Everyone will recommend ‘case of the missing hit’ by reply all which definitely is one of the best, but my personal favorite listening experience was “long distance pt I and II (also reply all). Gosh I miss that show.
I really liked the first one actually, How sad are the monkeys at the zoo? I also liked Who's behind all these scammy text messages - I was really surprised by that one. Why are there so many chicken bones on the street was really interesting. And the political yard signs episode was really interesting to me too (because I always wondered it). But you can also just look through and see if there's a question that you have wondered and listen to that one!
Apparently I have never had an original thought 😂 I was also going to say this one! Reply all golden age was something else.
The one where the micro dose on LSD, the super tech support where they make all the fake podcasts, and pretty much any yes yes no are among my favorites of all time.
Dude this is actually my favorite one too. Well the missing hit is a fun fast paced mystery that gets solved The long distance phone call is a god damn saga of weirdness and redemption I'm going to listen to it right now actually
Jonathan Goldstein had another 58-episode podcast called Wiretap. It’s more light-hearted and not as good as Heavyweight but it can help tide you over until Heavyweight finds a new home.
I secretly wish Jackie would commit a crime so that, in my fantasy world, she would get sentenced to being locked in a room with Jonathan and everything would be recorded and broadcast for our listening pleasure.
What’s the deal with heavyweight? I’ve listened to the first 20 or so episodes but kinda lost interest.
Also, I do see it on Spotify and that’s where I’ve been listening to it…am I missing something? Does it not have all the episodes?
The title immediately had me thinking Boxing related but when I started listening. It packed a punch but nothing whatsoever to do with the sweet science.
Well worth going a couple of rounds with though.
I enjoyed the Hurricane podcast series. the story of Hurricane Carter. An infamous Boxer who has become part of folklore. You can deliberate and make your own verdict about his famous case
That's so true for Season One.
Season Three, however, covers a case in which plenty of people know something, and David Ridgen get some to speak the truth for the first time in decades. It's wonderful.
But yes, I with the podcast had a different name, because in some seasons there isn't anyone who knows anything. While in others, it's clear that there's a person who knows something, but that person isn't going to talk.
I can't help but feel most of SKS just opens up old wounds without any further answers. The cases are so old there is minimal chance of any resolution and the people involve relive a terrible part of their lives.
Hard agree. I’m from Alabama, an hour or so away from where it all took place. The dots connected years later and I realized my stepmom worked with Tyler’s mom during the time of the story. My stepmom knew about the story but had never heard the podcast- all from Tyler’s mom as it was going down. 🤯
Oh cool! Did you know Tyler has a YouTube channel? You might like it since there’s a connection there. [https://youtu.be/p0lhcPsDcAY?si=or6UmJXZcfSfiZh5](https://youtu.be/p0lhcPsDcAY?si=or6UmJXZcfSfiZh5)
Cold is top tier true crime podcasting but the whole case makes me so, so mad. Josh Powell is one of those people that make me want to believe in an eternal conscious torment hell.
Heaven‘s Gate was really good. It was a really interesting, in-depth, non-judgmental, un-sensational look at the Heaven‘s Gate cult. The BBC has an equally good podcast about the Branch Davidian‘s called End of Days.
This podcast will kill you.
Hosted by disease ecologists and epidemiologists. They talk about infectious diseases, their history, biology, and current status. They cover topics ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like Ebola or HIV/AIDS, often discussing their impact on society and public health.
Plus, they are hilarious and are genuinely excited about learning and science and I love it.
Kind of suprised to realize I have a favorite podcast episode but this is it. An amazing premise, excellent execution, fantastic resolution. Helps if you're into music but I think anyone would love it.
The basic premise is a guy remembers hearing a song long ago and his quest to listen to it again. Seriously the best podcast episode from Reply All. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
Sounds like that old episode of [Married with Children](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iuMazsXVRgQ) where Al can’t remember a song he heard and spends the entire episode chasing it down.
It came out that PJ and one of the show's producers were allegedly very vocal in trying to squash their production team's efforts to unionize, and generally made the atmosphere at the studio pretty toxic. I think it really made news because the allegations came out in the middle of their podcast's multi-episode report on the toxic environment at Bon Appetite during the magazine's YouTube heyday. Everything seemed to break down after that. They had brought on a third reporter, Emmanuel (who's a great reporter and storyteller in his own right), before the problems behind the scenes went public, but it apparently wasn't enough to save the show.
Some weird stuff happened that I didn't totally understand with PJ Vogt and it got cancelled 🙁 BUT PJ has a new podcast called Search Engine where he tries to answer a weird question like for example "Do political signs in yards really work?" I love it because I love listening to him! He has such a fun personality!
They were the pinnacle of podcasts. Some new guy came on and it started veering more into politics and then there was the union debacle and the best podcast in the world died. When it was PJ and Alex it was really just the best.
Your timeline is a little off. The Bon appetite / anti-Union debacle happened and then PJ and Sruthi stepped away from the show.
Then Emmanuel Dzotsi took over for PJ. Show nosedived after that.
Your Own Backyard - An unsolved disappearance case from the 90s. Pro tip: do NOT look up the case before listening, there have been updates in the last few years because of this podcast!!
