Podcasts that explore pirate tales

Originally published on August 22, 2019.

I'm a big fan of fun facts. You never know when it might come in handy. Maybe as an answer to an inquisitive kid in your life, or during a lull at a dinner party. But there are some things that are so ubiquitous, you never even stop to question them. Like, why do I accept that Pumpkin Spice is everywhere during the fall season? Why have I never stopped to ask myself, "How did this happen?" And I vaguely know that I should probably be getting more than 6 hours sleep - and then I found out that my super late bedtime is probably killing me. The source for learning the history of that over-exposed fall flavour and the terrifying truth about my sleep habits both came from the same place: Gimlet's Every Little Thing. They're back at it again with an episode that shares the truth about pirate tropes. One I'll give away here: historically nobody ever walked the plank. Sorry! This podcast will give you a weird fact for every occasion, and for that reason, it's my pick of the week.

-Kate Evans, Producer, Podcast Playlist.

Podcasts featured this week:

Every Little Thing – Hooks, eye patches, peg legs: are these classic pirate tropes fact or fiction? Pirate historian Laura Sook Duncombe tells us about the golden age of pirates.

99% Invisible – A modern day (radio) pirate, Roy Bates is the self-proclaimed king of Sealand. But he developed a bigger plan for his platform than a radio station: Roy Bates wanted to start his own country.

The Memory Palace – Eugenia Kelly was a 19-year-old socialite in 1915. Not only was she in love with the cabaret, she also loved Al Davis, an older, married man known as the "tango pirate". But her mother, Helen Kelly, did not approve of their relationship. When Eugenia refused to end their affair, Helen took her daughter to court and the case scandalized the nation.

StartUp – Mike Hallatt wanted to give the people of Vancouver what they want: Trader Joe's snacks. So every week, he'd head across the border to snag some contraband to resell in his own shop: Pirate Joe's.

Lost Notes – WBAD in New York was among the most beloved pirate radio stations in the 90s. They played unsanitized hip-hop, most of which wasn't being touched by mainstream radio.

Our Fake History – Anne Bonny & Mary Read are two of the most famous & ruthless pirates of all time. But their story is so tangled up in myth, it's hard to separate fact from legend.

Avast ye, landlubbers! Do ye know of any pirate podcasts we should check out? Email, tweet us @PodcastPlaylist, or find us on Facebook.

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