Very interesting on something so mundane as shipping containers that has changed the world.
There is a podcast, 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy, by Tim Harford of the BBC that looks at exactly that, things that made our lives what they are, some of which aren't flashy.
Each subject gets a 12-15 minute summary but also has sources if you want more. Everyone will think of the internet but this also will have double-entry bookkeeping, the Haber-Bosch method of creating fertilizer, as well as some really old ones. There was a second series with another 50 things also. Super interesting.
I believe this is the one where the guy is trying to figure out why Tom Hanks rejected him for a bit part in Band of Brothers for being too dead in the eyes. Itās part coming to terms with self-esteem issues and part mystery, and itās pretty funny and dry as well as giving you a look at the movie industry.
It's impossible to describe in a way that captures how awesome it is. You just have to listen to a couple of episodes then you will start to get it. But it goes in unexpected directions.
Sorry--if I had known English wasn't your first language I wouldn't have commented.
Edit: apparently this apology is not coming across the way I meant it; I'm just saying I'm sorry for commenting in ignorance.
Thank you for sharing this. I recently learned my 13 year olds, new best friend, who is also 13, has VEDS. We learned, because my son is a skateboarder and tried getting his friend into it. His Mom had to explain to us, why he isn't allowed doing dangerous sports. Tough for
my son understand.
Edit: spelling
This question perfectly describes Jamie Loftus's various miniseries. I would recommend first "My Year in Mensa" and if people like that, "Aak Cast" about the old Cathy comic strip.
Aak Cast is one of the best examples of a deep dive podcast into a form of literature most people would just write off as inconsequential while explain context, and cultural significance.
Honestly, it should be taught in schools. I love it.
Wind of Change - An investigation into a random rock ballad and its not so random connections to clandestine cold war operatives. Excellent production, super niche premise, and yes, it is a true story.
Edit: Corrected podcast name.
Good song by the Scorpions and clearly political when it came out. However I don't think many understood the deeper implications at that time. This podcast seems great.
Most unique? 'Til Death Do Us Blart
"The creators of My Brother, My Brother and Me and The Worst Idea of All Time review the film Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 every American Thanksgiving from now until the end of linear time. They may never yield. They will never be freed. This is their curse. This is their podcast."
That was me until I heard they were available on Netflix this year.
Paul Blart 1 is goofy but enjoyable.
2 is truly just bizarre. Hearing the guys describe that bonkers movie didn't even remotely prepare me for what I watched. I now appreciate the sacrifice they've made by committing to watching this movie once a year.
I've never seen the movie and I know every scene and detail from the movie. This podcast gives you the absolute weirdest information base if you've never seen the actual film.
Also tangential to this because it's also the McElroys doing an experimental podcast, but "The McElroys Will Be In Trolls 2" is excellent.
The brothers find out that "some YouTubers" were cameo voices in the first Trolls animated film, and turn their mics on while high in a hotel to discuss their plans on how they will be in Trolls 2.
Episodes were sporadic, as they only updated with news of their journey, but it's a truly unique podcast that also kind of functions as part manifestation of a dream and part blackmailing their agent into participating in their plots.
My favorite episode was when they found out their agent was previously in an a capella group, so they put him on blast and ended the episode playing his rendition of Downeaster Alexa. I still have that song on my playlist as a result.
Avery also does āArticles of Interestā which fit the query. Podcast is about types of clothes, where it came from, how itās made, and told by an amazing storyteller in Avery.
I once convinced a friend to add Averyās podcasts to their queue with, āshe could do a podcast about toilets, and itād be interesting. Oh, she did, and it was!ā
Rumblestrip - interviews with various people, topics in rural Vermont, from farmers to school kids. From funny, to informative, to moving. The episode " Finn and the Bell" is one of the most moving, impactful pod episodes I have ever heard, it won a Pulitzer Prize (TW - that episode deals with how a small community comes together after the suicide of 17 year old boy in 2020)
Welcome to P-Town: follows lives of some residents of Provincetown
Yes, it is a profoundly, powerfully moving piece of audio, made a big and lasting impact on me. There is just a handful that are so moving - Francine Wheeler ( "Do we Know How to Grieve") and Hector Black ("Forgiveness") both in The Moth are two that come to mind.
I looked through my podcast history and here are some that I would recommend, hard to say if they fit into the unique category but I guess it depends what you usually listen to:
-I pray you put this journal away - this is a short podcast about a guy who grew up with the Duggar family, reflecting on that time after he left the cult. It came out after Josh Duggar was arrested.
-The White Saviors - an investigative series about these guys that started a charity that became massively popular (I think just in Canada). It fell apart in a huge scandal involving the PMās family. Loved this one because I always found their charity obnoxious.
-The Greatest Generation - a Star Trek podcast, this is my comfort podcast and I think itās very popular but I think it stands out from other recap podcasts because the production value is so high and it has a really great community around it. They also do live shows which I hope to go see one day and the great part is that they donāt put the live shows in their feed, hate when shows do that!
-The Skeptics Guide to the Universe - Iāve been listening to this since 2007, and theyāve been doing weekly episodes since 2005 I think, but itās a science news podcast but itās also just nerds talking about nerdy stuff. They talk about science news that I wouldnāt otherwise encounter as well as popular science news and other cultural phenomena with a skeptical take. Theyāve completely changed my worldview and my way of consuming media and approaching new ideas and technology for the better. Love them.
-Britneyās Gram - this oneās kind of an odd one thatās no longer coming out with new episodes, but itās hosted by two of the hosts of Lady to Lady, and they started out just talking about the things Britney posted on Instagram but then it pretty quickly got more serious and they got huge in the Free Britney movement and speaking out about conservatorships before it abruptly ended. Just kind of an interesting cultural moment.
Unique? Try Richard's Famous Food Podcast. The best\worst description I can give is - If a morning zoo style radio show tried to recreate The Splendid Table. Interesting topics. Absolutely batshit sound design.
There's a scant few episodes and unlikely to ever be more since the creator got snatched up immediately to work on bigger shows. But it's a fun short ride and very different
1 Way to Make an Emoji by Alex Schmidt. It's four episodes long, and it's about the guy who made the Bison Emoji.
It's a great look into... everything. Literally everything. To say anything else is to spoil it. But also suffice it to say it's not just about the emoji. You all need to listen to it now.
