Best Podcasts of 2024

Yet again, my Spotify Wrapped has alerted me that I spend an absurd amount of time listening to podcasts. This past year out of the 111,482 listening minutes, 95,192 were spent on podcasts. Which is why I feel qualified to share the ones I believe are worth listening to. Long form podcasts will always be my favourite so they come first in the list of best podcasts of 2024. (There is also a little spillover from my 2023 podcast list too.) Secondary is the ongoing episodic podcasts that I continue to enjoy year after year.

LONG FORM VS SHORT FORM

As I mentioned last year, I have many gripes about Spotify such as their underpaying of musicians. My most petty gripe however is the way they categorize podcasts. The user experience is bottom tier at best because it’s impossible to find anything with their broad genre sections. The app generally pushes whatever in house podcast they’re launching.

To make your life easier, I’ve broken up the recommendations into specific niche genres to help you locate what you’re most interested in. This includes both long form and episodic podcasts.

Lastly, there are a few podcasts that came out / were updated in 2023 but I didn’t get around listening to them until this year. I mention this in case there are readers who take yearly podcast roundup posts extremely seriously and dislike this. With that said, I promise all of these shows are no older than that AND this isn’t another list that suggests listening to Serial.

CORRUPTION (government, police etc)

RIPPLE

In 2010, the largest oil spill in the US dragged on for six months in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite its size, the contamination was cleaned up in record time and deemed safe, but was it really? Host Dan Leo returns to the communities most affected by the Deepwater Horizon spill to investigate the outcomes a decade later.

Visit the Ripple Podcast website or stream Ripple on Apple Podcasts.

EMPIRE CITY: THE UNTOLD ORIGIN STORY OF THE NYPD

Ever wondered about the origins of policing? Empire City is deep dive into the racist history of the New York City Police department and how they have morphed into the modern day force. There’s even a New York City Police Museum that refuses to use the words “corruption” or “violence” when chronicling the history of the force. Major side eye on that one.

Visit the Crooked Media website or stream Empire City on Apple Podcasts.

SOLD A STORY

Literacy rates are on the decline, but why? Follow Emily Hartford as she uncovers the changes within the American (and by proxy Canadian) education systems that dropped phonics in favour of a new reading technique. As a child of the 80s/90s, I grew up making fun of the Hooked on Phonics infomercials (just call 1-800-abcdefg!!!) so I was astonished to hear that it had been phased out. That, along with the “no child left behind” grading has upended students abilities to learn and develop basic skills.

After listening to this podcast I began reading the r/teachers subreddit. If you’re looking for some bleak content about the state of education, I suggest heading over there.

Visit the APM Reports website or stream Sold a Story on Apple Podcasts.

THE BIG DIG

What happens when a city with a large idea to fix their traffic problem embarks on a decades long infrastructure project? I was skeptical about listening to this series since I live in a city with crumbling infrastructure and mass projects. The latter of which are typically finished over budget, years late, and often needing immediate repairs due to breakage. Did I really need to listen to another city’s gripes about that? The answer is yes. It’s fascinating to hear the tale of how massive projects get started and the corruption, turmoil, and citizens shifting opinions along the way.

Visit the WGBH website or stream The Big Dig on Apple Podcasts.

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE PODCASTS

COME BY CHANCE

Life is a journey of self discovery, but what if the self you thought you knew turns out to be incorrect? For a few people this became a reality when they discovered they’d been switched at birth at the Come by Chance Hospital in Newfoundland.

Visit the CBC website or stream Come by Chance on Apple Podcasts.

THE GIFT: SERIES 2

Radio 4 from BBC brings you the unbelievable tales of genetic tests revealing shocking family truths. From switched samples at IVF clinics to children switched at birth, these genealogy test kits that are often given as gifts have the ability to upend your life. (Highly recommend listening to the first season if you haven’t already.)

Visit the BBC Radio 4 website or stream The Gift on Apple Podcasts.

UNCOVER: BAD RESULTS

Bad Results follows the stories of people whose lives were drastically impacted by the DNA test results from a company called Viaguard Accu-Metrics. CBC investigates how this company could claim to achieve 99.9% accuracy but have failed to deliver correct results to so many patients spanning multiple countries.

Visit the CBC website or stream Uncover: Bad Results on Apple Podcasts.