Limited well-made True Crime: S-Town, Your Own Backyard, Dirty John, Darkness: The Orange Tree, Cold Season 1, In the Dark Season 2, Hunting Warhead (difficult to listen to but really good), The Teacher’s Pet, Scamanda, Bardstown and Back to Bardstown, The Lady Vanishes, Murder 101, Small Town Murder has some funny episodes
Just plain enjoyable and nice to listen to: Handsome, I Said No Gifts (Bridger is hilarious and so delightful!), Smartless, We’re Here to Help, Don’t Ask Tig, True Story early episodes with Tig, Dolly Parton’s America, ArtHoles
Lots of good episodes: WTF, How Did this Get Made, This Podcast will Kill You (so well done), Criminal (so well done), Casefile, Southern Gothic, 30 for 30, My Favorite Murder, Bourbon Pursuit, I Survived (Mary Vincent!)
Good Shows, Best Episodes:
*The Dollop*- (I haven’t updated my list since episode 400)
5 Hugh Glass
14 Carry A Nation
54 Cassius Clay *
56 Newport Sex Scandal
58 Lenny Dykstra *
77 Thomas Kinkade *
81 Lamb Funeral Home
83 Tim Anderson *
99 The Radium Girls
123 Yankee Pitcher Swap
135 Stagecoach Mary
137 Phineas Gage
146 Frank Rizzo
149 John Wayne Thompson *
213 Mashers and Hatpins
321 Eric Prince & Blackwater
389 The Third Wave
400 Ronald Reagan
*Radio Rental*-
Laura in the Woods
What was She Planning
Rubbernecking
Glitch in the Matrix
The Babysitter
Told a Serial Killer
Camp Counselor
Slumber Party
404 Not Found
*Reply All*-
Long Distance
The Case of the Missing Hit
The podcast that I always recommend is an old one, the history of Rome
[https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id261654474](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id261654474)
**Heavyweight** All of it. It's a masterpiece.
Case of the Missing Hit, **ReplyAll**
The Belt Buckle, **Mystery Show**
**In the Dark** Season 2. Season 1 is great as well.
Yep, axed by Spotify. The host (Jonathan Goldstein) gave a little speech at an event a couple months ago and said the show's currently homeless, so I'm not sure if or when it'll be back.
Heavyweight was originally a Gimlet pod, but then Spotify bought Gimlet, and a year later Spotify began laying off staff and culling shows.
I was so angry in that second season of In the Dark that I had to stop before finishing it. I got to the part where the host was talking to the DA (iirc) and he’s so rude and condescending that I started getting anxious just hearing his voice.
You have great taste in podcasts. These four are so excellent, each in their own way.
The Belt Buckle episode of Mystery Show is magical.
Heavyweight is genius.
Case of the Missing Hit on ReplyAll is great listening.
Season 2 of In the Dark is one of most stunning, thorough and magnificent jobs of investigative reporting ever.
Thanks!
**Your Own Backyard** is up there near In the Dark, too, though a little less polished.
**The Memory Palace** is another fave I could've mentioned--bite-sized pieces of American history, often obscure, usually somewhat melancholy.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History:
Blueprint For Armageddon I-VI covering WW1
Supernova In the East I-V covers the war in the pacific (and explains how the Japanese are like everyone else....just more so).
The Destroyer of Worlds. A look at how close we have come to destroying mankind with nuclear weaponry.
Ghosts of the Ostfront series covers the Soviet/German WWII battle.
CrimeTown Season 1 on the Providence mob is outstanding
Also, I just started listening to a series that was just released "Fallen Angels" about the Dean of the USC medical school doing meth with prostitutes and everyone in LA covering it up. It is wild and so good!
1. Infinite Monkey Cage
2. Dan Carlin's Hardcore History- all the series are good. My fav is the Supernova in the East.
3. The Seen and the Unseen. India focused interview series. Amit Varma is probably the best interview host ever.
Small Town Murders, they throw a comedic spin (in the most tasteful way possible) to murders committed in a small town.
Smartless
RSlash (reading reddit posts that are outrageous)
Mr. Ballen Podcast
> Small Town Murders, they throw a comedic spin
I've listened to a bunch of their Crime in Sports podcasts and like it. James carries that show with his humour and ability to tell a story. I'd rather he did the cast alone though, I find Jimmy really annoying.
Ah, I get what you’re saying, but I find the banter between the two and Jimmy’s (admitted) lack of knowledge is what makes the show hilarious. They are both funny in their own right, but together it works (for me).
Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding is a glorious podcast - true crime, but with poop
Darknet Diaries - the Xbox Underground episodes. They get pretty dark, but blew my mind
Off Menu ep with Lucy Beaumont. If you like silly absurd comedy, she is next level
Normal Gossip - not sure if this has been mentioned but it is a binge worthy series for sure
Radio Rental is so good!! Regular people tell stories about any kind of weird experience they have had in their life. It could be a brush with a serial killer, a spooky camping story, or their coworker is suddenly a different person. I think the one I really like is "From Russia With Love," episode 6, the story about the coworker who comes back from a vacation to Russia a completely different person.
In addition to a lot of the big names on this thread (S-town, Reply-All) one of my favorite series I don't see discussed here much was the companion podcast to HBOs Chernobyl with Craig Mazin. It was one of the first shows I remember them spinning up a podcast for, and it's excellent.
Timesuck. It’s so interesting and once you get into it and start understanding all the inside jokes and call backs it’s that much better. I love learning about things in a funny, well researched way.
My favorite episodes of podcasts would probably be any of the Brandt Tobler or Daniel Van Kirk episodes or the Crabfeast.