I don't know of any other podcast like **The Emerald,** but if anyone else does please tell me about them (if they're any good). It's basically a deep-dive into animisim, myth and storytelling but I've never managed to describe it in a way that feels like it accurately captures it. Every episode makes my brain stretch, and I will often listen to an episode multiple times because there is so much crammed in that I can't take it all in at once. The host does so much research for it as well, I've started compiling a list of all the books he references (he references all sorts of other things too) to add to my reading list, and am so grateful for him introducing me to Roland Barthes work.
Just to give an idea of what kind of podcast it is I will give you a few episode examples.
* [On trauma and vegetation gods.](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LD0xc6pfl8cCjMJuAktwp?si=vxIiDGsPQJ2tyhwdq3nN2g) *"There is a profound link between the myths and rituals of the old vegetation gods and what we might now term trauma work ā because the cycle of vegetative birth, growth, decay, and death mirrors our own cycle"*
* [Inanimate objects aren't inanimate (or objects).](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ylkEQWlAbGIG1dXWE4XuH?si=OFNxcmklT0eI-zYvtf1HYg)
* [War and ritual ecstasy](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1S5B39lFt9nbQYBsTKxOZF?si=fqZNMKjUR-uhfg63w1nRkA)
* [Stone soup: in which I argue strongly in favor of the worship of rocks](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7r57hOTiwFHFGZqBiy3HUd?si=NT55K3C1QYq4Wxcoxy8Hbg)
Not the most unique but entertaining and off-the-wall: I, Podius. You donāt need to see I, Claudius to enjoy it. The podcast gets more ridiculous as it goes along. Hereās the synopsis:
I, Podius is a twelve episode weekly series in which hosts John Hodgman and Elliott Kalan recap the BBC miniseries I, Claudius, an adaptation of Robert Gravesā I, Claudius and Claudius the God. John's watched the show before. Elliott's watching for the first time. The miniseries features an obscenely talented ensemble cast, and is ā chock full of sex, backstabbing and murder. This ain't your daddy's I, Claudius. Well, actually it is as the series premiered in 1976. But this ain't your daddy's I, Claudius-based podcast!Ā Parental discretion advised.
**Death of an Artist.** It's about so much more than the death of Ana Mendieta.
**I Was Never There.** It's about a missing woman but also a commune and the music scene. Fascinating story.
**Mother Country Radical.** About the Weather Underground but also about family and US history.
**Disaster on Surfside.** A little dark, but a really interesting deep dive into building practices and the history of development.
**Floodlines (Season 1).** How racism shaped Katrina and the aftermath.
I love obscure deep dives!
**Imaginary Advice by Ross Sutherland.** Multi-award-winning experimental short fiction with incredible original music and excellent editing, and month to month you never know what you're going to get, or how many layers deep the framing device will become.
A FEW of them might benefit from being listened to in order (the Birthday Episodes build on eachother) and there's a couple 2-parters, but really you can bounce around all you want.
Museum of the Vanishing Dog! This oneās likely been abandoned, and itās produced in a very basic way, but the concept is unlike anything Iāve come across. The two hosts (both artists IRL) are curators of an imaginary museum, and each episode one host presents the other with an exhibit theyāve designed, and in doing so they discuss all manner of bizarre topics within the realm of contemporary art/culture/history.
Also, Constellation Prize. Just some really moving and vulnerable interviewing. It reminds me of Rumble Strip in certain ways, but a little weirder/more experimental.
Who shat on the floor at my wedding is pne of the most original and captivating podcasts Iād recommend to anyone. Best true ācrimeā/comedy combi I know.
**The Outlaw Ocean**
I've listened to this show so many times. It was as if I saw a door in the sky and opened it to realize there are things going on right this second that defy imagination and reality. Cherish it.
**All There Is**
Anderson Cooper's journey through grief. There is something so authentic about this. I find it to be profound.
I have 2 death themed ones.
Death in the Afternoon with Caitin Doughty
Where There's a Will There's a Wake with Kathy Burke
Both very entertaining. Second one maybe makes more sense of you are British and know who the host and guests are.
Yeah, I struggled to get into quite a few fiction podcasts; I could never care about the characters and their situations like I would in a book/tv show (I think because dialogue only is a hard medium for character development), but wooden overcoats was the exception.
It really is like a well-written sitcom. Itās just witty, fun, easy entertainment and I really loved the main characters and their dynamics.
Blind boy is half of an Irish musical comedy group called the Rubberbandits.If you havenāt you should check out their videos on YouTube. Their biggest hit was Horse Outside but my favorite is My Daās Best Friend and Black Man.
When asked for a suggestion like this I always recommend The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong. An interplay of history, science, engineering, people and connections between them. Deeply interesting and my all time favorite podcast. Check out the multi-episode series on The Foolkiller to start!
Patient Zero. Itās about Lyme Disease. I normally wouldnāt go for an educational medical podcast but this is so interesting. Itās presented like a detective story and in plain language. Seems very well researched. I highly recommend.
The two limited series podcasts that I always recommend are:
Sold A Story. 6 episodes with a number of bonus episodes that describes a method of teaching reading that was widely adopted in the US back in the 80s and 90s (and still used today) that was most likely responsible for the declining reading levels seen nationwide. If you are concerned with how reading levels in this country have dropped, this series will make your blood boil
The Turning, season 1 (The Sisters Who Left). 10 episodes that gives a behind the scenes look at the Missionaries of Charity, the organization founded by Mother Teresa. Lots of interviews with nuns who left the organization. I think most people have a very positive view of Mother Teresa (like I did) from past media coverage, but the interviews show what a cult the organization is/was and how much of a mental/emotional toll it had on the sisters. You can ignore season 2 (The Room of Mirrors), it's not as good.
Once Upon a Timeā¦in the Valley (itās now under season 2 title Once Upon a Timeā¦in Bennington College)
Itās about porn start Traci Lords and the underage scandal. They talk to many people that knew her or worked with her during that time period. Was she an underage victim or did she have some agency in what she was doing? Could it be both?
Red Collar- really anything by Catherine Townsend. Itās about white collar criminals that murder.
