Confession time: I was one of those people who never, ever considered podcasts.
Maybe it was, at first - and yes, I'm going to sound totally elitist and anti-establishment here - what everyone cool liked. The type of thing you'd hear about from a friend who lives in Brooklyn in a sweet little brownstone (and yes, I'm totally eating my heart out with envy here and you know it) and tends an urban garden and maybe even managed to get some bees out on the roof as well, who knows.
This probably leads into my second confession in a way, because after a friend (who does live in Brooklyn) joined the initial furor of tweeting and gasping and drama around the infamous Serial, I did try to listen to the first episode. I made it five minutes in and then never picked it back up.
Sinner, sinner, who didn't have a place in her heart for brilliant investigative reporting and had no idea who Jay was.
If it helps you keep reading this post, I do now. As a matter of fact, in spite of my prior rumblings of discontent around the whole concept of podcasts, I listen to them pretty religiously now. Serial included. Just don't tell my 9th graders that I taught them a whole unit on it without being a big fan initially myself.
So anyway, I saw the light, smelled the coffee, and have listened to more advertisements for Blue Apron and mattress companies than I ever expected to. And now I know that girl who didn't have time or brain space for podcasts just didn't have that proper vein tapped yet. Podcasts are like books in that you need to find your groove, and that groove may not include that New York Times bestseller your bestie wept buckets over (but it might, to your initial chagrin, be made up of romance and what some would call "tawdry wish fulfillment," to which I say BE FREE AND ENJOY ROMANCE FOR LIFE IS SHORT AND IT IS A GENRE UNDULY CRITICIZED, CONDEMNED AND CHASTISED FOR ENJOYING ITSELF).
So what everyone else is digging...may be that one series you adore for the sole reason it puts you to sleep. (And before I dive into my favorite thing to do after angry Twitter threads and playing Civilization V for the hundredth time - making a list - I'll tell you right now: there's a podcast dedicated to putting you to sleep. You're welcome.)
Disclaimer before I dive in: I, despite all external appearances of sweetness and light, listen to a lot of true crime. I know that's not everyone's jam. Some nights, it's not even mine. But I'm just telling you right now that some of this stuff has intense scenarios, heartbreaking revelations and strong language. So be forewarned.
current listens
My Favorite Murder
*I'm a Believer plays in the distance*
Guys. GUYS.
So everyone and her sister was telling me that I needed to listen to this, adding "murderino" to their Twitter profiles alongside their profession and zodiac sign...and I was being stubborn.
It surely couldn't be that good.
Oh, but my friend, it is. If you are a woman with the remotest inkling that you have an interest in true crime, you need this in your life. I must say, with more than a little undue pride, that there are episodes where I'm screaming, "GEORGIA AND KAREN, FOR GOD'S SAKE, THERE WAS MORE TO THAT CASE," but they are so good - in spite of claiming that they never do research for this show - at correcting themselves or giving the general accuracy of a case.
Also, like, again, women talking about true crime is totally different than men talking about true crime. There's respect and sympathy and caution in a way that you can just nod along with and is offered with sincerity. I know they come off as a little flippant and maybe a little too murder-obsessed at the beginning, but stick with it. They get better and they are dedicated to keeping the show inclusive, supportive and punching up instead of down.
This is the one to beat, for me, in terms of true crime. Yes, yes, yes.
You Must Remember This
specifically, the charles manson murder episodes because i just warned you guys i'm all about that true crime podcast life so are you surprised
you should not be surprised
I literally started this off a My Favorite Murder recommendation, and so far I can confirm what they have said about this series: well-edited, easy to follow and very educational. The host has a very smooth voice with dramatic flair that she uses to good effect (read: doesn't make you roll your eyes by cheesing it up when you just want straight facts).
If you're already squirming in your skin at the thought of true crime, I'll note again that I'm listening to specific episodes and the entire show focuses more on the drama, scandal and behind the scenes of early Hollywood than anything else. And if you're like me and enjoy intriguing, well-presented nonfiction, that should be a win.
Dear Franklin Jones
Again, this is one I'm listening to thanks to another podcast. In this case, I listened to the creators' first series, Heaven's Gate - and you're sighing if you've already made the connection with the doomsday cult of the same name from the 90s and the subsequent tragedy that is usually discussed under, yep, you guessed it, true crime.
(But really, that podcast is worth the listen. Short, already completed, and with a remarkable, humane host who has had his own cult experience that he shares as well.)
This podcast also deals with a cult, and once again, the host has a personal experience with them. He was raised within this one, led by this guy named Franklin Jones who I haven't even heard of. The interviews he carries out with former members of the cult - including his own parents, which I'm sure wasn't easy - are well-done and thought provoking. And sad.
on the list
I definitely want to populate my list with more fiction and humor, so
The Adventure Zone
My Brother, My Brother and Me
Sawbones
The Bright Sessions
Wolf 359
Wooden Overcoats
I've spent too much time in my life talking about unpleasant things I don't enjoy, so I won't do that here, but I needed to give a quick "oh, don't do it" mention to Sword and Scale. It's one of "those shows" that gets recommended pretty quickly, and pretty often, when you're trawling for new true crime fixes, but the host is a real piece of work, the show rides on sensationalism, and I literally wanted a shower after one episode where 911 calls were played in full, sobbing and all.
Oh, don't do it.
I already mentioned one podcast I have under my belt, but Limetown was one of my very first. It's fictional, it's dark and it is so intensely haunting: an entire compound of people have gone missing, and no one knows how, or why, or when...and believe it or not, though I'm one of those people who worries about momentum dying down from the reality being a letdown after the build, once we start getting that how or why or when, it's actually pretty creepy. It also ends on a major cliffhanger, so I'm excitedly eyeing all those rumors of a second season coming out soon.
So, this is my (rather dark and brooding, more than pink and pleasant) current podcast mood. I am always open to recommendations, and I doubt this is the last post you'll see about me on this subject.
Onward, upward and toward the next episode!
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