and leaders who start them? Every Tuesday, Greg and Vanessa explore the history and psychology behind the most notorious cults. Cults is part of the Parcast Network and is a Cutler Media production."

Cults is the sister podcast to my #1 podcast from my last pod blog, Serial Killers. Greg and Vanessa (the hosts) do a great job explaining what goes into cults, how they begin, and how they eventually fall apart and end. Definitely check it out if you enjoyed Serial Killers or are interested in cults. With over 50 episodes you may need to browse to find an episode of your cult of choice. I suggest starting with episodes 1-2 on The Manson Family and then 3-4 on Heaven’s Gate. One of my other favs is about The People’s Temple and Jim Jones, episodes 19 & 20.

8. My Dad Wrote a Porno

"Imagine if your dad wrote a dirty book. Most people would try to ignore it - but not Jamie Morton. Instead, he decided to read it to the world in this groundbreaking comedy podcast. With the help of his best mates, James Cooper and Alice Levine, Jamie reads a chapter a week and discovers more about his father than he ever bargained for."

Cringey names and descriptions, awkward situations, sexual encounters, hilarious stuff. I’m not super into comedy podcasts currently, so this is my first comedy podcast I’ve posted about, but it seems like something my Dad could pull off. Definitely listen if you are in for a good laugh about the sexy story behind Belinda Blumenthal, who works sales in the pot and pans industry. The series gets a little repetitive, but I suggest listening to season one, or at least episode one. Funny stuff.

7. Kexp Presents Music That Matters

"Check out some of the KEXP DJ's favorite artists from the Pacific Northwest and around the world on-the-go. KEXP's Music That Matters weekly podcast brings you an exclusive mix of new music from the world's best independent artists."

Another music podcast for you since I love music, & love listening to new artists. This podcast from Seattle radio station KEXP includes hour long sessions, hosted by a DJ, of new and inspiring music of all genres. Some of my favorite episodes in this podcast are the running ones which give you upbeat music to listen to on your run and even some inspirational quotes. Many of the DJ sets include KEXP songs of the day.  KEXP song of the day was featured in the 3rd installment of 10 podcasts I enjoy listening to. You won’t find many chart toppers in the sessions, but if you like independent music, check this out.

6. Endless Thread

"The front page of the Internet--also known as Reddit--is making noise. Hosts Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson dig into the site's vast and curious ecosystem of online communities, collaborating with Reddit's 330 million users and over 140 thousand communities to find all kinds of jaw-dropping narratives. A collaboration between WBUR and Reddit."

A plethora of stories from redditors! I am a frequent lurker of Reddit, and if you are not, check it out and you just might become one as well. This podcast cover a variety of topics, posts, and stories that all come from reddit. Good story telling with some insightful comments from the people of reddit. Stories can be interesting, funny, informing, scary or just straight up out there.

5. Lore

"Lore is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed podcast about true life scary stories. Lore exposes the darker side of history, exploring the creatures, people, and places of our wildest nightmares. Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction."

Shoutout to Mary for letting me know about this podcast. Great non-fictional scary stories told every week, which is closing in on its 100th episode. I really enjoy the host of Lore and his story telling style. Episodes are around 35 minutes and will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are in for some frightening truthful stories from around the world, give it a listen.

4. Criminal

"Criminal Is A Podcast About Crime. Stories of people who've done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle."

Criminal is produced through Radiotopia, the podcast group of many of my favorites including 99% Invisible, Ear Hustle, Song Exploder and more! Criminal is hosted by Phoebe Judge, and features weekly stories of crime. I really enjoy the soothing yet spooky voice of Phoebe as she tells new 25 minute stories each week. They just eclipsed episode 100, so you have a large sampling to choose from.

3. Eat This Not That

"Eat This, Not That! takes a fun and informative look at how Americans eat. Whether it’s what we eat for breakfast on the go, what we pack for lunch, or how we fill our shopping cart and stock our pantry, we make more than 300 food decisions every day. Together, we’ll learn how to make better choices and eat all of our favorite foods, guilt-free!"

The “healthy” side of me got me interested in this one. Short little stories about food and what healthy choices we can make. Give these 15-25 minute episodes a listen for quick tips on how to store food in your fridge, how to cook meat properly, the best snacks to eat, ways to save at the supermarket and more!

2. American History Tellers

"Every part of your life -the words you speak, the ideas you share- can be traced to our history, but how well do you really know the stories that made America? We’ll take you to the events, the times and the people that shaped our nation. And we’ll show you how our history affected them, their families and affects you today."

This Wondery podcast (also created Sword and Scale & Dirty John from previous top 10 posts) hosted by Lindsay Graham features stories about specific historic events. It’s not your typical boring history lesson though. The host will set the scene, having you imagine you are there at that specific moment in history with great descriptors and detail. The show is up to 7 season so far, including the Cold War, Prohibition, the Age of Jackson, the Space Race, Natural Parks and the American Revolution. If you are interested in any of these topics, take a story telling deep dive into them through 6-8 part series where the narrator will put you in the shoes of a person living during that time.