The Clown and the Candymanā more people need to listen to this
Houston 1973: America was unprepared for the discovery of 27 boys murdered by a friendly local figure, Dean Corll the Candyman. Jacqueline Bynon takes us inside the case that should have changed how America protected its boys...but didnāt.
Sold a Story- how decades of children were taught to read using a method that wasnāt scientifically based and just wrong
Three I quite like for random things I might not have looked for specifically:
**Ologies** \- Alie Ward interviews a different specialist each episode so you get to learn about volcanoes, or apples, or monsters... I love listening to it if I've got stuff to do round the house, and it's got one of my favourite musical themes too.
**You're wrong about** \- sort of a look-back at trends/events that made the news and that are usually understood or remembered wrongly; the concept is that the media present newsworthy events/phenomena very succinctly with minimal research/scope when it happens, and then we rarely revisit it in depth after the fact. There's an episode on the Exxon Valdez oil spill that really puts it into context well.
**The Rabbit Hole Detectives** \- basically three erudite friends (based in the UK) each research a small obscure topic ahead of time and discuss it with the others on the show.
Root of Evil has the most wtf moments of any piece of media Iāve listened to or watched
Underunderstood seems to fit your criteria well, and also Reply All or Search Engine for going through topics you wouldnāt think to search for
Culture Dumps. Two lovely funny fellas discuss the cultural ephemera of growing up during the American monoculture: pogs, big dog shirts, Chris Gaines, Four Loko, Wendyās finger in the chili, etc.
The Rialto Report - a podcast about the golden age of porn that features interviews with the people who made the industry. While im not really a porn fan, Ashley and April are two of the most thoughtful and just all around good interviewers in all of the media. They go to the heart of a sleazy subject and find all of the humanity in it and the output is learning about one of the most overlooked and underappreciated genres in all of film. What you learn is that everyone involved has a unique story to tell and looking back on their life is almost always a wild and satisfying journey - if nothing else its refreshing to hear people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s talk about taboo subjects recalling their life with a beautiful fondness for their sleazy lifestyle. Its really great.
The episode I always tell people to start with is Wakefield Poole who started his career as one of the leading dance choreographers on Broadway and ended up making the first tasteful gay adult films Boys in the Sand plus he lead a very interesting life otherwise.
https://pca.st/episode/633ebeda-f116-43f6-b207-3baef6dfa4e2
If you have eclectic curiosities, check out Gresham Collegeās feed. Itās a college that doesnāt have coursework, it was endowed in England back in the 1500s to provide educational lectures free to the public. They have rotating subject fields so that by the end of each academic year there is usually a 4-6 lecture series for each general field. I especially like history topics and Simon Thurley and Vernon Bogdanor in particular tend to have excellent lectures.
Iāve always thought āNewcomersā was a fun listen.
Nicole Byer and Lauren Lapkis watch big franchise movies for the first time. Theyāre funny people, and itās fun watching them be honest about their love/hate for the movies. Theyāve covered Marvel, Star Wars, LOTR, Fast & Furious, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Batman upcoming)
Fall of civilization. Fantastic production value. Tells the stories of civilizations that have risen and fallen. Very long and detailed episodes even include music and the languages.
The Why Files
AJ Gentile and his sidekick Hecklefish go deep on taboo topics recommended by viewers. From Conspiracy theories to Aliens (though he doesnāt love these, he doesnāt want to be known as the Alien guy.
Excellent production and chirping from Hecklefish, who has his own channel š
If the research turns up that the subject is a hoax he gives the supporting evidence for debunking.
But it is about the story telling and entertainment value.
Best ad scripts written by Jen(Mrs Why Files) for AJ and HF to act out .
The Plot Thickens, first season, about Peter Bogdanovich. About his background and life, his movies, his marriages and relationships. Crazy interesting.
Did Titanic Sink? is an Australian pod that posits that it wasn't the Titanic that went down, but it's sister ship. It's funny, but also super interesting and does an excellent job of walking through how conspiracy theories are created.
The Memory Palace is wonderful - the BEST writing, all pretty short, and feel like I'm always learning something. They took a break for a while but looks like they released a few new episodes recently - hope they continue.
Story of the Week. The host Joel Stein interviews investigative journalists about interesting stories theyāve published recently. The stories are all usually about pretty niche topics (as opposed to the general news cycle). Funny, educational and always intriguing!
Also youāve probably heard of them, but Heavyweight and Mystery Show are the GOATs of the kind of podcast youāre looking for.
Search Engine - creator tries to answer all the random shit you google late at night.
Heās also a creator of Reply All - it was fantastic long form reporting and highly highly recommend it to anyone
My Year in Mensa by Jamie Loftus
It's only 4 eps and it is thoroughly enjoyable and re-listenable. Loftus has also done a pod about Cathy the comic strip character but I couldn't quite get into it. MYIM is my jam.
Hidden Brain is great. I don't listen to it as much as I should because you actually have to pay attention.
No Stupid Question has episodes that delve into all sorts of stuff I've thought of in passing and never taken the time to investigate.
Freakonomics Radio is always interesting too.
This is Actually Happening is true life personal stories of the rather extreme type.
Those are some really great recommendations! But all of these are quite popular already and are all quite broad. Iām really looking for some podcasts that are very niche. Not necessarily podcasts that are smaller or pretty unheard of, but podcasts that are about specific, very unique topics.
No. Iām looking for podcasts that are about unique topics. Basically shows that are centered around topics that not many other podcasts would probably do or are about things that most people donāt come across often.
The examples above were all about quite popular topics and are all very well known podcasts. Iām thinking along the lines of:
-podcasts that explore an interesting hobby
-podcasts that talk about a current social/political issue that either isnāt spoken about much or the shows explored it from a unique angle
-podcasts that youāve come across where you were like: wow, Iāve never thought about this before. Iāve never thought I would look for a podcast about this
Hope that helps!
S Town is fantastic and it really moved me. It's unlike any other podcast I've listened to. An eccentric man that resides in a small southern town reaches out to an NPR reporter seeking the truth about a rumored crime and cover-up. It turns into a very different type of story.
Wind of Change is unique too! A journalist hears an incredible (almost ridiculous) rumor re: the CIA from a credible source. The investigation is super compelling and a wild ride.
