Chosen Family

I've gone from listening to at least two new podcasts every week to barely listening to any, but there's one that remains a constant in my life: Chosen Family. In this chat-cast, queer content creators Alayna Joy, Ashley Gavin, and Mak Ingemi gather around a metaphorical dinner table to chat with us—their chosen family of listeners. Every episode offers advice and support that resonates with whatever I’m going through. I love hearing them hold space for one another. Through all the transitions in my life this year, this podcast has been a safe space to come back to every week. In this particular episode, Ashley and Alayna help Mak figure out what to look for in a therapist—something I could relate to, as I was also in the process of finding one. Mak’s frustrations felt so familiar. This podcast is funny, wholesome, and filled with witty banter!

- Aakshi Sinha (she/her)

Recommended episode: Mak Goes To Therapy

Handsome

There is something incredibly warm, welcoming, and down-right wonderful about listening to comedians-slash-friends Tig Notaro, Mae Martin, and Fortune Feimster. You never know what you'll hear each week on Handsome – whether it's personal anecdotes about meeting the Pope or behind-the-scenes stories about how they first met Jennifer Aniston, or perhaps their thoughts on bonnets and ghosts. Whatever the episode leans into, and whomever they have on as a special guest for their "question of the week," Handsome is a pretty little podcast to add to your queue.

- Joni Deutsch (she/her), SVP at The Podglomerate

Recommended episode: Alanis Morissette asks about making friends

Sixteenth Minute (of Fame)

I've been consistently loving every episode of Sixteenth Minute since it first started releasing earlier this year. Jamie Loftus has such a way with words that resonates so closely with my heart, and I would be remiss if I didn't shout out the episode about a Philadelphia man who challenged himself to eat a rotisserie chicken every day for 40 days for two reasons: (1) I am nauseous just thinking about this concept and (2) this episode is so wild I had to listen to it twice. Why did he do this? And to what end? Well, the man himself says it in the episode: To the very end.

- Anne Baird (they/them), Tink Media and Hug House Productions

Recommended episode: guy who ate 40 rotisserie chickens in philadelphia

Tiny Dinos

One of my favorite things is laughing out loud in public, but to a joke that only I know. It's like having a delicious yet harmless secret. The premise of Tiny Dinos is one such secret. I'm not supposed to tell you what it is, but, here's a hint: it's in the name. It also has the ability to make you laugh out loud in public. Be a sphere peer with me?

- Shreya Sharma (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: "A Very Big Tiny Secret" Feat. Zach Cherry & Lauren Lapkus

Valley Heat

Valley Heat follows Doug, a freelance insurance agent, as he investigates suspicious activities around his home/ neighborhood. The show chronicles his discoveries, blending the everyday with the bizarre as Doug delves into the neighborhood happenings around him. I love the concept as a whole. The idea of neighbors and communities is so fascinating, and I really appreciate the absurdity of it all.

- Katie Blasing (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: Ep. 1 - Pete The Pool Guy

Alpha 8

Alpha 8 is a super fun, family-friendly sci-fi audio drama that feels like E.T. meets The Princess Diaries, with a little Freaky Friday twist. It follows an alien who swaps places with a struggling mom to figure out what family really means, all to save her own kind from extinction. The series does a great job blending humor and adventure with some real insights into the challenges of being a working mom. The voice acting is on point, and the story keeps you hooked with lovable characters and awesome sound design. It's a feel-good listen for anyone who loves sci-fi with heart.

- Russ More (he/him), The Fable and Folly Network

Recommended episode: Episode 101: The Arrival

Hi Nay

Multicultural supernatural audio drama with queer relationships that melt my heart, that's what Hi Nay brings to the audio space. I've been following this podcast for a few years now and it just keeps getting better and better. The storyline combines a modern day narrative that takes place in Canada but there are a lot of flashbacks to the main character's upbringing and supernatural training in the Philippines. I initially started to listen for the supernatural elements, and those are very interesting, but I'm now still listening for the relationships between the characters, both romantic and non-romantic. The writing is exquisite. This is one podcast I recommend often for this reason. It's so unique and well made.

- Stephanie Fuccio (she/her), Coffeelike Media

Recommended episode: Episode 1 - Bulok

Mage Hand High Five

The Badlands campaign of Mage Hand High Five is everything I've ever wanted in a TTRPG podcast. The crew balances on the knife's edge of laugh-out-loud goofs, edge-of-your-seat tension, and the sweetest most tender moments you've ever heard (and it totally works)! DM Casey Papas builds an intricate world that the players lean into, turning even the worst of rolls into incredible story events. If you want a fresh take on Dungeons and Dragons, stop by The Badlands - start with episode 1!

- Tal Minear (they/them)

Recommended episode: The Badlands - Ep. 1: All Aboard

Silvertongues

Silvertongues is the messed up pulp fiction love story of your dreams. It's fun, it's full of tropes, the romance is compelling and the villain is terrifying. It's fantastic seeing more audio dramas led by voice actors of color and I cannot wait to see more from leads Dan Johnson and Sabrina Dahlgren in this space. They both give such subtle, nuanced performances, you'll absolutely fall in love with them.

- Ella Watts (she/her)

Recommended episode: Episode 1 - The Limbo King

Stoopkid Stories

Stoopkid Stories is a podcast that tells the story of 7 kids growing up together. It's narrated by host and creator Melissa Victor. I love this podcast because it reminds me of life growing up in Newark, NJ. I feel seen. I recommend it to any parent that needs a fun but super entertaining podcast they need for their kids to listen to.

- Anthony Frasier (he/him), ABF Creative

The Dex Legacy

This podcast is an incredible piece of sci-fi packaged in a well-done podcast. Taking place in a future on a planet far removed from any of today's Earth reality, we are given a reflection of the world we live in now. Tackling issues of ethics, morals, capitalism, and colonization, this podcast is an intense adventure that slowly makes you reflect on today and now via the lens of fiction.

