Podcast Recommendations

Recently, I’ve become hooked on podcasts. I don’t just find them enjoyable … I HAVE BECOME OBSESSED.

I listen to podcasts all the time: while driving to university, while cleaning, while trying to do homework (although that last one doesn’t always work out). Podcasts are perfect for audiobook lovers.

I’ve gotten a lot of my friends into podcasts – the same type of friends who claim they don’t have enough time. The fact is, you do! You can literally listen to podcasts whenever you can! Do you take the train to work and listen to music on the ride? Listen to a podcast instead. Do you drive into work or uni? Listen to a podcast! Are you going on a road trip? Listen to a podcast!

They’re just so much fun!

So, I wanted to create a list of all my favourite podcasts so you can find your next obsession too!

Scroll down to the very end of this post to read up on how to listen to the podcasts and how to support the creators.

 

The Adventure Zone

The Adventure Zone is loosely based on the Dungeons & Dragons game series. Hosted by a group of brothers and their father, the podcast features family solving problems, fighting enemies and levelling up characters in a series of hilarious and cinematic encounters.

Created by: Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy
Status: On-going — updates multiple times a month
Episodes: 99, split into different adventures: Balance = 69; Commitment = 5; Amnesty = 10; Dust = 4; Bonus = 11
Runtime: 90 mins+ 
Website: The Adventure Zone

Laura’s review:

I’ve only listened to the first six episodes of The Adventure Zone — hey, they’re long! — the ‘Here There Be Gerblins’ adventures, and it was touching, entertaining and addictive as hell. The brothers are hilarious, and the characters they play are complex and loveable. I’ve also heard that the show creators have a really strong connection with the fans, which means that the show has plenty of diversity. It’s a one-of-a-kind podcast!

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Alice Isn’t Dead

A truck driver searches across America for the wife she had long assumed was dead. On her way, she encounters serial killers who aren’t what they seem, towns lost in time, and realises that there’s a larger conspiracy at foot, on that goes beyond her wife’s disappearance.

Created by: Joseph Fink
Status: On-going — updates bi-monthly
Episodes: 33
Runtime: 20-40 mins
Website: Alice Isn’t Dead

Laura’s review:

This dark podcast is very easy to binge on: the same storytelling skills of Welcome to Night Vale are all apparent, but this show is so different from it’s predecessor, it’s in a league of its own. Each memorable episode calls you back in for the next, and keep you guessing.

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ars PARADOXICA

When an experiment goes horribly wrong, Dr Sally Grissom finds herself trapped in the past during WWII, and thrown into the activities of a secret branch of the US government. Grissom and her team have many adventures while searching for meaning in the universe, but soon find out that power corrupts.

Created by: Daniel Manning and Mischa Stanton
Status: On-going — updates bi-monthly
Episodes: 36
Runtime: 25-45 mins
Website: ars PARADOXICA

Laura’s review:

ars PARADOXICA is one of the most intriguing podcasts I’ve ever come across. Cleverly mixing accurate historical events with sci-fi elements, time travel and conspiracies, the story is engaging from start to finish. The characters are fascinating and definitely loveable and at the heart of the show. If, like me, you love mysteries and thrillers, and a good old conspiracy, definitely give podcast a listen.

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The Bright Sessions

The Bright Sessions is a science fiction podcast that follows a group of therapy patients. But these are not your typical patients — each has a unique supernatural ability. The show documents their struggles and discoveries as well as the motivations of their mysterious therapist, Dr. Bright.

Created by: Lauren Shippen
Status: Concluded
Episodes: 56
Runtime: 20-50 mins
Website: The Bright Sessions

Laura’s review:

Oh, my heart. This is one of the most beautiful and entertaining podcasts I’ve ever listened to. The characters are rich, complex and highly endearing – you will fall for each and every one of them. The show tackles really intense topics, like mental illness, sexuality, violence, consent, and so much more. It just ended, but the creator has signed with Tor to release a three-book YA series, staring 2019!

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TANIS

A man named Nic Silver is our guide on the journey to discovering ‘Tanis’. What is Tanis, you may ask? Well … that’s the whole point of the podcast.

Created by: Daniel Manning and Mischa Stanton
Status: On-going — updates multiple times a month
Episodes: 45
Runtime: 30-50 mins
Website: TANIS

Laura’s review: 

TANIS is a very weird podcast. If you miss or skip even one podcast, you’ll have no idea what is happening, so concentration is key. So I wouldn’t listen to this show when driving, if I were you. But I ultimately believe it’s all worth the confusion: the show is suspenseful, intriguing and you honestly have no idea where it’s going to go next.