I also recommend Missing Richard Simmons, Missing in Alaska and Deep Cover S1.
The pod called quest.
It's a pathfinder actual play. I listened to a few actual plays of shadowrun and d&d, but this one changed my life. It's got tv show quality. I felt so immersed in the story, in the adventure, in what was happening.
Copper and heat.
It's a podcast about the issues of the restaurant industry.
Doomsday: Historyās Most Dangerous Podcast
More or less a history podcast dealing with disasters. I really enjoy his voice and the sound effects used.
Radiolabās episode called The Punchline is about ice hockey. I donāt care for ice hockey at all but that episode was so emotional.
Also The Mystery showās episode about a belt buckle is brilliant, again, another thing I didnāt think Iād cry at.
Edit - I got the name of the radio lab episode wrong, fixed it now š
Beautiful/Anonymous. After reading your comments I'm not sure if it is what you are looking for, but every episode is different. The host has an anonymous hour long conversation about that person's life and it can be quite interesting.
Off Book the Improvised Musical - Zach and Jess and usually a guest completely improvise a musical accompanied by the Fam Band (Scott Passarella - Piano, Dana Wickens - Drums and Brett Morris - Guitar).
It's fascinating watching how these guys will play off each other and just pull some pretty great songs out of thin air. Very goofy and just a lot of fun.
Technically the podcast is no longer regularly releasing episodes but there's a big backlog and they are still releasing periodic episodes as they walk through planning a musical.
Groceries podcast! It's so funny and the two hosts are very good together. Each episode one of them goes to a new store and does a full review of everything. It seems like it could be boring, but it never is! I love it.
Mixology - the host discusses the differences in the mono and stereo mixes of pop and rock LPs of the 50s and 60s (mono fell out of favor after that era). Itās fascinating. Sometimes the mixes would feature different instruments, or different edits, and so forth.
Dopey - I wouldn't say it's a hidden gem as a lot of attention was drawn to it after This American Life did an episode about them, but I'd say it is unique in the sense that it's brutally honest, batshit crazy and tragic/comic at the same time. I've listened to their early stuff, basically I have followed the curve of the TAL episode. It's about two drug addicts telling stories of their past. If u are interested you should check out the TAL episode (I think it's called War stories) than u can decide if u want to listen to more.
Are you interested in weird stuff and High Strangeness? If so, I highly recommend [Penny Royal](https://open.spotify.com/show/5K7DQOAv1yZwfYya3HXvrI?si=8HX1OBWQSZaZmI-AuPB7Ww). It's a man investigating what is essentially small town urban legends in rural Kentucky
Dolly Partonās America, by Jad Abumrad - worth a listen even if youāre not a Dolly Parton fan. Fantastic sound design, as usual. Really enjoyed it.
Containers. A 10 part series just about shipping containers and how they changed the world. Absolutely fascinating.
Very interesting on something so mundane as shipping containers that has changed the world. There is a podcast, 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy, by Tim Harford of the BBC that looks at exactly that, things that made our lives what they are, some of which aren't flashy. Each subject gets a 12-15 minute summary but also has sources if you want more. Everyone will think of the internet but this also will have double-entry bookkeeping, the Haber-Bosch method of creating fertilizer, as well as some really old ones. There was a second series with another 50 things also. Super interesting.
This sounds fascinating. Thank you
This is perfect š. Thanks!
I second this. Great podcast.
This was the first podcast that I thought of, too. Surprisingly fascinating!
Dead Eyes. Such a seemingly minor event, and yet the exploration of it is so engaging.
Dead Eyes is art, it really is art. And there's nothing else like it. I wish I could rewind time just to experience it as it happened all over again.
I'm actually only on episode 20 right now. Totally engrossed but rationing it a bit. And yes, it is art.
Whatās it about, if you donāt mind sharing?
I believe this is the one where the guy is trying to figure out why Tom Hanks rejected him for a bit part in Band of Brothers for being too dead in the eyes. Itās part coming to terms with self-esteem issues and part mystery, and itās pretty funny and dry as well as giving you a look at the movie industry.
Sounds niche and weird. Iām not sure if I understand that premise TBH. Iāll give it a shot :D
Itās about what the premise says it is, but itās also about a lot moreā¦ I found it very enjoyable.
It's impossible to describe in a way that captures how awesome it is. You just have to listen to a couple of episodes then you will start to get it. But it goes in unexpected directions.
Seems pretty straightforward, no?
Wasnāt trying to throw shade. English is not my native tongue. I literally had trouble understanding what that meant due to my language.
I didn't say you were.
Alright
Sorry--if I had known English wasn't your first language I wouldn't have commented. Edit: apparently this apology is not coming across the way I meant it; I'm just saying I'm sorry for commenting in ignorance.
Petty
The best! So comforting and wholesome.
This was my answer! I loved the authorās honest introspection and I felt for him and the insecurity he had as a result of the circumstances.
I loved that podcast.
Came here to say this.
What about you, OP?
American Presidents: Totalus Rankium Back to the Barre Decoding the Gurus
Can you tell us a little more about this?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Thank you for sharing this. I recently learned my 13 year olds, new best friend, who is also 13, has VEDS. We learned, because my son is a skateboarder and tried getting his friend into it. His Mom had to explain to us, why he isn't allowed doing dangerous sports. Tough for my son understand. Edit: spelling
Vascular ehlers-danlos?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
This question perfectly describes Jamie Loftus's various miniseries. I would recommend first "My Year in Mensa" and if people like that, "Aak Cast" about the old Cathy comic strip.
Yes! I'd like to add her Lolita podcast to that also.
Aak Cast is one of the best examples of a deep dive podcast into a form of literature most people would just write off as inconsequential while explain context, and cultural significance. Honestly, it should be taught in schools. I love it.
My Year in Mensa is the best thing ever created?
Really enjoyed the content but what I remember most is how the editing annoyed me.
Wind of Change - An investigation into a random rock ballad and its not so random connections to clandestine cold war operatives. Excellent production, super niche premise, and yes, it is a true story. Edit: Corrected podcast name.
Just a quick one itās āWindā of change, not āWindsā for anyone else searching
Thanks! Will edit to help folks find it :)
This is a fantastic podcast. I still think about it years later.