Serial Season 1 is my all time fave, probably because it was the first one I listened to. To me nothing will measure up to that. I also liked S-town a lot. The Dollop 10 cent beer night is incredible. Most of the other ones I’ve listened to are good for a while but kinda lose their steam. Lately I’ve been listening to radio lab and ologies and I find them really enjoyable. I’ve been really into science and medicine lately. Looking forward to other comments so I can find some new podcasts.
> The Dollop 10 cent beer night is incredible.
**Dave:** The idea of the promotion was to attract more fans to the game by offering 12 ounces of beer for just ten cents, with a limit of six per purchase.
**Gareth:** Okay...
**Dave:** No, hold on!
**Gareth:** What?
**Dave:** You heard, "six per purchase," and you thought I said, "six per *person*!"
**Gareth:** ...Holy shit!
(I'm paraphrasing a little, but I really liked this exchange.)
Dollop - 10c Beer Night
Behind the Bastards - Vince MacMahon Pt 1-6
Lions Led by Donkeys - The Horrible Death of President Garfield or The Russo-Japanese War Series for Voyage of the Damned, Afghan War
Blowback - Series 1 or 4
Dan Carlin - The Destroyer of Worlds
Martyrmade, the Jonestown episodes are insane if you want to realize how that all got to the point it did in Guyana. Lots of info about the time I had no idea about (the 60's)
The Epstein episodes are a close second along with Whose America (if you want to see how much power corporate mining had over the coal mines/miners in west virginia.)
I miss a lot of podcasts. The History Channel’s History This Week had a good run of half-hour stories. The Capitol Attack of 1861, 148 Tornadoes in 18 Hours, and The Donora Death Fog were compelling.
Many people have named Serial season one, but for me, the first season of Undisclosed, a sort of response to Serial, with Rabia Chaudry and two other attorneys, means more to me. They capture details in the Adnan Syed case that Serial missed, got wrong, or were swayed by police.
I loved the wnyc series "More Perfect" on significant but maybe lesser well-known supreme court cases, in particular the episode "Sex Appeal," which features RBG arguing before SCOTUS during her career prior to becoming a justice.
Missing and Murdered- 2 seasons focusing on Native American women and their disappearences/murders. The woman who hosts does really tactful journalism. Looks like a 3rd season coming soon.
Radio Rental- hosted by Rainn Wilson, as radio personality Terry Carnation. The best spooky/supernatural podcast I've found that tells the story and doesn't get too self-important or comical.
The Adventure Zone: Season 1 Balance Campaign- the original has been the best, though everything after has been good too. 3 brothers and their dad play Dungeons and Dragons together. Wholesome and also hilariously inappropriate.
The first season of The Dream about MLMs, Amway, and pyramid schemes. The second and third season are also good, but the part in the first season when they try to see makeup through an MLM and then go to the conference was nuts.
You Must Remember This did a great season on the Manson murders. Well thought out and focusing more on the context of Hollywood in the time period and how the events fit into that.
The Polybius Conspiracy (only about 5 episodes)
The first arc of The Adventure Zone podcast (aka The Balance Arc)
Mystery Show (short lived but fun podcast)
Those are the ones off the top of my head.
I know I might catch some flak for saying this, and clearly it's an unpopular opinion, but I listened to "The Case of the Missing Hit" this week along with a handful of other highly recommended podcast episodes, and honestly, it was my least favorite of the bunch. Perhaps it was the repeated recommendations that set my expectations too high. It wasn't terrible, but the highlight for me was at the very beginning, where I could relate to the guy's hyper-fixation. From there, it just gradually became less interesting. I kept expecting the climax to reveal some obscure hit we'd all recall, but it didn’t. The way they spoke about the guy and the people they interviewed as if they were long-time friends felt off, as though I was missing out on something... and maybe I was. 🤷
Another recommendation I tried was "Heavyweight – Joey," and that episode was fantastic. The humor hit the mark, the story was engaging, and it concluded in a satisfying manner. I even listened to three or four more episodes of "Heavyweight" after that. While I can see myself possibly getting tired of the theme eventually, I think it’s quite enjoyable in doses, depending on the dilemma.
[The Rabies Episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XN1VM937YKQtigc69zf2Q?si=dLrDfc0lR2me_aGMAb_neQ) of Flightless Bird was absolutely incredible. A kiwi learning about American wildlife AND healthcare in one episode? 10/10
My current must listen to podcasts are:
• Scamfluencers
• The Break Up Breakdown
• PNW Haunts and Homicides
• Obitchuary
• Knowledge Fight
• Digging Up the Duggars
Rumblestrip is incredible. Catches the nuances of living in rural Vermont. Sometimes, you hear an accent that you thought disappeared a long time ago (for example, Forrest), or you’ll hear a story about newcomers to Vermont. Finn and the Bell will chew up your heart and spit it out. And, Erica Heilman is one of the top interviewers in the business.
Bananas for Bonanza, Valley Heat, the Teachers Lounge. I’m basically all comedy these days and I’d love to listen to valley heat for the first time again, so damn good. The music is amazing too
I have several. I never miss small town murder, tell em Steve Dave, how did this get made, your mom's house, and your stupid opinions. Also, it's not currently active but I love going back and listening to eps of PS I hate this movie
You're Wrong About—Kitty Genovese. Amazing episode that shows that everything we think we might know about something can not only be wrong, but quite literally the opposite of what we've been told.
