The 50 Best Podcast Episodes of 2018

Best Podcasts 2018

Almost by design, podcasts are as daunting as they are thrilling. They become a vehicle for storytelling and learning, built on the possibility of discovering new information about any topic imaginable, just in the time it takes to listen.

That possibility extends to the sheer volume of shows, new and established, available to any curious listener at any time. Twice a year, in the heart of the summer and as the calendar is about to switch over into the new year, we offer up our best assessment of where things stand in the podcast world. It’s a chance to not only salute existing shows but to highlight exciting new series that have the potential to be fresh favorites.

Every pick that was part of our mid-year feature of our favorite episodes could easily have made this collection, so consider both a complementary list of recommendations. As the days wind down on 2018, here are 50 episodes that made us appreciate all the year had to offer.

To hear all the best of IndieWire’s own selection of podcasts, visit our audio homepage here.

50. A Very Fatal Murder, “Episode 5, Part 1: Did My Police Department Miss Something?”

“A podcast from The Onion that’s also a parody of true crime investigations” is something almost too perfect to exist in 2018. Perfectly pinpointing the tiny absurdities that come with longform cold case stories positioned as entertainment, this send-up is clearly in tune with an entire subgenre. From a bizarre satire of podcast ads to harnessing the tendency of some hosts to paint themselves as the hero of their own stories, this followed a checklist that can sometimes seem all too familiar to those who’ve devoted hours to true crime podcasts. This particular episode takes that laundry list of observations and tosses it away with glee, delivering the kind of wild twist in this fictional saga that you’d expect from the best Onion stories.

Listen to the full episode here. 

49. It Seemed Smart, “How to Plan to Break the Law in 20 States at Once”

Spencer Hall’s series about people who broke the law on their way to sports infamy deals with decisions each severe in their own way. Even with the two-part deep dive into Tour de France cheating, none of the stories “It Seemed Smart” covered in its opening season carried quite the same sense of danger as this, the pursuit of the fastest coast-to-coast driving time in the history of what some people know as the Cannonball Run. Told by those who lived through the experience with the occasional flabbergasted tone of someone who still can’t believe their good fortune, it also acknowledges the extreme risks of the task a small group of would-be record-breakers took. Reveling in the details that make something as crazy as this possible, it’s done with the same underlying sense of humor that makes Hall such a great read in print.

Listen to the full episode here. 

48. ZigZag, “Why Civil’s Token Sale Failed”

What started out as a project that could alter the future of journalism didn’t end up materializing. But where the underlying cryptocurrency experiment fueling this venture failed, Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant still found success in identifying a new way to reach listeners interested at the point where tech and information meet. Shifting focus, this episode has one of the most succinct overviews of Twitter’s uneasy response to false news spreading on its platform, a valuable part of the “ZigZag” fall series on our collective relationship to online misinformation. It’s all coupled to an interview with Civil CEO Matthew Iles about the fate of the company’s ambitious token sale that follows through on Zomorodi and Poyant’s promise of transparency and accountability. Though the future of the Civil project might be uncertain, this is a storytelling team that’s still bringing some clarity to an unclear realm.

Listen to the full episode here. 

47. Before It Had a Theme, “Double Lives (The Birth of This American Life)”

This is far from the first podcast to analyze another podcast, but even in the show’s early going, “Before It Had a Theme” brings a fascinating critical ear to an institution that many audio fans take for granted. Looking at the origins of “This American Life” through production, editorial, and social impact prisms, it’s a frank discussion of what’s changed in the twenty years since the Ira Glass-hosted series premiered. This look back at a pivotal “Double Lives” also brings in an extra viewpoint from Gimlet producer Peter Bresnan, who talks about his own relationship with the podcasting world that someone making radio in early 1996 could never have anticipated.

Listen to the full episode here. 

46. 2038, “In the Internet of Things, You Will Be Just a Thing, Too”

One of the current anxieties built into the way we live our lives today is how much the internet will change us, whether it’s how we process information, what we value privacy-wise, and how we re-organize our lives just to function “normally.” On this show that brings in experts to anticipate coming changes in every area from geopolitical maneuvers to Supreme Court composition, this casual, matter-of-fact assessment of what the Internet will do to our lives decades from now is sobering in how inevitable it all feels. Without being cloaked in a dramatic, fearmongering packaging, this prediction of how even our clothes will become part of a new hyperconnected reality entertains what we might expect as this thing that controls our lives continues to evolve and mutate.

Listen to the full episode here. 

