For all you listeners out there.
Forgive me, I didn't watch a lot during the last two weeks- but I did listen!
These are my favourite podcasts. Some I've been a fan of for years, and some I discovered just this month. You're sure to find something that you fancy.
So take a look, and if you do, gimme a holler. I could use the human connection.
~ MUSIC ~
- "The Ongoing History of New Music, with Alan Cross"
(Music History, Radio, Comedy.)
Hosts: Alan Cross
Internationally-known radio personality and music journalist Alan Cross turned his Toronto radio show, "The Ongoing History of New Music" into a podcast.
Cross has this very sweet, light-hearted sense of humor that feels very dad-like. He's a joy to listen to, and the only music podcast I currently listen to that isn't corporate-based.
You can also check out his music blog at; www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com .
- "Rolling Stone Music Now"
(Music, Rolling Stone, Old Interviews.)
Hosts: Rolling Stone's writers
"Music Now" is Rolling Stone Magazine's podcast based off of interviews the magazine's journalists have conducted with musicians over the years.
There are some pretty solid gems hidden in these interviews, check 'em out.
- "Dissect"
(Music, Spotify, Break-down.)
Hosts: Cole Cuchna
"Dissect" is a Spotify podcast where host Cuchna 'dissects' a different album every season. Each episode covers a different track, breaking down the meaning behind the lyrics.
So far, "Dissect" has covered Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN, Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Frank Ocean's Channel Orange and Blonde, Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Tyler, The Creator's Flower Boy and IGOR, and Beyonce's Lemonade.
~ TRUE CRIME ~
(A note to anyone interested in this section: although some of these are labelled as "comedy", and they ARE hilarious, the subject matter is still the same. Understand what you're getting into if you check any of these out.)
- "The Last Podcast On The Left"
(True Crime, Horror, Comedy.)
Hosts: Marcus Parks, Ben Kissel, Henry Zebrowski
I'm just gonna come out and say it- this is my favourite podcast. Ever. You know when you find those people who feel like "your people"? Yeah, these are mine.
Parks, Kissel and Zebrowski have been making this podcast for over a decade. The amount of research they dedicate to each episode is phenomenal, reading multiple books and hiring research assistants to make sure they're delivering the truth. Nevermind the fact that they can make me cry-laugh in a matter of seconds.
Episodes range from infamous serial killers, cults, aliens, hauntings, occultism, satanism, famous deaths/murders, conspiracy theories, and lighter subjects like cryptids, creepypastas, and horror movies. For my fellow music nerds: they also cover the deaths of Kurt Cobain, John Lennon, and Biggie and Tupac.
I made a playlist of some stand-out episodes (for me). Take a peek if you're into extremely crass, dumb humour.
- "My Favorite Murder"
(True Crime, Casual, Comedy.)
Hosts: Georgia Hardstark, Karen Kilgariff
This was the first ever true crime podcast I got into! Aw, the memories.
Hardstark and Kilgariff are delightful to listen to. They're the #1 true crime podcast across the internet, and although more conversational (less researched) than Last Podcast On The Left, they're a great introduction to true crime.
Episodes usually feature the women bringing one true crime story each to the table, and "oohing and aahing" over the details. Empathetic and sweet, "My Favorite Murder" is still one of my staple podcasts.
- "Dirty John"
(True Crime, Drama, L.A. Times.)
Hosts: Christopher Goffard
This award-winning L.A. Times podcast narrates the true story of Debra Newell, a successful interior designer in California, and her relationship with the charming, deceptive, and ultimately dangerous "doctor" John Meehan.
A serial con-man and violent criminal, Meehan charms his way into marrying Newell, and attempts to take over her life and her money- but Newell's daughters refuse to turn a blind eye to their mother's sketchy new husband. Through their persistent detective work, Newell's daughters end up saving their Mother's life, as well as their own.
This podcast touched me. Only six episodes song, the first time I listened, I devoured it in an afternoon. Anyone who's familiar with narcissistic abusers will recognize John Meehan- I highly recommend.
- "Chasing Cosby"
(True Crime, Celebrity, L.A. Times.)
Hosts: Nicki Weisensee Egan
I don't think there's a person alive who hasn't heard of the Bill Cosby case.
Another L.A. Times podcast following a particularly famous true crime case- "Chasing Cosby" follows the decades of accusations against the actor and stand-up comic, and how it took the majority of Cosby's life for him to receive any kind of punishment for the decades of assault and abuse he inflicted on the 60 female accusers.
For anyone who's uneducated on the details of Cosby's accusers, this is a good place to start learning.