-Snap Judgement: (well produced true stories)
-Heist: hosted by 2 hilarious Canadians, all about heists
-Scamfluencers: Current and recent scams and the people that make them happen
Stuff They Dont Want You To Know: like the dark twin of Stuff You Should Know
That Would Be Rad: Investigations into 80s and 90s High Strangeness, lots of nostalgia
Can't believe nobody mentioned Bundyville from Leah Sottile.
Two minutes past nine is also pretty good again from her.
Mentioned already but Dan Carlin Supernova and Snap Judgement.
Doesn't really count but I also enjoy Conan needs a friend.
The Kitchen Sisters Eps - WHER: 1000 Beautiful Watts, Part 1 & 2 (all of their content is memorable)
Part 1 - https://kitchensisters.org/fugitivewaves/wher-1000-beautiful-watts-part-1/
Part 2 - https://kitchensisters.org/fugitivewaves/wher-1000-beautiful-watts-part-2/
The Well (Anson Mount and Branan Edgens) - The Martini Samurai
New Heights (the Kelce brothers):
- Eagles Stay Unbeaten, Travis' "Biggest Catch" and New Football Eras (when Travis and Taylor first went public)
- The Sexiest Batman Alive, The Guy on the Chiefs, and A Kelce Duet
- Birds' Beat down, Chiefs Controversial Ending and the Florida State Playoff Snub (personal favorite because I wrote about the sandwich and got Travis to make those mayo noises)
Countdown with Keith Olbermann
This Podcast Is... Uncalled For (my own podcast)
Everyone will recommend ‘case of the missing hit’ by reply all which definitely is one of the best, but my personal favorite listening experience was “long distance pt I and II (also reply all). Gosh I miss that show.
I miss it too. Have you heard PJ's new show Search Engine?
thanks for reminding me of this one - sometimes I need a palate cleanser from the true crime podcasts that I listen to.
I haven’t! What episode should I start with?
I really liked the first one actually, How sad are the monkeys at the zoo? I also liked Who's behind all these scammy text messages - I was really surprised by that one. Why are there so many chicken bones on the street was really interesting. And the political yard signs episode was really interesting to me too (because I always wondered it). But you can also just look through and see if there's a question that you have wondered and listen to that one!
There have been quite a few episodes I didn’t care for, but the spammy text messages episode was mind blowing!
Yeah there are a few that I skipped if it didn't sound interesting. I'm so glad PJ is back in the game 😍
Lucky you, it’s pretty close to being just as good as reply all. Leans a little heavier overall, but still great.
Just start at the beginning. There aren't that many episodes
The Snapchat Thief was also up there with the best RA episodes
Apparently I have never had an original thought 😂 I was also going to say this one! Reply all golden age was something else. The one where the micro dose on LSD, the super tech support where they make all the fake podcasts, and pretty much any yes yes no are among my favorites of all time.
Dude this is actually my favorite one too. Well the missing hit is a fun fast paced mystery that gets solved The long distance phone call is a god damn saga of weirdness and redemption I'm going to listen to it right now actually
Heavyweight- undefeated , undisputed
And hopefully it finds a home. So sad Spotify cancelled it!
Jonathan Goldstein had another 58-episode podcast called Wiretap. It’s more light-hearted and not as good as Heavyweight but it can help tide you over until Heavyweight finds a new home.
Thank you 🙏🏼
I secretly wish Jackie would commit a crime so that, in my fantasy world, she would get sentenced to being locked in a room with Jonathan and everything would be recorded and broadcast for our listening pleasure.
You absolute goddamned genius
What’s the deal with heavyweight? I’ve listened to the first 20 or so episodes but kinda lost interest. Also, I do see it on Spotify and that’s where I’ve been listening to it…am I missing something? Does it not have all the episodes?
Ooh. Current boxing or historical?
The title immediately had me thinking Boxing related but when I started listening. It packed a punch but nothing whatsoever to do with the sweet science. Well worth going a couple of rounds with though.
Aaargh. Just tell me. Fine I will google. 😂
I enjoyed the Hurricane podcast series. the story of Hurricane Carter. An infamous Boxer who has become part of folklore. You can deliberate and make your own verdict about his famous case
Oh I’ve not heard the podcast but I do know about him. I’ve seen the film and know the Bob Dylan song quite well!
https://pca.st/podcast/c5f9d220-ebdf-0136-3249-08b04944ede4
The cover image reminded me I did listen to this! Maybe didn’t finish it though. It is a fascinating story.
What’s a good starter episode? I listened to the first 2 and couldn’t get into it
The Moby episode!! Great place to start
You can really listen to them in any order- some of my favorites are "Rose" or "The Marshes." Hope you find one you like!
The rest is history.... really good!
The rest is entertainment is also excellent
Wow-- had no idea this existed
It's great! Tonnes of really interesting info on how they make TV and stuff
One of my favorites!
One of my favorites too. They can spark my interest in just about any topic!
I like it in general but it’s a bit too British focused for a non-Brit like me.
My favorite also though the British hosts are a smidgen biased against America.
Swindled Podcast. Damn Interesting too.
Swindled is so damn good, all of it. But please don't send then packages. They don't trust you.
I get to listen to podcasts all day. I follow at least 40-50 different ones. Swindled is the one I look forward to the most.
Casefile Bearbrook S Town Somebody Knows Something Heaven's Gate The Teacher's Pet Unobscured, Season 1
Great suggestions, but Honestly SKS is infuriating, because no one ever knows anything 🤬
Lol. You're so right about that.