- Keelin Peterson (she/her), Mentally? A Magpie

Recommended episode: Episode 1 “The Bomb”

The Love Talker

This is a gripping tale brought to life via clever narrative devices and an exquisite soundtrack. It's creepy, but in a great way! It also showcases how great fiction podcasts can be with a creator at the helm who loves the craft.

- Evo Terra (he/him)

Recommended episode: Episode 1 - Janet

What’s Poppin’ Penny?

I love What's Poppin' Penny? because it resonates with me as a person from an intergenerational household. I also love Penny's sense of wonder and this episode and all its parts reminds me of my family – the ones that raised me and the ancestors that raised them.

- Keisha TK Dutes (she/her), Philo's Future Media

Recommended episode: A Magical Family Reunion (pt. 1)

Be Well Sis

After a gazillion years of preferring to order food in a restaurant instead of cooking, I've come to crave home-cooked meals. While I've been experimenting, I came across Katerina's podcast. I love that she's focused on "everyday cooks" and not experts. The conversations in these episodes are honest, touching, and yes, they'll make you hungry. I also appreciate that the podcast is just part of the Intuitive Cook ecosystem. I can sign up to join her community, take a course, and so on. Small business podcasts like this are so valuable, both to the listeners who prefer to support smaller organizations, and to the business owners, who don't have super large marketing budgets. The podcast started fairly recently so I say start at the beginning with episode one and lovely guest Kirsten Gibbs.

- Adell Coleman (she/her), COO of DCP Entertainment

Recommended episode: Hope, Joy, and Community as Resistance with Lisa Woolfork

Blind Landing

I first discovered Blind Landing through figure skating (there aren't THAT many podcasts covering the sport unfortunately!) but I've really enjoyed the diversity in not only the sports they have covered but the real-time updates (*cough* Paris Olympics gymnastics drama *cough*) mixed with in-depth stories of under appreciated and lesser-known athletes. I hope a lot of new listeners found it during the Olympics and stick around for the non-Olympic years of content.

- Heather Mason (she/her), Realm

Recommended episode: Olympic Stories: Rebeca Andrade & Illia Kovtun

Class A People

I’m recommending Class A People by Hannah Viney as my standout 2024 podcast. I first discovered Hannah on TikTok, and like many others, was captivated by her honest storytelling as she documented her initial months of sobriety and recovery from addiction. Naturally, when she launched Class A People, I immediately subscribed. This podcast is an extension of her powerful storytelling, shining a light on often overlooked and stigmatized stories here in the UK and offering deeper insight into addiction and recovery. I think this is a really important podcast and one that stays with me after each episode.

- Hannah Southern (she/her)

Recommended episode: Episode 8: Hannah Interviews Female Drug Dealer

La Vida Más Chévere de Childfree Latinas

Paulette, the executive producer of this podcast and founder of Latinas in Podcasting, is a fantastic interviewer and the theme of her podcast is very timely, ahem. This episode captures the heart of her work - linking various cultures across the Latina diaspora to share empathy and experiences of defying the various stereotypes and expectations that come with the female gender in each respective community, culture and tradition - as well as the costs and impact. The speaker was really compelling (as with all of her featured guest experts) and I appreciate how Paulette validates the child-free experience and educates around the other connected issues within that decision.

- Amanda B. (she/her), 6 Degrees of Cats

Recommended episode: Repercussions of Media Bias on Arabs, Muslims, & the Childfree with Professor Evelyn Alsultany - Ep 57

Pale Blue Pod

Pale Blue Pod is the astronomy class I wish that I would've taken in college. It's so easy to forget that there's a big wide world out there, and this podcast helps put everything into perspective in an extremely fun and accessible way. It's a great listen when you're needing background noise for chores, when you don't know what else to listen to, or if you just need to be reminded that the world is just as beautiful as it is scary.

- Antonia Le (she/her)

Recommended episode: Cosmic horror with Jenna Stoeber

Panic World

A weekly podcast from Garbage Day's Ryan Broderick about the moral panics, witch hunts, and viral freakouts that bubble up out of the weirdest corners of the internet. Listening to this show is a taste of a brilliant deranged host who's too close to the media we consume every day, and I can't get enough of it. The newsletter is pretty good, too.

- Jeff Umbro (he/him), The Podglomerate

Recommended episode: Are Kids’ Brains Being Rotted by Screens? (With Michael Hobbes)

Perfume Room

2024 was the year I became a frag-head (aka a hardcore perfume fan) and this podcast was a huge part of my education and obsession. Emma is everything you want in a host: funny, charming, passionate and knowledgeable about the topic but endlessly eager to learn from her subjects. This year also marked the one year anniversary of my move to Chicago, so I chose the episode highlighting boutique Chicago-based perfumery, Clue!

- Newt Schottelkotte (they/them), Caldera Studios

Recommended episode: 143. [CLUE PERFUMERY] Scenting the Scentless

Pretendians

Pretendians is a witty podcast series from Canadaland that examines issues of identity fraud in Indigenous communities. Co-hosts Robert Jago (Kwantlen First Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe) and Angel Ellis (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) bring both humor and cultural understanding, unpacking serious topics with grace. The series is thoroughly researched, making it a great introduction to the complexities of Indigenous identities.

- Adreanna Rodriguez (she/her), Independent Journalist-Producer

Recommended episode: Interview with a Pretendian

Stitch Please

If you’re passionate about sewing, quilting, or simply love hearing inspiring stories, Stitch Please is a must-listen! Lisa Woolfork is a phenomenal host and she is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. I enjoy Stitch Please because of the vast connection of craft, culture, creativity and technique- all from a black femme lens. I really enjoyed the quilting episodes that Lisa produced featuring Dr. Jennifer Hale, an accomplished quilter and dedicated educator who reflected on the importance of community in her craft and how quilting became a source of joy and solace, especially during challenging times. (It's a two parter- but worth the listen.)

