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Way back in June 2021, I wrote a blog listing a number of podcasts that I had been enjoying. A year and a half later, I have a list of 10 more podcasts that you might enjoy.
Their description: When a relic from his past is rediscovered, folklore professor Jeremy Bradshaw puts his life on hold to solve the mystery. Along the way, he’s helped by people who challenge everything he believes in, and ultimately tries to answer the question: can the past be rewritten?
My description: Old-time radio drama meets Stranger Things. A little traditional mystery, a little paranormal, a little folklore, a lot of familiar voices (Misha Collins, Nathan Fillion, and Wil Wheaton, to name a few).
Why I like it: I find that many paranormal-themed shows and podcasts are off-the-wall or over-the-top, but this story includes skeptical characters who act as the voice of reason questioning the source of the weirdness (much like Scully to Mulder in The X-Files). I also like the subplot of family relationships and how the past affects the present, especially when everything you thought was true gets turned on its ear.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: This podcast is an ongoing, serial story, so the best way to listen is to just start with Chapter 1: Remnants and go from there.
A new episode is posted every Friday (as of the date of this blog, we're up to Chapter 18, so you can catch up to real time very quickly.)
Stuff You Missed in History Class
My description: This podcast covers the interesting and odd bits of history that your teachers never covered in high school. Topics include historical figures, inventions, and events that should be more well-known than they are.
Why I like it: I am not exactly a history buff, but the topics covered here are fascinating. From weird murder cases to social experiments to natural disasters to interesting people (particularly women and minorities whose scientific or cultural contributions have been unfairly neglected), there are very few episodes that don't catch my attention - and give me something to talk about at parties when the conversation lags.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: The Astronaut Origins of Food Safety, Invention of the Dishwasher, Great Stork Derby.
Episodes are posted multiple times each week, including brand-new episodes, "SYMHC Classics" from deep in the archives (this is a looooong-running podcast), and "Behind the Scenes" with interesting tidbits and background information that didn't quite fit in the regular episode. There are literally years of episodes to check out before you catch up to the current ones.
The Rewatcher: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Their description: Welcome to the Hellmouth Weirdos! Your favorite Morbid hosts Ash and Alaina are branching out from true crime and heading to Sunnydale for the ultimate Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rewatch podcast! Alaina is a Buffy superfan and Ash has never watched a single episode, so whether you’re Team Angel, Team Spike, or have no clue who those people are…they’ve got you covered! Join them each week as they slay their way through the series, episode by episode, re-watching, and watching for the very first time. They’ll break down Buffy and her friends adventures through weekly recaps, categories, and awards while Ash takes some (wooden stake) stabs at predicting what she thinks will happen next. They'll also welcome the occasional Buffy cast member, guest star, or celebrity superfan to join in the slaying.
My description: A hilarious re-visit to the 1990s world of the BTVS television show, hosted by an enthusiastic fan and a semi-enthusiastic first-time watcher, giving you the combined perspectives of someone who knows how it all ends and someone who has no idea what's coming next.
Why I like it: Buffy was must-watch TV for me back in the day, and it's really fun going back to see how well the show holds up (quite well for the most part, surprisingly), especially viewing it from an adult perspective rather than a just-a-few-years-older-than-the-main-character perspective. The hosts' enthusiasm is infectious (if also occasionally a little annoying), and their commentary is sometimes as hilarious as the show itself. It's also fun to hear a critique of the '90s hair and fashion from someone who was a teen during that time. The recaps are complete enough that you can enjoy the pod even if you never watched the show or if you simply don't remember a particular episode.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: The Pack, Halloween, School Hard.
A new episode is posted every Monday, and they plan to continue through the end of the series. We're currently about halfway through Season 2, so 21 episodes have been posted as of this blog.
My description: Two L&O:SVU superfans analyze a random episode from the 20+-season run of the show scene by scene, then give a complete report of the crime (or one of the crimes) which inspired the episode, add an interview with someone involved with the episode (frequently a guest star, but sometimes a main character, writer, or producer), and then wrap up with "What Would Sister Peg Do?", a plug for a charity or service related to the issues of the episode, such as a home for battered women or resources for victims of sexual abuse.
Why I like it: I've enjoyed every incarnation of L&O, but SVU was a particular favorite. The fact that the series has been on the air for 21 seasons and is still going strong is a tribute to its quality. This podcast speaks to my love of both police procedurals and true crime. The hosts are sometimes a bit vulgar or overly political for my taste, but on the whole their commentary is funny and interesting, and the way they fangirl over some of the guests is absolutely charming.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: Collateral Damages, Mean, Plastic.
A new episode is posted every Tuesday, but with more than 100 episodes already posted, you can binge for quite a while before you have to wait for a new episode.
My description: Retelling of folk legends from throughout the world, often with a tongue-in-cheek take and frequently with a backstory you didn't know. Most episodes end with a description of an additional mythical creature.
