Podcasts for pandemic (and hopefully post-pandemic) times

[Duke79UNLV77]

I only discovered podcasts during the pandemic and thought a thread to share recommendations, like the movies/TV shows thread, would be interesting.

My favorite multi-episode shows so far have been:

"In the Dark: Season 2." 60 Minutes did an story on this podcast that just gave a glimpse of the full story. Remarkable reporting, access to key players, major real world developments, and a larger, societal perspective add up to a binge-worthy podcast.

"The Line." The same elements produce a great listen in this Podcast about Eddie Gallagher.

I've also liked "Rabbit Hole," "Blind Spot: The Road to 9/11," and "The Trials of Frank Carson."

For ongoing podcasts, I like "The Daily" from the NY Times and "Fresh Air." I like "The Old Man and a Three," but I don't always need over an hour on an episode featuring some random NBA player.

In a niche area I have enjoyed "Who Am I Really," a podcast about adoption reunions.

I was disappointed in "Serial," which I found to be a poor man's "In the Dark." The reporting didn't work as hard, became whiny and made the story too much about the reporter, and they didn't get nearly the developments. "Spy Affair" had an opportunity with a bizarre story about Maria Butina and access to key players, but the reporter was not up to the challenge and failed to ask good, pressing questions when the players provided non-stop BS answers.

Other recommendations? Thanks!

[-jk]

Obviously, first and foremost, the DBR Podcast, conveniently linked near the top of every forum page! I'm waiting to see how 2001 turns out.

I really liked Jad Abumrad's podcast, [ur=https://www.npr.org/podcasts/765024913/dolly-parton-s-america]Dolly Parton's America[/url].

I don't listen to a ton, but ongoing podcasts I listen to are The Moth and Radiolab.

-jk

[brevity]

Obviously, first and foremost, the DBR Podcast, conveniently linked near the top of every forum page! I'm waiting to see how 2001 turns out.

I can just tell you what happened in 2001…

Spoiler!

Duke wins! They beat Maryland again in the semifinal and Arizona in the championship game. Suck it, Maryland!

[bundabergdevil]

The 2 I'm listening to at the moment ---

The Murdaugh Murders podcast recommended by a user in another thread. It's not really true crime like, say, Serial. The woman who does it is a reporter for Fitnews and has been covering the story for a few years - she treats it like an investigative reporter and actually has sources, etc.

The high school I attended in Texas has emerged as one of the most visible battlegrounds for the local school/community political dynamics of race and diversity. It's been the subject of national news and NBC has a Podcast about it called, "Southlake: Inside a Critical Race Theory Battle". I obviously have personal ties to the district and some of my high school classmates that remained in the community are now prominent voices in the local battle but, for anyone interested in this issue at this time, it gives an inside look at the dynamics involved. I know we have several educators on the board that may be interested but since the subject matter is clearly political, I'm just posting/recommending and will leave it at that.

[cspan37421]

Other recommendations? Thanks!

Here's my lineup - ones I always catch are:

• The Skeptics Guide to the Universe (science and critical thinking)
• The Tony Kornheiser Show (sports, culture, politics, & the life of a curmudgeon)

I'm usually up to date on those, so at other times during the week I usually listen to at least some of these, depending on the topic:

• BBC In Our Time (history & culture)
• NPR Radiolab (science, philosophy, politics, culture; award winning)
• NPR This American Life (journalistic nonfiction, essays)
• Stay Tuned with Preet (law & politics ... host is former US DA for SDNY)

If I really have time to listen I'll pick and choose from:

• Astronomy Cast
• Backpacking Light
• NPR Car Talk (in re-runs - no new content)
• WHYY's Fresh Air (interviews)
• The Happiness Lab (psychology)
• Judge John Hodgman (personal disputes resolved humorously in a fake internet court)
• Making Sense (philosophy, politics, interviews)
• NPR Planet Money (economics)
• Cory Doctorow Podcast (tech policy, science fiction)
• ESPN PTI (sports)
• NPR Wait Wait Don't Tell Me (news quiz show, humorous)
• You Are Not So Smart (psychology)

Although the last one is quite good, it comes out very infrequently, and when it does, the host often drops multiple episodes at once. It's not a very good release schedule for a podcast format, IMO.