45. Wild Thing, “Episode 7: Taboo”

It would be very easy for host Laura Krantz to populate her journey into the world of Bigfoot believers entirely with crackpot theorists and guffaw behind a microphone from afar. What makes “Wild Thing” such a compelling listen is the empathy inside every episode, even when Krantz is at her most skeptical. Finding conclusive proof of the giant creature’s existence is never the main goal, which means that the show never feels like it’s built on a tease or a fakeout. The best episode that highlights the attention that Krantz brings to the subject is this examination of what scientists, amateur enthusiasts, and professionals from various industries risk giving up by following this very specific interest. Without tipping the scales in either direction, “Wild Thing” presents a view of an entire community that’s more complex than most casual observers give it credit for being.

Listen to the full episode here. 

44. By the Book, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”

Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer continue to find new ways to embody the phrase “lead by example” in their ongoing journey through the self-help book canon. In two-week increments, the pair live according to the guidelines set forth in every volume from “Zero Waste Home” to “The 4-Hour Workweek.” As the series has progressed, it’s become an increasingly personal venture, one that’s added an extra layer to show beyond simply accepting or rejecting the advice of others. The result is a series that has firmly pushed back against the idea that one way of living is ideal for every human, but still found room to embrace each successive challenge and pluck a few pearls of wisdom along the way. As the show embarks on a new distribution path, Greenberg and Meinzer bring with them a refined approach to, well, refining an approach to life.

Listen to the full episode here. 

43. Every Little Thing, “How Old Is Winnie the Pooh?”

Many of the entries on this list tackle humongous ideas that take more than a handful of episodes to fully engage with. As a means of balance to the podcast environment, Flora Lichtman and the “Every Little Thing” team work in the opposite direction. In a relatively quick time, the show has managed to uncover a number of poignant lessons built within the backstories of curiosities as widespread as fake office plants, the “Cha-Cha Slide,” and the tiny arrow near your odometer that tells you what side of the car your gas tank is on. It’s the in-depth pursuit of this episode’s title question that might be the best example of the value inside each of those pursuits. Playful theorizing, historical research, and some unexpected professional assistance all go into an episode that shows the charm, care, and thoughtfulness necessary to make the little things seem big by comparison.

Listen to the full episode here. 

42. Centuries of Sound, “1901”

Beyond all the other powers of the medium, podcasts have the chance to be a incredible gateway to archival history. One of 2018’s most surprising examples is James Errington‘s meticulous ongoing project to illuminate the history of recorded sound, year-by-year. This episode, collecting remnants from the dawn of a century is a truly transportive collection. Gathering musical recordings from the world of music, comedy, and spoken word, it’s a global assortment of the entertainment of the day. As a living record (no pun intended) of the last year before an explosion in phonograph technology, it also represents the calm a before brewing storm that would change the way the world listened to itself forever.

Listen to the full episode here. 

41. LeVar Burton Reads, “Episode 30: ‘Fantaisie Impromptu No. 4 in C#min, Op. 66’ by Carlos Hernandez”

This ongoing series may be intended for adults, but it still retains the same sense of wonder that Burton brought to one of his old gigs. This particular piece, a performance of a story about a carefully constructed piano that may or may not still hold the consciousness of a dead master concert pianist, is a wonderful blend of music and literature. There’s an attentive sound design and division of characters that never feels like a gimmick. In the process, there’s a depth to the listening experience that goes beyond just reading a story aloud. Bookended by Burton’s own added context for the piece, the combined result is the cultivation of a love for genre fiction that’s as infectious and recognizable as anything else you’ll hear.

Listen to the full episode here. 

40. The Hilarious World of Depression, “Adventures in Therapy”

Over the past two years, John Moe has built a show dedicated to the idea that the process of destigmatizing mental health problems doesn’t have to come at the expense of laughs. Through conversations with comedians, writers, performers, and more, “The Hilarious World of Depression” has also helped combat the perception of depression as a monolithic condition that affects everyone in the same way. So, with the help of participating listeners, Moe assembled this collection of stories about the search for the right therapist, a pursuit that isn’t always guaranteed to go according to plan. With input from both therapists and patients, it’s an overview of success stories and happy mistakes that all funnel into the show’s continuous message of persistence and hope.

Listen to the full episode here. 

39. The Dream, “Episode 8: Destination Amazing”

Jane Marie’s overarching series on the history and modern state of multi-level marketing companies benefits from approaching the main subject through a number of different routes. Finding personal examples at every stop, Marie manages to illustrate the allure of a get-rich-quick scheme while showing the possible consequences that certain opportunities bring for those individuals caught up in promised high hopes. In this particular episode, producer MacKenzie Kassab reports from a giant gathering of aspiring salespeople, looking to find a way out of their respective situations. It’s a conversation that helps take standard MLM practices out of the language of finance and connects it with the potential human cost underneath.