- Faybeo'n Mickens (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: Quilting with Dr. Jennifer Hale (Part 1)

Strangers on a Bench

I just discovered this podcast, and I think it's surprisingly well done. It's not the most creative concept ever, but rarely executed very well. The show kind of reminds me of Beautiful/ Anonymous, which was a favorite of mine back in the day. The show could easily fall flat, but the guests are genuinely interesting with very compelling (and often relatable) stories, and the host does a great job of putting people at ease and getting them to open up. He balances throwing in the very rare personal anecdote when it's appropriate to keep the conversation flowing or make the person feel comfortable, but mostly he's a great listener and asks good questions. I'm not sure if every person he speaks to ends up on the show (if so, he's an even better conversationalist than I'm giving him credit for), but the stories he does choose to share are interesting. I also find his editing decisions fascinating. He often leaves in awkward stretches where he's searching for how to ask his next question or stumbling over his words, we hear cell phones interrupting and kids playing in the background, but the conversation also feels curated so it doesn't feel like he's wasting my time with lazy editing. I'm curious about the intentional editing choices.

- Annalise Nielsen (she/her), Lower Street

Recommended episode: EPISODE 1: A Fight

Table 5

One of the best things to come out of the pandemic and the inflation struggles of the past few years is my newfound love for home cooking! I’ve always been obsessed with shows like Top Chef and Chopped, so when I found this indie gem of a podcast hosted by Lindsay Luttrell–who’s a showrunner in the food/TV space—I was hooked. Lindsay interviews some of the biggest names (and future stars) in the restaurant world, and you can just feel the love each guest has for their craft and for Lindsay herself - she's just so likeable. Her episode with one of my favorite Chopped judges, Maneet Chauhan, is a must-listen!

- Holly Anabel Brown (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: MANEET CHAUHAN

takin’ a walk

I am a big fan of my friend Buzz Knight's "Takin' A Walk" podcast, where he interviews interesting musicians and artists, often in the meditative setting of actually talking a walk (and he sends his guests a lovely, mindful gift for appearing, which I won't spoil.). Buzz is a fascinating human whom I've known for many years as one of the most creative people in audio, and he is very well connected to the music industry, which gives him a marvelous perspective and access to great guests. There are many recognizable guests on his show, but as a great lover of supporting actors and unsung heroes, I am going with this episode featuring dobro master and session legend Jerry Douglas.

- Tom Webster (he/him)

Recommended episode: "Inside the Musician's Mind with Jerry Douglas."

Talk Easy

Sam Fragoso's Talk Easy is the most underappreciated podcast in the industry. It has a cult following for a reason, and any creative — or person who appreciates the arts — should be listening. Sam is one of the most thoughtful (and well-researched) interviewers in the world, which means that even if you've heard his guest on another show, you've never heard them like this. One part philosophy, one part therapy, and one part the artist's way, it's a rare episode where I don't end up teary at least once. I love this show so much.

- Rachael King (she/her), Pod People

Recommended episode: Nick Offerman (‘Civil War’) Brings a Message of Hope

The Daily Stoic

In the wake of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, a lot of people may be feeling lost, despondent, and downright confused about where things are headed as a nation. But I find the teachings of the stoics can be applied more than ever in a moment like this. This episode of The Daily Stoic reminds us about what's important moving forward, and how we can act accordingly in the face of a moment like this.

- Sebastian Arciszewski (he/him), Find That Pod

Recommended episode: Your Duty Remains The Same

The Woman Of Color Sales Show

Dielle Charon is a passionate and wildly successful sales coach who shares her best ideas and frameworks for building a lucrative and impactful online coaching biz. I've been listening to Dielle for 5+ years and have no plans to stop. Dielle is very direct, consistently shows up for us, shares what's working in the coaching industry, and isn't afraid to be vulnerable. She's known for her rants!

- Danielle Desir Corbett (she/her)

Recommended episode: What To Do If Sales Feel Slow

Visitations

My favorite way to get to know someone is through the funny little idiosyncrasies that ooze out subconsciously in conversation and Visitations DELIVERS on that front. Every episode is an achingly unvarnished conversation that starts when the hosts head out to meet their guest and ends with consent papers being signed. The Boots Riley episode is a stroll through 50 years of his life and career, weaving both artfully together in a way that wouldn't be possible on paper.

- Charlotte Cooper (she/her), Stillroom

Recommended episode: 11. Boots Riley

Unleash Your Inner Creative with Lauren LoGrasso

As a marketing expert and a fan of Lauren, I wholeheartedly recommend the episode featuring Lucia Knell, VP at Upworthy, on the Unleash Your Inner Creative podcast. Lucia’s insights into harnessing positivity to build creative communities resonate deeply, especially for women in marketing. Her approach not only inspires collaboration but also empowers listeners to foster an inclusive environment. This episode is a valuable resource for anyone looking to elevate their creative journey!

- Jennifer HAN (she/her), Ausha

Recommended episode: Harness the Power of Positivity: How Upworthy VP Lucia Knell Builds Creative Communities

How To Destroy Everything

How to Destroy Everything immediately hooked me from the premise. It's a fascinating deep dive into the chaotic life of Richard Jacobs, told by his son, Danny. I love how it blends raw emotion with storytelling and performance, shifting between past and present in a unique way. The investigative approach and personal touch make it both heartbreaking and captivating and the non-traditional tone makes it an even more enjoyable and refreshing listen.

