Addictive Podcasts for a Road Trip
August 20, 2019 5:19 PM Subscribe
Please recommend to me some of the finest, addictive serial podcasts for an upcoming road trip.
I am embarrassed to say I have been out of the podcast game for enough time that I have no idea what gems have hit the scene since last year around this time when I took a road trip, the same road trip I will be leaving for on Thursday, and listened to Season 1 and 2 of Serial. Since then, I have been really out of touch with podcasts in general, so anything you might recommend will probably be new to me. There are long stretches of highway with dull scenery, so a gripping, even suspenseful story would be ideal.
I am embarrassed to say I have been out of the podcast game for enough time that I have no idea what gems have hit the scene since last year around this time when I took a road trip, the same road trip I will be leaving for on Thursday, and listened to Season 1 and 2 of Serial. Since then, I have been really out of touch with podcasts in general, so anything you might recommend will probably be new to me. There are long stretches of highway with dull scenery, so a gripping, even suspenseful story would be ideal.
Best answer: Seeing White takes a deep dive into "whiteness" and how it's been construed in the U.S. specifically. It's an incredible blend of history, science, reflection, etc. It honestly ruined all other podcasts for me because it was so interdisciplinary and SO well done and compelling. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Weirdly, almost no one ever seems to talk about or reference it, but it truly changed my world view.
posted by neematoad at 5:45 PM on August 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by neematoad at 5:45 PM on August 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Last Seen is the incredibly compelling true story of the Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum robbery in 1990. Great characters and all sorts of twists and turns (especially once the specter of the Mafia rears its head). The case is still unsolved, so don't start unless you don't mind a cliffhanger.
posted by Rock Steady at 5:49 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 5:49 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Bear Brook Podcast is better than your average crime story podcast. A lot better.
posted by jessamyn at 6:16 PM on August 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by jessamyn at 6:16 PM on August 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Noble Blood
"Noble Blood explores the stories of some of history’s most fascinating royals: the tyrants and the tragic, the murderers and the murdered, and everyone in between.
The world is full of ill-fated love affairs, bad decisions, and family drama, but for a monarch, the personal will determine the fate of nations.
And when you’re wearing a crown, mistakes tend to mean blood."
posted by bluecore at 6:40 PM on August 20, 2019
"Noble Blood explores the stories of some of history’s most fascinating royals: the tyrants and the tragic, the murderers and the murdered, and everyone in between.
The world is full of ill-fated love affairs, bad decisions, and family drama, but for a monarch, the personal will determine the fate of nations.
And when you’re wearing a crown, mistakes tend to mean blood."
posted by bluecore at 6:40 PM on August 20, 2019
Best answer: Ear Hustle is a podcast that takes place inside of San Quentin prison, and I highly recommend you start from the first episode.
posted by defreckled at 6:58 PM on August 20, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by defreckled at 6:58 PM on August 20, 2019 [7 favorites]
Best answer: I personally love In the dark, a serialized investigative podcast looking at a couple of criminal cases. They have had two seasons up till now, with one case per season. I thought season 2 was incredibly captivating.
13 Minutes to the moon is a 12 episode detailed look at the first moon landing by the BBC. It is fascinating to hear about the challenges and victories of the team that made the moon landing happen.
posted by eurandom at 7:13 PM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
13 Minutes to the moon is a 12 episode detailed look at the first moon landing by the BBC. It is fascinating to hear about the challenges and victories of the team that made the moon landing happen.
posted by eurandom at 7:13 PM on August 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I listened in nearly one solid go to The Penumbra Podcast's Juno Steel series - they have two story sets, the other is a Citadel one which is also recommended by friends, but I'm saving it for a rainy day. It's a Mars noir romp with PTSD and lots of flirting. Right now my absolute favourite is The Magnus Archive which is pitch perfect horror - do not listen if you are at all squeamish, although they do list all the possible warnings - and very intricately plotted. The sound effects and acting are just wonderful.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 7:40 PM on August 20, 2019
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 7:40 PM on August 20, 2019
Best answer: If you have any interest in US history, racism, the civil rights movement, unsolved crimes, etc, then try White Lies from NPR.
posted by cushie at 8:37 PM on August 20, 2019
posted by cushie at 8:37 PM on August 20, 2019
Best answer: Cocaine and Rhinestones is an awesome podcast about the history of country musicians.
I’m a fan, so I find it gripping. Lots of drama and intrigue!
posted by natasha_k at 2:40 AM on August 21, 2019
I’m a fan, so I find it gripping. Lots of drama and intrigue!
posted by natasha_k at 2:40 AM on August 21, 2019
Best answer: Dirty John. Don’t google too much about it if you don’t already know from other media what happens in the climactic episode. It’s delicious.
posted by lakeroon at 3:58 AM on August 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by lakeroon at 3:58 AM on August 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Who the Hell is Hamish? is pretty riveting (fraud, not murder).
Uncover Season 3 — The Village: For The Village, Uncover season 3, host Justin Ling explores the numerous cases of missing and murdered men in Toronto's gay community, dating back to the 1970s. What social forces allowed these cases to go unsolved, or even unnoticed?
Thunder Bay: The highest homicide and hate crime rates in the country. A mayor charged with extortion. A police chief who faced trial for obstruction of justice. Nine tragic deaths of Indigenous high schoolers. Why does it all happen here?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:00 AM on August 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Uncover Season 3 — The Village: For The Village, Uncover season 3, host Justin Ling explores the numerous cases of missing and murdered men in Toronto's gay community, dating back to the 1970s. What social forces allowed these cases to go unsolved, or even unnoticed?
Thunder Bay: The highest homicide and hate crime rates in the country. A mayor charged with extortion. A police chief who faced trial for obstruction of justice. Nine tragic deaths of Indigenous high schoolers. Why does it all happen here?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:00 AM on August 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The late, great Mystery Show is probably my favorite podcast ever. It’s only one season and not serialized but each episode is about solving one small, weird mystery and thus very compelling.
posted by notheotherone at 10:00 PM on August 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by notheotherone at 10:00 PM on August 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
There's a preview on Vulture here which also mentions an assortment of other recent-ish true-crime-ish podcasts you might want to check out.
posted by bcwinters at 5:37 PM on August 20, 2019 [1 favorite]