Listen to the full episode here. 

38. Couples Therapy, “Our Personal Oprah”

If all comedy is personal, co-hosts Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman have found a new way to take real life and spin it into entertainment for others. An extension of their monthly stage show in Los Angeles, the pair uses “Couples Therapy” as a chance to highlight other notable duos from inside the comedy world. Some (like Ekperigin and Beckerman) are engaged, while others are lifelong best friends. Whatever the reason for the combo, each pair brings stories of their own relationships as far-flung and unexpected as the people telling them. Sincere anecdotes, goofy pre-planned bits, and self-deprecating remembrances all swirl together for a heart-opening, butt-loosening show that combines the best parts of stand-up and storytelling.

Listen to the full episode here. 

37. The Good Place: The Podcast, “Ch. 2: Allison Jones & Ben Harris, Casting Directors | Alan Yang, Writer”

Pick any episode of this ongoing commentary of one of TV’s best comedies and you’re bound to find something delightful. The earliest indication that this would be something more than just a cutely wrapped promotional tool was this episode, which saw casting experts Jones and Harris breaking down the untold stories of how the NBC show’s ensemble came together. With additional input from Alan Yang (who had a pretty busy year himself), this helped set the tone for future detailed peeks behind the production curtain. The ever-capable Marc Evan Jackson makes for a valuable steward through this process-driven series of chats, one that’s been made all the richer by the sheer number of people who’ve contributed. The extended sitdowns with creator Mike Schur, shirt-shooting sessions with the cast, and celebrations of craftspeople from every department have only added to the impressive foundation these first few episodes helped to set up.

Listen to the full episode here. 

36. The Truth, “The Off Season — Part 3: Young Man, You’re Doing Fine”

Setting a fictionalized story within a cable news workplace sexual harrassment scandal is not an easy prospect. Yet, with a careful exploration of one particular set of circumstances, “The Truth” boss Jonathan Mitchell, in conjunction with writers Marina and Nicco, present a dramatized version of events that play out from two different perspectives. One man’s inability to cope with the loss of his job after multiple misconduct accusations gives way to the outlook of an aspiring reporter unsure of how to approach her newfound chance at the ultimate scoop. The meeting of both sides shows how a fundamental gap in perception leads to the kind of willful ignorance that lets similar real life stories continue for so long. It’s a story anchored by fantastic performances from Peter Grosz and Erica Hernandez, engaging with a current cultural moment without playing into easy storytelling shortcuts.

Listen to the full episode here. 

35. Headlong: Surviving Y2K, “4: New Year’s Eve”

The team behind “Missing Richard Simmons” widened its scope with a new set of stories, returning with a new collection of tales from the turn of the millennium. Following the first public uses of the term “Y2K” and interviewing doomsayers and protectors alike, host Dan Taberski used the two decades of removal from the event itself as a chance to find out what we can learn when faced with the possibility of widespread disaster. It’s this installment, which threads together a trio of stories from December 31, 1999 that show how relevant that sliver of uncertainty still is, even as much of the world is still standing. Making a stop at most stages in the circle of life, “Surviving Y2K” is a record of just how much humanity is capable of.

Listen to the full episode here. 

34. Bubble, “Episode 2: Three Stars”

It’s hard to pick a standout episode of this monster-infused satire of everything from homebrew bros to book club hives. “Bubble” sets its sights on the supernatural beasts lurking on the outskirts of this fictional community while keeping a close eye on the corporate machinations that aren’t quite as fantastical by comparison. Written by a collection of some the industry’s funniest comedians, the show is packed with great performances from Alison Becker, Eliza Skinner, Mike Mitchell, Keith Powell, and a bevy of guest stars. Not afraid to get silly, even in some of the biggest interspecies battles in the podcast universe, each successive chapter is delivered with a wink and a nod to the personality types you don’t have live away from The Brush to have come across before.

Listen to the full episode here. 

33. This is Love, “Episode 9: One in a Million”

What better way to show the beautiful complications that love can bring than by filtering it through the story of a few snails? Not just a metaphor for finding a lifelong mate, it’s another example of how Phoebe Judge and the “Criminal” team bring the same amount of attention and care to tales from the sweeter side of life. Even in their stories that aren’t told exclusively through a human lens, there’s an overwhelming sense of empathy in their approach that makes it easier to connect to the more universal components.

Listen to the full episode here. 