- Andreea Coscai (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: Episode 4: How to Destroy a Courtship

In The Dark

Podcast recommendations are my love language, and I usually curate them very precisely for specific people. Season 3 of In The Dark was different. It had me texting everyone I know: “This is a must-listen.” The show takes us to Haditha, Iraq — where, on November 19th, 2005, a group of U.S. Marines massacred 24 Iraqi men, women, and children. Over nine episodes, the In The Dark team investigates what really happened that day — and why, despite one of the biggest war-crime investigations in U.S. history, nobody involved was ever truly brought to justice. This show reeled me in, it made me angry, it brought me to tears multiple times, and it blew me away with the depth and empathy of its reporting.

- Rebecca Seidel (she/her)

Recommended episode: Episode 1: The Green Grass

Noble

If you like the macabre, you'll love Noble. For me, the exploration of caring for the dead as a job, like any other job – where people can get overwhelmed or backlogged – was a new vantage point. I listened to episode seven on a sticky August day while walking around my neighborhood in Brooklyn. This episode talks about the lawyer tasked with representing the guilty. If you like southern gothic motifs, this show is definitely for you.

- Caila Litman (she/her)

Recommended episode: The Missing Right Arm | Chapter 7

Radio Atlantic

Host Hanna Rosin kicks off the episode by sharing a stat (per Benjamin Fong’s "Quick Fixes"): Americans make up 4% of Earth’s population, and yet use 80% of its opioids and 83% of its ADHD medication. Ethan Brooks then goes on to report on a medication (buprenorphine) that has the ability to significantly reduce opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. – of course, it’s much more complicated than getting that medication to more people. I thought Ethan and The Atlantic team did a fantastic job outlining the nuances at play. They introduce us to people and families navigating opioid recovery and it makes for one of the strongest podcast episodes of the year.

- Joshua Rae (he/him), American Public Media

Recommended episode: Scripts | 1. A Hard Pill to Swallow

Shell Game

Evan Ratliff (Persona: The French Connection, Longform) experiments with AI voice tools and various use cases in this light-hearted and engaging podcast. I was able to chuckle in the episode where he tested his AI Agent with scam callers, then a more heartfelt approach with a therapist. All the while, we get to make our own judgment on how scary or helpful AI will be in our daily lives.

- Captain Ron/Imran (he/him), Great Pods

Recommended episode: Episode 1: Quality Assurance

The Runaway Princesses - In The Dark

The Runaway Princesses offers a rare, courageous look into the hidden lives of Dubai’s royal family, questioning why so many of its women have attempted to flee. The series goes beyond headlines to explore the stark contrast between public promises of gender equality and the private struggles for freedom. The podcast’s in-depth interviews and top-tier production serve as a powerful example of how audio can expose hidden truths and provoke important discussions on human rights, accountability, and the influence of power.

- Fatima Zaidi (she/her), CEO and Founder of Quill and CoHost

Recommended episode: The Runaway Princesses, Episode 1: Sisters

A Field Guide to Gay Animals

Adulthood is one long process of learning that school lied to you—and that process often happens via podcasts like this one. A Field Guide to Gay Animals takes the idea that homosexuality is unique to humans and beats it over the head with scientific evidence to the contrary, delivered alongside hilariously crude jokes by a gay male and female host with the kind of chemistry that makes you think they probably call each other's parents by their first names. This is the podcast I have sent to more friends than any other this year—it felt like I was uncovering a centuries-long conspiracy while laughing the entire time.

- Ashley Hamer (she/her)

Recommended episode: Ep. 1: GAY TIME

Cement City

While the rust belt town of Donora, Pennsylvania might be known for its legendary smog disaster or its historic experimental concrete homes invented by Thomas Edison himself, Cement City shows us a community today, as it builds its future and goes about living its life. This isn’t some extractive story of parachute journalism; host Jeanne Marie Laskas bought a house, moved in, and spent three years making the show with producer Erin Anderson. It’s a quiet, astonishing, understated series (Chapter 7 alone is worth the price of admission) and if you want more of S-Town’s poetry or Heavyweight’s heart, you should try Cement City. But don’t expect a central plot; expect a mosaic of the pitfalls of individualism and the need to do what you gotta do. Expect an empathetic account of industry, race, Politics, and politics in one post-industrial community. But most of all - in a world with enough loneliness and despair - expect a sincere portrait of how we all take on each new day inextricably together.

- Ian Fox (he/him), Harvard Business Review & Sound Scene Festival

Recommended episode: Cement City: Episode 1 | I’ll Die Here

Cited Podcast

I'm always happy when a podcast I love comes back after a long hiatus. This new series from Cited, called Rationality Wars, looks at the idea of “reason” in psychology and psychiatry. It picks apart what it actually means to be rational…or irrational and who gets to decide which is which. The first episode in the series looks at protest movements throughout history and why the term “mindless mob” will always get thrown around, it’s super fascinating & surprising!

- Kate Evans (she/her), CBC Podcasts

Recommended episode: The (ir)Rational Mob

CUTI

Who would have picked chronic urinary tract infections (CUTIs) as the topic for an incredible short docuseries combining emotions, science, social commentary and exquisite sound design? Essential listening, whatever the condition of your urinary tract.

- Helen Zaltzman (she/they), The Allusionist

Recommended episode: 1: Tests, Misogyny and Misconceptions

Don’t Drink the Milk

Don’t Drink the Milk is an English language show from Germany that explores the curious history of things. Their episode on homeopathy is extremely well done and will help you understand how we got to this place where homeopathic medicine is borderline mainstream and can be found in pharmacies. In case you didn’t know, homeopathy is utter bunk (quite literally a placebo at best) and if that sentence makes you feel a little defensive, I invite you to check this episode out! It’s balanced and well researched and an excellent example of compelling non-fiction podcasting.

- Erik Jones (he/him), Hurt Your Brain

Recommended episode: Homeopathy: Can sugar pills fill the holes in modern medicine?

