I’m playing around with Substack’s community thread function, which means that starting today, on Friday, you’ll get an email like this one, with a question at the top.
THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. I urge you, all of you, every single one of you!, to click “like & comment” at the bottom and answer the question. This week I’m looking for podcast recommendations. So click and tell me…what did you listen to this week? Did you listen to something I recommended in the last Podcast The Newsletter? Are you working on a podcast you want me to know about? Did you discover something new you want to shout from the rooftops?
I want to hear from YOU, and I want you to be able to make new friends, with one another. So jump in, leave a podcast recommendation, and comment on other recs. I’ll be in there, too, leaving comments on your posts.
xoxo lp ps If you are pleased with Podcast The Newsletter, please spread the word!
When times are stressful, I like to relax with the Memory Palace and 99 PI. This isnt a left field recommendation, but the stories tend to be calm, informative, and well sound designed. I also actually took a lot of comfort in a new podcast, though not a Coronavirus podcast, called Risky or Not- two food scientists quickly deciding on whether or not they think something is Risky- thawed crab legs, hand dryers, out of date ravioli. It's nice to listen to scientists who know what they are talking about talk about that thing.
I’ve been enjoying Girlboss Radio lately. The Big Picture is great for movie nerds so I’ve been suggesting it a lot. I’m also working on The Punk Rock MBA, which has been a blast!
Imagined Life, a guess who game that’s incredible when you need to get your mind off literally anything else.
Spoilerpiece Theatre, a really great movie review podcast with extremely thoughtful, funny, progressive hosts who always steer me toward the must-see movies
Into the Dark, There is no better podcast for true crime, the show is devastating in the best way.
Unorthodox, if you’re Jewish it may very well be everything you never knew you always needed.
I have only listened to Imagine Life...which I like! Which is your favorite? I have only listened to a few. The rest of these are new to me. Where should I start with Spoilerpiece Theatre?
I go to Spoilerpiece when they review movies I either really want to see, have seen and want to discuss, or if there’s a lot of hoopla surrounding them. That said, I like that they cover movies I’m not generally going to seek out myself though, like I never would’ve seen Midsommar last year and I ended up LOVING it, on their rec.
With Imagined Life I’ve listened to every episode, don’t read the reviews because sometimes they spoil the episodes for you. I think The Handler is a really really good one to check out, (but truly they’re all amazing).
Spoilerpiece Theatre! The hosts are hilarious and don't give a darn about spoiling movies. Plus, they invite a wide variety of guests from all different backgrounds to discuss movies. Highly recommended!
Hmmm, The Toxic Woman of Riverside is a fascinating example of "Well that escalated quickly!" The Cereal Men is a personal favorite because it combines two of my favorite things, wellness cults and Patton Oswalt. The Hippo Bill and The Bone Wars are great examples of scientists at war. The Iraq War and Blackwater episodes are horrifyingly detailed when you remember how recent they went down. And The Bunion Derby is my favorite of their sports histories because somehow competitive walking was a big deal for a long time in the U.S. Who knew! Their Wikipedia entry has a full list of episodes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dollop
I honestly don’t remember who recommended it (it very well could have been you!), but the newest Richard’s Famous Food Podcast episode called “Everything is Peeklay” is amazing. It’s a joint effort with Everything is Alive and is one of the most fantastic things I’ve listened to in months.
It helps to know the idea behind Everything is Alive, but everyone should listen to this to hear how wonderful and strange podcasts can be.
So if it was you, thank you! If not, everyone would love it I have a feeling.
I find The Horne Section, Do the Right Thing, Two Stars Podcast, and Women Like Us all great for silly laughs and tuning out the world right now.
And if ever read the babysitters club books growing up, babysitters club club podcast is the best.
Ooh and while inactive for many years, Alex Horne breaks the news is another fave. It's about five years out of date and I will still relisten, which might say more about me than be an actual recommendation.
Hi Lauren, I've been enjoying Moby Dick Energy, a chapter by chapter discussion of Moby Dick. The host is still coming up a learning curve, but each episode is better than the last.
The chapters in Moby Dick are very short -- usually less than 5 pages. So you can read one or two a week, no problem, then listen to the podcast. It's a very enjoyable process. And if you're into that approach, I also recommend the podcast "Obscure" by Michael Ian Black. He reads Jude the Obscure out loud and comments as he go -- witty and insightful. It's 75 episodes, but well worth the time investment. It was a rich, moving experience.
