Five fantastic podcasts you need to hear now
You may already be addicted to some of the great podcasts out there like Radiolab, Mystery Show, or the new season of Serial, but if you're looking for something new and different to add to your 2016 listening routine, we've got you covered. Lindsay Michael, co-host of CBC Radio's Podcast Playlist, dropped by this week with a list of your new favourite podcasts.
1. Limetown: Lindsay says this 21st Century take on the classic creepy radio drama format, "feels like a cross between Serial and the X Files. I binge-listened this and I had trouble sleeping. It feels like something I'd watch on Netflix, except it's a podcast." The first season tells the fictional tale of a reporter delving into the mystery of Limetown, Tennessee, where every man, woman and child vanished without a trace a decade ago.
2. Home of the Brave is an independently produced podcast from legendary radio producer Scott Carrier, best-known for his innovative work on This American Life. Stories range from a memory of Carrier crashing a Kid Rock concert for Republicans to reporting from the front lines of the refugee crisis. "When he's reporting, he's not just reporting facts," says Lindsay. "It's not like listening to a news story. It's always through his lens and how he sees and experiences and feels things." The clip we played comes from the episode "On The Isle of Lesbos."
3. Pilot is brand-spankin' new, only a few episodes into its run, and it has a unique and ambitious premise. Every episode will be a pilot for a completely different type of radio show created by producer Stephanie Foo. "I feel like she just created her own playground," says Lindsay. "A place where she can try things out and see how they go."
4. Illusionoid is a quirky sci-fi/comedy podcast. It's a crazy mix of an old-timey radio drama and out-of-control improv comedy. "The amazing thing is this show is entirely improvised. They start each episode with a premise, and then they improvised for up to 45 minutes." It's a wild ride - and worth listening.
5. Another Round is a super-smart, very playful, and seriously funny podcast. Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton take on race, gender, pop culture and pretty much the world. They recently interviewed Hillary Clinton. It's one of the most exciting podcasts out there.
Did you know CBC now has original podcasts? We do. And they're awesome. Check out Campus, all about life and transitions on university campuses, and Back Story, which goes behind the scenes with journalists. To discover more great podcasts - download Podcast Playlist - for curated podcast recommendations. And of course, there's always the Day 6 podcast too!