EXPOSED: COVER UP AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

When a serial predator is working at the Columbia University Medical Center no one holds them accountable despite the numerous reports from patients. How does this happen at such a reputable institution? Host Lauren Beil reports the harrowing stories of sexual assault survivors (who’s perpetrator was their own doctor) with extreme care. With a topic this sensitive, it takes a particular type of reporter to be able to tell a story without it being exploitative. This series did just that despite being an incredibly difficult story to listen to.

Visit the Wondery Website or stream Exposed: Cover-Up at Columbia University on Apple Podcasts.

ART CRIMES

Although this is scam adjacent, I decided to make an art crime section after reading The Art Thief and All That Glitters, both incredible books that I could not put down. That paired with the news of a curator allegedly stealing items from the British Museum for decades (more on that below), well, art crime is my new favourite genre. Fear not, there is still a scam section – keep scrolling for that!

SHADOW WORLD: THIEF AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM

An unknown number of items have gone missing from the British Museum but who took them and when did it began? The museum is a controversial institution full of ill gotten antiquities and artifacts that has prided itself on being a safe haven for the history of the world. In many cases, they have insisted that items are safer there than returned to their place of origin, and yet despite their security claims, they’ve been quietly pillaged of many treasures.

Shadow World: Thief at the British Museum uncovers who is behind this extensive caper as well as how they were discovered.

Visit the BBC website or stream Shadow World: Thief at the British Museum on Apple Podcasts.

DEATH OF AN ARTIST: KRASNER & POLLOCK

The crime involved in this podcast is that Jackson Pollock was made famous despite his wife, Lee Krasner, being the actual genius in the pairing. She was before her time and listening to this series feels like a love letter to her. Despite the circumstances of her marriage and the era, she survived her husband and spent the rest of her life making his work famous and tending to his legacy.

Visit the Pushkin website or stream Death of an Artist: Krasner and Pollock on Apple Podcasts.

THE MISSING MADONNA

Take a journey through the Scottish countryside in 2003 when a priceless 500-year-old work of art is stolen by two men wielding axes. The painting, Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna, was spirited away from Drumlanrig castle in Dumfriesshire and remained missing for four years. In that time, it was placed on the FBI 10 most wanted list (who knew they had a special art list!?)  It’s still the most valuable artwork ever stolen in the UK.

Visit the BBC website or stream The Missing Madonna on Apple Podcasts.

CHAMELEON: GALLERY OF LIES

The longer I linger in the genre, the more I’m realizing that the art world is a large charade that has little to do with art and everything to do with money. From the deception of art forgers, the inflated valuations, controlling the market by hoarding pieces, double dealing, money laundering, and tax evasion are just a few things that come to mind. Chameleon: Gallery of Lies is a buffet of all these issues. It follows the story of Helge Achenbach, a German art dealer that had a major fall from grace in the gilded world. 

Visit the Campside website or stream Chameleon: Gallery of Lies on Apple Podcasts.

SPORT CRIMES

BROOMGATE: A CURLING SCANDAL

Living in Canada you’d think that curling should be something on my radar but that would be an incorrect assumption.  Aside from my collection of vintage curling sweaters and the handful of times it was a mandatory unit in my elementary school gym class, the sport has been mostly lost on me. Being introduced to it by sliding around a waxed gym floor with one ducktaped shoe might have something to do with the lack of interest…. So if you are like me and your initial reaction is to scroll past this recommendation, I would suggest you pause and give it a chance.

Broomgate is a story about the 2015-16 curling season that was engulfed in controversy because of the evolving “technology” of curling brooms. You will be surprised how fascinating a story about brooms can actually be when it involves a sport destroying scandal!

Visit the CBC website or stream Broomgate on Apple Podcasts.

GHOST IN THE MACHINE

If you think a broom doping scandal is wild, wait till you hear about the lengths cyclists will go to achieve supremacy in the cycling world. One rider was exposed for having a motor in their bicycle, but how widespread is mechanical doping in races around the world? Does this happen in the Tour de France?

Visit the Stak London website or stream Ghost in the Machine on Apple Podcasts.

CRIME INVESTIGATIONS (MURDER)

KILL LIST

A journalist uncovers a murder for hire website and tries to warn the victims whose lives are in peril. Imagine trying to contact a stranger and alert them to the danger they’re in – who would take you seriously? Each episode delves into a new victim and how they’re working with local police to try and stop the crimes in progress.