I'm not typically a trailer listener but I listened to sooo many trailers week. But I have been also listening to more podcasts related to creating a podcast. Oddly, I have NOT listened to that Reply All episode.
It's funny but it's rare for me to listen to a trailer. I usually just read the show description and then scan for an episode that looks intriguing. Why waste time on a trailer? But, I'm starting to rethink that philosophy. I think a good trailer needs to be tightly edited - I want to know what the show is about, first and foremost, and quickly. No meandering. I hate long movie trailers and I don't want a podcast trailer to be long either. If you can't do that in under 90 seconds, do it again. (This is for non-serialized podcasts.)
love love love! Did you listen to today's Invisibilia? This is one of my favorite shows. Today's was so good. OMG and the most recent Reply All was one of the best!
hi, been enjoying many podcasts about podcasting, podlords, school of podcasting, podcast accelerator, radio drama revival is particularly great if you want to dive into audiofiction , no newsletter issue this week?
Climate One, Lonely Palette, Slow Radio, The Syllabus, Hidden Brain, History Extra, Radio Lab, Drilled, Scene On Radio, Power Corrupts, the U.S. of Anxiety, and the Pulse. Only Slow Radio is new to me and strange. Audio painting vignettes. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the suggestions that led me to any of these came from.
I listened to the first ep. for about ten minutes. It was just the host giving me play by play on his walk through the museum. I haven't given up hope on it yet. I might jump ahead in time for a newer ep to see if he has gotten better. Thanks for asking.
The United States of Anxiety - Fragility in Liberty was an ep you recommended and a very emotional episode for me as 1st gen American kid. While it didn’t cheer me up amid the COVID madness, it was a great distraction from it. Thanks!
Hi Lauren! I binged all episodes of hrishikesh hirway’s new show Partners this week. I love his non-narrated style in song exploder and it works perfectly here as well. I’m
also dipping in and out of Rob Walch’s very old show Postcast411, in which he interviews creators. Some fascinating time-capsule-ish conversations about podcasting in there.
Unsurprisingly, this was a week of news podcasts: The Daily, Global News Podcast, Viral: Coronavirus and Today, Explained. I did really enjoy Heavyweight's interview with Jonathan Vaughters too as some light(?) relief; and the interview with Samin Nosrat on BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme (from last year).
I've been desperate for a break from the relentless COVID-19 newscycle so I've been leaning heavily on Let's Go, Atsuko and Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster. The perfect antidote.
Oh, hands-down it's the Greg Davies episode. They did a Best Of episode at the end of last year that sums them all up, but Greg's is a true standout in an entire show of standouts.
It's brilliant - every episode is gold because James and Ed are hilarious comedians who are best buds, and they always interview interesting people. But when they interview someone who's a genuine friend of theirs, like Greg Davies, it's enough to have me cry-laughing while grocery shopping.
When times are stressful, I like to relax with the Memory Palace and 99 PI. This isnt a left field recommendation, but the stories tend to be calm, informative, and well sound designed. I also actually took a lot of comfort in a new podcast, though not a Coronavirus podcast, called Risky or Not- two food scientists quickly deciding on whether or not they think something is Risky- thawed crab legs, hand dryers, out of date ravioli. It's nice to listen to scientists who know what they are talking about talk about that thing.
Gahhhh of course you have the best recs Ponders I’ve never heard of Risky Or Not! So exciting!
Admittedly, it s a very simple show. Short, no gimmicks, but the content is king for Risky or Not. It's really been a great part of my 2020.
I’ve been enjoying Girlboss Radio lately. The Big Picture is great for movie nerds so I’ve been suggesting it a lot. I’m also working on The Punk Rock MBA, which has been a blast!
Janus Descending, BBC Murmurs, Seren, Less is Morgue, SideQuesting, Tales of Sage and Savant
I love Less is Morgue! And Murmurs...so interesting. The rest of these are new to me, so thank you!
My favorites are:
Imagined Life, a guess who game that’s incredible when you need to get your mind off literally anything else.
Spoilerpiece Theatre, a really great movie review podcast with extremely thoughtful, funny, progressive hosts who always steer me toward the must-see movies
Into the Dark, There is no better podcast for true crime, the show is devastating in the best way.
Unorthodox, if you’re Jewish it may very well be everything you never knew you always needed.
I have only listened to Imagine Life...which I like! Which is your favorite? I have only listened to a few. The rest of these are new to me. Where should I start with Spoilerpiece Theatre?