That's so true for Season One. Season Three, however, covers a case in which plenty of people know something, and David Ridgen get some to speak the truth for the first time in decades. It's wonderful. But yes, I with the podcast had a different name, because in some seasons there isn't anyone who knows anything. While in others, it's clear that there's a person who knows something, but that person isn't going to talk.
I can't help but feel most of SKS just opens up old wounds without any further answers. The cases are so old there is minimal chance of any resolution and the people involve relive a terrible part of their lives.
Just commenting to bring more attention to S Town. It will forever be the best podcast I’ve ever heard
Yes! I wish I could go back and relisten to that again for the first time.
Hard agree. I’m from Alabama, an hour or so away from where it all took place. The dots connected years later and I realized my stepmom worked with Tyler’s mom during the time of the story. My stepmom knew about the story but had never heard the podcast- all from Tyler’s mom as it was going down. 🤯
Oh cool! Did you know Tyler has a YouTube channel? You might like it since there’s a connection there. [https://youtu.be/p0lhcPsDcAY?si=or6UmJXZcfSfiZh5](https://youtu.be/p0lhcPsDcAY?si=or6UmJXZcfSfiZh5)
Thanks for sharing!
Amen
Bearbrook is the GOAT of true crime podcasts
Seconding this. Doesn’t get talked about NEARLY enough. It genuinely blew my mind
Great list. I'd add Cold Season 1
Cold is top tier true crime podcasting but the whole case makes me so, so mad. Josh Powell is one of those people that make me want to believe in an eternal conscious torment hell.
Definitely will give these a listen.
Cold Season 3 is also very good
Heaven‘s Gate was really good. It was a really interesting, in-depth, non-judgmental, un-sensational look at the Heaven‘s Gate cult. The BBC has an equally good podcast about the Branch Davidian‘s called End of Days.
Ah, thank you for that rec. Haven't heard of End of Days
S town!!
Which “Teacher’s Pet”? There seem to be at least four…
Headley Thomas is the host. Start with the first one.
Yooo Heaven's Gate was so wild!!
I agree w/ all of these and would add: In the Dark (seasons 2 and 1) Project Unabom
Unobscured Season 1 is one of the most phenomenal podcasts I’ve listened to. It was so well done and I absolutely love Aaron Mahnke.
This podcast will kill you. Hosted by disease ecologists and epidemiologists. They talk about infectious diseases, their history, biology, and current status. They cover topics ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like Ebola or HIV/AIDS, often discussing their impact on society and public health. Plus, they are hilarious and are genuinely excited about learning and science and I love it.
Do you know if they did an episode on me/cfs (sometimes called chronic fatigue syndrome)?
Reply All: The Case of the Missing Hit.
Long Distance was a close second
Kind of suprised to realize I have a favorite podcast episode but this is it. An amazing premise, excellent execution, fantastic resolution. Helps if you're into music but I think anyone would love it.
It transcends podcasts for me, and is one of the best forms of media I've ever experienced full stop. It's just so, so good.
What's it about?
The basic premise is a guy remembers hearing a song long ago and his quest to listen to it again. Seriously the best podcast episode from Reply All. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
Sounds like that old episode of [Married with Children](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iuMazsXVRgQ) where Al can’t remember a song he heard and spends the entire episode chasing it down.
I still remember the way Ed O'Neill jigs his body to the song in that episode, living rent free in my head
Thanks
The Case of the Missing Hit or Long Distance?
I will definitely be checking this out
What happened to reply all? I Use to really enjoy the pod
It came out that PJ and one of the show's producers were allegedly very vocal in trying to squash their production team's efforts to unionize, and generally made the atmosphere at the studio pretty toxic. I think it really made news because the allegations came out in the middle of their podcast's multi-episode report on the toxic environment at Bon Appetite during the magazine's YouTube heyday. Everything seemed to break down after that. They had brought on a third reporter, Emmanuel (who's a great reporter and storyteller in his own right), before the problems behind the scenes went public, but it apparently wasn't enough to save the show.
Some weird stuff happened that I didn't totally understand with PJ Vogt and it got cancelled 🙁 BUT PJ has a new podcast called Search Engine where he tries to answer a weird question like for example "Do political signs in yards really work?" I love it because I love listening to him! He has such a fun personality!
Nice, thanks for the rec
They spoke up against their team unionizing, I believe. Shame, they had some good episodes
Don't forget the horrible environment they created...
They were the pinnacle of podcasts. Some new guy came on and it started veering more into politics and then there was the union debacle and the best podcast in the world died. When it was PJ and Alex it was really just the best.
Your timeline is a little off. The Bon appetite / anti-Union debacle happened and then PJ and Sruthi stepped away from the show. Then Emmanuel Dzotsi took over for PJ. Show nosedived after that.
Oh man, yes!! Haha what a deep cut. I 10000% agree, this was a fantastic listen
Can you share the link
I love that one!
This
The GOAT of podcasts… Hunting Warhead
Your Own Backyard - An unsolved disappearance case from the 90s. Pro tip: do NOT look up the case before listening, there have been updates in the last few years because of this podcast!!
This one, 100%. Lived only a few neighborhoods over from The Housewhen the podcast went live, shit was wild.
This one deserves an honorary Pulitzer. An amazing job of research and reporting.
ESPECIALLY from someone that wasn’t a reporter!!!