Empire City

I followed Chenjerai's work from Uncivil because he has a habit of surprising me with the bits of history that I don't often hear about. This trend continued while I was listening to Empire City. I found that theories about policing that I thought were existential, like the origin of their existence, were actually literal. I found myself constantly being surprised by information about the history of NYPD and because of that I can't stop listening or recommending this show.

- Ronald Young Jr. (he/him)

Recommended episode: They Keep People Safe

Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever*

Although this podcast is ostensibly about sci-fi films, the show delves into how societal change affects the arts and culture. More importantly, the show reveals how women and Jewish authors—as well as other groups—were discriminated against for decades and how science fiction movies can often identify societal ills and calcification and imagine future societies that eliminate racism, misogyny, homophobia, and class warfare.

- Frank Racioppi (he/him), Ear Worthy

Recommended episode: What is Science Fiction?

Future Ecologies

It’s rare and delightful to hear a podcast that centers thoughtful research and an obvious love of audio while enjoying the parasocial joys of conversational chemistry. Future Ecologies covers a variety of formats, from arty sound design pieces, data sonification, and two friends trying to understand a changing world together. They’ve had a great run this year, especially “Home on the Rangelands”, their three-part series exploring the ecological impacts and roles of cattle with a specifically Californian lens - it’s MUCH more fun than I made it sound - “Everything Will Be Vine”, their exploration of the highly controversial topic of plant vision, and “The Merry Monarchs”, a feed drop from the similarly excellent podcast “The Wind”, which explores everyone’s favorite migratory butterflies.

- Martin Austwick (he/him)

Recommended episode: Home on the Rangelands: Welcome to Cowlifornia (Part 1)

Hysterical

From the moment I heard the first few phrases of episode one, I knew we had a bonafide hit in our hands with Hysterical. Host Dan Taberski lays the groundwork for an investigation into the outbreak of a puzzling illness that came over LeRoy, NY, in 2011. True crime can get tired but when the storytelling is this good, there's no way you can sleep on Hysterical.

- Stephen O’Grady (he/him), Podcast Delivery

Recommended episode: Outbreak

Inconceivable Truth

Inconceivable Truth is a show about a reporter searching for his dad and along the way unravels a little-known practice of the fertility industry. The way Matt Katz investigates his own life while pulling the threads of this industry gives a whole new meaning to memoir and investigative journalism. I believe it demonstrates a great deal of professionalism, expertise, and journalistic integrity to successfully tell this story.

- Thomas Lu (he/him)

Recommended episode: Warren | Chapter 1

Inheriting

Most folks may recognize host Emily Kwong as host of NPR's science podcast Short Wave, but with Inheriting she has made it clear that she has a personal story to tell, and the very heart of it is about belonging. I love that Emily made a choice to not only work through her own history, but that she brought other Asian Americans along on their own oral history journeys. In general, the attention paid to the histories of marginalized identities in this country is lacking, and I say this as a Black American: Asian Americans are often left out of the conversation entirely. This is why I recommended starting with the episode on Japanese American incarceration, something that I'm sure many Americans are unaware of. And if you want to know more, Emily's team, in addition to providing how-to guides on how to do your own oral history, has incorporated curriculum materials from the Asian American Education Project into their show notes. Now that's impact.

- Ayo Oti (she/her), Sounds Like Impact

Recommended episode: Leah & Japanese American Incarceration

My Divo

I know I'm biased because I'm a queer Mexican immigrant artist from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico / El Paso, Texas listening to a story about two queer Mexican artists from the same borderlands, but even if I weren't, this is a MASTERCLASS on narrative podcasting. Maria Garcia (Anything for Selena) and her team strike again sharing, via just EXQUISITE reporting and writing, the life of one of music's most iconic legends, Juan Gabriel. And like any Juan Gabriel song, this podcast is accessible yet philosophical, joyful and poetic, spiritual, nostalgic, raunchy, gay, inherently political (whether we queers like it or not), and beautifully, wonderfully personal. Listen in English or in Spanish and then run and book yourself a karaoke room (and maybe a tarot reading!)

- Daniella Balarezo (she/they), TED Audio Collective

Recommended episode: The Light on My Skin

Not Built For This - 99% Invisible

This podcast came to me like medicine in an achingly hot summer, while I dreaded a snowless winter. Climate change has almost become a cliche, albeit a terrifying one, but it feels like there's no way to talk about it. Not Built For This takes a hard rational look at our current moment, and tempers it with intrigue and kindness. It's not a lecture- it's a love letter to humanity, about learning to accept the world as it is, and to acknowledge that it is ... changing. And we (and our cities, and our infrastructure, and our legislatures and our insurance systems), must change with it.

- Avery Trufelman (she/her)

Recommended episode: Not Built For This #1: The Bottom of the Bowl

Search Engine

I listen to loads of podcasts, but Search Engine is one of my all-time favorites. The show tackles plenty of profound questions, along with some more on the scale of how to get into a German nightclub. Regardless of the topic, PJ Vogt is a delightful guide. I recommend starting with the two-part Berghain series because it brings you—well, not inside, but right to the edge of that mysterious world. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any episode of Search Engine.

- Courtney Kocak (she/her), creator of Podcast Bestie and host of Private Parts Unknown

Recommended episode: Why didn’t Chris and Dan get into Berghain? (Part 1)

Second Sunday

This podcast is a beautiful conversation about the complicated relationship between organized religion, spirituality and being LGBTQIA. The narratives are honest, vulnerable and deeply human. Anyone can connect with the desire to be seen and understood by institutions they hold dear.

