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Recommended podcasts (update)

Two years ago I listed my recommended podcasts. Here’s an updated list.


Guide:

  • Asterisks are meant to show how timeless the episodes are. One asterisk (*) means the last year or so is likely still relevant.  Three (***) means you could (or should) start from the first  episode and it would still be relevant.
  • The number two (2) means they were also on my list two years ago.
  • I don't necessarily listen to every episode, especially for podcasts that do different topics or different guests (like Vox, Spycast, Hidden Brain). You can’t really skip episodes for serials (podcasts that tell a story, like In the Dark).
  • Tiers are based on a combination of quality and personal preference.

Tier 1
In the Dark*** [Crime podcast. Start with season 1. This show is amazing.]
Revisionist History*** (2) [Malcolm Gladwell's podcast. First couple seasons were outstanding. The most recent episodes are just ads for Gladwell's other projects.]
I Spy by Foreign Policy*** [Fun stuff.]
The Memory Palace*** (2) [The first several seasons are best.]
Homilies by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM [Christian content.]

Tier 2
Nutrition facts with Dr. Greger** (2) [Cheesy delivery but very science-based.]
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend** [The earlier episodes are best. Adult humor and language.]
Vox Podcast with Mike Erre** [Christian content.]
Unsolved* [Crime podcast. Wisconsin stories.]
Spycast [Interviews with foreign policy and intelligence types. Not pure entertainment, but good education about foreign affairs and the mindset of our intelligence community.]
Presidential*** (2) [Dated, but timeless. Has one episode about each American President.]
Planet Money (2) [NPR. Brings economics down to earth.]
Hidden Brain* (2) [NPR. Psychology.]
Strict Scrutiny [Covers the Supreme Court. Political content from a progressive perspective. The hosts are all female legal scholars.]
Connected Families Podcast** [Christian content. Parenting advice. They sell their workshops pretty hard, but still have good content.]
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History*** [Great history content, but 1-2 episodes a year.]

Tier 3
Democracy Works

Other notes
Radiolab and 99% Invisible are off my list just because I haven’t listened to them for a while. It’s likely they both still do good work, and you should check them out.
My guilty pleasures are The PFF NFL Show and The PFF Forecast. PFF is Pro Football Focus, and they do football analytics.

Let me know any great podcasts I'm missing out on...

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