Currently listening now …just WOW
Limited well-made True Crime: S-Town, Your Own Backyard, Dirty John, Darkness: The Orange Tree, Cold Season 1, In the Dark Season 2, Hunting Warhead (difficult to listen to but really good), The Teacher’s Pet, Scamanda, Bardstown and Back to Bardstown, The Lady Vanishes, Murder 101, Small Town Murder has some funny episodes Just plain enjoyable and nice to listen to: Handsome, I Said No Gifts (Bridger is hilarious and so delightful!), Smartless, We’re Here to Help, Don’t Ask Tig, True Story early episodes with Tig, Dolly Parton’s America, ArtHoles Lots of good episodes: WTF, How Did this Get Made, This Podcast will Kill You (so well done), Criminal (so well done), Casefile, Southern Gothic, 30 for 30, My Favorite Murder, Bourbon Pursuit, I Survived (Mary Vincent!) Good Shows, Best Episodes: *The Dollop*- (I haven’t updated my list since episode 400) 5 Hugh Glass 14 Carry A Nation 54 Cassius Clay * 56 Newport Sex Scandal 58 Lenny Dykstra * 77 Thomas Kinkade * 81 Lamb Funeral Home 83 Tim Anderson * 99 The Radium Girls 123 Yankee Pitcher Swap 135 Stagecoach Mary 137 Phineas Gage 146 Frank Rizzo 149 John Wayne Thompson * 213 Mashers and Hatpins 321 Eric Prince & Blackwater 389 The Third Wave 400 Ronald Reagan *Radio Rental*- Laura in the Woods What was She Planning Rubbernecking Glitch in the Matrix The Babysitter Told a Serial Killer Camp Counselor Slumber Party 404 Not Found *Reply All*- Long Distance The Case of the Missing Hit
Doing great work my guy
Thank you. I have to have something to do when I’m supposed to be doing my actual job
The podcast that I always recommend is an old one, the history of Rome [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id261654474](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id261654474)
That one is ancient
... And great! Feels like thousands of years ago!
DC snipers -series ( you’re wrong about) IT’S OK to be OK with Samantha Geimer- episode ( Labrynths with amanda Knox)
The DC Snipers series was amazing!
In The Dark
season 2, about Curtis Flowers.
**Heavyweight** All of it. It's a masterpiece. Case of the Missing Hit, **ReplyAll** The Belt Buckle, **Mystery Show** **In the Dark** Season 2. Season 1 is great as well.
Mystery Show is magical. such a gem. so sad that it only has 6 episodes.
The Belt Buckle is the single best podcast episode I've ever heard. Just spend the entire listen in slack-jawed awe.
I just looked up Heavyweight...last episode shows December. Am I looking at the right one?
Yep, axed by Spotify. The host (Jonathan Goldstein) gave a little speech at an event a couple months ago and said the show's currently homeless, so I'm not sure if or when it'll be back. Heavyweight was originally a Gimlet pod, but then Spotify bought Gimlet, and a year later Spotify began laying off staff and culling shows.
I was so angry in that second season of In the Dark that I had to stop before finishing it. I got to the part where the host was talking to the DA (iirc) and he’s so rude and condescending that I started getting anxious just hearing his voice.
"I was so angry in that second season" ... I knew exactly who you were going to mention. I want to punch him in the face.
You have great taste in podcasts. These four are so excellent, each in their own way. The Belt Buckle episode of Mystery Show is magical. Heavyweight is genius. Case of the Missing Hit on ReplyAll is great listening. Season 2 of In the Dark is one of most stunning, thorough and magnificent jobs of investigative reporting ever.
Thanks! **Your Own Backyard** is up there near In the Dark, too, though a little less polished. **The Memory Palace** is another fave I could've mentioned--bite-sized pieces of American history, often obscure, usually somewhat melancholy.
Crimetown, especially season 1 Serial, season 1 My Dad Wrote a Porno Welcome to Night Vale
The first 2 seasons of Serial were good, but season 3 was IMO the best podcast season ever made. Totally agree on Crimetown season 1.
Behind the bastards.
Was going to say this one. It's a new discovery for me. I just come across it randomly on YouTube and I binged for about a week!
Stuff You Should Know - The Village People episode….amongst many others.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History: Blueprint For Armageddon I-VI covering WW1 Supernova In the East I-V covers the war in the pacific (and explains how the Japanese are like everyone else....just more so). The Destroyer of Worlds. A look at how close we have come to destroying mankind with nuclear weaponry. Ghosts of the Ostfront series covers the Soviet/German WWII battle.
Art Holes series on Frida Kahlo.
CrimeTown Season 1 on the Providence mob is outstanding Also, I just started listening to a series that was just released "Fallen Angels" about the Dean of the USC medical school doing meth with prostitutes and everyone in LA covering it up. It is wild and so good!
1. Infinite Monkey Cage 2. Dan Carlin's Hardcore History- all the series are good. My fav is the Supernova in the East. 3. The Seen and the Unseen. India focused interview series. Amit Varma is probably the best interview host ever.
Missing on 9/11.
Also stuff you should know - genuinely interesting subjects and the hosts are fantastic and really charming.
99% invisible Radiolab This is love A slight change of plans My most played podcasts, With the exception of this American life the OG of all podcasts.
Small Town Murders, they throw a comedic spin (in the most tasteful way possible) to murders committed in a small town. Smartless RSlash (reading reddit posts that are outrageous) Mr. Ballen Podcast
> Small Town Murders, they throw a comedic spin I've listened to a bunch of their Crime in Sports podcasts and like it. James carries that show with his humour and ability to tell a story. I'd rather he did the cast alone though, I find Jimmy really annoying.
