Podcasts

#1      
Haven't seen an IL thread on podcasts yet, so I thought I would create a discussion? Any avid listeners out there?

I've been on a huge kick over the past few years. A few of my favorites (in alphabetical order):
  • A Very Fatal Murder: A true crime parody from The Onion.
  • Caliphate: Journalist Rukmini Callimachi from The New York Times investigates ISIS with direct communication with its members.
  • Criminal: One of the best podcasts around, telling stories of small town crime mixed with human interest pieces.
  • Ear Hustle: Created within the walls of San Quentin Penitentiary, and inmate and a journalist tell the stories of themes within the prison population.
  • In the Dark: Investigative true-crime podcast with two seasons telling two stories.
  • Last Podcast on the Left: Comedic-crime podcast that blends crude humor with dark real-life horrors and sci-fi.
  • Monday Morning Podcast: Comedian Bill Burr rambles for an hour each week.
  • Reply All: Stories about things on the internet. Some episodes are skippable, some are unbelievable.
  • Scooby-Doo Justice Project: "Independent" investigator Ralph Cramp breaks down the original Scooby-Doo Where are You? episodes and explains why the villain was actually framed (fictional podcast).
I've left out a fair amount of podcasts I've listened to (I drive a lot), but I'm curious to hear what everyone else listens to!
 
#2      
Pardon My Take is obviously a huge one. I assume most people on here would either already have listened to it if you're a barstool fan, have been instantly turned away because it's barstool, or generally haven't heard of it. I listen occasionally (typically if the guest interests me). Basically a catch all for semi sports related information, with a special guest interview (typically someone in sports/sports media). Wide range of quality if you ask me, and the humor can sometimes be a little off-putting if stuff like that bothers you. Some of my favorites are with Matt Jones from Kentucky Sports Radio. A semi recent one where the hosts of PMT guest hosted Matt Jones' radio show. You can imagine some of the people they get from rural Kentucky who call in. Might have to listen to some other PMT first to get a grip on how they interact, but it was one of my favorites. Teared up laughing in my car.

Honestly, it's difficult for me to get into a podcast and listen religiously. I either get too far behind or into it too late or some other reason and give up on it. I've listened to most "basic" podcasts at some point in time: Stuff You Should Know, Freakanomics Radio, No Such Thing as a Fish, etc. If it's extremely popular and even partially aligns with my interests I'll give it a go. If anyone wants suggestions on programmer/CBB/fantasy football podcasts, I have a few of each I'll listen to on occasion. I drive lots :(
 
#3      
Pardon My Take is obviously a huge one. I assume most people on here would either already have listened to it if you're a barstool fan, have been instantly turned away because it's barstool, or generally haven't heard of it. I listen occasionally (typically if the guest interests me). Basically a catch all for semi sports related information, with a special guest interview (typically someone in sports/sports media). Wide range of quality if you ask me, and the humor can sometimes be a little off-putting if stuff like that bothers you. Some of my favorites are with Matt Jones from Kentucky Sports Radio. A semi recent one where the hosts of PMT guest hosted Matt Jones' radio show. You can imagine some of the people they get from rural Kentucky who call in. Might have to listen to some other PMT first to get a grip on how they interact, but it was one of my favorites. Teared up laughing in my car.

Honestly, it's difficult for me to get into a podcast and listen religiously. I either get too far behind or into it too late or some other reason and give up on it. I've listened to most "basic" podcasts at some point in time: Stuff You Should Know, Freakanomics Radio, No Such Thing as a Fish, etc. If it's extremely popular and even partially aligns with my interests I'll give it a go. If anyone wants suggestions on programmer/CBB/fantasy football podcasts, I have a few of each I'll listen to on occasion. I drive lots :(

Haha, you captured me with the avoidance due to Barstool. Just personal preference, I suppose. And come to think of it, I don't have a single sports-related podcast in my catalog. I think I scratch that itch through Twitter and simply watching the games. As I approach 30, I've found myself caring less for the sports commentary I suppose.

And I 100% agree with you on the falling behind part. I think that's why I appreciate the podcasts that have limited episodes per season (e.g., Serial), so I can listen at my own pace and not feel pressured into keeping up for fear of falling behind.

Another great two podcasts I omitted on my list are S-Town and Dirty John. Both had only around 6-10 episodes and were riveting true stories.
 
#4      

SampsonRelpenk

Edwardsville, IL
Haha, you captured me with the avoidance due to Barstool. Just personal preference, I suppose. And come to think of it, I don't have a single sports-related podcast in my catalog. I think I scratch that itch through Twitter and simply watching the games. As I approach 30, I've found myself caring less for the sports commentary I suppose.
Don't know if you give a rip about soccer, but I just finished the first sports podcast that actually captured my attention. It's called American Fiasco, all about the catastrophic failure of the U.S. men's team at the '98 World Cup and what lead to it. Hosted by one of the guys from Men in Blazers.
 
#5      
Stuff You Should Know was my first podcast. Probably the worst one to start with since it has like 1000 episodes and since I started listening from the beginning I have to stick with it(Why I make such a good Illini fan).

I like the Podcast Cults. They have always facinated me.

American History Tellers really does a great job of getting you immersed into the times.

There have been a few others that I've started but never finished. Lots of history stuff.

If anyone has the connection please get Robert at Illiniboard to do more podcasts. I could listen to that guy for days.

I'm always up for suggestions.
 
#6      
Don't know if you give a rip about soccer, but I just finished the first sports podcast that actually captured my attention. It's called American Fiasco, all about the catastrophic failure of the U.S. men's team at the '98 World Cup and what lead to it. Hosted by one of the guys from Men in Blazers.

Thank you for the recommendation! This seems different, as it's less a present-day commentary and instead an in-depth exploration of a major event in sporting history. Almost like a 30-for-30 in podcast format (and I believe ESPN has a 30-for-30 podcast). Downloaded!
 
#7      
I like the Podcast Cults. They have always facinated me.

I'm always up for suggestions.

I listened to a few from that series, but something about the delivery didn't click. That podcast network has other generic true crime podcast titles like "Serial Killers," I believe.

I prefer Last Podcast on the Left's coverage of true crime in general, but do acknowledge the trio of Ben, Henry, and Marcus may rub some listeners the wrong way (e.g., crude/raunchy humor & somewhat conspiratorial at times, anti-religion jokes, etc...). Those variables aside, Marcus does as incredible research for each topic. They cover what they call "heavy hitters" in which they go very in-depth into certain topics. Of those related to cults, they've covered Heaven's Gate, Jonestown, and Aum Shinrikyo, among many others. They are on episode 329 so far, and are a grassroots podcast network, which is neat. Also, they'll be doing a live show in Champaign on 9/29/2018!
 
#8      

KBLEE

Montgomery, IL
  • Caliphate: Journalist Rukmini Callimachi from The New York Times investigates ISIS with direct communication with its members.

I finally have a vehicle with Android Auto built in, so I've been listening to quite a few over the last several months. Caliphate was the most interesting one I've listened to thus far.

I don't have many that I listen to on a regular basis other than Freakonomics Radio and Investor in the Family (Brian Bain).
 
#9      
The latest season of Serial has been released! Only a few episodes out so far, and it focused on the American criminal justice system. I'll be saving it for a binge-listen on a long road trip.
 
#10      

KBLEE

Montgomery, IL
The latest season of Serial has been released! Only a few episodes out so far, and it focused on the American criminal justice system. I'll be saving it for a binge-listen on a long road trip.

I've listened to the first 2 episodes. Fairly interesting so far.