Highly bingeable podcasts, part II
Hey you, sitting at home. Sick of the screens? Are your favourite podcasts on hiatus? Do you just need to escape into something else for a bit? I feel you, and I got you. Here are eight picks that hooked me in from start to finish. I hope you find something new to you!
14 Days with Felicity
From the same team that brought us Gay Future, this podcast contains 14 mini-sodes that chronicle — via voice message — the jail stint of a certain celebrity convicted of college admissions fraud. It’s quick, very silly, and dense with quippy one-liners and running gags. It’s hard to pick a favourite between the unsupervised youngest daughter who keeps having mishaps with household appliances, Lindsey Lohan’s “beatboxing” about Mykonos, or any one of the dozens of absurd Hollywood parodies.
Striped: The Story Of The White Stripes
This podcast tells the origin story of The White Stripes, from their very first shows in Detroit. It’s published by Jack White’s record label Third Man Records, which is one answer to the pervasive “How to use licensed music in my podcast” question. It’s a delicious treat for superfans like me, but anyone with an interest in rock history would be entertained.
You’re Wrong About
Two journalists tell the whole stories of people that dominated the media in the past decades and in doing so debunk the mainstream narratives. Some episodes feature maligned celebrities like Anna Nicole Smith,Tammy Fae Bakker, or Janet Jackson. Others tackle those like Terri Schaivo, Lorena Bobbitt, or Elián González who were thrust into the spotlight unwillingly by tragic circumstances. I was blown away by the real story of Kitty Genovese as the (literal) textbook example for “bystander apathy”. Hosts Sarah Marshall and Michael Hobbes have crafted a rare gem that manages to be both cake and broccoli. They maintain the lightness of a chumcast, while tackling very tough topics and I always feel like I’ve learned something.
Mic Drop
This podcast gives an uninterrupted voice to Gen Z. Each episode contains three first-person stories from teenagers on friendship, family, identity, goals, struggles. One particularly magical “power of audio” moment was when we got halfway through one boy’s story before learning that he uses a wheelchair. (As a bonus for media geeks like me, this production is the result of a collaboration between regional radio station CBC Montréal and the Toronto-based CBC Podcasts unit. I do love a collaborative journalism project!)
Sold in America
This is a standout example of going where the reporting takes you. Journalist Noor Tagouri wanted to cover sex trafficking in the US. The more reporting she did, the more she realised that she needed to broaden the scope of her investigation. Also, props to the team for their audience engagement hack of texting a number to get accompanying visuals during the episodes.
Moonface
Featured on nearly all 2019 best-of-the-year playlists, Moonface is a fictionalised autobiography of a Korean American man living in Los Angeles. He’s getting started in audio creation, navigating friendships, and coming out to his mom. Creator James Kim is a gifted storyteller, the narrative pulls you into this universe and holds you there like a great book or series… or podcast!
Believed
It took me a while to listen to this one because I knew it was going to be heavy, but once I started, I finished all the episodes in one go. The team from Michigan public radio deftly reports on the decades long history of sexual abuse by doctor Larry Nasser. They manage to clearly inform, without being graphic, voyeuristic, or overly victimising. Mandatory listening for any journalist covering sexual violence or abuse.
The Dream
This podcast succeeds in its ability to blend the familiar with the novel. The entry point is something we’re all aware of: multi-level marketing companies. Growing up, lots of friends’ moms and mom’s friends would throw parties where you were expected to buy things because it was the “polite” thing to do, and perhaps start selling yourself. The investigation takes you through the history, legality and legacy of these companies and sheds light on why they continue to succeed in financially exploiting so many. Season two takes on the vast and unregulated wellness industry with the same investigative rigour.