1. Crimetown

"Welcome to Crimetown. Every season, we’ll investigate the culture of crime in a different American city. First up: Providence, Rhode Island, where organized crime and corruption infected every aspect of public life. This is a story of alliances and betrayals, of heists and stings, of crooked cops and honest mobsters—a story where it’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Hosted by Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier."

Easily the best podcast I’ve listened to over the past months has been Crimetown. It is simply so good. The first season is all about the true story of the mob in Providence, Rhode Island, home of Deer Tick, in the 20th century. With real audio recordings and interviews, the show blends multiple story lines of crime and characters throughout the season, drawing similarities to the tv show, The Wire. With characters like politician Buddy Cianci, master thief Tony Fiore, and crime boss Raymond Patriarca, you’ll be locked in from episode one. Oh, be sure to binge listen through all 18 episodes of season one, so you can prepare for season two, which is set to begin October 2018. I know I can’t wait for it.

And there you have it. These newest 10 podcast brings our total up to 40 great podcasts that I listen on the daily. Remember, if you haven't already seen, check out my previous installments: Top 10 Podcasts To Listen To Today, 10 More Podcasts You Should Start Listening To (Fall 2017), and 10 Podcasts (x3) to Listen to in 2018.

As a reminder, you can get all podcasts for free by downloading on itunes, listening on the websites (links provided above), or be like me, and use the podcast app on your phone.

If you have any podcast suggestions that you think I would enjoy, or that you believe I am missing out on, let me know! Oh, and since I started this blog off by sharing when I listen to my podcasts, I want to hear when you all listen to your podcasts. Leave me a comment below.

Now, get on your best playing device, and start listening.

Josh

10 Podcasts (x3) to Listen to in 2018

PODCASTS! I can't get enough of them! It has only been about a year since I started listening and I am back with 10 more of my favorites! Making that 30 total podcasts. 4 Months ago, I released 10 More Podcasts You Should Listen to Today. About 6 months before that, in April of 2017, I wrote a post called, "Top 10 Podcasts To Listen To Today".

Both of these posts were all about my suggestions of the best podcasts I had been listening to. I have received suggestions from friends and I still continue to drive around, so here are my 10 favorite podcasts I have been listening to lately. Don't forget to check out 1-10 and 11-20! Now it is time to listen.

Update: Check out the fourth installment from October 2018

Update #2: Check out the newest 20 at Let’s Talk Podcasts #6 and Singular Story #5

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10. KEXP Song of the Day 

"KEXP's Song of the Day podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP thinks listeners should hear along with songs from more well-known artists."

Seattle radio station KEXP releases a new song every Monday thru Friday. A great way to listen to new music and hear some new sounds. The genres of music vary week by week, from all around the world. KEXP also has a fantastic Youtube channel with tons of live performances. This is where I initially found out about this station. Check out one of my favorites of theirs lately. Deer Tick in the studio!

9.  Spooked

"Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. Be afraid. Created in the dark of night, by Snap Judgment and WNYC Studios. "

Real stories from real people, Spooked has it's good episodes and it's great episodes. Some of the stories from across the globe will give you goosebumps. Highly suggest to listen during the night, especially on a drive home or when around the house. Each episode is a stand alone story and there are only 13 episodes out from season 1 right now, so go get spooked! 

8. Dirty John

"Debra Newell is a successful interior designer. She meets John Meehan, a handsome man who seems to check all the boxes: attentive, available, just back from a year in Iraq with Doctors Without Borders. But her family doesn't like John, and they get entangled in an increasingly complex web of love, deception, forgiveness."

A six episode, true crime podcast series written by Christopher Goffard of the LA Times. It was initially a true crime story in the LA Times about a deceitful man who goes by the name of Dirty John. I didn't realize it until looking it up halfway through the podcast, but it is based on a true story. You can't trust just anyone. Fantastic story telling with thrilling scenes and descriptions. If you are in to crime story telling or crime podcasts, give it a listen. Plus, it's only 6 episodes, so go for it!

7. 30 for 30 Podcasts

"Original sports audio documentaries and more from the makers of the acclaimed 30 for 30 series by ESPN."

I am a big fan of the short film series 30 for 30 by ESPN. While not as good as the short films, the audio spin of these sports stories are a intriguing listen. I recommend checking out some of the stories, as there are currently only 2 seasons with 4 episodes each, so skim through and see which episode interest you most. Maybe you will find one of the stories that is close to home for me, the Lights at Wrigley. 

6. Planet Money

"The economy, explained, with stories and surprises. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, "Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy." Now imagine that's actually a fun evening. That's what we're going for at Planet Money. "

NPR goes in to discuss current events and things that effect the market with Planet Money. The economy and money all based around stories and events. Since I am trying to stay hip to the financial market and learn a little bit more about investing and budgeting, I have been enjoying this economic podcast. Episodes are stand alone, only about 20 minutes, and happen 2-3 times a week usually, check one out! 

5. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law

"Professor Elizabeth Joh teaches Intro to Constitutional Law and most of the time this is a pretty straight forward job. But with Trump in office, everything has changed. Five minutes before class Professor Joh checks Twitter to find out what the 45th President has said and how it jibes with 200 years of the judicial branch interpreting and ruling on the Constitution. Hosted by acclaimed podcaster Roman Mars, this show is a weekly, fun, casual Con Law 101 class that uses the tumultuous and erratic activities of the executive branch under Trump to teach us all about the US Constitution."

A Radiotopia podcast by the creator & host of my favorite podcast ever, 99% invisible, Roman Mars. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law discusses things that Trump has been doing and how it can teach us about the constitution of the USA. They are only 18 episodes in, and each covers a different amendment or constitutional article. If you are you like me and can't stand what Trump is doing, maybe this podcast can help you understand what he can and can't do.

4. Atlanta Monster

"From the producers of Up and Vanished, Tenderfoot TV and HowStuffWorks present, ‘Atlanta Monster.’ This true crime podcast tells the story of one of the city’s darkest secrets, The Atlanta Child Murders. Nearly 40 years after these horrific crimes, many questions still remain. Host Payne Lindsey aims to find truth and provide closure, reexamining the disappearance and murder of over 25 African American children and young adults."

This new podcast is by the creator of Up and Vanished and former Youtube (Right Side of the Tree) star, Payne Lindsey. Atlanta Monster is a crime/mystery podcast that goes into detail about the 25 missing children of Atlanta during the early 1980s. It's story telling and Stranger Things-esque music has kept me drawn in during the first 7 episodes that are out so far. Be sure to listen starting at episode one since it goes in chronological order. 

3. More Perfect

"Supreme Court decisions shape everything from marriage and money to public safety and sex. We know these are very important decisions we should all pay attention to – but they often feel untouchable and even unknowable. Radiolab's first ever spin-off series, More Perfect, connects you to the decisions made inside the court's hallowed halls, and explains what those rulings mean for "we the people" who exist far from the bench. More Perfect bypasses the wonkiness and tells stories behind some of the court’s biggest rulings."

"The Honorable, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court!" This kind of stuff was so boring to me when I was reading a textbook back in middle and high school. But now that I am an adult and I can see how it all shaped the history of the USA, it is pretty darn interesting. More Perfect, hosted by Jad Abumrad, is a podcast all about the supreme court and the cases that helped shape the United States of America. Each of the 19 episodes is stand alone, although they do reference older episodes sometimes, but feel free to pickup wherever you like. Shoutout to John for showing me this one.

2. Showcase

"Showcase, from PRX's Radiotopia, features original series of all stripes, from emerging and leading producers around the world. "

Showcase is currently on the third season. Each season is 7 episodes about that are based aroudn a specific topic. My favorite season had to be season two. If you are at all into old arcade games, or mysteries, I suggest you start there. Season two is the story of the Polybius Conspiracy, an urban legend surrounding an arcade machine in Portland, Oregon where children supposedly were abducted. Season one, Ways of Hearing, is also very unique and insightful. It discusses all the different ways that humans hear and how audio has changed over the years.  The current season, number three, is about Secrets. "The secrets we keep in our lives, and the overwhelming complexity of being human." These episodes need to be listened to chronologically by season, however, the seasons do not connect. Enjoy!

1. Serial Killers

"Every Monday, Serial Killers takes a psychological and entertaining approach to provide a rare glimpse into the mind, methods and madness of the most notorious serial killers with the hopes of better understanding their psychological profile. With the help of real recordings and voice actors, we delve deep into their lives and stories."

And my number one podcast that I have been listening to as of late 2017 and early 2018 is.... Serial Killers. Creepy, I know. This podcast, as the title states, takes a deep dive into serial killers. Each killer gets two episodes about him/her. No need to go in chronological order, just look up one of the 25 killers they have covered, and give it a listen. They have covered killers from Jack the Ripper, to Ted Bundy, to the Zodiac Killer, and even the man who almost took my dad when he was a kid, John Wayne Gacy (Haven't heard the story? Ask him about it some time!) It's kind of weird I am in to this stuff, and I know that many people are not, but I find the psychological aspects fascinating. Some of the material is definitely disturbing, but if anything, I am learning how to not raise my kids to be a killer! 

On top of Serial Killers, if you haven't checked it out on Netflix yet, I highly suggest Mindhunter, which goes into how the term serial killer was coined. 

Hopefully you can take some time out of your busy life to listen to these podcasts. Remember podcasts are FREE! So download on itunes, listen on their websites (links provided above) or be like me and use the Podcast app on your phone.

That brings the total to 30 great podcasts that I listen on the daily. Remember, if you haven't already seen, check out my first 10 podcasts to listen to: Top 10 Podcasts To Listen To Today, or check out 10 More Podcasts You Should Start Listening To (Fall 2017).

As always, let me know what you are listening to! What am I missing out on? Tell me in the comments! 

Get your headphones and get listening.

Josh