[Skydog]

I don’t know if I should admit it but I enjoy Armchair Expert. Dax Shepherd isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but he is a bright guy, a good conversationalist and has a lot of great guests.

The last couple days I listened to The Facebook Files put out by The Journal, whatever that is. Informative look at the scary stuff going on inside that company.

I also highly recommend Down the Rabbit Hole.

Others I enjoyed - NYT Daily, This American Life.

And of course My Dad Wrote a Porno (first few episodes were amusing, then I had enough).

[Skydog]

Here's my lineup - ones I always catch are:

• The Skeptics Guide to the Universe (science and critical thinking)
• The Tony Kornheiser Show (sports, culture, politics, & the life of a curmudgeon)

I'm usually up to date on those, so at other times during the week I usually listen to at least some of these, depending on the topic:

• BBC In Our Time (history & culture)
• NPR Radiolab (science, philosophy, politics, culture; award winning)
• NPR This American Life (journalistic nonfiction, essays)
• Stay Tuned with Preet (law & politics ... host is former US DA for SDNY)

If I really have time to listen I'll pick and choose from:

• Astronomy Cast
• Backpacking Light
• NPR Car Talk (in re-runs - no new content)
• WHYY's Fresh Air (interviews)
• The Happiness Lab (psychology)
• Judge John Hodgman (personal disputes resolved humorously in a fake internet court)
• Making Sense (philosophy, politics, interviews)
• NPR Planet Money (economics)
• Cory Doctorow Podcast (tech policy, science fiction)
• ESPN PTI (sports)
• NPR Wait Wait Don't Tell Me (news quiz show, humorous)
• You Are Not So Smart (psychology)

Although the last one is quite good, it comes out very infrequently, and when it does, the host often drops multiple episodes at once. It's not a very good release schedule for a podcast format, IMO.

I sooooooo loved Car Talk! I haven’t been able to bring myself to listen to reruns but maybe I will give it a try.

[jimmymax]

I'm a sucker for true crime podcasts, and there appears to be an infinite number of them. I'll also happily listen to Car Talk re-runs every week, forever. Some others I like (that I don't think have been mentioned) are:

- 99% Invisible
- Benjamin Walker's Theory of Everything
- Darknet Diaries
- Days Like These
- Heavyweight
- Revisionist History

[wiscodevil]

https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

Just what is going on with white people? Police shootings of unarmed African Americans. Acts of domestic terrorism by white supremacists. The renewed embrace of raw, undisguised white-identity politics. Unending racial inequity in schools, housing, criminal justice, and hiring. Some of this feels new, but in truth it’s an old story.

Why? Where did the notion of “whiteness” come from? What does it mean? What is whiteness for?
===================

There is a new season just starting focused on global warming:
Season 5 of the Scene on Radio podcast, The Repair, has launched! In the season-long series, we’re exploring the climate crisis—how we got here, and how we need to change to save ourselves and our world.

[cspan37421]

I sooooooo loved Car Talk! I haven’t been able to bring myself to listen to reruns but maybe I will give it a try.

Knowing that Tom Magliozzi has died, it's really nice to hear his laugh again as if he's still around.
Some of the stuff on the podcast is getting dated as newer car designs make it increasingly hard to work on your car yourself. But it's still really entertaining, and a good bit is timeless

Some others I like (that I don't think have been mentioned) are:

...
- Revisionist History

My daughter noted about Revisionist History that it and/or Gladwell "does too much of the emotional heavy lifting for you". After listening to a couple episodes, I could see that tendency. Interesting stories, but still ...

I don’t know if I should admit it but ...

... My Dad Wrote a Porno (first few episodes were amusing, then I had enough).

Amusing, or interesting? And then you had enough?
Reminds me of SNL's Kevin Nealon reviewing a few movies in that genre (only slightly NSFW ... it's almost all innuendo ... and out the other)

[gep]

DBR Podcast for me. But I also listen to Andre Dawkins podcast… Dawkins on Duke. Interesting guests… the last 2 especially. First with Coach K after he announced his retirement. Then with Coach Scheyer after he was named HCIW. Very interesting. So far… mostly former Duke players… but also some newly committed recruits, post-game commentary, etc.