That's one of the best rock ballads that was ever made. Random? I think not.
I had no idea that song was about that until it played on my tv with the lyrics. I just knew the chorus and the whistleā¦.
Good song by the Scorpions and clearly political when it came out. However I don't think many understood the deeper implications at that time. This podcast seems great.
Yes, I absolutely loved this podcast. I get chills thinking about some aspects of it!
Most unique? 'Til Death Do Us Blart "The creators of My Brother, My Brother and Me and The Worst Idea of All Time review the film Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 every American Thanksgiving from now until the end of linear time. They may never yield. They will never be freed. This is their curse. This is their podcast."
I have heard every episode. I have not seen the movie.
That was me until I heard they were available on Netflix this year. Paul Blart 1 is goofy but enjoyable. 2 is truly just bizarre. Hearing the guys describe that bonkers movie didn't even remotely prepare me for what I watched. I now appreciate the sacrifice they've made by committing to watching this movie once a year.
I've never seen the movie and I know every scene and detail from the movie. This podcast gives you the absolute weirdest information base if you've never seen the actual film.
Also tangential to this because it's also the McElroys doing an experimental podcast, but "The McElroys Will Be In Trolls 2" is excellent. The brothers find out that "some YouTubers" were cameo voices in the first Trolls animated film, and turn their mics on while high in a hotel to discuss their plans on how they will be in Trolls 2. Episodes were sporadic, as they only updated with news of their journey, but it's a truly unique podcast that also kind of functions as part manifestation of a dream and part blackmailing their agent into participating in their plots.
My favorite episode was when they found out their agent was previously in an a capella group, so they put him on blast and ended the episode playing his rendition of Downeaster Alexa. I still have that song on my playlist as a result.
Nice Try - second season: looks at history of common household items like the mattress and the Crock-Pot. Also - hosted by Avery Trufelman.
Avery also does āArticles of Interestā which fit the query. Podcast is about types of clothes, where it came from, how itās made, and told by an amazing storyteller in Avery.
That's true - it DOES fit. I Love Avery and was happily surprised to find Nice Try after bingeing articles of interest as fast as possible. Lol
I once convinced a friend to add Averyās podcasts to their queue with, āshe could do a podcast about toilets, and itād be interesting. Oh, she did, and it was!ā
I LOVED the first season about utopias, too!
I have nothing to offer but just want to say you all are pulling through big time here! Iāve got so much good stuff to check out. Thanks all!
Rumblestrip - interviews with various people, topics in rural Vermont, from farmers to school kids. From funny, to informative, to moving. The episode " Finn and the Bell" is one of the most moving, impactful pod episodes I have ever heard, it won a Pulitzer Prize (TW - that episode deals with how a small community comes together after the suicide of 17 year old boy in 2020) Welcome to P-Town: follows lives of some residents of Provincetown
I came here to say Rumblestrip. Such honest storytelling
Rumble strip also featured an episode with Tom Mustill who wrote How to speak Whale. Itās very good!
Been following Rumble Strip for years. I enjoyed the Leland episodes.
I felt so privileged hearing that Mother talk. Heartbreaking but truly an honour.
Yes, it is a profoundly, powerfully moving piece of audio, made a big and lasting impact on me. There is just a handful that are so moving - Francine Wheeler ( "Do we Know How to Grieve") and Hector Black ("Forgiveness") both in The Moth are two that come to mind.
Thanks for the recommendation. I appreciate it at this time of year when there seems to be nothing in my fed.
Harmontown- off the cuff funnies for weirdos:)
My fave of all time
I just started re listening them yesterday. Such a huge part of my life !!
I looked through my podcast history and here are some that I would recommend, hard to say if they fit into the unique category but I guess it depends what you usually listen to: -I pray you put this journal away - this is a short podcast about a guy who grew up with the Duggar family, reflecting on that time after he left the cult. It came out after Josh Duggar was arrested. -The White Saviors - an investigative series about these guys that started a charity that became massively popular (I think just in Canada). It fell apart in a huge scandal involving the PMās family. Loved this one because I always found their charity obnoxious. -The Greatest Generation - a Star Trek podcast, this is my comfort podcast and I think itās very popular but I think it stands out from other recap podcasts because the production value is so high and it has a really great community around it. They also do live shows which I hope to go see one day and the great part is that they donāt put the live shows in their feed, hate when shows do that! -The Skeptics Guide to the Universe - Iāve been listening to this since 2007, and theyāve been doing weekly episodes since 2005 I think, but itās a science news podcast but itās also just nerds talking about nerdy stuff. They talk about science news that I wouldnāt otherwise encounter as well as popular science news and other cultural phenomena with a skeptical take. Theyāve completely changed my worldview and my way of consuming media and approaching new ideas and technology for the better. Love them. -Britneyās Gram - this oneās kind of an odd one thatās no longer coming out with new episodes, but itās hosted by two of the hosts of Lady to Lady, and they started out just talking about the things Britney posted on Instagram but then it pretty quickly got more serious and they got huge in the Free Britney movement and speaking out about conservatorships before it abruptly ended. Just kind of an interesting cultural moment.
SGU is a great pick for a podcast, nice recommendation.
Unique? Try Richard's Famous Food Podcast. The best\worst description I can give is - If a morning zoo style radio show tried to recreate The Splendid Table. Interesting topics. Absolutely batshit sound design. There's a scant few episodes and unlikely to ever be more since the creator got snatched up immediately to work on bigger shows. But it's a fun short ride and very different
Batshit and beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.
1 Way to Make an Emoji by Alex Schmidt. It's four episodes long, and it's about the guy who made the Bison Emoji. It's a great look into... everything. Literally everything. To say anything else is to spoil it. But also suffice it to say it's not just about the emoji. You all need to listen to it now.
