Origin stories: Podcasts about how it all began

This week, my pick is Closer Than They Appear. On this podcast, host Carvell Wallace mixes the personal and the political. His examination of issues like race and American identity are intertwined with his more personal investigation into his own fractured family history. He asks profound questions like "how do you stand against evil, but not the evil doer?" and is unafraid to face challenging and emotionally fraught questions about his own past. This week's excerpt, where Wallace reconnects with his Aunt Bea after years of mutual misunderstanding, is representative of the whole series -- thoughtful and thought-provoking, and both emotionally and intellectually compelling.

- Alison Broverman, Associate Producer, Podcast Playlist.

Podcasts featured this week: 

• Closer Than They Appear - Who or what is in your own past right now that you need to face, but aren't facing — and why not? Carvell Wallace talks to Americans grappling with the state of the union while trying to reconcile his own family's fractured history. If America is an estranged family, this podcast is our awkward holiday dinner. Click here to listen to the full episode.
   
• On Drugs - Each week, On Drugs looks through the lenses of history, pop culture and personal experience to understand how drugs have shaped our world. Because even if it's just caffeine or ibuprofen, there's a good chance you're on drugs right now. Click here to listen to the full episode.
   
• Launch - Three out of five people dream of writing a book. Maybe you're one of them. But what does it take to go from dream to launch? Screenwriter John August (Go, Big Fish, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory) sought to find out as he tackled something he'd only ever dreamed of: writing a novel. From Wondery, A Network Of Storytellers, this is a show about putting something out into the world. How will it turn out? You'll know when we do. Click here to listen to the full episode.
   
• Imaginary Worlds - Imaginary Worlds is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Eric Molinsky about sci-fi and other fantasy genres — how we create them and why we suspend our disbelief. Click here to listen to the full episode.
   
• How I Built This with Guy Raz - Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists — and the movements they built. Click here to listen to the full episode.
   
• The Moth - The Moth Radio Hour is a weekly series featuring true stories told live on stage without scripts, notes, props, or accompaniment. Each Moth Radio Hour mixes humorous, heartbreaking, and poignant tales that captivate, surprise, and delight audiences with their honesty, bravery and humour. Click here to listen to the full episode.

Listen to the full length Canadian Broadcast Version:

What's your favourite new podcast? Email, tweet us @PodcastPlaylist, or find us on Facebook.

For more great podcasts, check out CBC's podcast portal, subscribe in Apple Podcasts.