The golden age of radio is upon us (again), this time with fantastic production value and oh so much choice. My top ten below for those who put a premium on commute time. Not an easy list to rank! The folks at Radiotopia are doing a bang-up job and seems like they are just getting started.
- Le Show – Le ultimate in political satire. Harry Shearer has been doing this since 1983! Favorite skits include The Appresidentice, Bad Banks, News of the Olympic Movement, Clintonsomethings and Karzai Talk.
- On The Media – Hosted by the incomparable Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield since 2001, it’s the media holding a mirror to itself with focus on First Amendment, privacy and changing norms. A lefty bent, but by being critical of media at large, everybody is a target. Incisive commentary and always relevant.
- The Allusionist – For any and all who admire a cunning linguist. Even the sponsorship/ads are wonderfully interwoven with etymological lore. Lexicon Valley used to be in the #3 slot, but when the dynamite/potty-mouthed Bob Garfield never returned from a 2016 summer hiatus I dropped Lexicon Valley.
- 99% Invisible – It’s fair to say that geneticist/host Roman Mars (re) started it all. About the hidden side(s) of design.
- Theory of Everything – Imagine if Jacques Derrida hosted a podcast. This might be it. Just listen.
- Data Skeptic – Imagine if a very patient and didactic data scientist wanted to explain statistical theory, machine learning and a few dashes of skepticism to his very non-technical wife. Several times per month. There you have it.
- Criminal – All about crime from the perspective of people who perpetrate them, unwittingly caught up in them and everything in between.
- Radiolab – Since 2002. How can you describe it? The intersection of science and philosophy, designed to be accessible.
- To the Best of Our Knowledge – Takes a broad topic, like anger, and dissects it from multiple angles. Something about the soothing tone of the host’s voice makes me want to cuddle with my speaker.
- Imaginary Worlds – Sci fi, fantasy explored in a thoughtful and considered manner. Plus, I think the host is my age and grew up in a neighboring town, so I feel a sort of kinship.
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