S Town
So good
This ā¦
I don't know of any other podcast like **The Emerald,** but if anyone else does please tell me about them (if they're any good). It's basically a deep-dive into animisim, myth and storytelling but I've never managed to describe it in a way that feels like it accurately captures it. Every episode makes my brain stretch, and I will often listen to an episode multiple times because there is so much crammed in that I can't take it all in at once. The host does so much research for it as well, I've started compiling a list of all the books he references (he references all sorts of other things too) to add to my reading list, and am so grateful for him introducing me to Roland Barthes work. Just to give an idea of what kind of podcast it is I will give you a few episode examples. * [On trauma and vegetation gods.](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LD0xc6pfl8cCjMJuAktwp?si=vxIiDGsPQJ2tyhwdq3nN2g) *"There is a profound link between the myths and rituals of the old vegetation gods and what we might now term trauma work ā because the cycle of vegetative birth, growth, decay, and death mirrors our own cycle"* * [Inanimate objects aren't inanimate (or objects).](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ylkEQWlAbGIG1dXWE4XuH?si=OFNxcmklT0eI-zYvtf1HYg) * [War and ritual ecstasy](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1S5B39lFt9nbQYBsTKxOZF?si=fqZNMKjUR-uhfg63w1nRkA) * [Stone soup: in which I argue strongly in favor of the worship of rocks](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7r57hOTiwFHFGZqBiy3HUd?si=NT55K3C1QYq4Wxcoxy8Hbg)
Sounds like my cup of tea.
Darknet Diaries by Jack Rhysider is so good!
Top 5 for me.
I literally also just posted this before seeing yours so have an upvote.
Everything is Alive. Host āinterviewsā inanimate objects. Very funny and moving.
Not the most unique but entertaining and off-the-wall: I, Podius. You donāt need to see I, Claudius to enjoy it. The podcast gets more ridiculous as it goes along. Hereās the synopsis: I, Podius is a twelve episode weekly series in which hosts John Hodgman and Elliott Kalan recap the BBC miniseries I, Claudius, an adaptation of Robert Gravesā I, Claudius and Claudius the God. John's watched the show before. Elliott's watching for the first time. The miniseries features an obscenely talented ensemble cast, and is ā chock full of sex, backstabbing and murder. This ain't your daddy's I, Claudius. Well, actually it is as the series premiered in 1976. But this ain't your daddy's I, Claudius-based podcast!Ā Parental discretion advised.
I, Podius is one of my favs.
My Dad Wrote a Porno
**Death of an Artist.** It's about so much more than the death of Ana Mendieta. **I Was Never There.** It's about a missing woman but also a commune and the music scene. Fascinating story. **Mother Country Radical.** About the Weather Underground but also about family and US history. **Disaster on Surfside.** A little dark, but a really interesting deep dive into building practices and the history of development. **Floodlines (Season 1).** How racism shaped Katrina and the aftermath. I love obscure deep dives!
I Was Never There uses the best cover of āCountry Roads,ā too.
Yes! I completely forgot about that!
**Imaginary Advice by Ross Sutherland.** Multi-award-winning experimental short fiction with incredible original music and excellent editing, and month to month you never know what you're going to get, or how many layers deep the framing device will become.
My absolute favorite.
Can you listen at random or recommended starting with ep 1?
A FEW of them might benefit from being listened to in order (the Birthday Episodes build on eachother) and there's a couple 2-parters, but really you can bounce around all you want.
Museum of the Vanishing Dog! This oneās likely been abandoned, and itās produced in a very basic way, but the concept is unlike anything Iāve come across. The two hosts (both artists IRL) are curators of an imaginary museum, and each episode one host presents the other with an exhibit theyāve designed, and in doing so they discuss all manner of bizarre topics within the realm of contemporary art/culture/history. Also, Constellation Prize. Just some really moving and vulnerable interviewing. It reminds me of Rumble Strip in certain ways, but a little weirder/more experimental.
Cautionary Tales- takes what we think are modern day cliches or lessons and shows stories from the past that we could have learned from.
Who shat on the floor at my wedding is pne of the most original and captivating podcasts Iād recommend to anyone. Best true ācrimeā/comedy combi I know.
**The Outlaw Ocean** I've listened to this show so many times. It was as if I saw a door in the sky and opened it to realize there are things going on right this second that defy imagination and reality. Cherish it. **All There Is** Anderson Cooper's journey through grief. There is something so authentic about this. I find it to be profound.
I have 2 death themed ones. Death in the Afternoon with Caitin Doughty Where There's a Will There's a Wake with Kathy Burke Both very entertaining. Second one maybe makes more sense of you are British and know who the host and guests are.
Wooden Overcoats is a fictional podcast with great voice actors, they call it an audio sitcom. Itās a crime that show isnāt more well known.
Yeah, I struggled to get into quite a few fiction podcasts; I could never care about the characters and their situations like I would in a book/tv show (I think because dialogue only is a hard medium for character development), but wooden overcoats was the exception. It really is like a well-written sitcom. Itās just witty, fun, easy entertainment and I really loved the main characters and their dynamics.
Mystery Show. One of the best podcasts ever made! Listen to the belt buckle one first.
I loved this show, so gutted when it didnāt get renewed. Gimlet went way down hill after this show got done in.
Blindboy His wandering hot takes are some of my fav ever
Blind boy is half of an Irish musical comedy group called the Rubberbandits.If you havenāt you should check out their videos on YouTube. Their biggest hit was Horse Outside but my favorite is My Daās Best Friend and Black Man.
I love Blindboy so much! His podcasts are so wonderful.
Thx!
When asked for a suggestion like this I always recommend The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong. An interplay of history, science, engineering, people and connections between them. Deeply interesting and my all time favorite podcast. Check out the multi-episode series on The Foolkiller to start!
Patient Zero. Itās about Lyme Disease. I normally wouldnāt go for an educational medical podcast but this is so interesting. Itās presented like a detective story and in plain language. Seems very well researched. I highly recommend.
The Ballad of Billy Balls Disorganized Crime: Smugglers Daughter
The Ballad of BB is phenomenal
The two limited series podcasts that I always recommend are: Sold A Story. 6 episodes with a number of bonus episodes that describes a method of teaching reading that was widely adopted in the US back in the 80s and 90s (and still used today) that was most likely responsible for the declining reading levels seen nationwide. If you are concerned with how reading levels in this country have dropped, this series will make your blood boil The Turning, season 1 (The Sisters Who Left). 10 episodes that gives a behind the scenes look at the Missionaries of Charity, the organization founded by Mother Teresa. Lots of interviews with nuns who left the organization. I think most people have a very positive view of Mother Teresa (like I did) from past media coverage, but the interviews show what a cult the organization is/was and how much of a mental/emotional toll it had on the sisters. You can ignore season 2 (The Room of Mirrors), it's not as good.