- Twila Dang (she/her), Matriarch Digital Media

Recommended episode: We Are Faith Embodied with Tre'vell Anderson

Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative

Shocking, Heartbreaking, Transformative sets out with a noble goal: to spotlight inherent contradictions in documentary storytelling by defying the medium's norms—such as paying its subjects for their time or giving them final cut on their stories. Host Jess Shane brings listeners inside the candid conversations between producers and executives that are typically kept behind closed doors, exposing the thorny challenge of telling "the truth" when creativity and commerce collide. It's an intriguing setup for anyone who consumes nonfiction audio, TV or film (a.k.a. all of us!). But the podcast truly takes off when a paid subject gets cold feet, compromising Shane's artistic vision in real time—proving why the ethical questions entangled with documentary storytelling are so damn hard to answer.

- Justin McGoldrick (he/him), Sound Picture

Recommended episode: 1 - Just a Girl with a Microphone

Taboo Science

Ashley Hamer takes taboo topics and does her best to normalize them. Earlier this year, she released an entire series on kinks and fetishes and it's mind blowing. It's also brave. She touches on several subjects that might be seen as "hard to defend," and she introduces us to real people who humanize these topics. This episode is a great way to jump into the series, get a taste of Ashley's writing and voicing, and to be entertained!

- Arielle Nissenblatt (she/her), EarBuds Podcast Collective

Recommended episode: Philias: 7 Kinks That Push the Envelope

The Blindboy Podcast

In my opinion Blindboy is the best audio storyteller I know. He's not for everyone but my gosh is he perfect for me. He mixes history, personal experience, philosophy, and mental health all into a beautiful tale, in which we go on adventures and learn quite a bit about life and ourselves.

- Jack Rhysider (he/him)

Recommended episode: The history of serving chips in miniature shopping trolleys

The Competition

This look into the largest scholarship competition in the United States woke my heart back up to the state of limited series in audio so brightly, it revived my long-dead newsletter just so I could talk about how much I love it. Follow Shima Oliaee, former contestant and current judge, as she and her producers take a look into what being a teen girl is like right now -- including a timely twist that makes this beautiful listen even more poignant. The Competition is everything I had been craving and missing in audio without even realizing it.

- Wil Williams (they/them), Tink Media and Hug House Productions

Recommended episode: 49 Girls is a Lot

The Michigan Plot

On it's surface this series is about the 2020 plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer. A confidential informant wore a wire and the producers are able to play hours and hours of tape on the podcast so the show has a highly cinematic quality to it, but that's not why I'm recommending it. Ultimately what the show captures is the male loneliness epidemic and how far a group of adult men were willing to go in hopes of keeping their only friend.

- Nichole Hill (she/her)

Recommended episode: The Michigan Plot I 1. The Man in the Vac-Shack Basement

Weight For It

If you haven't listened to season one of Weight for It, make better life choices. Season two kicks off with a banger that will break your heart. It's about Ronald grieving the death of his mom Peggy Lee - and how sickness can transform your relationship with seeing someone lose weight. Ronald can peel a bag of complex emotions like no one else. He's ruthless yet compassionate, in a way that makes me want to do better with my own shit. The show also has range. Yes, I cried in episode one, but I also laughed out loud several times during episode four "FFG" - a feat for narrative nonfiction! This is a gem of a show that's endlessly curious and full of heart.

- Yowei Shaw (she/her), Proxy

Recommended episode: The Weight of Sorrow

Tea with Queen and J.

I chose Tea with Queen and J. because it offers an uncensored, insightful, and often hilarious take on liberation, identity, and the struggles of dismantling oppressive systems. Queen and J. bring a unique perspective as Black womanist "race nerds" from the Bronx, creating a space where they dissect the news and cultural issues with humor and depth. Their approach to confronting white supremacist patriarchal capitalism feels like a breath of fresh air—it's smart, bold, and always honest. Listening to them is like sitting down with friends who get it and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo, all while making you laugh along the way.

- Talib Jasir (he/him), Afros & Audio Podcast Festival

Recommended episode: The Election Episode: Is NOT voting a strategy towards liberation?

Because the Boss Belongs to Us

First of all, I love a podcast with a mission, and Because the Boss Belongs to Us has an unexpected and beautiful one. Over the course of seven episodes, Jesse Lawson and Holly Casio are setting out to prove that Bruce Springsteen should be recognized as a queer icon. Holly is a zine artist and the podcast actually feels like a zine. Listening I feel like I'm sitting on the floor with Jesse and Holly at a slumber party. But they have their professor pants on. The episodes are structured—each tackles one facet of Jesse and Holly's argument. Episode one is important, it sets out the mission of the show. Episodes two through seven are lectures on whether or not Bruce is camp, an underdog, relatable, whether or not you can cry, dance, and fuck to Bruce's music, and whether or not the queer community is even buying this argument. That's all before the final verdict. I won't spoil it for you, listen to the whole thing. I don't think I've accurately been able to describe how light and feathery this podcast is. I don't mean it's not substantial, this literally could be a university course about culture and queerness. I mean that it makes you feel like you've been whisked away into a poem. I remember it not as something I listened to, but as almost a physical experience.

- Lauren Passell (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: 1. The Mission

Bioscope Brasse

Bioscope Brasse is a movie review/news podcast brought to our ears by Jody and Ross, two brasse (a South African slang term for friends) from Cape Town, South Africa. Jody and Ross have that incredible chemistry that makes for podcast magic - and they are also really funny! But more than that, their passion for film is the firm foundation for their show, and they consistently deliver high-quality episodes with this incredibly unique South African flair.

- Jennay Horn (she/her), We Edit Podcasts

Recommended episode: Sand EVERYWHERE!

Completely Arbortrary

I started this year barely able to differentiate between an oak and maple tree. If someone had said, "that's an oak tree," it would have logged somewhere in my mind, then gone back to being a mysterious giant of the forest. Completely Arbortrary has changed that, thanks to hosts Casey (a tree advocate) and his friend Alex (a singer-songwriter). Each episode, they talk about a different tree, helping listeners—aka "Fungal Associates"—learn new things in an accessible way. This show is like if a tree ID book came over for dinner and started telling you about all its characters; with stories, wit, and palpable curiosity about the big green things that help power life on earth.