32. American Fiasco, “Episode 7: The Chateau”

This whole series, chronicling the meteoric rise and inexplicable crash of the 1998 US World Cup team, is a fascinating case study in the burden of expectations. Under the observant narration of soccer superfan Roger Bennett, “American Fiasco” details how after riding high as a would-be gate-crasher on the global soccer stage, the team ended up finding a number of avenues to disappointment. In a potent cocktail of leadership instability and unfamiliarity with the tournament’s host country of France, everything comes to a head in this ill-fated retreat. Figures in this drama, with a few decades’ perspective, all weigh in for this countryside Rashomon, where the tiniest differences in the retelling point to any number of reasons why things never ended up going according to plan.

Listen to the full episode here. 

31. Proof, “Celery”

Some podcasts thrive on giving an unexpected subject a much-needed second look. This thorough reassessment of one of our most nondescript vegetables actually makes a solid argument that we collectively undervalue celery. Digging through its not-too-distant history as a fascination of society’s upper crust, all the way down through the ways that modern food scientists and mixologists are giving celery a fresh spin, the first episode of this America’s Test Kitchen podcast blends past and present in a way that gives an added dimension to the simplest of foods we eat.

Listen to the full episode here. 

30. Heavyweight, “#16 Rob”

“Heavyweight” is a show built on repairing the mistakes of the past and rectifying actions not taken. But what happens if no one can agree that something actually did happen? Using a story from the childhood of actor Rob Corddry and the mystery of a broken arm, host Jonathan Goldstein leads the audience on a trip through hazy memories and half-remembered artifacts from the past. In true “Heavyweight” fashion, through a consultation of unexpected outside sources (which in this case includes a handful of medical professionals), the team arrives at a conclusion that offers some long-awaited answers and a lovely moment of genuine family connection.

Listen to the full episode here. 

29. All Fantasy Everything, “100: All Fantasy Everything (w/ Amy Miller, Sean Jordan, and David Gborie)”

You won’t find a better hang in the comedy podcast world than “All Fantasy Everything.” Whether it’s listening to the Good Vibes Gang and assorted friends draft bands of various sizes, movie tropes, or People Who Look Like Their Names, there aren’t many other shows that make something feel so funny and effortless all at once. For longtime fans or new listeners, this milestone episode has a little bit of everything (a sampler platter, if you will) that fuels “All Fantasy Everything” week after week. What shines through the brightest is the genuine respect and love these co-hosts have for each other: With Ian Karmel, David Gborie, and Sean Jordan at the helm, no topic goes uncovered, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Listen to the full episode here. 

28. Lost Notes, “A Million Dollars Worth of Plastic”

This KCRW series takes a number of outside looks at some of the best music-related tales of decades past. The show has investigated the infamous FBI investigation behind “Louie Louie” and looked back on the rise of female punk group The Shaggs. (The latter was produced by Erica Heilman, host of the always-interesting Rumble Strip.) Richard Parks III’s piece about a McDonald’s contest that changed the course of an entire family also takes a larger view at the place that music occupies on an undeniable cultural level. In talking to the owner of a prize-winning promo record, Parks discovers the impact that music can have, even outside the traditional recording industry framework. We’re all capable of grafting our hopes and memories onto physical reminders and objects from a different time, and this episode is a concise expression of all the reasons why.

Listen to the full episode here. 

27. Mission to Zyxx, “214: The Crews’ Ship [ft. Rekha Shankar]”

The continuing adventures of Pleck, Dar, C-53, Bargie, Nermut (and of course, Beano) truly found its stride with a new round of even more ambitious episodes, taking the intrepid crew from eating contests to clone factories to the celebration of a new holiday. Turns out, the one ingredient that could send this improvised sci-fi show to uncharted territory was a little proton fuel. Packed with the same rich trademark production value that makes all of these missions immersive experiences in their own right, this episode played loose with the format even more than usual for some industry in-jokes and spacecraft dating stories. In a season packed with offbeat delights (not the least of which is a Tiny Toots-themed adventure that gave the cast a chance to switch their roles for an episode) this is yet another reason why “Mission to Zyxx” Season 2 jucking ruled.

Listen to the full episode here. 

26. Off Book, “52. The Final Off Book (w/ Very Special Guests!)”

Some podcasts draw their strength from a concise, controlled focus. Other podcasts spin gold by inviting a dozen people into a room and having them all sing at once. This glorious cacophony helped celebrate a year of improvised “Off Book” musicals in a completely bonkers way, a self-referential piece of glorious chaos that brought back some of the singers and characters from the show’s previous 51 episodes. Don’t let the episode title fool you — co-hosts Jess McKenna and Zach Reino are still churning out off-the-top hits on a weekly basis. But it’ll be a while before any show, spontaneously crafted or otherwise, manages to spin together time-traveling custodians, crustacean musical acts, and ghost podcasters in quite this way ever again.