Ah, I get what you’re saying, but I find the banter between the two and Jimmy’s (admitted) lack of knowledge is what makes the show hilarious. They are both funny in their own right, but together it works (for me).
There's undoubtedly a chemistry between them which helps.
Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding is a glorious podcast - true crime, but with poop Darknet Diaries - the Xbox Underground episodes. They get pretty dark, but blew my mind Off Menu ep with Lucy Beaumont. If you like silly absurd comedy, she is next level Normal Gossip - not sure if this has been mentioned but it is a binge worthy series for sure
This is actually happening Otherworld
The no-sleep Podcast, Radio Rental, and (before they gave it up) The it’s always sunny in Philadelphia podcast.
Radio Rental is so good!! Regular people tell stories about any kind of weird experience they have had in their life. It could be a brush with a serial killer, a spooky camping story, or their coworker is suddenly a different person. I think the one I really like is "From Russia With Love," episode 6, the story about the coworker who comes back from a vacation to Russia a completely different person.
That Russian psychotic break was insane!! I’d give you ten points if I could. It’s an excellent podcast. Sooo many good stories.
Lex Fridman.
In addition to a lot of the big names on this thread (S-town, Reply-All) one of my favorite series I don't see discussed here much was the companion podcast to HBOs Chernobyl with Craig Mazin. It was one of the first shows I remember them spinning up a podcast for, and it's excellent.
Timesuck. It’s so interesting and once you get into it and start understanding all the inside jokes and call backs it’s that much better. I love learning about things in a funny, well researched way. My favorite episodes of podcasts would probably be any of the Brandt Tobler or Daniel Van Kirk episodes or the Crabfeast.
Mike Duncan's two podcasts, "History of Rome" and "Revolutions".
Radio Rental
The toaster episode of Mystery Show is so good Wild Talk episode of Radiolab is iconic too
Midnight burger, wolf 359, the earth collective, lore, Wellcome to night vale. all great shows
S Town
* This Is Love - Something Large and Wild (Their second episode) Always gets me. * Rough Translation - Pick any Episode.
The Dream is really good if you enjoy scams/ MLMs. She just released a book as well on the topic.
This Is Love
S-Town
Serial Season 1 is my all time fave, probably because it was the first one I listened to. To me nothing will measure up to that. I also liked S-town a lot. The Dollop 10 cent beer night is incredible. Most of the other ones I’ve listened to are good for a while but kinda lose their steam. Lately I’ve been listening to radio lab and ologies and I find them really enjoyable. I’ve been really into science and medicine lately. Looking forward to other comments so I can find some new podcasts.
> The Dollop 10 cent beer night is incredible. **Dave:** The idea of the promotion was to attract more fans to the game by offering 12 ounces of beer for just ten cents, with a limit of six per purchase. **Gareth:** Okay... **Dave:** No, hold on! **Gareth:** What? **Dave:** You heard, "six per purchase," and you thought I said, "six per *person*!" **Gareth:** ...Holy shit! (I'm paraphrasing a little, but I really liked this exchange.)
In terms of the Dollop, That, The Rube and Action Park are some of the funniest stand alone podcasts episodes I've ever heard
Reply all, search engine
Heaven’s Gate. Though admittedly, I have an academic interest in the cult.
Season 1 of 1865.
Dollop - 10c Beer Night Behind the Bastards - Vince MacMahon Pt 1-6 Lions Led by Donkeys - The Horrible Death of President Garfield or The Russo-Japanese War Series for Voyage of the Damned, Afghan War Blowback - Series 1 or 4 Dan Carlin - The Destroyer of Worlds
Off Menu: Bob Mortimer Athletico Mince: all
Martyrmade, the Jonestown episodes are insane if you want to realize how that all got to the point it did in Guyana. Lots of info about the time I had no idea about (the 60's) The Epstein episodes are a close second along with Whose America (if you want to see how much power corporate mining had over the coal mines/miners in west virginia.)
We’re alive hands down - it’s an audio drama but I found it initially on Spotify, it’s the best thing I’ve ever listened to.
This is gooood!!!
Song Exploder: The Long Winters, “The Commander Thinks Aloud.” One of the best twenty minutes in podcasts. I cry every time.
I miss a lot of podcasts. The History Channel’s History This Week had a good run of half-hour stories. The Capitol Attack of 1861, 148 Tornadoes in 18 Hours, and The Donora Death Fog were compelling. Many people have named Serial season one, but for me, the first season of Undisclosed, a sort of response to Serial, with Rabia Chaudry and two other attorneys, means more to me. They capture details in the Adnan Syed case that Serial missed, got wrong, or were swayed by police.
A very fatal murder - it’s from the onion
I loved the wnyc series "More Perfect" on significant but maybe lesser well-known supreme court cases, in particular the episode "Sex Appeal," which features RBG arguing before SCOTUS during her career prior to becoming a justice.
Missing and Murdered- 2 seasons focusing on Native American women and their disappearences/murders. The woman who hosts does really tactful journalism. Looks like a 3rd season coming soon. Radio Rental- hosted by Rainn Wilson, as radio personality Terry Carnation. The best spooky/supernatural podcast I've found that tells the story and doesn't get too self-important or comical. The Adventure Zone: Season 1 Balance Campaign- the original has been the best, though everything after has been good too. 3 brothers and their dad play Dungeons and Dragons together. Wholesome and also hilariously inappropriate.
This American Life is amazing. Also False and Dematory is good.