To listen to the newer episodes, you have to subscribe to Wondery+ however, the first episodes are interesting and can stand alone.

Visit the Wondery website or stream Kill List on Apple Podcasts.

THE JINX (HBO COMPANION PODCAST)

What happens when a dude from a real estate dynasty billionaire family is never held accountable for any of his actions throughout his lifetime? From peeing in the sushi set out for a company meeting, to murdering three people and getting caught on the run jumping bail because he decided to steal a hoagie and a single band-aid despite have thousands of dollars in his wallet, this is a truly absurd story that borders the line of believability. And the director making the film? Oh he also comes from inconceivable family wealth. His billionaire father, Henry Jarecki, was accused of rape in a lawsuit connected to Jeffrey Epstein in June 2024.

I’m hesitant to reveal how obsessed I was with the Jinx and the trial of Robert Durst. During the pandemic I live streamed his entire trial. The voluminous tidbits and plethora of witnesses (who were absolute characters in their own right) had me dumbfounded that what I was witnessing wasn’t fiction.

There was enough story left that a season two of The Jinx was released post trial. This podcast series chronicles the process of making both season one and two in addition to other shocking revelations which I will not spoil and/or bore you with here.

With that said, like many cases that monetize the misery of others, it’s not lost on me that the ultra wealthy director, Andrew Jarecki, is profiting off the suffering of victims who will never receive the justice they deserve. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the very real people whose lives were ended too soon because a multi millionaire couldn’t deal with his personal conflicts in a healthy manner.

To date, Kathie McCormack, Robert’s first wife, still hasn’t been found, and her family continues to fight with Durst’s estate. Susan Berman, Robert’s long time friend whom her murdered and whose trial this podcast focuses on, almost got justice. Unfortunately, Durst died while his legal team had already set an appeal in motion which rendered the guilty verdict void. Isn’t the law fun? And finally, Morris Black’s trial was an absolute farce that robbed him of justice as well.

Visit the Zach Stuart Pontier’s website or stream The official Jinx Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

THE GIRLFRIENDS: OUR LOST SISTER

The second season of The Girlfriend’s focuses on finding out who the Jane Doe mistakenly thought to be the body of Gail Katz actually was. If you haven’t listened to the first season, definitely start there. There are definite parallels between this story and that of the Robert Durst saga. First wives mysteriously gone missing without a trace and the husbands moving on with their lives as if nothing had happened. Beyond that, it’s a story of deep friendships and the rollercoaster of dealing with grief and loss.

Visit the iHeart Radio website or stream The Girlfriends: Our Lost Sister on Apple Podcasts.

LOST HILLS: DARK CANYON

Lost Hills is a magnificent true crime podcast series that focuses on crimes around the Californian coast. Dana Goodyear is an excellent host, asking the right questions while including ambient noise from her reporting – I love that. Most Pushkin made podcasts are a solid listen.

If you haven’t listened to any of the seasons of Lost Hills, I suggest starting from the second season. The first season, in my opinion, drug on. Season 4, Dark Canyon, is a compelling story about Mitrice Richards, a woman who went missing in Malibu. After failing to pay her bill at a local restaurant, she was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and then released after midnight into the darkness of the unlit coastal community. Less than a year later her skeletal remains were found in a nearby canyon… but what happened?

Visit the Pushkin website or stream Lost Hills: Dark Canyon on Apple Podcasts.

YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Technically this podcast launched in 2019, HOWEVER, there have been subsequent case updates since then. In addition to that caveat, I also only just discovered this behemoth of a podcast series this year. And it’s a doozie! 

In 1996 Cal Poly student, Kristin Smart, goes missing walking on her way home from a party. The main suspect evades the law with the help of his family. This series sets the standards not only on how to investigate a crime but also how to podcast about it with the victim and their families in mind. Plus, the detective work done by the host, Chris Lambert, ACTUALLY helped the family receive justice. It’s truly a masterpiece. 

Visit the Your Own Backyard website or stream Your Own Backyard on Apple Podcasts.

SHE HAS A NAME

She Has a Name (the 6th season of the Truth Be Told podcast) is an memoir meets investigative journalism podcast by host Tonya Mosley. In 1987, Tonya’s sister Anita went missing and this series is her journey uncovering the truth about what happened all those years ago.