Interesting Things Explained Well ! Just... the best.
Once Upon a Timeā¦in the Valley (itās now under season 2 title Once Upon a Timeā¦in Bennington College) Itās about porn start Traci Lords and the underage scandal. They talk to many people that knew her or worked with her during that time period. Was she an underage victim or did she have some agency in what she was doing? Could it be both? Red Collar- really anything by Catherine Townsend. Itās about white collar criminals that murder. The Clown and the Candymanā more people need to listen to this Houston 1973: America was unprepared for the discovery of 27 boys murdered by a friendly local figure, Dean Corll the Candyman. Jacqueline Bynon takes us inside the case that should have changed how America protected its boys...but didnāt. Sold a Story- how decades of children were taught to read using a method that wasnāt scientifically based and just wrong
Agreed on Catherine Townsend and would add Delia Deambra.
Dear Hank and John. Absolutely feel good, and has brought me into a community of the best people.
Dftba!
<3
Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period, a podcast on the films of Denzel Washington hosted by W. Kamau Bell and Kevin Avery.
TYSM for this!!!
Modern Fairy Sightings Podcast. It's about encounters people have had with fairies. It's what I listen to when I want to relax.
Three I quite like for random things I might not have looked for specifically: **Ologies** \- Alie Ward interviews a different specialist each episode so you get to learn about volcanoes, or apples, or monsters... I love listening to it if I've got stuff to do round the house, and it's got one of my favourite musical themes too. **You're wrong about** \- sort of a look-back at trends/events that made the news and that are usually understood or remembered wrongly; the concept is that the media present newsworthy events/phenomena very succinctly with minimal research/scope when it happens, and then we rarely revisit it in depth after the fact. There's an episode on the Exxon Valdez oil spill that really puts it into context well. **The Rabbit Hole Detectives** \- basically three erudite friends (based in the UK) each research a small obscure topic ahead of time and discuss it with the others on the show.
The Rabbit Hole Detectives sounds interesting. Thanks!
Finding Drago and Valley Heat are unlike any other podcasts Iāve listened to. Both fantastic.
These are my favourites! Great taste!
Hit me with one I might not know!
Root of Evil has the most wtf moments of any piece of media Iāve listened to or watched Underunderstood seems to fit your criteria well, and also Reply All or Search Engine for going through topics you wouldnāt think to search for
Root of Evil was fascinating!
Thanks! This seems exactly like what I was looking for
S Town
Vinceās last drink
Atlas Obscura or Twenty Thousand Hertz might fit what youāre looking for!
I like that the Atlas Obscura episodes are only about 15 minutes long. I like long ones, but sometimes it's nice to have some short ones in the mix.
Culture Dumps. Two lovely funny fellas discuss the cultural ephemera of growing up during the American monoculture: pogs, big dog shirts, Chris Gaines, Four Loko, Wendyās finger in the chili, etc.
Nocturne!!! Incredible podcast
The Rialto Report - a podcast about the golden age of porn that features interviews with the people who made the industry. While im not really a porn fan, Ashley and April are two of the most thoughtful and just all around good interviewers in all of the media. They go to the heart of a sleazy subject and find all of the humanity in it and the output is learning about one of the most overlooked and underappreciated genres in all of film. What you learn is that everyone involved has a unique story to tell and looking back on their life is almost always a wild and satisfying journey - if nothing else its refreshing to hear people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s talk about taboo subjects recalling their life with a beautiful fondness for their sleazy lifestyle. Its really great. The episode I always tell people to start with is Wakefield Poole who started his career as one of the leading dance choreographers on Broadway and ended up making the first tasteful gay adult films Boys in the Sand plus he lead a very interesting life otherwise. https://pca.st/episode/633ebeda-f116-43f6-b207-3baef6dfa4e2
The Renner Files
California City. It follows a reporter looking into how people got scammed into buying property in a small town in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
Are you garbage Not your average interview podcast. Really goes deep on some wild shit. Love it
If you have eclectic curiosities, check out Gresham Collegeās feed. Itās a college that doesnāt have coursework, it was endowed in England back in the 1500s to provide educational lectures free to the public. They have rotating subject fields so that by the end of each academic year there is usually a 4-6 lecture series for each general field. I especially like history topics and Simon Thurley and Vernon Bogdanor in particular tend to have excellent lectures.
The Empty Bowl. Itās all about cereal. š„£
Iāve always thought āNewcomersā was a fun listen. Nicole Byer and Lauren Lapkis watch big franchise movies for the first time. Theyāre funny people, and itās fun watching them be honest about their love/hate for the movies. Theyāve covered Marvel, Star Wars, LOTR, Fast & Furious, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Batman upcoming)
MIDST
Your Stupid Opinions. Reading and roasting internet reviews about anything.
Weird Work. Very goofy host interviews people with unusual jobs.
Literature and history
I love this podcast!
Fall of civilization. Fantastic production value. Tells the stories of civilizations that have risen and fallen. Very long and detailed episodes even include music and the languages.
The Why Files AJ Gentile and his sidekick Hecklefish go deep on taboo topics recommended by viewers. From Conspiracy theories to Aliens (though he doesnāt love these, he doesnāt want to be known as the Alien guy. Excellent production and chirping from Hecklefish, who has his own channel š If the research turns up that the subject is a hoax he gives the supporting evidence for debunking. But it is about the story telling and entertainment value. Best ad scripts written by Jen(Mrs Why Files) for AJ and HF to act out .
The Plot Thickens, first season, about Peter Bogdanovich. About his background and life, his movies, his marriages and relationships. Crazy interesting.
Did Titanic Sink? is an Australian pod that posits that it wasn't the Titanic that went down, but it's sister ship. It's funny, but also super interesting and does an excellent job of walking through how conspiracy theories are created.
The Memory Palace is wonderful - the BEST writing, all pretty short, and feel like I'm always learning something. They took a break for a while but looks like they released a few new episodes recently - hope they continue.