Why I like it: I've always been interested in folklore, and especially in comparing similar legends and tales from different cultures. This podcast provides backstories and source material to some familiar legends that have been changed or sanitized over time (often - but not always - due to Disney films). And also because the episode descriptions usually read like this: "The story of why, no matter how good of an idea it sounds like after a few drinks, you shouldn't steal church bells and drop them into a nearby pond. You might awaken an ancient evil. Because of course you will."
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: Dragons: Pie Hard (the source of the description above), Viking Sagas: Half the Man, Japanese Folklore: Moonlight.
A new episode is posted every Tuesday, but there are more than 300 episodes already posted, so it'll be a while before you run out of stories.
My description: How to make a bad movie into an enjoyable movie: Watch it with hilariously snarky people who are in the business and can pick it apart on many levels - but who aren't afraid to admit that they still love it and will gladly watch it again.
Why I like it: Main host Paul Scheer (actor, writer, director, producer, cool dad) keeps the commentary on track, Scheer's wife June Diane Raphael (actress, podcaster, awesome mom) says what we're all thinking and isn't afraid to admit when she has no idea what's going on, and their buddy Jason Mantzoukas (actor, horndog, possible psychopath, and overall hilarious human being) brings the funny with his riotous (if occasionally R-rated) commentary, and frequently a guest host brings in a fresh perspective. Their analysis of what makes a movie terrible is surprisingly educational as to what also makes a movie terrific. Plus, they often know people connected with the films and can provide some background or insider information that makes the films even more entertaining.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: Congo w/ Nick Wiger, An American Werewolf in Paris - LIVE!, Dancin': It's On!.
Matinee Monday posts come from the archives; new episodes are posted on Fridays which may be a new review or "Last Looks," a follow-up to the previous week's episode, including commentary from listeners. Many of the new episodes are recorded live in front of an audience and include audience questions and comments.
Dressed: The History of Fashion
My description: Two fashion historians talk about all things related to fashion, from historical accuracy in period films, to how popular culture affects fashion trends, to upcycling in clothing design, to the Met Gala. Even if you're not a fashionista, there will probably be some episodes to fascinate you.
Why I like it: The hosts share enough background for each topic that you don't need to be a fashion historian yourself to appreciate the podcast. They cover a wide variety of topics that are more related to clothing - which we all wear - than "fashion" in the sense of high-end designers or French couture. They frequently interview people with fascinating jobs in the industry, like a high-end hatmaker, a costume designer for horror films, fashion museum curators, and a designer of traditional and contemporary Highland kilts.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: Batman Returns to Hocus Pocus with Costume Designer Mary Vogt, The Curious Case of Cellophane Couture: an interview with Clare Sauro, Highland Style: Fashioning Highland Dress, an interview with Rosie Waine.
Episodes are posted 2-3 times per week, often on Tuesday and Thursday, but sometimes on Wednesday and Friday, and occasionally on Saturday as well. Just keep checking to see if something new is up!
My description: A classic true-crime podcast, this one put together by professional investigative journalists and producers, so it comes off more polished than most. Most of the crimes covered are either recent, or recently updated, but sometimes they will feature a "classic" from some years ago.
Why I like it: I love true-crime podcasts but occasionally get annoyed by ignorant or biased hosts; the professional production of this pod means fewer conflicting comments, less bad reporting, and more in-depth, educated commentary. They do sometimes go a little overboard with manufactured drama or "reporter speak" (one host in particular is guilty of overly dramatic inflections), but in general the stories are more well-researched and well-told than similarly-themed podcasts.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: Killings in a College Town, Safari Story, Out of the Darkness.
New episodes are posted on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast
My description: Some diseases and conditions present simply and clearly; others are insidiously subtle and different with each patient. Each episode tells the story of a person suffering from a condition that is not immediately diagnosed, or that does not respond to treatment as expected, but which is finally figured out and properly treated.
Why I like it: As someone who suffers from a chronic condition, I understand what it's like to wonder if every little affliction is a symptom, and how frustrating it is when a treatment doesn't bring relief the way it should. These stories are not stories about a disease, or even a patient, but about a person, and their story of fear, confusion, pain, and eventually, relief.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: Case #02: Athena, Case #05: Kyle, Case #08: August.
This podcast ran from October through December of 2022, so there are only 8 episodes, but they're worth listening to.
My description: I've only started listening to this podcast, but it's basically a layman's guide to very specific areas of scientific study, provided via interviews with really smart people who study those areas.
Why I like it: I love science, but most scientific podcasts I've found are either too simplified or too complex. This one features a host who asks the questions I would ask if I were fortunate enough to sit down with an interesting scientist. I also like that, although some episodes are rated PG or R (for language or subject matter), there are occasionally rated-G episodes directed at younger listeners, charmingly designated "Smologies." I also appreciate that the title of each episode includes both the proper "ology" name and the layman's term.
A few good episodes to whet your appetite: Laryngology (VOICE BOX), part 2 with Ronda Alexander, Enigmatology (WORD PUZZLES) with David Kwong, Smologies #17: FLAGS with E. Tori Laitila.
New episodes are posted every Wednesday, with weekly episodes going back to 2017, so there are literally hundreds of older episodes for you to binge.
What podcasts have YOU been listening to lately?
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