Listen to the full episode here. 

25. The Allusionist, “88: Name Changers”

Helen Zaltzman’s delightful journey through the English lexicon and beyond has taken her across the world, illuminating a number of undervalued elements of language and communication. As Zaltzman ceded the floor for multiple episodes during the show’s “Name Season,” “The Allusionist” was able to bring together stories from individuals the world over, sharing their own experiences with claiming a new name to give to the world. From a newfound sense of identity to a desire to begin anew after a time of uncertainty, this continues the show’s invaluable mission to use one of the foundational parts of human society to help listeners see the world around them with a fresh perspective.

Listen to the full episode here. 

24. Reply All, “#132 Negative Mount Pleasant”

Few people in the world of audio had a more prolific year than reporter Sruthi Pinnamaneni, who reported a trio of “Reply All” stories that are each among the show’s standout installments of the year. “The Pain Funnel” looked at the burgeoning and frightening rehab circuit. “All My Pets” is a representative look at the intense consequences of internet fame and direct fandom. Right under the wire, she delivered this piece on the Foxconn debacle unfolding in Wisconsin, situating a massive, multibillion-dollar shift in the policy and function of single community in unexpectedly personal terms. It’s an objective entry point into an ongoing civic feud that’s come to encompass the fates an untold number of people, both within the country and outside of it.

Listen to the full episode here. 

23. 30 for 30, “BIKRAM Part 5: Reckoning”

Installments that dotted both past and future seasons in this extension of the iconic ESPN documentary brand have touched on poker players banished for being too good, the story behind one of the most explosive baseball books of all time, and a photo that changed the state of modern athlete activism. Julia Lowrie Henderson’s five-part series about the rise and dangerous reign of Bikram Choudhury over the yoga empire he helped create is a methodical look at an all-too-familiar kind of power. Captivating at every turn, this eventual arrival at a set of testimonials accusing Choudhury of manipulative and predatory behavior is an accounting delicately and emotionally told. Giving figurative and literal voice to a growing number of men and women who have endured similar circumstances, “Bikram” spoke to an audience far greater than its initial subject matter might have indicated.

Listen to the full episode here. 

22. Ear Hustle, “Big News: It’s Time”

Ever since “Ear Hustle” premiered last summer, co-host Earlonne Woods looked at life inside San Quentin State Prison from the viewpoint of someone serving out a sentence there. This episode brought the announcement that Woods’ sentence was commuted by California governor Jerry Brown. There are plenty of worthy places for new listeners to start (including the episode on relationships that we highlighted at the middle of the year), with episodes covering a wide range of topics encompassing life inside and beyond the walls of a correctional facility. Along with co-producer Nigel Poor, Woods’ story will remain an example of how a show like this can provide a living document, to chart how things exist in a current context rather than just looking to past examples. “Ear Hustle” continues to offer a much-needed perspective that educates a listening public on a topic that’s often shrouded in assumptions and incomplete information.

Listen to the full episode here. 

21. Blank Check, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk with J.D. Amato”

One of the podcast world’s most entertaining movie shows, “Blank Check” regularly serves up episodes that give listeners a finer appreciation for parts of the filmmaking process that aren’t readily apparent on screen. For this chapter, #TheTwoFriends get a crash course in camera technology from frequent guest J.D. Amato (the host of his own list-worthy show) as part of this installment of an excellent miniseries on the films of Ang Lee. Like last year’s “A.I.” episode, it proves that “Blank Check” still works whether it goes more philosophical or off the rails (or in this case, both). For a show that thrives on recurring features (definitely not bits), this episode has maybe the show’s best recent moment proving that the show’s extended roster might just know Griffin Newman and David Sims better than they know themselves. It’s always a great sign when the episode itself lasts longer than the movie they’re all talking about. See you all at Walkin’ the Walk 2019.

Listen to the full episode here. 

20. Serial, “A Bird in Jail is Worth Two in the Street (Season 3, Episode 4)”

Though different seasons of this seminal podcast have achieved various levels of public response, there’s a remarkable thoroughness in “Serial” that makes it a show worth returning to. Season 3 focused on a single city rather than a single crime, devoting its attention to a year inside the inner workings of the Cleveland judicial system. Disparate cases with varying circumstances are all situated an interconnected ecosystem where the concept of justice is elastic and the most basic information can change depending on the messenger. Host Sarah Koenig, joined this season by reporter Emmanuel Dzotsi, examine who benefits under one city’s multidimensional approach to combating crime and the sacrifices that are sometimes made in order to arrive at a definitive end.