Visit the Truth be Told website or stream She Has a Name on Apple Podcasts.

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

WHO TROLLED AMBER?

Watching the updates from the Amber Heard / JD trial I was flabbergasted by the popular opinion siding with him. It felt like we were regressing back to a time when we only believed perfect victims. The whole outcome never passed the sniff test to me; thankfully Who Trolled Amber? was released and confirmed my suspicions. 

This series investigates the possible online trolling campaign used to skew the popular opinion on the case. On a larger scale, it’s eye opening knowing these tactics are being employed by other powerful people who benefit from swaying opinions. Isn’t the digital age grand!?

Visit the Tortoise Media website or stream Who Trolled Amber? on Apple Podcasts.

SHOCKING, HEARTBREAKING, TRANSFORMATIVE

Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative, takes the question of what makes documentary storytelling ethical to the next level. Host Jess Shane enlists four strangers to tell their life story but with a twist. Unlike the industry standard of non-payment to subjects and zero editorial oversight, the classic rules are thrown out in this experimental docuseries.  Each episode reveals to the listener how far one is willing to push their ethics in order to create compelling content and whether or not the audience is part of the problem.

Visit the Radiotopia website or stream Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative on Apple Podcasts.

VARNAMTOWN

Agent Dale Cooper, I mean, actor Kyle Maclachlan is channeling his former role in Twin Peaks while investigating this strange story about a small town he came across. Kyle along with reporter Joshua Davis gumshoe around Varnamtown, a small community rumoured to have made a deal with Pablo Escobar to act as a landing strip in exchange for money and bootfulls of cocaine in the 1980s. Was there any truth to this rumour?

Visit the PodcastOne website or stream Varnamtown on Apple Podcasts.

CITY OF THE RAILS

A mother tries to understand the hobo lifestyle when her daughter takes to riding the rails immediately after graduating high school. Why would someone choose to trade in life’s comforts for a life of danger and uncertainty?

As the series unfolds, listeners are introduced to a wild cast of characters and the secret society that exists on the fringes railroad tracks across America. 

Visit the iHeart website or stream City of the Rails on Apple Podcasts.

MYSTERIES

THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE

For her latest novel, The Sicilian Inheritance, Jo Piazza uses her familial history as a basis for the plot. The dually titled podcast takes the audience in the passenger seat along for the adventure to Italy while she uncovers the fact and fiction of her family’s lore. Was her great, great grandmother killed by the black hand over a land dispute or was this story a product of the telephone game gone wrong?

Visit Jo Piazza’s website or stream The Sicilian Inheritance on Apple Podcasts.

GHOST STORY

Host Tristane Redman, a firm non-believer in ghosts, grows up in a bedroom with which strange inexplicable things happened in his teen years. This childhood home happens to be next door to the house where his wife’s great grandmother was murdered – what are the odds? Redman attempts to pierce the veil and uncover a link between the ghosts and the dark family history no one is interested in talking about. One could not wish for a more annoying son-in-law and as an outsider looking in, it was most enjoyable.

Visit the Wondery+ website or stream Ghost Story on Apple Podcasts.

SCAMS

THE DREAM

The widely anticipated season 3 of The Dream finally dropped and it’s all about gurus and life coaches. Is Jane Marie one mindset shift away from changing her ENTIRE life? Follow along as she interviews some of the rising star coaches on social media all while hiring a life coach to get her life in order.

Visit the Pushkin website or stream The Dream on Apple Podcasts.

THE WEDDING SCAMMER

Never wrong a reporter, they of all people are accustomed to putting in the time to answer questions most people would not. The Wedding Scammer is a prime example of this. Host Justin Sayles doggedly tracks down and investigates the man who scammed him with a job at a fake media company called Newsaratti 7 years prior. Talk about playing the long game!

Visit the Ringer website or stream The Wedding Scammer on Apple Podcasts.

MOVIES & TELEVISION HISTORY

SPLIT SCREEN: KID NATION

40 kids are dropped off in the desert to navigate life without their parents all in the name of reality television. The year is 2007, a time when unhinged unregulated morally corrupt tv reigns supreme! Split Screen delves into the history of the show and catches up with former contestants and parents to find out what really happened.

Visit the CBC website or stream Split Screen: Kid Nation on Apple Podcasts.

