I love a good podcast. I listen to them while I walk Winston, when I go for runs, on long drives and sometimes, when I’m doing work that doesn’t require a great deal of attention. So I wanted to share five podcasts to listen to this month.
So what makes a good podcast? Well, first of all, I love anything having to do with true crime. But I like the more journalistic podcasts where they are actually doing some investigation. I don’t love the true crime podcasts where they’re just giving commentary on the murders that took place.
I also really love business podcasts like “How I Built This.” It features incredibly inspirational stories for anyone aspiring to make a change or do something different with their life.
And I really love podcasts that have to do with scandalous political issues or stories, so there’s a few of those on this best podcasts list.
Five Podcasts to Listen to This Month
Blood Ties
Blood Ties is the first fictional podcast I’ve listened to that I really liked. It follows the a brother and sister who unexpectedly lose their parents in a mysterious plane crash in the Caribbean.
They’re part of a rich and powerful family (think Succession). Their father is a beloved (or is he?), world renowned cardiologist/healthcare magnate. This podcast is filled with whodunnit twists with a dose of #metoo. (That seems strange, but it’ll all make sense when you listen).
There’s two seasons of 20ish minute episodes, so it’s perfect for a long drive.
The Orange Tree:
This is a true crime podcast that I haven’t seen on a lot of lists. It follows the 2005 murder and investigation of 21-year-old Austinite Jennifer Cave. Cave was last seen on the eve of starting a new job. She was ultimately found by her stepfather 48 hours later in a grisly murder scene in her friend’s apartment just off campus.
What makes this podcast a little different is it’s produced and hosted by two former UT journalism students, who started work on the podcast when they were still students. As a former journalist, it’s incredibly impressive the amount of interviews they were able to obtain with family members and even the suspects themselves. This is one of the best podcasts for a road trip.
American Jihadi:
The opening line for a Rolling Stone review on this podcast really sums it all up: “What’s it like to accidentally become confidants with a terrorist?”
American Jihadi examines the relationship between American journalist Christof Putzel and Omar Hammami, the American-born Christian who became one of the FBI’s most wanted Islamic extremists. As you listen, you’ll definitely be like, how is this reality.
I love a good show or podcast about the Middle East, CIA, terrorism, etc, so this hooked me right away. This is also another great podcast for fans of journalism or the journalistic process.
Very Presidential:
A podcast about secret abortions, torrid love affairs, and other dark secrets surrounding the highest office in the land? Sign me up!
This podcasts explores the controversies and rumors about many different presidents throughout history from FDR to Nixon. I always love a good political podcast. And as long as you take everything with a grain of salt, it’s a fun podcast to listen to.
Just started and really like:
Louder Than a Riot:
If you love hip-hop, I think you’ll really enjoy this NPR podcast. There’s only two episodes so far, but I really like it. It’s all about the connection between the rise of hip-hop and mass incarceration.
NYPD having 500 page secret dossiers on the world’s biggest rappers, conspiracy theories on record labels having investments in the private prison system and thus encouraging criminal activity through rap…these are just a few of the topics they’ve explored so far.
Here’s what’s on my list to listen to next:
-We Need to Talk About the British Empire