Top 20 Podcast Episodes of 2017
I love podcasts, but I did not include the podcasts I am on (Three Angry Nerds and Goodbye Mello Brick Road) out of fear of nepotism. Honorable mention for The Weekly Planet’s Edgar Wright and D23 podcasts.
20. The All Parks and Recreation Podcast (TV Avalanche) — The mega TV podcast, hosted by Alan Sepinwall and Brian Grubb, had a delightful Parks and Rec podcast where they drafted characters. I listened to it when I got a vaccine for meningitis.
19. Urgent Messages Go Unanswered (Modern Love) — The Andrew Rannells narrated episode was very thought provoking. I listened to it while exercising.
18. Top Ten Things We Love About Spaceship Earth (WDW Radio) — I love when Lou Mongello talks about my favorite, underrated rides. I listened to this on the way to biology class. Other great episodes include Haunted Mansion and Pandora.
17. Jason Mraz: Choco-mole and Pie (Ask Me Another) — This podcast is my Star Wars. I love hearing Mraz speak. I listened to this on a walk at night.
16. The Red Coats (Lore) — In a year of great Lore episodes, this one stood out. I listened to it while walking past the woods.
15. Seth Meyers & Michael Shoemaker (Late Night with Seth Meyers Podcast) — I loved this behind the scenes look at the best late night TV show around. I listened to this at Roots Cafe.
14. Future Self (Invisibilia) — This was a haunting, challenging, depressing episode of a great NPR original. I listened to this at a bus station in Wells, Maine.
13. Coco and Coming of Age in the Pixar Universe (Binge Mode) — The podcast devoted to Game of Thrones took an interesting hard left into Coco and the themes Mallory and Jason tackled were delightful. I listened to this while leaving jazz class.
12. Mercy: The Servant of Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter and the Sacred Text) — The podcast that tackles a chapter of the Potter saga each week had a standout episode on mercy. I listened to this on the way to my dorm.
11. Space Men (StoryCorps) — A wonderful podcast about space. I listened to this heart-warmer/tear-jerker on a walk from the local airport.
10. The Joshua Tree Anniversary Tour (U Talkin’ U2 to Me?) — Two great eps from the U2 podcast came this year, but I found the Joshua Tree one slightly funnier and filled with more anticipation. I listened to this on a walk to my local school.
9. The 25 Best Movies of the Century So Far and Lorde’s Melodrama (The Watch) — I love hearing Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan talk, but I love it even more when an episode like this is released in time for a long bus ride. I listened to it on the way back from Wells, Maine and it was amazing. I love hearing discussions about Lorde and Zodiac. Other great episodes include ones about Baby Driver, Jonathan Groff, Lady Bird, Game of Thrones, and Thor: Ragnarok.
8. Lorde (WTF with Marc Maron) — Speaking of Lorde, she had a great interview with Marc Maron. I got chills multiple times, like when she sang Phil Collins and the two had a great rapport. I listened to this on the first day of classes in the English building. Other great episodes include Pete Davidson and Greta Gerwig.
7. Curb Your Enthusiasm (Origins) — Jim Miller did two, very long episodes of Origins this year, one about Curb and one about ESPN. I slightly preferred the Curb oral history. I listened to this in a UMass dining hall.
6. Food Fight: Thanksgiving Sides (House of Carbs) — The Thanksgiving episode of the best food podcast around was among my most anticipated episodes of the year and it did not disappoint. I listened to this in the living room.
5. Obama’s Last Interview (Pod Save America) — What a way to kick off a podcast! It was so great to hear President Obama rib his former speechwriters. I listened to this on a flight from Orlando to Boston.
4. 2017 Holiday Spectacular (Comedy Bang! Bang!) — Any episode with Gino and Ho Ho and John Lennon would be here, of course. But throw in Ernie Bread? Guaranteed top five slot. I listened to this in the living room with my family. Other great episodes include the 500th and Solo Bolo Cincolo.
3. Seth Meyers and Michael Schur (The Bill Simmons Podcast) — This would have been on here, regardless of whether or not the Patriots defeated the Steelers. But I love listening to all three of these people and I cherish this episode. I listened to this on a flight from Orlando to Boston. Other great episodes include the reactions to the Oscars (!!) and the Super Bowl (!!!!!), a countdown of the twenty-five best Patriots games, and interviews with Paul Thomas Anderson, Nathan Fielder, and Will Ferrell.
2. Face/Off (The Rewatchables) — It was not the best movie discussed by The Rewatchables, but it was definitely the funniest episode (and it was live!) because I spit water out twice. I listened to this on an evening walk across campus. Other great episodes include The Silence of the Lambs, A Few Good Men, and Zodiac.
- Holiday Songs Draft (The Poscast) — Mike Schur, Joe Posnanski, Linda Holmes, Brandon McCarthy, Alan Sepinwall, Mike DiCenzo, Christmas music, Trans Siberian Orchestra. Need I say more? I listened to this in my living room with Christmas decorations all around. Other great episodes include drafts of Classic Movies They Never Saw Before, Utensils, Salty Snacks, and Things About Rafael Devers’ Home Run Against the Yankees.