Listen to the full episode here. 

19. You Had Me at Black, “Finding Sonshine”

This ongoing live storytelling series presents real experiences from black millennial life, told from individuals’ own experiences. Covering a wide range of the unexpected turns that life can bring, these stories range from momentary blips that can be funny in retrospect to course-altering events that are impossible to forget. This particular story, firmly in that second category, is a frank, honest retelling of one young woman’s attempt to find stability in her life after losing a partner and an unborn child. There’s an incredible amount of courage and bravery in the way that storyteller Kwynn shares what unfolded, demonstrating a level of resilience that undoubtedly has value for anyone who’s gone through a similar set of circumstances. Her choice (and ability) to give her truth to a wider audience underlines the value that shows like this can have.  

Listen to the full episode here. 

18. Outside/In, “The Most Dangerous Game”

On its own, a radio story about the unlikely origins of paintball would make for time well spent. What New Hampshire producers Taylor Quimby and Sam Evans-Brown do to add a number of layers to that tale, complete with a fireside recounting to a handful of their colleagues, is take advantage of the form in an illustrative way. The team also speaks with those present at The First Annual Survival Game, when tools designed for forestry maintenance were flipped into weapons in a friendly backyard battle, unwittingly spawning a massive global pastime. In the process, like the show’s 2018 story about lobster populations in New England and abroad, “Outside/In” takes a single anecdote and finds the greater message underneath, tying these accounts into a larger discussion about how we process information in a modern age.

Listen to the full episode here. 

17. Still Processing, “We Don’t Know Where We Are”

Given everything that’s happened this calendar year, it’s hard to remember that 2018 began with a heated debate over “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” At the time, New York Times writers Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris had a greater conversation about the function of a fixed, recognizable location in the national discourse. Wortham and Morris also examine how the concept of location relates back to black narratives and how approaching stories through the lens of a defined place might help us all find our bearings in an uncertain time. It’s a thoughtful analysis that takes advantage of the form to highlight what might be at the heart of both beloved and divisive pieces of entertainment.

Listen to the full episode here. 

16. The Daily, “The Human Toll of Instant Delivery” & Today, Explained, “HQ2”

Daily podcasts have offered some of the most flexible perspectives on each day’s largest headlines. Reacting to seismic shifts in national and global news, these shows often respond to what happened in the 24 or 48 hours prior. But one of the year’s subjects that lurked on the periphery of all of those stories is how mammoth tech companies are affecting daily life for everyone, on both a personal and international scale. These two stories both examine the human potential and human cost of Amazon’s shifting responsibilities. From the way its business strategies are changing entire cities to how the company’s workplace practices affect its most vulnerable workers, these two stories underline the value of these daily shows when they use a wider lens to illuminate a problem that’s more constant than we might realize.

Listen to the full episodes here and here. 

15. Selected Shorts, “Reader, I Married Him”

“Selected Shorts” is a part of one of the most satisfying podcast subgenres: a rediscovery of classic literature. A selection from “Jane Eyre” coupled with a pair of stories (from authors Salley Vickers and Audrey Niffenegger) thematically and canonically connected with the classic Bronte novel, it’s an hour of stories that cut right to the emotional core that’s made the original story stand the test of centuries. Joanna Gleason, Chris Sarandon, and Tovah Feldshuh approach their respective live readings with controlled, vivid performances that are as rich and satisfying as any you’ll find this year.

You can visit the Selected Shorts website here. 

14. Nancy, “#36: Punks”

“Nancy” hosts Tobin Low and Kathy Tu helped craft this particular story of one man’s search to rediscover one of the most important movies of his past. In investigating the fate of the 2000 Patrik-Ian Polk film “Punks,” Kai Wright connects with not only his memories of the excitement of seeing a vibrant on-screen portrait of gay black life, but the disappointment at finding that even in a world built on streaming, the film wasn’t readily available for a new generation of viewers to experience for themselves. The ensuing attempt to track down what remains of “Punks” unlocks another set of discoveries about the film’s production, each with stories of their own. It’s all part of a cross-country search, culminating in an ending that offers a glimmer of hope for the future. Arriving at that ending, as a number of “Nancy” episodes also artfully do, only underlines the strong connections between the efforts of increased representation and the importance of preservation of queer stories.

Listen to the full episode here. 