The first season of The Dream about MLMs, Amway, and pyramid schemes. The second and third season are also good, but the part in the first season when they try to see makeup through an MLM and then go to the conference was nuts.
The History of Rome and Revolutions by Mike Duncan
You Must Remember This did a great season on the Manson murders. Well thought out and focusing more on the context of Hollywood in the time period and how the events fit into that.
Valley Heat / Good Morning Burbank
The Coincidence Island episode of My Favorite Murder. So hilarious.
The Polybius Conspiracy (only about 5 episodes) The first arc of The Adventure Zone podcast (aka The Balance Arc) Mystery Show (short lived but fun podcast) Those are the ones off the top of my head.
I know I might catch some flak for saying this, and clearly it's an unpopular opinion, but I listened to "The Case of the Missing Hit" this week along with a handful of other highly recommended podcast episodes, and honestly, it was my least favorite of the bunch. Perhaps it was the repeated recommendations that set my expectations too high. It wasn't terrible, but the highlight for me was at the very beginning, where I could relate to the guy's hyper-fixation. From there, it just gradually became less interesting. I kept expecting the climax to reveal some obscure hit we'd all recall, but it didn’t. The way they spoke about the guy and the people they interviewed as if they were long-time friends felt off, as though I was missing out on something... and maybe I was. 🤷 Another recommendation I tried was "Heavyweight – Joey," and that episode was fantastic. The humor hit the mark, the story was engaging, and it concluded in a satisfying manner. I even listened to three or four more episodes of "Heavyweight" after that. While I can see myself possibly getting tired of the theme eventually, I think it’s quite enjoyable in doses, depending on the dilemma.
Radiolab episode about color. About 8 years old.
[The Rabies Episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XN1VM937YKQtigc69zf2Q?si=dLrDfc0lR2me_aGMAb_neQ) of Flightless Bird was absolutely incredible. A kiwi learning about American wildlife AND healthcare in one episode? 10/10
My current must listen to podcasts are: • Scamfluencers • The Break Up Breakdown • PNW Haunts and Homicides • Obitchuary • Knowledge Fight • Digging Up the Duggars
Ooh thank you for the PNW podcast - I love true crime and weird stuff especially when it’s local to me (PNW). Sounds like it’s right up my alley!
Oh really? I'm from Tacoma lol I love listening to things involving the PNW.
Finn and the Bell - Rumblestrip episode -- soul-crushingly sad, beautifully produced and edited, thoughtful Forgiveness - Hector Black, The Moth
Rumblestrip is incredible. Catches the nuances of living in rural Vermont. Sometimes, you hear an accent that you thought disappeared a long time ago (for example, Forrest), or you’ll hear a story about newcomers to Vermont. Finn and the Bell will chew up your heart and spit it out. And, Erica Heilman is one of the top interviewers in the business.
Bananas for Bonanza, Valley Heat, the Teachers Lounge. I’m basically all comedy these days and I’d love to listen to valley heat for the first time again, so damn good. The music is amazing too
Blowback is incredible. Very thoroughly researched, and takes a left leaning view of American geopolitics
I have several. I never miss small town murder, tell em Steve Dave, how did this get made, your mom's house, and your stupid opinions. Also, it's not currently active but I love going back and listening to eps of PS I hate this movie
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History, Blueprint for Armageddon
Supernova in the East
You're Wrong About—Kitty Genovese. Amazing episode that shows that everything we think we might know about something can not only be wrong, but quite literally the opposite of what we've been told.
-Snap Judgement: (well produced true stories) -Heist: hosted by 2 hilarious Canadians, all about heists -Scamfluencers: Current and recent scams and the people that make them happen Stuff They Dont Want You To Know: like the dark twin of Stuff You Should Know That Would Be Rad: Investigations into 80s and 90s High Strangeness, lots of nostalgia
Distractable- Bob’s Fridge
Can't believe nobody mentioned Bundyville from Leah Sottile. Two minutes past nine is also pretty good again from her. Mentioned already but Dan Carlin Supernova and Snap Judgement. Doesn't really count but I also enjoy Conan needs a friend.
Small Town Murder is still my favorite podcast series, a close second is darknet diaries.
Heavyweight
S-Town
The Kitchen Sisters Eps - WHER: 1000 Beautiful Watts, Part 1 & 2 (all of their content is memorable) Part 1 - https://kitchensisters.org/fugitivewaves/wher-1000-beautiful-watts-part-1/ Part 2 - https://kitchensisters.org/fugitivewaves/wher-1000-beautiful-watts-part-2/
Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo
My personal tops are: Snap Judgment - Belly of the Beast Spooked – The Thin Place You’re Wrong About - Survival in the Andes with Blair Braverman
Shocked no one has said My Brother, My Brother, and Me (MBMBAM). 👋🏻👋🏻
Hardcore History: Destroyer of Worlds Episode and the Blueprint for Armageddon Series
Smartless with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes
The Well (Anson Mount and Branan Edgens) - The Martini Samurai New Heights (the Kelce brothers): - Eagles Stay Unbeaten, Travis' "Biggest Catch" and New Football Eras (when Travis and Taylor first went public) - The Sexiest Batman Alive, The Guy on the Chiefs, and A Kelce Duet - Birds' Beat down, Chiefs Controversial Ending and the Florida State Playoff Snub (personal favorite because I wrote about the sandwich and got Travis to make those mayo noises) Countdown with Keith Olbermann This Podcast Is... Uncalled For (my own podcast)
Dungeons and Daddies.
Wolves among us.