I go to Spoilerpiece when they review movies I either really want to see, have seen and want to discuss, or if there’s a lot of hoopla surrounding them. That said, I like that they cover movies I’m not generally going to seek out myself though, like I never would’ve seen Midsommar last year and I ended up LOVING it, on their rec.
With Imagined Life I’ve listened to every episode, don’t read the reviews because sometimes they spoil the episodes for you. I think The Handler is a really really good one to check out, (but truly they’re all amazing).
Spoilerpience Theater!!! SO FUNNY! And Reply All for all my nerdy techy needs!
What is your recommendation for me to get started with Spoilerpiece? A bunch of people have suggested this show and now I know I need to listen to it!
Spoilerpiece Theatre! The hosts are hilarious and don't give a darn about spoiling movies. Plus, they invite a wide variety of guests from all different backgrounds to discuss movies. Highly recommended!
https://www.facebook.com/spoilerpiece
Okay I know I must listen to this show now. Which episode should I start with?
One of their most recent episodes is quite good and all about Women in Horror month which was in February. I can't think of any particular episode, but they have a new entry every week. https://spoilerpiece.com/2020/02/21/horse-girl-incitement-gretel-hansel-women-in-horror-month-episode-293/
The Dollop! They make me laugh, think about the ramifications of history, and be glad I don't live in the 1800s every time.
https://melanietheconstantreader.substack.com/
I have heard about this show but haven't listened. Which episode do you recommend?
Hmmm, The Toxic Woman of Riverside is a fascinating example of "Well that escalated quickly!" The Cereal Men is a personal favorite because it combines two of my favorite things, wellness cults and Patton Oswalt. The Hippo Bill and The Bone Wars are great examples of scientists at war. The Iraq War and Blackwater episodes are horrifyingly detailed when you remember how recent they went down. And The Bunion Derby is my favorite of their sports histories because somehow competitive walking was a big deal for a long time in the U.S. Who knew! Their Wikipedia entry has a full list of episodes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dollop
I honestly don’t remember who recommended it (it very well could have been you!), but the newest Richard’s Famous Food Podcast episode called “Everything is Peeklay” is amazing. It’s a joint effort with Everything is Alive and is one of the most fantastic things I’ve listened to in months.
It helps to know the idea behind Everything is Alive, but everyone should listen to this to hear how wonderful and strange podcasts can be.
So if it was you, thank you! If not, everyone would love it I have a feeling.
I don't think it WAS me. That show is so weird and joyous.
Along the lines of the Off Menu podcast:
I find The Horne Section, Do the Right Thing, Two Stars Podcast, and Women Like Us all great for silly laughs and tuning out the world right now.
And if ever read the babysitters club books growing up, babysitters club club podcast is the best.
Ooh and while inactive for many years, Alex Horne breaks the news is another fave. It's about five years out of date and I will still relisten, which might say more about me than be an actual recommendation.
I need laughs right now and these sound great.
They're very gentle laughs (except for DTRT maybe) but just to warn you, they're not exactly edgy...
Hi Lauren, I've been enjoying Moby Dick Energy, a chapter by chapter discussion of Moby Dick. The host is still coming up a learning curve, but each episode is better than the last.
What! I have never read the book, always thought I should. It's much more likely that I would listen to this podcast!
The chapters in Moby Dick are very short -- usually less than 5 pages. So you can read one or two a week, no problem, then listen to the podcast. It's a very enjoyable process. And if you're into that approach, I also recommend the podcast "Obscure" by Michael Ian Black. He reads Jude the Obscure out loud and comments as he go -- witty and insightful. It's 75 episodes, but well worth the time investment. It was a rich, moving experience.
I'm not typically a trailer listener but I listened to sooo many trailers week. But I have been also listening to more podcasts related to creating a podcast. Oddly, I have NOT listened to that Reply All episode.
Someone just asked me this and I didn't know how to answer: What do you think makes for a great trailer?
It's funny but it's rare for me to listen to a trailer. I usually just read the show description and then scan for an episode that looks intriguing. Why waste time on a trailer? But, I'm starting to rethink that philosophy. I think a good trailer needs to be tightly edited - I want to know what the show is about, first and foremost, and quickly. No meandering. I hate long movie trailers and I don't want a podcast trailer to be long either. If you can't do that in under 90 seconds, do it again. (This is for non-serialized podcasts.)
hi, what are some podcasts about podcasting you're listening?
