And forgive those who Podcast against us. Are you a podcast fan? I’m going to run down some of my most listened to podcasts featuring an eclectic mix of fun and facts.
I listen to podcasts. A lot of podcasts. There’s rarely a household job that wouldn’t be improved by an appropriate accompanying podcast. Although there is somewhat of a theme to my listening habits, I am always willing to try new ones if anyone feels that I am missing out. For now, here are a few I use to while away the otherwise monotonous chore time and long car journeys. Links are in the sub-titles.
Blank Check with Griffin & David
What began life as a ridiculous show based around Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, the Phantom Podcast evolved into a long running series about blank check directors and their variably wonderful, and sometimes cursed, projects. The hosts Griffin Newman, an actor and comedian, and David Sims, a film critic, have excellent banter and absolutely no bits. This is a no bits, pro Smits podcast ladies and gentlemen. One of the best things about it is their ability to put the spotlight on some rather obscure films and inspire people to experience films from many different genres. We saw the excellent sci-fi thriller Strange Days after hearing about it on the podcast; one of Kathryn Bigelow’s lesser known projects, nearly buried by James Cameron. Let’s not forget about the hilarious producer Ben Hosley. The Ben-ducer. The Poet Laureate. The Meat Lover. The Tiebreaker. The Fart Detective. For more of his names, you’re just going to have to listen yourself.
Forensic Files is an American documentary series exploring how forensic science has changed the face of law enforcement on a case by case basis. The focus is on the application of forensic techniques including DNA squencing and fibre analysis to more recent cases and cases that have been cold for many years. It explores everything from lesser known to high profile murder cases including the infamous “Staircase Murder”. The narrator, Peter Thomas, had a truly iconic voice and he makes the series in my opinion. But alas, what do you do if you want to hear all the juicy details but are on the move?
Enter the Forensic Files Podcast which has stripped the audio from the TV episodes and squeezed it into a podcast format. Surprisingly little of the storytelling requires visual input, although you do get the occasional “as you can see here” moment which isn’t terribly useful for listeners.
Content warning for those of you who have an issue with content warnings. There are plenty of them in Maintenance Phase. Hosts Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbs debunk fad diets, bizarre health trends, and much of the health and wellness nonsense circulating freely online. They do so in a systematic and evidence-based manner as self-confessed methodology queens. If you’ve ever wondered whether a particular diet or supplement works, the answer is probably not! But why not find out in a highly entertaining and engaging manner?
Along the same vein, Sawbones is a medical history podcast that also delves into more recent health and wellness trends from time to time. Husband and wife team, Justin and Sydnee McElroy, explore the dodgy practices of a (mostly) bygone medical era. Sydnee is a GP and Justin is a podcaster/comedian who is often the average guy stand in for questions and comic relief. Another well researched and presented show that I would recommend to anyone with a fleeting interest in medical history. There’s a lot of funny stuff in there. Humans just keep getting stuff wrong, and despite all the things we get right these days, it seems some folks are still pining for the good old days of Hippocratic medicine. You’re looking a little melancholy. A little blood letting should sort that right out.
This one is a classic, and holds a special place in my heart as the first long running podcast series I listened to every episode of. I am a little behind these days and the allure has waned somewhat, but it’s still a fun show. Brothers (surprised?) Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy host this comedy podcast which originally mined Yahoo Answers for funny and bizarre questions and provided advice for the modern (or modren) era. These days they can easily spend 30 minutes sidetracked before getting anywhere near answering a genuine question, and the longer the tangent the funnier it seems to get. I originally came to MBMBaM from Sawbones hearing Justin in a slightly more sober context, and got interested pretty much immediately.
A weekly podcast straight from the magical land of Foon. I haven’t listened to the Magic Tavern in quite some time now, but for a while it was the only thing I listened to. Arnie has travelled through a portal at the back of a Burger King in Chicago and ended up in the magical land of Foon where he hosts a podcast with magician Usidore, and shapeshifter Chunt. How does he upload the episodes? He still gets a faint WiFi signal from Burger King through the portal.
This podcast really does get nuts after a while. The improv often takes bizarre twists and turns, and many of the spur of the moment jokes become canon and influence the entire course of the show. Writing about it makes me want to go back and listen to it again. It’s not one for the easily offended though.
This is one of the all time classics, and one I sort of fell out with as the show shifted from more time spent on stories to almost entirely housekeeping. It’s a great one though, and one that has been running for such a long time that they’ve adapted and expanded the format considerably. It’s amazing to see how podcasts develop from tiny two person projects to entire networks occupying real buildings with full on recording studios. If you’re into true crime, this is the one for you. Karen and Georgia don’t just state facts. They speculate. They theorise. They let their opinions out there, and it makes for a great show.
This one is a little lower key than the others. Neat! The Boozecast takes a look at famous cocktails and liqueurs and delves into their history. The story behind famous bottles of booze is fascinating, and it has helped me to gain a better understanding of drink structure and how to use certain bottles. The hosts, daughter and father Teylor and Tommy Smirl, have a great back and forth energy and clearly enjoy the subject matter. It doesn’t have the massive following that the other shows have, but it’s one of my regulars all the same.
What would Ordinary Decent Gamer be if I didn’t include a gaming podcast? Triple Click is a thoughtful and insightful podcast exploring interesting games and issues within the gaming industry. Hosts Kirk Hamilton, Jason Schreier, and Maddy Myers have a diverse range of experience in games journalism, music production, and even competitive gaming in Maddy’s case. Like Blank Check does for films, Triple Click does a good job of highlighting obscure and indy games that you might miss out on otherwise. The theme song is excellent too, courtesy of Kirk.
How could I fail to include the gang? As long time Sunny fans, we welcomed the “making of” podcast as it appeared to be initially, which quickly descended into general nonsense and stories about almost getting killed over refusing to let someone cut the line at a drive thru. Charlie, Rob, and Glen have excellent chemistry and the format really works for them. As much as they try to distance themselves from their on screen personas, it’s clear they mostly write heightened versions of themselves. 11/10. They haven’t released an episode in quite some time though.
Ordinary Decent Gamer 
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