Podcasts have been all the rage these past few years. As they've grown in popularity, many streaming platforms carry even the weirdest and obscure ones. I've compiled a list of some of the podcasts that I listen to almost every day. I am sure you will be able to find one that you love.
Radiolab
Radiolab was the first podcast that I ever listened to. It remains one of my favorites ever. I enjoy all of their content and the way that they edit and use sound to help you dive into the story. I also love that they bring in the experts and ask questions. Radiolab is almost like a min-documentary. They bring you facts, experts, and make you think. They have a broad range of subjects and some that you may not have thought of before.
"Radiolab began as an exploration of science, philosophy, and ethics using innovative composition and sound design. Radiolab has expanded and evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling. The show challenges its listeners’ preconceived notions about how the world works. Radiolab provokes, it moves, it delights, and it asks its audience to see the world around them anew."
Some of my favorite episodes on the show are :
Dark side of the Earth
Border Trilogy 1-3
Americanish
G:Unfit
Lore
I first discovered this podcast when I saw the series on Amazon Prime. Aaron Mahnke, creator and the narrator of Lore, is an amazing storyteller. He keeps you engaged and at the edge of your seat. He sets up the story by giving you a captivating hook of a similar theme that you could relate to in your life and compares it to the Lore. I am a big fan of shows that deal with the supernatural. Mahnke uses real Lore that exists in the United States in different countries. As many say, there is always some truth to the Lore. I highly recommend this podcast. Just don't listen to it at night, or you may not be able to sleep.
"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."
My favorite episodes:
Covered Mirrors
Making a Mark
The Shadows
Forgotten
Throughline
I have recently come across Throughline and, it has quickly become one of my top favorite podcasts. I listen to this show right before going to bed or when I wake up on my way to class. This podcast has made me more informed and understands different issues. It seems that everything in the news can just come out of nowhere. In reality, so many decisions and actions have led to these results. Throughline focuses on issues in the United States but does have international as well.
"The past is never past. Every headline has a history. Join us every week as we go back in time to understand the present. These are stories you can feel and sounds you can see from the moments that shaped our world."
Some of my favorite episodes:
American Exile
El Libertador
Four Days In August
The Moth
Kingpins
If you find yourself watching shows like Narcos or The Irishman on Netflix then, you'll definitely like this one. Kingpins is like a mini-documentary on crime lords. From their origin story to the height of their criminal activity. I think what is most interesting is the way they were able to network throughout their life to ultimately become the kingpin or queenpin that we know of today.
"Undeniable power. Unbelievable stories. Unlikely origins. Kingpins follows the rise and fall of rulers of the underworld. Every Friday, we examine the leaders of organized crime rings, and how money and power corrupted and changed their communities. What makes a kingpin or queenpin, and how can we stop them? "
Some of my favorite episodes:
Boss of All Bosses- Carlo Gambino
The Torture Gang- Charlie Richardson
The King of Cocaine- Pablo Escobar
Black Caesar- Frank Matthews
Crime Junkie
One of the most popular true-crime podcasts, Crime Junkie, covers stories from all over the world. A lot of the coverage is from their research, and they try to give you the whole perspective of what happened. They cover cases ranging from serial killers to missing persons. This podcast is not for the weak.
Most recently, they covered the murder of Vanessa Guillen in Fort Hood, Texas. A very heartbreaking story. This case gained national attention and outcry for the lack of investigation and accountability. She was an American soldier who died on U.S Soil. However, there is more to this case than meets the eye.
"If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people."
Some of my favorite episodes:
Conspiracy: Fort Hood
Infamous: Bathtub Killer
Murdered: Breanna Moore
Serial Killer: Rodney Alcala