Seven Podcast Series to Inform and Entertain Here on the Suncoast
A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. A podcast series usually features one or more recurring hosts engaged in a discussion about a particular topic or current event. Discussion and content within a podcast can range from carefully scripted to completely improvised. Podcasts combine elaborate and artistic sound production with thematic concerns ranging from scientific research to business and life tips and tricks.
Many of us have jumped on the podcast bandwagon for entertainment on the go. Whether on a long trip binging on your favorite content, or a great companion to your daily walk, podcasts are wonderful wherever you go. We have looked at some of the best trending podcasts to provide a list of ten you might want to take a listen to you in the near future.
Dead Eyes – For two years now, comedian Connor Ratliff has pursued an interview with Hanks after he was recast at the last minute in the Hanks-produced HBO series Band of Brothers, a much-hyped drama that wound up churning out stars like Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Andrew Scott, and Damian Lewis. The rejection put Ratliff on a totally different career trajectory, but the pain stuck with him. So decades later, he started a podcast in which he interviewed famous people, ranging from Jon Hamm to Damon Lindelof, about their professional rejections. Ratliff isn’t bitter: the podcast is surprisingly funny and empathetic.
The Trojan Horse Affair – This series follows Brian Reed and Hamza Syed, a former doctor turned budding journalist, as they dig into the prevailing mysteries of the titular British political scandal, which roiled the city of Birmingham in the early 2010s and inflamed Islamophobic tensions throughout the nation. What ensues is a thoroughly thrilling ride, filled with twists and turns and enough honest-to-God secret documents to put a pulpy Cold War spy novel to shame.
The Antidote – With an enjoyable don’t-give-a-damn attitude, this podcast tries to find joy in our increasingly dark world. Whether it’s the hosts’ determined commitment to swearing or high-energy guest interviews on topics such as the grownup way to drink tequila, it’s consistently funny. Hardly surprising, given that Amy Aniobi and Grace Edwards met as writers on the excellent HBO comedy Insecure.
Criminal – For those who want to immerse themselves in different crimes and contexts with each new installment, Criminal is probably the best true-crime podcast available for free. Hosted by award-winning journalist Phoebe Judge and initially launched in 2014, each episode focuses on a new crime, individual, or story. One show, for example, enters the murderous world of the “It Girl” of New York’s Gilded Age, Evelyn Nesbit, while another features interviews with the Parents of Murdered Children support group in Durham, North Carolina.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin – If you’re looking for tips to become happier each day, then listening to this podcast is worth your while. There are tips and practical advice for becoming happier and learning new good habits. Episodes average 20 minutes and feature try-at-home happiness tips, an in-depth lesson on happiness, and the answer to a listener’s question.
No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis – ‘No Limits’ profiles women rocking their careers and building empires. One can hear about women’s career trajectories, especially the beginning and where they went. You can learn from both their successes and their mistakes.
The GaryVee Audio Experience – Gary Vaynerchuk is a CEO, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and investor who has conquered social media’s secrets. This podcast is filled with straight talk and amazing advice that is a must-listen for any entrepreneur or someone looking for the push needed to venture into that new world.
Did we whet your appetite for a new podcast you might not have found yet? Are you a crime series, inspiration, or commentary podcast lover? We hope everyone finds some amazing entertainment for their daily routines or long road trips this fall.
Happy Listening, Suncoast!
Photos courtesy of Deposit Photos