50 things that made the modern economy

under the skin

I listen to a lot of podcasts.  Especially when I go on road trips.  I can burn through several podcast episodes in the time I’m driving.  And of course, most podcasts are free.  Which is a great way to be entertained, or educated, or whatever it is that they do for you.  But with thousands of podcasts out there, where do you get started?  Well, it’s 2018, and we are going to give you a list of our favorites.

a very fatal murder

A Very Fatal Murder

Brought to you by The Onion, A Very Fatal Murder is the best parody podcast that we’ve ever heard.  It’s a fake, true crime series that mocks everything from patronizing podcast producers slumming it in rural locales, to intrusive ad breaks and even dramatic musical cues.  A Very Fatal Murder is the perfect follow-up material if you’ve just binged on an actual podcast like Seria, S-Town or even something from NPR.  When I say “real”, I just mean one based on truth.  This is the podcast for you if you’re obsessed with podcasts.  And, at this point, who isn’t?

you must remember this

You Must Remember This

You Must Remember This is a favorite of mine.  It combines my love for both history and film.  It explores the often, untold history, of Hollywood over the last century.  Writer/researcher/narrator/creator/editor Karina Longworth pulls back the curtain to give us a real sense of Hollywood.  Longworth tells stories about Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, as well as cult leaders like Charles Manson. If it’s related to Hollywood, she tells the story.  And it’s such a great podcast!

death sex and money

Death, Sex and Money

Death, sex, and money are three things that a lot of people find it difficult to talk about.   Which is why WNYC Studios decided to make a podcast about them.  In each half-hour episode, Anna Sale invites guests to talk about their personal experiences with at least one of these topics.  Needless to say, the episodes can get interesting.  Tune in to find out for yourself.

50 things that made the modern economy

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

If you’re a general knowledge nerd like me, then you might want to check out 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy.  The BBC made this podcast to explore a modern-day “thing” in ten minutes or less.  Want to know how insurance services came about?  Or how the s-bend made city life more bearable?  Or why shipping containers are always the same size and shape?  Subscribe to 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy to find out why – and more.

the butterfly effect

The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson

Writer and journalist Jon Ronson’s latest investigative project was initially only available to Audible subscribers.  Now, The Butterfly Effect is available to everyone, everywhere, and it should be on your “must listen to” list.  The seven-part series focuses on the porn industry, which started in Brussels, Belgium many years ago.  The story is of a teenage techie who decides to get rich by giving the world what he expected it wanted – free pornography.  That is just the beginning.  Ronson dives into this online revolution, and he finds himself unraveling a surprising story about people.

soundtracking

Soundtracking with Edit Bowman

When we think about movies, we almost always think about the music that we hear in those movies.  Which is what this podcast is all about.  Edith Bowman sits down with a different person from the world of film (often a director), who then takes us through their inspirations and creative process when choosing what music to use in their films.  An episode that stands out from last year had guest Edgar Wright talking about how he chose the music for the movie Baby Driver.  If you’re interested in musical journeys, then this is the podcast for you.

under the skin

Under the Skin

Under the Skin is Russel Brands’ extra-curricular take on learning.  Each week, a different person from the world of academia, pop culture or even the arts, sits down with Brand for a one-on-one discussion.  While Brand is known for his comedy, this podcast takes a deep dive into the ideas, systems and philosophies that shape our world as they try to make sense of why things are – and if they can change.  Brand has had these discussions with Al Gore, Yuval Noah Harari, Ed Stafford and Brian Cox.  This is a podcast that demands your attention, so it’s not something that you can listen to on the fly.

truth & movies podcast

Truth & Movies:  A Little White Lies Podcast

The premise for this podcast is pretty straightforward.  Richardson and a couple of Little White Lies reviewers sit in a room and discuss the latest releases.  You are going to find yourself disagreeing with some of their opinions, but that’s half the fun of pop culture, isn’t it?  Try not to get too angry at your phone, or unsubscribe just because you don’t agree.  It’s fun to have a difference of opinion from time to time.