MUSIC HISTORY

LOST NOTES: GROUPIES

Since this blog’s inception I have been obsessed with groupies. From trying to emulate the 1960s groupie style to going on Pamela Des Barres’ Rock Tour of the Hollywood Hills, I have voraciously consumed all media I could about the topic. I even interviewed the legend Miss Pamela and wrote a post about it! Needless to say, I was thrilled to see this podcast come out.

Lost Notes: Groupies – Women of the Sunset Strip from the Pill to Punk covered a lot of ground in a condensed 8 episode series. Would I have liked it to have been longer? Of course. But it’s a great intro into the world with interviews with Lori Lightning, Miss Pamela, and many others in the scene.

Visit the KCRW website or stream Lost Notes: Groupies on Apple Podcasts.

THE TRUE STORY OF THE FAKE ZOMBIES

What has become exceedingly clear to me is how much people were able to get away with prior to the internet. This is a story about a band who had a hit single stateside years after breaking up. Naturally, the entrepreneurial spirit drives a show promoter to hire 4 random teenagers to tour the United States and pose as the British band. Even weirder, two of those teens go on to form the band ZZ Top.

It’s a story so bizarre that regardless of being interested in The Zombies or ZZ Top one can appreciate the absurdity and excellent editorializing of an obscure corner of music history. I cannot recommend this podcast enough.

Visit the iHeart website or stream The True Story of the Fake Zombies on Apple Podcasts.

STARTING A RIOT

There is an endless supply of media devoted to the history of music that focuses solely on men (and by default omits large swaths of women.) I was thrilled to come across Starting a Riot because in the sea of men, this was a reprieve. 

Not only was I a punk as a teen in the early 2000s, I ADORED Bikini Kill. There was nothing like “girls to the front” in the scene I was in and naturally, I gravitated towards music that reflected my experience. This podcast is an oral history of the riot grrl movement in the Pacific Northwest and all the women that made it happen. From the bands to the zines and all the spaces they made in between.

Visit the Oregon Public Broadcasting website or stream Starting a Riot on Apple Podcasts.

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT: THE SEARCH FOR ULTERIOR MOTIVES

What happens when a short snippet of a song is uploaded to WatZatSong in 2021 and the internet goes wild trying to figure out what this strangely familiar tune is. Theories begin to emerge – is it a hoax? A modern day song dressed up as lost media? 

Everyone Knows That is a five part series tracking the origins of the song clip. The step by step investigation that leads to a very surprising and happy conclusion. Yes, this podcast does solve the mystery!

Stream Everyone Knows That on Apple Podcasts.

Long form podcasts are phenomenal for road trips and filling the void for mundane tasks like yard work and commuting. However, a single, easily digestible podcast episode are a wonderful format as well. Some topics need not be stretched out for weeks – especially if each episode is 20 minutes or less WITH ads. I cannot stand that. I digress, here are the best ongoing episodic podcasts.

GOOD STORY TELLING

NORMAL GOSSIP

This podcast is an absolute joy. The host reads a handpicked gossip story (from a normal person) to their guest. Each and every story is a rollercoaster of absurdity and hilariousness but ultimately relatable. These stories could have been whispered to me in confidence over the fence by my next door neighbour while we tend to our gardens.

Visit the Defector website or stream Normal Gossip on Apple Podcasts.

SEARCH ENGINE

Search Engine might be the most consistently solid podcast I have ever listened to. Even when I am not remotely interested in the topic, I still give a try and am never let down. The podcast premise: PJ Vogt takes listener questions and acts as a human search engine to answer them. My favourite episode of this year is about trying to figure out how to get into the infamous Berghain club in Berlin.

Visit the Search Engine website or stream Search Engine on Apple Podcasts.

CRIMINAL

With her soothing voice, host Phoebe Judge’s Criminal is an eclectic mix of stories surrounding crime. You never really know what you’re going to get each week and because of that it’s become a long time favourite. One of the stand out episodes (for me) was All The Time in The World. It focuses on the unusual open air lab for forensic anthropologists at Texas State University that is filled with decaying cadavers. This intentional field of decay (aptly named the “body farm”) allows for the study of decomposition and what certain causes of death can look like when subjected to weather. It was fascinating. 

Visit the Criminal website or stream Criminal on Apple Podcasts.