Mainly, Podcast Pontifications because it's not a 'how to' guide. I've also listened to a couple of epis from Audience. Podcast Accelerator.
Reply All, The Daily, Invisibilia. Two favs (not new) Story Corps: My Lobotomy and
Radiolab: After Life
love love love! Did you listen to today's Invisibilia? This is one of my favorite shows. Today's was so good. OMG and the most recent Reply All was one of the best!
Will listen tonight!
hi, what's the after life ep about?
Hey Lauren!
I've been enjoying the latest Reply All episode—like EVERYONE! It is bloody good though.
The Nobody Zone is a well-produced true crime podcast from RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster.
IT WAS SO GOOD! I have heard about The Nobody Zone and have been interested in checking it out.
hi, been enjoying many podcasts about podcasting, podlords, school of podcasting, podcast accelerator, radio drama revival is particularly great if you want to dive into audiofiction , no newsletter issue this week?
There will be a regular issue on Monday! GET EXCITED!
Hardcore History with Dan Carlin - Blueprint for Armageddon - WWI,
I am so glad you are loving this show. Which episode do you think I would like the most?
The Celtic Holocaust - It tells the story of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars.
Climate One, Lonely Palette, Slow Radio, The Syllabus, Hidden Brain, History Extra, Radio Lab, Drilled, Scene On Radio, Power Corrupts, the U.S. of Anxiety, and the Pulse. Only Slow Radio is new to me and strange. Audio painting vignettes. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the suggestions that led me to any of these came from.
OOOOooOO you have good taste...some new ones here for me.
Glad to hear that I turned you on to something.
Wally have you listened to Accession? I think you would like. https://accession.fm/
I listened to the first ep. for about ten minutes. It was just the host giving me play by play on his walk through the museum. I haven't given up hope on it yet. I might jump ahead in time for a newer ep to see if he has gotten better. Thanks for asking.
The United States of Anxiety - Fragility in Liberty was an ep you recommended and a very emotional episode for me as 1st gen American kid. While it didn’t cheer me up amid the COVID madness, it was a great distraction from it. Thanks!
YOU'RE WELCOME, BUTTBRAINS. thank you for listening to the episodes i am constantly forcing down your throat. 💖
Helllooo, I started listening to the Ballad of Billy Balls and am obsessed with it
Do you like it more or less than Dance And Stuff?
Hehe, nothing will ever top Dance and Stuff but this is close. It just sounds wonderful and I like a show that has the producer in it a lot!
I listened to D&S this morning first thing, so that's definitely on the list of what I listened to too
Hi Lauren! I binged all episodes of hrishikesh hirway’s new show Partners this week. I love his non-narrated style in song exploder and it works perfectly here as well. I’m
also dipping in and out of Rob Walch’s very old show Postcast411, in which he interviews creators. Some fascinating time-capsule-ish conversations about podcasting in there.
!!! both are new to me !!! how did i not know about partners? thank you!
Btw it’s only 3 eps in so lots more to come!
hi where to find podcast 411?
It comes up in all the regular places under podcast411 (one word)
hi thanks, found it, been searching for this a while a go and finally got it!
ASK ME ANOTHER! NPR's trivia show hosted by Ophira is an absolute gift these days.
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Love Ophira ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Unsurprisingly, this was a week of news podcasts: The Daily, Global News Podcast, Viral: Coronavirus and Today, Explained. I did really enjoy Heavyweight's interview with Jonathan Vaughters too as some light(?) relief; and the interview with Samin Nosrat on BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme (from last year).
Which Heavyweight episode was that? I want to listen!
Sorry! I meant Without Fail, not Heavyweight. It's from October 7th last year.
AH YES I loved that one, a listen for all people who love podcasts!
New Invisibilia eps
The one today was 🔥🔥🔥
I've been desperate for a break from the relentless COVID-19 newscycle so I've been leaning heavily on Let's Go, Atsuko and Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster. The perfect antidote.
AGREE what’s your favorite Off Menu? I’ve never listened!
Oh, hands-down it's the Greg Davies episode. They did a Best Of episode at the end of last year that sums them all up, but Greg's is a true standout in an entire show of standouts.
TYVMMMM
It's brilliant - every episode is gold because James and Ed are hilarious comedians who are best buds, and they always interview interesting people. But when they interview someone who's a genuine friend of theirs, like Greg Davies, it's enough to have me cry-laughing while grocery shopping.
I need lols right about now.