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Welcome to Night Vale

Welcome to Night Vale is a podcast in the style of community radio updates for the small desert town of Night Vale, featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff’s Secret Police, mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events. It’s a town where the conspiracy theories are real and the townspeople just go with it.

Created by: Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor 
Status: On-going — updates bi-monthly
Episodes: 130
Runtime: 20-35 mins
Website: Welcome to Night Vale

Laura’s review:

You know how Harry Potter basically created YA fiction as we know it today? Well, Welcome to Night Vale is the Harry Potter of fictional podcasts. It’s a funny show with adorable characters that dig their way into your heart.  It’s so weird – like so, so weird, and oftentimes you’ll have no idea what’s going on, but that’s the whole point of it: you’re one of the citizens of Night Vale, just trying to get on with things while shit falls to pieces around you.

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Wolf 359

Doug Eiffel, the communications officer for the U.S.S. Hephaestus Research Station, is stuck on a scientific space mission, 7.8 light years from Earth. His only company on board the station are the stern Commander chief Minkowski, the weird science officer Hilbert, and the station’s malfunctioning AI system, HERA. He spends most of his days monitoring static and intercepting the old radio broadcasts from Earth, and the rest of his time creating audio logs about the ordinary, day-to-day happenings on the station. But Hephaestus station is an odd place, and soon Doug and his team find out that their mission isn’t at all what they thought it was.

Created by: Gabriel Urbina 
Status: Concluded
Episodes: 61
Runtime: 15-45 mins
Website: Wolf 359

Laura’s review:

If you want to listen to a podcast that is equal parts hilarious and suspenseful, then look no further then Wolf 359. It’s a show that will have you laughing one second over something stupid that Eiffel did, and clutching your chest the next when you realise there’s a government conspiracy going on. I highly recommend this gem of a show.

 

Cults 

This podcast examines the rise and fall of cults, specifically, what motivates someone to join a cult, and what motivates someone to lead it? What goes on in the mind of someone like that? Discover the history and psychology behind some of the world’s most notorious cults.

Created by: Parcast Network 
Status: On-going — updates weekly
Episodes: 41
Runtime: 50-60 mins
Website: Cults

Laura’s review:

Cults explores the psychology and the people behind some of the most notorious and dangerous cults of the 20th century. It’s a terrifying podcast that will give you chills, but it’s one I wholeheartedly recommend if you’re into the macabre or the motivations of cult leaders.

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The British History Podcast

A chronological telling of the history of Britain. This podcast begins in the Ice Age and moves along towards modern times, watching the drama of human history play out.

Created by: Jaime Jeffers
Status: On-going — updates thrice monthly
Episodes: 283
Runtime: 20-40 mins
Website: The British History Podcast

Laura’s review:

What I love most about this podcast is that it doesn’t just relate dates and important events in a monotone voice that sounds like your old history high school teacher. Instead, the show brings to life the people that shaped British history: from kings to peasants. You get a real taste of history through this podcast — even someone who doesn’t know a thing about Britain, or doesn’t much care for history, will enjoy it. It feels like you’re listening to an interesting story, rather than learning about history.

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History in Five Minutes

History in Five Minutes is exactly what the name suggests: history in five minutes. You learn about all sorts of little known facts or events, from world-wide history.

Created by: Michael Rank
Status: Concluded
Episodes: 160
Runtime: 5-10 mins
Website: HI5M

Laura’s review:

If you’re a podcast newbie, I definitely recommend starting with History in Five Minutes. It’s such a short and quick podcast, and you learn so much from it. Michael Rank also has a great voice, so it’s easy to get swept up in the show and before you know it, you’ve listened to 10 episodes.

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Lore 

A collection of true life scary stories, Lore explores the darker side of history, discussing the people, places and the mythological creatures of our worst nightmares. Prepare to get scared.

Created by: Aaron Mahnke 
Status: On-going — updates bi-monthly
Episodes: 89
Runtime: 30-45 mins
Website: Lore

Laura’s review:

This podcast is perfect for horror fans or someone who doesn’t really like history. Lore definitely doesn’t feel like a history podcast, but that’s exactly what it is; but here, you learn about the superstitions and fairytales that many different cultures believe in. The podcast became so popular, Amazon actually turned it into a TV series.

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Stephen Fry’s Great Leap Years 

A six-part podcast that covers the world’s most powerful inventions, discoveries and revolutions that have helped shape our modern lives. From the Stone Age, to the creation of the Gutenberg Press, to modern technologies, the show tells the story of how our lives have been transformed by our predecessors, and that the future has already happened.