- Miriam Ward (she/her), Bumper

Recommended episode: Weirder Sex (Striped Maple)

Covered

There need to be more fashion podcasts out there, and I am so into Covered by Ruby Redstone and Natalie Brennan. It's a chatty, accessible look at different parts of the fashion industry, from the history of denim jackets to a deep dive on a 2010 Alexander McQueen show. It's clear that both of them know so much about fashion, but it never feels superficial or too product-oriented. They are interested in a historical, intellectual exploration of the things we put on our bodies, and I look forward to every episode!

- Alex Sujong Laughlin (she/her), Defector Media

Recommended episode: There Are Endless Frontiers

Dodger Blue Dream

I'm not a sports person, nor much of a sports podcast person. But I've been converted in this case, by Richard's contagious passion for baseball and love for the LA Dodgers that infuses this nearly impossible show. He's has been following their 2024 season IN REAL TIME since March. Despite how often these episodes drop, each one is highly crafted and sound designed, clearly structured, and anchored with Richard's elegant (and very funny) writing. Episodes range from portraits of the players to summaries of games, with many deviations along the way. The episode I've recommended exhibits perfect storytelling: high stakes, tension builds, explosive climax, and poignant denouement. Yes, I teared up, and challenge other non-sports-podcast-enthusiasts to listen without also feeling a deep pang of appreciation for the story that unfolds. It was the October 17th episode that sealed the deal for this recommendation, however. Besides describing game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets*, Richard manages a metaphor that references both horses and Cormac McCarthy. [What?!] Plus, my 13 year-old loves Dodger Blue Dream as well, and even recorded an unsolicited promo for the show. So we've been listening together, and rooting hard for the Dodgers, who I'd never paid much attention to before. And even though one might think the show would lose value post-season, my son and I agree that these episodes have the power to inform, inspire, and charm listeners for years to come. *Dodgers crushed 'em, 8-0!

- Julie Shapiro (she/her), Audio Flux

Recommended episode: “40-40 Vision”

Get Birding

Kwesia is an incredible host for the latest season of Get Birding. The series is incredibly warm and uplifting. Listening in really makes you reflect on your relationship with nature. As a city-dweller I found myself really taking in the bird song, the color of the leaves and the little creepy crawlies that just exist in and around my home. It's very successful at grounding you in the present moment.

- Imriel Morgan (she/her), Content is Queen

Recommended episode: Nesting

Hang Up

This series is 100% pure, unadulterated indie joy in a year that has been, for obvious reasons, an absolute quagmire of horror. I listened first because I’m a huge supporter of audio trying out formats and because I’m also a fan of reality TV but truly couldn’t stomach anymore Love is Blind. In THIS blind dating show, audio is the natural medium and the decision to just remove all the marriage stuff is inspired. Add in the fact it’s all super queer and the people taking part seem to have oodles of emotional intelligence and genuine interest in other people and I quickly found myself binging both seasons and invested in both story arcs. Caitlin Pierce is a master producer and Zakiya Gibbons an effervescent host. The fact it’s truly independent means the team are working hard to create a genuine, loyal and loving community and a show that sounds and feels authentically itself rather than smoothed over by a network committee - listen, donate, repeat.

- Lina Prestwood (she/her), Scenery Studios

Recommended episode: Speed Dial

Home Cooked

Do you have a family recipe? Mine has a secret gravy technique. Home Cooked brings these family recipes to life, right from the family kitchen that made them. Scroll back to find a Klondike sourdough starter, biryani, vegan options, and a caribou hunt from the Arctic Tundra. Special shout-out to the 3-part series MNJIKNINI, the history and context for a fish cake recipe from the Rama First Nation. This series not only fills you up with great stories, with a side of cultural context, but it also teaches you how to make them, with photos and videos on their website.

- Samantha Hodder (she/her), Bingeworthy

Recommended episode: MNJIKNINI (The Fence Man) Part 1~ Missing Ingredients

Lowlines

"This is a sonic scrapbook, a passport to roam, following a pull to tune into the pulse of place. To get closer to the ground, befriending strangers along the way." From the moment producer Lina Prestwood gave me the privilege of listening to the opening episode of Lowlines, I was captivated. I'd never come across such a beautiful, engaging, rich exploration of what it means to be truly within a place and to engage with the people there. At a time when we live in a world where everything is fast and increasingly impersonal, this podcast series is a brilliant source of connection to places you might not have been: it's a sonic tour of - amongst others - New Orleans, Arizona, Louisiana, Mexico City and the Peruvian jungle that will make you feel alive and hopeful, and get you closer to the ground on which we live.

- Naomi Mellor (she/her), Everybody Media

Recommended episode: 01 |Second Line: Footwork in New Orleans

Personal Best

This show helps people tackle their ordinary, relatable challenges like... wanting to eat at a fancy restaurant alone, or becoming more mysterious. But the hosts tackle these challenges in the most round-about, zigzag way, taking listeners on a true journey every episode. This podcast is so silly, heartwarming, deep, and human. It reminds me that we are all just trying to figure it out, and that there are so many different ways to move through life, create meaning, and that there's joy in not taking ourselves so serious all the time.

- Ilana Nevins (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: Alone Day

Proxy

Every time I explain Proxy, people either get it or they don't, and host Yowei Shaw has the exact same challenge. It's weighting on her in a different way, though, since it's the crux of whether or not she can keep making her emotionally investigative podcast about the life-changing power of conversation by proxy. With Proxy, we are listening into universal conversations that almost always happen privately. Turns out, propping open the door on verbal processing with deliberately chosen intermediaries as representative figures makes us smarter, kinder, and wiser. And in a way, the show is an exploratory encapsulation of the last several years in podcasting from a human angle, too–the show starts with the very personal narrative of Yowei's layoff from NPR's Invisibilia that ultimately becomes her journey to making this show. Turns out, podcasting was right all along: listening into previously unheard conversations does make us more empathic.

