Podcasts for Quarantine
Narratives for the Binge Listener
Ready for a deep dive into the world of a show? You’ve got a bit more time on your hands these days. Go down the rabbit hole with one of these.
To Live and Die in LA
A tale of love, obsession, and the American Dream. This true crime podcast investigates the mysterious disappearance of aspiring model/actress Adea Shabani, and will make you question what evidence your phone is gathering every day (seriously, just flip through your Google Maps history).
The Root of Evil
Not for the faint of heart. The Root of Evil takes a deep dive into one of the most gruesome Hollywood mysteries of all time: who killed Elizabeth Smart, otherwise known as the Black Dahlia? Members of the Hodel family take listeners back in time to uncover shocking family secrets that suggest the Black Dahlia murder may have been one of many.
S Town
A podcast that unfolds like a Southern Gothic novel, S Town follows the life of one extraordinary man who is trapped in a small town he both loves and hates. Beautiful soundscapes are interwoven with interviews in this tale of love, friendship, and loss.
Serial
The OG. Serial was a game-changing podcast when it was released in 2014. If you’ve never listened to Serial, now’s your chance to get lost in the drama and decide if you think Adnan Syed really killed his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 1999, what’s the deal with Jay, whether Bow Bergdahl was a traitor or seriously taken advantage of by the military industrial complex, and if the US criminal justice system is totally f***d. Or, you know, just listen because Sarah Koenig has the voice of a public radio ANGEL.
Low-Maintenance Listening
No need to follow a complicated narrative! Just put these on in the background and have a little fun.
Disgraceland
Every episode features a dramatized version of a scandalous story from music history. No matter what genre of music you listen to, there’s something for everybody.
My Dad Wrote a Porno
Host Jamie Morton and his friends are both mortified and amused as they try to make sense of the wine-fueled drivel that Jamie’s dad insists is erotic literature. My Dad Wrote a Porno is hours of hilarity, and also confusion over a grown man’s complete lack of understanding of basic human anatomy. With five seasons of episodes, you’ll have plenty to listen to while you’re staying home. Maybe just wear your headphones. Or not, we won’t judge.
Noble Blood
Each episode of Noble Blood features a different dramatic retelling of famous royal scandals, mysteries, and love affairs. The narration and pacing of this show is comforting, and the stories are intriguing through-and-through.
Thoughtful/Human Interest
When you need a little quiet optimism, turn to these cathartic shows.
This American Life
Featuring all the vocal fry you’ve come to expect from a public radio program. This American Life has been broadcasting since 1996! There are 700 episodes available online that delve into the complexity of what it means to be American, what it means to live in a global society, and fundamentally, what it means to be human. If you’ve felt it, they’ve recorded an episode about it.
Finding Fred
The world is a pretty scary place for adults right now. If you’re feeling adrift, stressed out, unsure if there’s any goodness in the world, take this podcast for a spin. Host Carvell Wallace explores the legacy and wisdom of Fred Rogers and helps us rationalize that, hopefully, everything will be alright. Right?
Ephemeral
Ephemeral explores the things that connect us, the things we leave behind, and the materialty of nostalgia. Beautifully produced and thoughtfully made, this podcast will leave you thinking about the voicemail messages you can’t bear to delete, or the photos of someone else’s family you found at the thrift store that piqued your curiosity.
A Little Fancy
Since you can’t go to brunch anymore, why not settle in for some audio indulgence?
You Must Remember This
Karina Longworth writes and narrates each episode of this delightful podcast that delves into the “secret and/or forgotten history of Hollywood’s first century.” Longworth’s voice is soothing, and each episode is meticulously written and produced. You Must Remember This satisfies the urge for Old Hollywood nostalgia while also exposing the complicated past of the film industry. Boshemia’s Q interviewed Karina Longworth in Issue 5 // Origins. Read the interview here.