99% INVISIBLE

99% invisible takes on the often ignored details of design and architecture. While this may seem like a strange medium for a topic that is visual, host Roman Mars explores topics that engage the listener regardless. From the fashion trend forecasters at WGSN to the squatters of the lower east side buying the abandoned buildings in 2002, there is no shortage of subjects to delve into when it comes to design & architecture.

Visit the 99% Invisible website or stream 99% Invisible on Apple Podcasts.

THIS AMERICAN LIFE

What is a podcast list without the inclusion of This American Life? Every Sunday I look forward to the soothing tones of Ira Glass’ voice chatting casually about the audio journey I’m about to enjoy. For those who are unaware, each episode is structured around a theme and then broken into smaller usually unrelated stories. One of my all time favourite episodes featured stories related to rats and to my delight, featured the province of Alberta (where I live) that has managed to stay rat free.

There are often re-released episodes, which is understandable considering they’re one of the earliest podcasts and have been on air since 1995!!!! 2025 will mark their 30th year! Only the most recent episodes are available on streaming platforms unless you’re a subscriber. Or you can visit their website directly for the complete archive (without subscription.)

Visit the This American Life website or stream This American Life on Apple Podcasts.

INTERVIEW STYLE PODCASTS

FAIL BETTER WITH DAVID DUCHOVNY

Typically I cannot stand celebrity fronted podcasts but this one is the exception. David Duchovny interviews celebrities about their failures. Guests include Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre),

Visit the Lemonada website or stream Fail Better on Apple Podcasts.

CRIME STORY

What is the story behind the infamous stories? Investigative journalist Kathleen Goldhar interviews the myriad of people involved in a crime story such as investigators, documentarians, and reporters. From cold cases to high profile crimes, each week Crime Story takes a peek behind the curtain with an insider’s perspective. 

Visit the CBC website or stream Crime Story on Apple Podcasts.

HISTORICAL INTRIGUE

CAUTIONARY TALES

Like the fairytales of our childhood that helped guide our moral compass, Cautionary Tales is the adult version. Listen to each historical (and modern) fiasco illustrate what not to do when faced with a particular circumstance.

Visit Tim Harford’s website or stream Cautionary Tales on Apple Podcasts.

THE CURIOUS HISTORY OF YOUR HOME

Everything within, around, and on your home has a lineage and The Curious History of Your Home gets to the bottom of it all. Epic tales about ordinary objects captivate me throughout this series.

Visit the Noiser website or stream The Curious History of Your Home on Apple Podcasts.

DARK HOUSE

Having grown up in a haunted house that now resides in a historical park, I am partial to tales about old homes. House Beautiful’s Dark House podcast drew me in with their episode on the infamous Grey Gardens as I’m an Edie Beale superfan but there are many more that are just as captivating. Read their excellent History of Grey Gardens here complete with photos!

Visit the House Beautiful website or stream Dark House on Apple Podcasts.

THE BOWERY BOYS

While going through a gilded age phase a few years ago I stumbled upon a podcast that has been uploading episodes since 2008! Though their focus isn’t specifically the Gilded Age, the podcast is a non chronological history of New York City. Each episode features a topic that they expound upon in the most enjoyable yet informed way. I will never tire of their use of the word “sumptuous” and nor should you!

Visit The Bowery Boys website or stream The Bowery Boys on Apple Podcasts.

YOU’RE WRONG ABOUT

I mentioned this podcast in my Go Ask Alice post – they did a deep dive on the “memoir” and the true author. I especially enjoy their deep dives on topics like the war on drugs, the satanic panic, and beanie babies to name a few. Each episode deconstructs the common misconceptions of the topic at hand. The host, Sarah Marshall, is insightful and amusing.

Visit the You’re Wrong About website or stream You’re Wrong About on Apple Podcasts.

POP CULTURE

WHAT’S YOUR ISSUE?

If you are as enamoured with old magazines from the 90s/00s as I am, then this is the podcast for you. Dara Laine (of Les Deux You Remember This?) and Troy McEady (of Dunzo and Beyond the Blinds) have started a podcast celebrating glossies from yesteryear. Each episode they flip through a specific magazine issue and discuss. I cannot get enough!

Visit the Acast website or stream What’s Your Issue? on Apple Podcasts.

