Slow Burn- A Podcast About Watergate

a very fatal murder

When it comes to entertainment, we now use the phrase “binge” in order to signal how much we consume in one sitting.  Whether that’s all 7 seasons of Orange is the New Black or even just an entire season of Jessica Jones.  Watching that much TV in one sitting is now known as “binge watching”.  But can you binge anything else?  What about podcasts? I know that when I find a podcast I like, I download as many episodes as I can handle and listen to them for hours, just to get myself caught up.  This is especially helpful when I’ve got a long drive ahead of me. Over the next few posts, I am going to bring you all of the best podcasts that you could possibly want to listen to.

films to be buried with

Films to Be Buried With

If you’re a fan of film, then you’re going to want to check out this podcast.  Granted, the title makes it sound incredibly morbid, but it’s not.  In the first episode, the brilliant stand-up comedian, James Acaster takes us through The Rescuers Down Under, and the underappreciated Final Destination franchise.  He also explores why Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is probably the greatest movie ever made.  Acaster admits that he didn’t really like the film, but that shows dedication to the craft.

Slow Burn: A Podcast About Watergate

Slow Burn is a Slate Plus podcast, but it looks at one of the biggest political scandals of the 20th century.  This event made President Nixon resign and altered the course of America’s relationship with corruption and secrecy.  Brought to you by Leon Neyfakh, this podcasts takes a deep dive at the largest corruption case that America has ever seen.  Even the name has become synonymous with scandal.  If you ever want to convey that you think there is a conspiracy occurring, simply add the word “gate” to the end of your topic.  Which is why this podcast is so important.  What really happened?  What was Watergate?  Neyfakh is here to answer all your questions about this iconic event.

heavens gate

Heaven’s Gate

20 years later, Glynn Washington looks into one of the weirdest cults of all times – Heaven’s Gate.  This was also known as the UFO cult.  Washington talks to remaining members of the cult, as well as family of deceased members.  He brings in sound bites from old news reports and archives, which gives us an incredibly interesting atmosphere while attempting to explain this extremely odd story.  In 1997, 39 partially decomposing bodies were found in a palatial mansion in a San Diego suburb. All the bodies were dressed in a black shirt, black tracksuits, complete with black and white Nike Decade trainers and draped in a purple shroud. This was the largest mass suicide in American history.  Washington takes on a wild ride into the world of the peculiar and the occult.  If you’re interested in being freaked out, then this podcast is for you.

unexplained

Unexplained

If you’re like me, then there are times when you wonder what’s real and what isn’t.  If that’s the case, then you might want to check out this podcast.  This long-running podcast looks at unsolved real-life mysteries and events.  Weirdly absorbing and hypnotic – it’s hard to stop listening.  Unexplained is hosted by Richard MacLean Smith, who describes himself as a screenwriter and ex-musician.  Which means, he’s got a smooth voice and relaxing tone.  While his voice may be calming, this podcast is not.  Don’t be fooled, as some of these revelations will keep you up all night.

unexplained

A Very Fatal Murder

Of course one of the best parody podcasts that we’ve ever seen has been brought to us by The Onion.  This podcast is a fake “true crime” series (can we say that?) that mocks everything from podcast producers slumming it in rural flyover states to intrusive advertising breaks.  A Very Fatal Murder is the perfect follow up material if you’ve just binged on a podcast like Serial, S-Town or anything made by NPR.  Mostly because it’s quite contrasting to those and, of course, mocks the heck out of them.  If you’re looking for something silly, then you will want to check this one out.