- Ma’ayan Plaut (she/her)

Recommended episode: #4 The Proxy Mystery (Part 1 of 4): Restorative Justice

Question Everything

Question Everything has been filling the podcast-shaped hole in my heart left by Longform, which shuttered earlier this year. With each episode, Brian Reed, who created S-Town, finds new ways to interrogate “everything about journalism, the profession he thought he knew.” In its first installment, Reed speaks to a vocal critic of his former podcast; in another he records a room of (mostly) podcast-famous journalists as they discuss the challenges of reporting in today’s polarized media climate. I’ve been inhaling Question Everything with the vigor normally reserved for guilty pleasure listens — I just wish it came out more than every other week!

- Skye Pillsbury (she/her), The Squeeze

Recommended episode: The Critic

Radijo dokumentika

Lithuania currently does not recognize either same sex marriages or civil unions. In this documentary love story for the LRT podcast Radijo dokumentika, Vitalius tenderly unspools the story of his life with partner Albinas across the course of a 52 year long relationship. After this documentary aired on Lithuanian radio, activists organized a symbolic humanist wedding ceremony for Vitalius and Albinas. Twenty thousand people signed the certificate as witnesses – a document which Vitalius has now handed over to the national museum. Rūta Dambravaitė and Inga Janiulytė-Temporin's documentary unfolds slowly and tenderly across its 50 minute runtime, trusting Vitalius' voice to hold a listener. In a year where one-off documentaries have become increasingly hard to find, I feel so grateful for the thoughtful, imaginative work of LRT.

- Eleanor McDowall (she/her), Radio Atlas

Recommended episode: Radijo dokumentika. Atsivėrimas (English translation)

Resurrection

The second season of Resurrection, which came out over the summer, follows the stories from the front lines of the AIDS crisis, and of the people who shaped the earliest response in New York and San Francisco. In what is no easy feat, host and creator, Dane Stewart makes the story of each individual feel important and somehow familiar — not an ominous historical figure twice removed. It’s a masterclass in the craft of smart and perceptive podcasting; everything from the show’s ad-reads and interview style, to its writing and wide-ranging research. Dane knows how to tell a story, and he does so in such an impressive and candid way that is engaging, empathetic, earnest, and often quite funny. Resurrection trusts that its audience is clever and curious by skipping “Queer History 101” and unapologetically getting to the fascinating and important nuances that make up queer culture. It’s a showcase of what it means when you’re the best person to tell a story.

- Kattie Laur (she/her), Pod the North

Recommended episode: Episode One: Dr. Joseph Sonnabend

The Heart - The Gaza Monologues

This season of The Heart is especially moving, beautiful, and urgent. Together with young Palestinian students, artists, and activists, Kaitlin Prest has adapted the Gaza Monologues into an audio format. It's an incredible bridge between two crafts – theater and audio - and across time and conflict, as each episode features a guest reading words written by Gazan children over ten years ago.

- Anna Oakes (she/her)

Recommended episode: MONOLOGUE#1 | Electricity Complexes + Keys Around Their Necks

Trailer Park: The Podcast Trailer Podcast

There is nothing I love more than trailers. For movies. TV Shows. Trailer Park: The Podcast Trailer Podcast gives me what I love about movie trailers for podcasts. It's a great way to discover new podcasts. As a bonus we have Arielle and Tim who are not only engaging but also know the business of podcasting.

- Cori Fry (she/her), Libsyn

Recommended episode: "Sequel Pitch" with Drew, Ross, and Matt

Under the Moon Gate

In Under the Moon Gate, developing intuitive medium and documentary filmmaker Erin Bagwell shares what she is learning about living from the dead and chronicling her journey to sharpen her cerebral skills. With stories from psychics, scientists, activists, and creatives about how we can all find the magick within, Under the Moon Gate is an approachable entry point for all things mystical. Unlike most podcasts about similar subject matter, Erin infuses her episodes with humor, relatability, and inclusion. You'll feel invited into her magickal world instead of being on the outside looking in with episodes full of digestible and actionable steps to help anyone open the door to mystic life, even if just an inch.

- Chris DeRosa (he/him), Fixing Famous People

Recommended episode: The Mystery of Tarot with Atima Lui

We Are The Great Turning

“We’re in a situation that humanity’s never been in before”. Through a conversation between Jess Serrante, a climate activist, and her 95 year old friend Joanna Macy, a legendary eco-spiritual teacher, We Are The Great Turning doesn’t present itself as a podcast about hope. It’s about so many positive possibilities and finding our way back to them when we feel lost or defeated. There’s something about hearing Joanna’s perspectives on our world and where we go from here that captivates my attention. Maybe it’s the audiophile in me loving the aged qualities of her voice. The production style is simple but perfectly pulled together with heartfelt narration from Jess and the occasional soft music in the background. It feels like the safe and comforting space that’s needed when trying process just how big the climate crisis is. It’s been 50 years since Joanna felt the deep grief and dread for the way we treat our planet. Fifty years since she felt the way we do now. I found myself hanging on their every word and as emotional as it was, I couldn’t tear myself away from listening. The feed also includes bonus episodes that are special exercises you can do with a friend to reconnect with yourself and the planet. Jess and Joanna want people to find community, form podcast clubs, and work together to hopefully lessen the doom and gloom.

- Devin Andrade (she/her), Tink Media

Recommended episode: Ep 1: Love and Loss

This year’s Audio Delicacies list would not be possible without The Bello Collective as our inspiration, our wonderful contributors for their listening skills, the audio creators who kept our ears full throughout the year, and the Tink team for putting all of this together. Thank you to everyone who made it all happen!