[brickey]

I rarely miss an episode of NYT Daily. Enjoying Down the Rabbit Hole now.

Smartless with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes is consistently funny, sometimes hilarious.

Wind of Change and S-town are both binge worthy investigative stories.

[gep]

DBR Podcast for me. But I also listen to Andre Dawkins podcast… Dawkins on Duke. Interesting guests… the last 2 especially. First with Coach K after he announced his retirement. Then with Coach Scheyer after he was named HCIW. Very interesting. So far… mostly former Duke players… but also some newly committed recruits, post-game commentary, etc.

So I listened to Andre’s most recent podcast. This one with Gene Banks. The first item of discussion was the Tinker-bell nickname. Gene’s story was most interesting. ( firsr item in the podcast)


Sorry if replying to my own post is not goood practice…

[rthomas]

This episode of This American Life is the one that got me hooked on podcasts.

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/115...-day/act-two-0

Squirrel Cop. The first day inevitably means mistakes, mishaps, fiascos. A true story, told by a former rookie cop. (14 minutes)

Currently, Radiolab is by far my go to. Loved the Dolly Parton's America. I didn't think I ws going to but it was great. Hosted by Jad Abumrad, whose dad was Dolly's doctor at Vandy when she had some issue and they became friends. And she then donated help fund Moderna's vaccine because of him (not in the podcast).

I also like The Other Latif, by Nasser Latif (Radiolab). The story of one of the Muslim prisoners at Guantanamo and how he got there (and now released about a month ago). An amazing story. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/other-latif

Finally if you like to keep up with The Pandemic (and who doesn't): In the Bubble with Andy Savitt. https://lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble/. Today's episode is The Future of Vaccines (with Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel)

[rthomas]

This episode of This American Life is the one that got me hooked on podcasts.

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/115...-day/act-two-0

Squirrel Cop. The first day inevitably means mistakes, mishaps, fiascos. A true story, told by a former rookie cop. (14 minutes)

Currently, Radiolab is by far my go to. Loved the Dolly Parton's America. I didn't think I ws going to but it was great. Hosted by Jad Abumrad, whose dad was Dolly's doctor at Vandy when she had some issue and they became friends. And she then donated help fund Moderna's vaccine because of him (not in the podcast).

I also like The Other Latif, by Nasser Latif (Radiolab). The story of one of the Muslim prisoners at Guantanamo and how he got there (and now released about a month ago). An amazing story. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/other-latif

Finally if you like to keep up with The Pandemic (and who doesn't): In the Bubble with Andy Savitt. https://lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble/. Today's episode is The Future of Vaccines (with Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel)

Replying to my own post. haha. Today's In The Bubble was fascinating abut how Moderna developed the vaccine. That alone is worth a listen.

[Duke79UNLV77]

The BBC's "I'm Not a Monster" was engaging. It's delves into the story of a family from Indiana that ended up with ISIS in Syria. The husband went all-in with ISIS, but the story focuses on the wife and how and why she got there. They go to Syria with 2 children and have 2 more there, and the oldest boy is forced to make an ISIS propaganda video threatening America. The journalist digs deeps and takes great personal risks to investigate the story, gains access to almost all the major players, and the story continues to develop as the series continues.

[Skydog]

Knowing that Tom Magliozzi has died, it's really nice to hear his laugh again as if he's still around.
Some of the stuff on the podcast is getting dated as newer car designs make it increasingly hard to work on your car yourself. But it's still really entertaining, and a good bit is timeless



My daughter noted about Revisionist History that it and/or Gladwell "does too much of the emotional heavy lifting for you". After listening to a couple episodes, I could see that tendency. Interesting stories, but still ...



Amusing, or interesting? And then you had enough?
Reminds me of SNL's Kevin Nealon reviewing a few movies in that genre (only slightly NSFW ... it's almost all innuendo ... and out the other)

Speaking of SNL good ole days. Btw, that was the perfect video response to my post.