Created by: Stephen Fry
Status: Concluded
Episodes: 6
Runtime: 60 mins
Website: Great Leap Years

Laura’s review:

I just love Stephen Fry. He’s like a modern day Oscar Wilde. He is so eloquent and has this incredible way with words, I could listen to him speak all day. His podcast is about human progress and sent chills down my spine, because this guys knows what’s up. This podcast is enthralling and captivating, and you’ll be wishing there was more when you’re finished.

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Stuff You Missed in History Class

This podcast covers the history stuff that you never would have been taught in high school, from the Tunguska Event, to Alan Turning, to Aspasia and Pericles. Never heard of these people/things? Well, now you can!

Created by: How Stuff Works
Status: On-going
Episodes: Over 1000
Runtime: 20-45 mins
Website: SYMHC

Laura’s review:

Obviously I haven’t listened to every episode of this podcast, because they’re over 1000 of them, but I have listened to the ones that seem the most interesting. While the show has had multiple hosts, I love the current ones: Tracy and Holly. The podcast is so fascinating and you’ll be cursing your old high school curriculum for not teaching you this stuff.

 

Deviant Women 

This podcast discusses a different “deviant” woman from history, fiction, mythology and the contemporary world – a woman who isn’t afraid to break the rules or challenge the status quo, and someone who is considered deviant for her time.

Created by: Lauren Butterworth & Alicia Carter
Status: On-going — updates bi-monthly
Episodes: 38
Runtime: 60 mins
Website: Deviant Women

Laura’s review:

Lauren and Alicia are amazing hosts and I love listening to their witty repartee and amazing stories. They’re at times funny, sensitive and empowering, and listening to these stories makes me feel proud to share a history with such incredible women.

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Evil Genius  

Examining an cultural icon’s back story and history, and weighing up the good against the bad with a panel of judges, from John Lennon to Roald Dahl to Margaret Thatcher.

Created by: BBC
Status: On hiatus
Episodes: 10
Runtime: 25-35 mins
Website: Evil Genius

Laura’s review:

A very riveting podcast that tackles serious questions about real life cultural icons, but with humour. The pacing of the podcast is perfect and his panellists fun and engaging. You’ll find yourself questioning everything you ever thought about someone, and whether or not the good someone does can outweigh the bad.

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Revisionist History

Revisionist History goes back and reinterprets something from the past: an event, a person or an idea. It’s something obscure and almost lost to time, that is looked at through a modern perspective and placed within larger history.

Created by: Malcolm Gladwell
Status: On-going — updates weekly
Episodes: 29
Runtime: 35-45 mins
Website: Revisionist History

Laura’s review:

Revisionist History is a moving, powerful podcast that has had me on the verge of tears many times. Gladwell picks a random event or person from history – often something or someone you’ve never heard of – and connects it to a person, event or idea of today. I still completely adore the first episode. A great way to show how the past and present will always interconnect.

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S-Town 

John B. McLemore hates his Alabama country town and wants to change it, so he contacts Brian Reed, a producer of the podcast This American Life, and asks him to investigate the son of a wealthy family who’s been bragging about getting away with murder. But all is not as it seems as this podcast diverges from it’s original purpose and starts unearthing the mysteries of John’s life instead.

Created by: Brian Reed and Serial Productions  
Status: Concluded
Episodes: 7
Runtime: 45-60 mins
Website: S-Town

Laura’s review:

A very addictive podcast, S-Town (which stands for Shit Town) starts off as a potential murder investigation but soon turns into an examination of a man’s life and his work. John was a genius and he became very close friends with the host, Brian. What happens to John will keep you guessing over the season.

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Trump, Inc. 

A podcast dedicated to answering the questions about the President of the United States’ businesses. What deals is he making? Who are they with? Is his family separating the Trump Organisation from the White House?

Created by: WNYC Studios and ProPublica
Status: On-going — updates bi-monthly
Episodes: 18
Runtime: 15-45 mins
Website: Trump, Inc.

Laura’s review:

A very interesting and slightly angering investigation into Trump’s past businesses and deals. There are so many unanswered questions surrounding Trump and his family, and this podcast attempts to answer them. You’ll be enlightened. Maybe don’t listen if you’re a Trump supporter. Or maybe do, you might learn something.

 

Casefile

A podcast about true crime, from murders to sex crimes to the Dark Web. Sometimes fact is scarier than fiction.