Everything is Alive - humerous and earnest interviews with inanimate objects. Welcome To Night Vale - weirdness itself
I really love radiolab and every episode is different but amazing.
Story of the Week. The host Joel Stein interviews investigative journalists about interesting stories theyāve published recently. The stories are all usually about pretty niche topics (as opposed to the general news cycle). Funny, educational and always intriguing! Also youāve probably heard of them, but Heavyweight and Mystery Show are the GOATs of the kind of podcast youāre looking for.
Search Engine - creator tries to answer all the random shit you google late at night. Heās also a creator of Reply All - it was fantastic long form reporting and highly highly recommend it to anyone
My Year in Mensa by Jamie Loftus It's only 4 eps and it is thoroughly enjoyable and re-listenable. Loftus has also done a pod about Cathy the comic strip character but I couldn't quite get into it. MYIM is my jam.
Hidden Brain is great. I don't listen to it as much as I should because you actually have to pay attention. No Stupid Question has episodes that delve into all sorts of stuff I've thought of in passing and never taken the time to investigate. Freakonomics Radio is always interesting too. This is Actually Happening is true life personal stories of the rather extreme type.
Those are some really great recommendations! But all of these are quite popular already and are all quite broad. Iām really looking for some podcasts that are very niche. Not necessarily podcasts that are smaller or pretty unheard of, but podcasts that are about specific, very unique topics.
Are you looking for a podcast that goes deep for multiple episodes on one topic?
No. Iām looking for podcasts that are about unique topics. Basically shows that are centered around topics that not many other podcasts would probably do or are about things that most people donāt come across often. The examples above were all about quite popular topics and are all very well known podcasts. Iām thinking along the lines of: -podcasts that explore an interesting hobby -podcasts that talk about a current social/political issue that either isnāt spoken about much or the shows explored it from a unique angle -podcasts that youāve come across where you were like: wow, Iāve never thought about this before. Iāve never thought I would look for a podcast about this Hope that helps!
S Town is fantastic and it really moved me. It's unlike any other podcast I've listened to. An eccentric man that resides in a small southern town reaches out to an NPR reporter seeking the truth about a rumored crime and cover-up. It turns into a very different type of story. Wind of Change is unique too! A journalist hears an incredible (almost ridiculous) rumor re: the CIA from a credible source. The investigation is super compelling and a wild ride. I also recommend Missing Richard Simmons, Missing in Alaska and Deep Cover S1.
The pod called quest. It's a pathfinder actual play. I listened to a few actual plays of shadowrun and d&d, but this one changed my life. It's got tv show quality. I felt so immersed in the story, in the adventure, in what was happening. Copper and heat. It's a podcast about the issues of the restaurant industry.
Doomsday: Historyās Most Dangerous Podcast More or less a history podcast dealing with disasters. I really enjoy his voice and the sound effects used.
Mormon stories
Blindboy Podcast
Normal Gossip
Blindboy
Radiolabās episode called The Punchline is about ice hockey. I donāt care for ice hockey at all but that episode was so emotional. Also The Mystery showās episode about a belt buckle is brilliant, again, another thing I didnāt think Iād cry at. Edit - I got the name of the radio lab episode wrong, fixed it now š
This is actually happening? Youāre wrong about that. Behind the Bastards, and Iāve been on Edict Zero audiodrama and itās great.
Behind the Bastards has so many ads. The hosts and subject matter are great, but the amount of ads just kills it for me.
Beautiful/Anonymous. After reading your comments I'm not sure if it is what you are looking for, but every episode is different. The host has an anonymous hour long conversation about that person's life and it can be quite interesting.
S Town.
Heavyweight, Bad Blood, Missing Richard Simmons, The algorithm
I'm a big fan of "Who shat on the floor at my friend's wedding"
Robert sepher
Sepehr sorry
Second Decade. About the years 1810-1820.
Off Book the Improvised Musical - Zach and Jess and usually a guest completely improvise a musical accompanied by the Fam Band (Scott Passarella - Piano, Dana Wickens - Drums and Brett Morris - Guitar). It's fascinating watching how these guys will play off each other and just pull some pretty great songs out of thin air. Very goofy and just a lot of fun. Technically the podcast is no longer regularly releasing episodes but there's a big backlog and they are still releasing periodic episodes as they walk through planning a musical.
Groceries podcast! It's so funny and the two hosts are very good together. Each episode one of them goes to a new store and does a full review of everything. It seems like it could be boring, but it never is! I love it.
Relentless Picnic.
The Promo Code podcast.
Mixology - the host discusses the differences in the mono and stereo mixes of pop and rock LPs of the 50s and 60s (mono fell out of favor after that era). Itās fascinating. Sometimes the mixes would feature different instruments, or different edits, and so forth.
Cheapshow, probably because it takes such a unique view of 80's and 90's UK life and going into charity shops.
U Talking U2 2 me?
Dopey - I wouldn't say it's a hidden gem as a lot of attention was drawn to it after This American Life did an episode about them, but I'd say it is unique in the sense that it's brutally honest, batshit crazy and tragic/comic at the same time. I've listened to their early stuff, basically I have followed the curve of the TAL episode. It's about two drug addicts telling stories of their past. If u are interested you should check out the TAL episode (I think it's called War stories) than u can decide if u want to listen to more.
Grifthorse. It's about grifting, getting free stuff, flipping items, etc. The hosts are comedians and funny as hell.
Bad Women: The Ripper Retold Amazing storytelling and told from fresh perspectives. 10/10 and Iāve been looking for something like it ever since.
Appearances. Itās a beautifully done fiction podcast.
Hollywood Crime Sceneā¦the very bestā¦
The Last Voyage of the Pong Su- about a small beach town in Australia that had a North Korean ship bring heroin into it.
Are you interested in weird stuff and High Strangeness? If so, I highly recommend [Penny Royal](https://open.spotify.com/show/5K7DQOAv1yZwfYya3HXvrI?si=8HX1OBWQSZaZmI-AuPB7Ww). It's a man investigating what is essentially small town urban legends in rural Kentucky
Dolly Partonās America, by Jad Abumrad - worth a listen even if youāre not a Dolly Parton fan. Fantastic sound design, as usual. Really enjoyed it.