My Summer Podcast Playlist
I am a podcast fanatic. I love learning new things, hearing interesting stories, or listening to various viewpoints on today's pop culture. I am always on the look out for new podcasts to listen to. Some of the podcasts in this post are old faves that I continue to listen to and enjoy. This summer, I have discovered a few new ones that I have added to my playlist.
The Rewatchables
I included this podcast in my July favorites and I'm still slightly obsessed with it. If you are a movie buff and love talking about popular films this is the podcast for you. So far this month they have talked about Die Hard, My Best Friend's Wedding and Wedding Crashers. I am still working my way through the old episodes and bouncing between the old and new ones. And that's the great thing about this podcast's formatting. You don't have to start at the beginning to enjoy it or understand it. You can simply pick an episode with a film you like. Each episode works as a stand alone piece. Ones I recently listened to were about Heat, Face/Off and Ocean's 11.
The Wilderness
I recently began listening to this one and then stopped because it was tough to get through. Not because it was bad but because it was simply hard to listen to. Revisiting election year 2016 feels a bit like revisiting the scene of a horrible accident that you are still recovering from. But - if you can make it through the first 3 episodes, you will not be disappointed. A frank and honest discussion about the state of the Democratic party, how we got to where we are and how to get out of the "political wilderness". Listening to new ideas of how to not only change the party but improve our country is energizing and inspiring. It's not all unicorns and rainbows. There is also much needed tough critique for how the party has been run over the last thirty years. If you are not burnt out completely on politics this is well worth a listen.
Keep It
Sassy, funny and insightful commentary on the week's cultural and news events is what Keep It is all about. This show covers the gambit and does it while making you laugh. The hosts are "woke" and funny. Covering topics from Omarosa's new book (cough, cough) to the scandal at CBS with Les Moonves. They talk about it all with humor and more than just a dash of side eye.
Lore
I started listening to Lore when it first debuted in March 2015. I've been hooked ever since. If you have never heard of Lore it is a podcast dedicated to real-life folklore. True stories that happened and stories that have been told throughout history. Episodes cover everything from the first female serial killer to the origins of vampire mythology. The stories are spooky. But not overly so. More than anything, they are well written and narrated by host and creator Aaron Mahnke, and a fascinating 30 minute listen. Lore tends to be one of those podcasts that I listen to in clusters. I save 3-4 episodes and listen to them back to back. It's a great way to pass a busy day at work.
Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities
If Lore is not your thing but you love quirky interesting tales -minus the spooky factor, Cabinet of Curiosities may be for you. Created and hosted by the creator of Lore this podcast is all about mysterious, strange and quirky tales from the pages of history. I like to call it "Lore light". Each episode runs 15 minutes or less.
In The Dark
I mentioned this podcast in my June favorites. The last season concluded in July and features 11 episodes. If you enjoy true crime (and don't mind being utterly pissed off for 45 minutes of an episode) this is a MUST listen. Compelling, heart-wrenching, frustrating and never boring. The reporters do an amazing job and will have you on the edge of your seat.
You Must Remember This
This is hands down if not my favorite - one of my - all time favorite podcasts. Ever. Stories of old Hollywood that gives you insight into iconic stars like Katherine Hepburn, Judy Garland, Jane Fonda, Joan Crawford and Howard Hughes. And crazy times in Hollywood like the Hollywood Black List, The Hays code and WWII. This season is focused on debunking the myths and lies in Hollywood Babylon. Karina Longworth, the creator and host of the show (I dare you not to become obsessed with her voice) does her homework, giving amazing facts and detail on each of her subjects. This season has been no exception.
Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell
Another all time fave. Hosted and created by Malcolm Gladwell, a veteran writer for the New Yorker and author of five New York Times best-sellers, it can be hard to describe Revisionist History to people who haven't listened to it before. The subjects seem innocuous - even boring- at first glance. But they are riveting. Gladwell has a gift of taking a small fact, subject, or detail and expanding on it in a way that is absolutely amazing. If you haven't listened to an episode before I dare you to listen to just one and not want to listen to another. And another. The third and current season concluded in July. Each season consists of about 10-11 episodes. I binged the first two seasons in a week.
What podcasts have you been listening to this summer? Let me know in the comments! I am always looking for new ones to add to my list.