Created by: Anonymous 
Status: On-going — updates multiple times a month
Episodes: 87
Runtime: 50-90 mins
Website: Casefile

Laura’s review: 

This is a scary podcast, be warned about that. But it is so interesting. The creator is named Brad and he’s Australian and that’s all we know about him, so even the creator is a mystery. The podcast will both intrigue and horrify you, as we delve head-first into theories and unspeakable crimes.

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My Favorite Murder

Lifelong true crime fans, comedians and best friends, Karen Kilgariff and and Georgia Hardstark tell each other their favourite murder stories, and also hear about stories from friends and fans.

Created by: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark 
Status: On-going — updates multiple times a month
Episodes: 128
Runtime: About 90 mins
Website: My Favorite Murder

Laura’s review:

This show is always recommended for true crime podcasts and for good reason. Karen and Georgia feel like two friends just catching up … but they’re talking about murder. They have great rapport and the stories they discuss are terrifying, but you want to keep listening.

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Serial

Season One follows the case of Hae Min Lee, a popular high school senior, who was murdered and whose boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was convicted. All these years later, Adnan (who is in prison) still maintains his innocence, and Sarah Koenig looks into his case. Season Two follows Bowe Bergdahl, a US solider, who had been a prisoner of the Taliban for five years. Everyone was celebrating Bowe’s return and then days later, people were calling him a traitor, and he was eventually charged with military crimes. Throughout it all, Bowe was silent, but now we get to hear his side of the story as Sarah looks into what really happened.

Created by: Serial Productions 
Status: Hiatus
Episodes: 23
Runtime: 40-60 mins
Website: Serial

Laura’s review:

I have only listened to the first season of this show, and that’s enough for me to highly recommend it. The case of Adnan Syed is angering, interesting and compelling. There were multiple times my opinion of him changed: I went into thinking he murdered Hae, but as the podcast developed, I changed my mind, then changed it again, and changed it some more. I still don’t know what I think, but I do know the podcast presents the entire case in an incredible way. The podcast lead to the reopening of Adnan’s case.

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True Crime Garage

Two friends named Nic and Captain discuss captivating true crime cases in their garage, while drinking beer.

Created by: Nic and Captain 
Status: On-going — updates multiple times a month
Episodes: 221
Runtime: 50-60 mins
Website: True Crime Garage

Laura’s review: 

Nic and Captain are great narrators for this podcast, which has often been compared to My Favorite Murder. They like true crime and they like making each other laugh. They drink while they discuss the crimes, and it feels like you’re just hanging out with them.

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Up and Vanished 

Filmaker Payne Lindsay wanted to make a true crime documentary and he came across a missing person’s cases from his hometown. He then started an amateur investigation which turned into a podcast, following the disappearance of beauty queen and high school teacher Tara Grinstead – the oldest cold case in Georgia.

Created by: Payne Lindsay
Status: On hiatus
Episodes: 24
Runtime: 40-60 mins
Website: Up and Vanished

Laura’s review:

A very riveting podcast, Payne is very open with his intention for the podcast and how he dug to find an interesting case. Starting with absolutely no knowledge about podcasts, you follow along with Payne on this journey, learning as he does. What’s great about this podcast is that it has lead to an arrest, 12 years after Tara’s disappearance.

 

There are many ways to listen to these podcasts because they are all free! However, I have come across apps that offer a full range of podcasts such as Overcast and Pocket Cast, but these ones you have to pay for. I know it’s not much — like $4-$10 — but there are many great free apps out there.

Here’s how you can listen:

• I personally prefer using the the free phone app CASTBOX, available on both Apple and Android
• Podcast Republic
• Stitcher for Podcasts
• Podbay FM
• Soundcloud
• iTunes
• Google Play
• Spotify (small collection but growing)
• The individual podcast’s website

 

If you really enjoy a podcast, please consider supporting the creator/s on their Patreons! Many podcast creators have a Patreon page, but if they don’t you can donate directly on the individual podcasts’ website pages, which I have linked. If you have the means, please support them ☺️.

If you’re unable to support them by donating, then please consider leaving a review on the individual podcasts’ iTunes pages! Reviews really help support the shows!

A small note:

Writing big posts like this takes a lot of time and effort, and requires a huge amount of research. I primarily blog as a hobby, and would never ever demand compensation for my work, because it’s something I genuinely love doing – having lovely people like you read and/or comment on my posts is as much thanks as I need!

That being said, I am going to leave my Ko-fi button here, in case anyone feels like supporting me further – but please do not feel obliged. Have a wonderful day, friends!