13. The A24 Podcast, “True Obsession with John Early & Toni Collette”

Toni Collette should get an Oscar next year. But don’t take it from us. Take it from decades-long Toni Collette superfan John Early. The “Search Party” standout and the “Hereditary” hopeful have a surprisingly casual (and at times, downright gleeful) conversation about the times in between the highs and lows that a career as a performer inevitably brings. No dishonest, manufactured stump speeches, no false modesty. Just an honest chat between someone who’s long admired someone else’s work, all done in the name of finding some joy in a hectic industry.  

Listen to the full episode here. 

12. Punch Up the Jam, “028 – Summer Girls (w/ Hannah Pilkes)”

The first full year of Punch Up the Jam brought with it a number of memorable classics: the “A Thousand Miles” reshuffling of the Vanessa Carlton classic (“starin’………….”), a journey through the unintelligible ramblings of “LA Woman,” and a fierce reevaluation of John Mayer’s “Daughters,” to name a few. Rather than just laugh and point at some of pop music’s most inexplicable tracks, Demi Adejuyigbe and Miel Bredouw bring their respective music/editing/rewriting expertise to add something new to each conversation. But for the best distillation of what this pair cycles through on a weekly basis, check out this hilarious parsing of the rich nonsense lurking behind the late-90s LFO classic. (As we also pointed out back in the summer, this is another chance to highlight the brilliant lunacy of the punch-up line “Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan / Pandora got attacked by marine invasion”.)

Listen to the full episode here. 

11. The Memory Palace, “Episode 124: Junk Room”

For over a decade now, “The Memory Palace” has made it its mission to illuminate the underappreciated corners of American history. While there’s always tremendous value in the episodes that bring stories to a wider audience that usually exist only in historical footnotes, the show’s standout installments are often the ones that examine an institution hiding in plain sight. This piece on National Statuary Hall doesn’t just delve into the origin story of this US Capitol building fixture, present since the time of the Civil War. It goes beyond to look at the figures and moments that each state in the union chooses to celebrate as the proudest parts of its own history. Under Nate DiMeo’s careful stewardship, “The Memory Palace” isn’t a corrective to the mistakes of the past, but it provides a possible way for us to understand how to keep from making them again.

Listen to the full episode here. 

10. The Habitat, “Episode 4: She Likes to Camp Alone in the Finnish Winter”

Even with a view to the skies and the future of space exploration, “The Habitat” was at its best when it was able to show how that pursuit is connected to the way we live our life here on the ground. “Tortilla!” (one of our favorite installments at the mid-year mark) showed how human relationships can strain under the pressure of confined spaces and a vital, shared mission. But the flipside of that is this thoughtful examination of how romance and attraction and familial bonding can affect any extended trips in space. In the process, it shows that butterflies of any kind work the same in zero gravity as they do anywhere where your feet are firmly planted on the floor.

Listen to the full episode here. 

9. Everything is Alive, “7: Chioke, Grain of Sand”

It’s easy for a show like “Everything Is Alive” to get lost in its own metaphors, to get precious with how it uses inanimate objects to illuminate human concepts. Interviews with lampposts, elevators, and cans of Coke all represented parts of the human condition in their own special way. But even amongst the care the show consistently brings to its unique setup, this episode (featuring the literal and figurative voice of NPR mainstay Chioke I’Anson) stands out as a beautiful philosophical discussion with its own particular discoveries. It also makes time for a love story that’s entwined with the day-to-day functioning of one of the world’s biggest cities, threading together multiple ideas of what it means to be connected to something bigger than yourself and leaving a legacy that will last for strangers and loved ones alike.

Listen to the full episode here. 

8. The Andy Daly Podcast Pilot Project, “Bonanas For Bonanza with Dalton Wilcox”

The new season of Daly’s unparalleled improv character study brought back a few old favorites, including a live worthy follow-up to “The Travel Bug” (which *might* just be the greatest episode in comedy podcast history). But it’s this dispatch from beloved cowboy poet Dalton Wilcox that might just be the cream of the crop for this brand new batch. Following wherever the whims of the assembled crew take it, this “pilot” takes advantage of a talented group of improv stalwarts being able to go with anything that comes their way. There’s nothing else quite like hearing Dalton run down his latest list of monster hunts, just one part of this show that’s clearly as entertaining for the people making it as it is for anyone listening.

Listen to the full episode here. 