SIXTEENTH MINUTE OF FAME

Ever wonder what happened to those flash in the pan internet celebrities that plagued the digital sphere beyond saturation and vanished just as fast, well, Sixteenth Minute of Fame is here to tell you. One part digital era history class and one part interview show, there is always someone I almost forgot about being featured.

Stream Sixteenth Minute of Fame on Apple Podcasts.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Each episode of What Went Wrong dissects the many mishaps a hollywood movie has along the way to getting made. Without fail, I always discover a tidbit that makes my jaw unhinge in shock or delight. Movies include: Clueless, Beetlejuice, Garden State, The Breakfast Club, Boyz n the Hood, The Princess Bride and more. Their selection spans the decades!

Visit the What Went Wrong website or stream What Went Wrong on Apple Podcasts.

EVERYTHING ICONIC WITH DANNY PELLEGRINO

Danny Pellegrino is an earth angel and Everything Iconic is one of the few Bravo TV breakdown podcasts I genuinely like. Where other shows fall short by being varying degrees of misogynistic, Danny stands out as a champion of Queen Icon Legends. Also his book, is an absolute must read.

Visit the Everything Iconic with Danny Pelegrino website or stream Everything Iconic on Apple Podcasts.

BEYOND THE BLINDS

Each week pop culture aficionados Troy and Kelli pick a celeb, read blind items about them and discuss. Straightforward brain candy for those who are interested in the dissection and demystification of the cult of celebrity.

Visit the Beyond the Blinds website or stream Beyond the Blinds on Apple Podcasts.

EVERYONE’S BUSINESS BUT MINE WITH KARA BERRY

Kara Berry does exactly what’s advertised: talking about everyone’s business but hers. That business includes pop culture round ups and reality tv show recaps delivered with speed and wit unparalleled by most other shows of the same format. She’s a real gem for anyone looking for Bravo TV analysis.

Stream Everyone’s Business (But Mine) on Apple Podcasts.

ICYMI

In Case You Missed It is a must listen. Twice a week they drop episodes covering what’s trending in culture. From the bad art friend to the possibility of an influencer union.  Never miss a timely internet news nugget ever again.

Visit the Slate website or stream ICYMI on Apple Podcasts.

HEALTH & SCIENCE

RISKY OR NOT

The hosts pick a food safety question and answer whether it’s risky or not. There’s not much else to this straight forward fact driven show. Each week enjoy the a new piece of food safety knowledge!

Visit the Risky or Not? website or stream Risky or Not? on Apple Podcasts.

BODY ELECTRIC

It turns out I’ve been breathing wrong this entire time and I would still be living in ignorance if it wasn’t for NPR’s Body Electric. The series uncovers our body’s relationship with tech and how each interaction changes the way we function. Highly recommend the breathing episode!

Visit the NPR website or stream Body Electric on Apple Podcasts.

NEWS / CURRENT EVENTS

FRONT BURNER

Another Canadian news podcast with an excellent host, Jayme Poisson (who is currently on mat leave and I truly pray is coming back soon). She is an investigative journalist that covers timely and relevant topics. Whenever a guest attempts to explain away something, she will often be asking critical follow up questions. The episodes are insightful and never outrageously long in length.

Visit the CBC website or stream Front Burner on Apple Podcasts.

TECH PODCASTS

POWER USER WITH TAYLOR LORENZ

Taylor Lorenz is chronically online so I don’t have to be and her podcast Power User is aptly named. It’s difficult to find a tech podcast that isn’t discussing AI every single gd episode and this one fits that bill. (I am so damn tired of hearing about the new terrible thing about AI…. like NO SHIT it’s bad. I have to disengage at this point. Let it be known that I have never nor will I ever use AI in any capacity on this blog. That’s why it’s written so shittily! I joke.)

Visit Taylor Lorenz’s website or stream Power User on Apple Podcasts.

THE BEST PODCASTS OF 2024 (SO FAR)

With the whole of 2024 still ahead of us, there will be ample podcasts incoming throughout the year. This is post will be a work in progress until December so we can tentatively call it the best podcasts of 2023 so far. I will continue to update as I discover more releases. In the meantime, you can check out my 2023 podcast list for more recommendations. Happy listening!

p.s. please share your favourite shows too, I love finding new ones to listen to too!

podcast artwork via the podcast owners | design layout on blog – sandy joe karpetz