~ COMEDY ~
- "Tiny Meat Gang"
(Comedy, Pop Culture, YouTubers.)
Hosts: Cody Ko, Noel Miller
I love these boys.
If you watch a lot of YouTube, you've stumbled upon Cody Ko. Ko & Miller are buddies who started out making reaction videos, and are now a hugely successful comedy duo, with millions of subscribers on YouTube, and touring America with their live show.
Their podcast took off just as well, and they also make comedy rap under the same name. They're absolutely hilarious and so down-to-earth.
- "The Gus & Eddy Podcast"
(Comedy, Pop Culture, YouTubers.)
Hosts: Gus Johnson, Eddie Burback
If you don't recognize the name Gus Johnson, trust me, you've seen one of his videos,
Johnson has blown up over the last couple of years, along with YouTuber friend Eddie Burback. They both (usually) make short sketches on YouTube. They have such a silly sense of humour, they're just pair of genuine, good-natured people.
Their podcast centres around the same subjects as TMG- their personal lives, pop culture, and random silliness.
- "SuperMegaCast"
(Comedy, Pop Culture, Youtubers.)
Hosts: Matt Watson, Ryan Magee
So much silliness.
Watson and Magee run the YouTube channel Supermega. The boys create mainly gaming content, with sketches and vlogs thrown in every now and then.
What stands out the most to me about these guys is their editing. They're wickedly funny on their own, but their sharp, creative, and witty editing makes them stand out from other YouTubers/podcasts I know.
A running theme in my favourite comedy podcasts are hosts that are good-natured, relatable people. Not exactly 'family friendly', but people that you know are kind and empathetic. This includes the Supermega boys.
~ SEX & HEALTH ~
- "Sickboy"
(Comedy, Physical/Mental Illness, Interviews.)
Hosts: Jeremie Saunders, Brian Stever, Taylor MacGillivary
This Vancouver-based podcast created by three friends interviews guests who live with either physical or mental illnesses. Each episode covers a different disease or mental illness, and the boys interview both nationally, and internationally.
Inspired by Saunders himself who has Cystic Fibrosis, the podcast is relaxed and funny. The boys don't take themselves too seriously, and while the subjects can get pretty dark, their laid-back, comfortable approach helps normalize the conversation around illness.
"Sickboy" is surprisingly therapeutic. I highly recommend this one.
- "Guys We F****d"
(Sex Education, Casual, Mental Health.)
Hosts: Corinne Fisher, Krystyna Hutchinson
Nicknamed "the anti-slut shaming podcast", Fisher and Hutchinson are completely uncensored in "Guys We F****d". Whether it's about their sex lives, breakups, or mental health, these girls always give their all- it was so refreshing to find such a raw podcast. Fisher and Hutchinson don't hold back when they're hurting or upset, and it's comforting, like you're listening to a couple friends rant.
There's some wild shit in here, it's so much fun. The episodes are half Fisher and Hutchinson on their own, the other half are interviews with friends, comedians, etc.
- "F**ks Given"
(Sex Education, Casual, Interviews.)
Hosts: Amber Reed, Florence Barkway
English hosts Reed and Barkway started on YouTube with their sex education channel, "Come Curious".
I always appreciated the important information they shared through their videos, especially in a culture that is so deprived of sex education.
Reed and Barkway's goal with "F**ks Given" is to try to improve the stigma around sex, and specifically your "number", by giving an uncensored peek into the sexual histories of their guests. Each episode features a new guest within the entertainment world- and the girls ask three questions; what was your last fuck, what was your first fuck, what was your best fuck.
~ POLITICS ~
- "Canadaland"
(Canadian Politics, Liberal, Informative.)
Hosts: Jesse Brown
I'm so thankful for "Canadaland".
This is the only Canadian political podcast that I've heard of. Although I listen less often than I used to, I remember Brown always being a very balanced, while Liberal, host.
This is an important resource for any Canadian to have if they're looking to keep up on local politics.
- "Abe Lincoln's Top Hat"
(American Politics, Libertarian/Liberal, Comedic.)
Hosts: Ben Kissel, Travis Morningstar, (sometimes) Marcus Parks
.. Yes, this is also a podcast by the Last Podcast On The Left boys.
Ben Kissel, one-third of the hosts on LPOTL, is a political commentator and former Fox News correspondent. (Not THAT kind of Fox News employee, I promise.)
Kissel and LPOTL assistant Morningstar talk American politics from a left-leaning view. If you're interested in keeping up with the hellscape that is the United States, this is a great resource that WON'T make you lose your mind.