7. The Shadows, “Episode 4: Decision”

Kaitlin Prest’s audio fiction journey through a the rise and fall of an unexpected love has its own set of hallmarks: layered dialogue, half-heard recollections, and whispered conversations at every stage of a relationship. Tracking the journey of an artist as she considers the possibilities of life with different partners, the six-part series entertained a variety of futures for “KP,” ones enriched by a loving, fulfilling relationship, and ones that continued on free from the emotional and psychological entanglements those can bring. (The show even contributed to the banner year for inanimate objects helping to illustrate the human condition.) “The Shadows” had both a powerful beginning and an ending that seemed at once heartbreaking and inevitable, but this pivot point is where Prest and her team really took full advantage of the form and forced their audience to think about all the players in this ongoing saga through an ever-shifting lens.

Listen to the full episode here. 

6. Love + Radio, “Points of Egress”

“Love + Radio” is a show that’s never shied away from treading into podcast storytelling’s grayest areas. Here, then, is another example of the show grappling with its own arbitrary boundaries, building an episode around host Nick van der Kolk talking to a woman who is reading her partner’s diary. It’s a radio story that examines human nature, our modern insatiable need to know everything at all times, and the limits of our desire to keep everyone in our lives happy and content. By design, it’s a piece that’s designed to live on in ethical conversations and formal dissections long after the (very important) credits roll.

Listen to the full episode here. 

5. Caliphate, “Chapter One: The Reporter”

Some investigative series are designed so that the listener has precious little insight into how much reporting goes into creating them. “Caliphate” exists on the opposite side of the spectrum, thriving on a rich understanding of the effort necessary to understand the framework of a dangerous ideology. Considering the fight against the Islamic State on an interpersonal level as well as a battle between warring institutions, Rukmini Callimachi’s portrait of the global ramifications of ISIS’ efforts is daunting in its scope. The highly personal nature of this series isn’t done just to bolster Callimachi’s credentials — it shows that a knowledge of an rapidly shifting world doesn’t exist without a dedicated group of journalists who help contextualize each new development at an immense risk.

Listen to the full episode here. 

4. In the Dark, “July 16, 1996”

It takes a certain amount of care and balance to handle an audio-based investigation of an unthinkable crime, while also making salient points about the state of the American judicial system at large. “In the Dark” has now done it twice. Season 2 begins with this thoughtful overview of a quadruple homicide that, like the child kidnapping case that formed the basis of its first season, carries a large amount of significance for the local community most affected by it. Producer Madeleine Baran and her team demonstrate an incredible attention to detail that’s in service of a full view of the crime in question, not just to send listeners down theory-based rabbit holes. As we wrote earlier in the year, “‘In the Dark’ may not have all the answers, but in many ways, that’s far better than a show that pretends that it does.”

Listen to the full episode here. 

3. Slow Burn, “Season 2, Episode 5: Tell-All”

Listeners got two seasons of “Slow Burn” for the price of one in 2018, if you count the episodes from the end of the Nixon saga (including one we put at the top of our mid-year list). A consistently invaluable deep dive into the circumstances surrounding two of the most consequential presidential scandals of the last half-century, “Slow Burn” combined a thorough attention to the less-obvious players in each story with a shrewd eye towards what modern audiences can glean from each unfolding narrative. This episode, featuring a conversation with Linda Tripp, sprinkles in an extra personal touch from host Leon Neyfakh without drawing attention away from the task at hand. It bolsters the idea of history as a living, evolving entity, bringing up even more questions as people look to the past for answers.

Listen to the full episode here. 

2. Love Me, “To My Heart”

Mansoor Adayfi was detained at Guantanamo Bay between 2002 and 2016 without ever being charged with a crime. This installment of the stellar CBC series features Adayfi, in his own words, detailing the ways that his own conception of love changed during a time of ultimate uncertainty. Through reflecting on his own written words, Adayfi revisits the letters he would write from the places where he was held in custody, many of which he wrote on others’ behalf. Despite spending a number of those years in isolation, he explains how the process of refining his own ideas about what being in love must feel like helped to sustain him through a harrowing experience.

Listen to the full episode here. 

1. Latino USA, “The Quevedos”

Stories about family often take the quickest route to our own experiences. Just this year alone, tales from across the spectrum of reality (the superb documentary “Minding the Gap”) and fiction (the farewell season of “The Americans”) occupied the upper echelons of storytelling by presenting distinct viewpoints on what can transpire within a family. Sayre Quevedo’s brave recounting of his own family’s challenges to overcome years of pain and uncertainty is a reminder of the stories that remain unspoken and the cyclical nature that successive generations are sometimes left to grapple with. Presented with care from an incredibly vulnerable place, there’s a clarity and understanding in Quevedo’s story that would be almost impossible for any outside observer to reach. It’s a mixture of memory, identity, and the nature of reconciliation that avoids an easy framing and asks each listener to consider a trying situation from a number of different angles.  

Listen to the full episode here.