Podcasts perfect for a lazy, summer afternoon

According to Connor Ratliff, "Every [actor] has a 'dead eyes' story." He's talking about the kind of disappointment that will haunt you forever. He himself was fired from an acting job by Tom Hanks. And according to Ratliff's agent, Hanks really did say his eyes were lifeless. Oof. 

Ratliff uses his experience (and the fact that he's still hung up on it) as a jumping off point for this podcast. He's here to solve the mystery: why did Tom Hanks fire him? Fans have likened his dogged pursuit of answers to something you'd find in true crime. Along the way, he also speaks to some notable friends from the entertainment industry about their own stories of failure. It's mystery-meets-personal audio journal-meets-pop culture interview show.  

I've always been a fan of "how I made it big" type stories, but I love that podcasting has become a home for shows about failure. It's comforting to hear Cool People tell relatable stories about being awkward or crestfallen or unable to let go. And Ratliff's tale has just the right dusting of hope — he wonders off the bat if the podcast might someday lead to a second shot at impressing Tom Hanks. I'm rooting for him!

— Elena Hudgins Lyle, Associate Producer, Podcast Playlist

Dead Eyes: Actor Connor Ratliff embarks upon a quest to solve a very stupid mystery that has haunted him for two decades: why Tom Hanks fired him from a small role in the 2001 HBO mini-series, Band Of Brothers. In this clip, Connor has just found out he's been cast in the HBO mini-series, Band Of Brothers. Better yet, the episode will be directed by Tom Hanks himself.

Decoder Ring: Rebecca Black's music video for Friday was YouTube's most watched video of 2011, thrusting the 13-year-old Rebecca into a very harsh spotlight. In this episode, we meet the man behind the so-bad-it's-good viral hit, Friday — by Rebecca Black.

Heaven Bent: On Jan. 20, 1994, strange things started happening at a small Christian church in Toronto, Canada. Worshipers found themselves laughing, shaking, falling, rolling around on the ground. That was only the beginning. How did the church suddenly become one of Toronto's "Top Tourist Attractions"? Was something supernatural truly happening? Did gold teeth miraculously appear in people's mouths?

Sunday Night Dinner Presents: Kitchen Windows: Kitchen Windows is a side-project of the Sunday Night Dinner podcast. In this time of COVID-19 and social isolation, it's a chance to have a brief look into the kitchens of writers, musicians, chefs, artists and health-care superstars. What can they see out their window? What are they cooking for comfort? Who are they with? How do they spend their days? Singer, songwriter and environmental activist, Sarah Harmer, lives just outside of Kingston, Ontario. In this episode, Harmer looks out her window and describes what she sees.

World on Fire: From CBC Edmonton, a new a five-part podcast that takes us to the front lines of out of control wildfires around the world. Recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, hosts Adrienne Lamb and Mike Flannigan look at what it takes to find hope in the midst of fear and destruction. Wildfires cost us our health, our homes and our communities, yet people everywhere rebuild and not just survive but thrive.

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