I was late to the party listening to Serial, but now I am hooked on story-type podcasts. Since a lot of you may be going on vacation soon–and facing long car rides or flights before you get to your destination–I thought it would be a good time to share my favorite enthralling podcasts that will help the miles fly by.
I’ve also started listening to podcasts on my long runs. I get lost in the story and distracted from the summer heat and humidity!
Enthralling Podcasts
Of the podcasts I’ve found, Blackout is the only one that’s 100% fiction. The synopsis describes it as an “apocalyptic thriller” telling the story of “a small-town radio DJ fighting to protect his family and community after the power grid goes down nationwide, upending modern civilization.”
It takes place in current-day New England, and does make you wonder what would happen if there was no electricity anywhere.
As it turns out, the rest of my favorite story-type podcasts are from Wondery and are based on true stories. The newest one is The Shrink Next Door, which tells the story of how a prominent New York City psychiatrist manipulated a wealthy patient to the extent of taking over his life–including his house, and his business!
It’s so current that this week there was an update on the status of the patient’s medical board complaint against the psychiatrist.
Dirty John is another story of manipulation. This time, the manipulator is just pretending to be a doctor, and his victim is an unsuspecting woman.
It’s interesting to see the similar m.o.’s. In both stories, the manipulator isolates his victim from other friends and family by convincing them that they are the only ones who really care, and that they need to be protected from selfish, greedy family members.
I listened to Dr. Death on our road trip back in December, but since it fits in this genre, I will mention it again.
This doctor is even scarier than the others, since he was able to commit malpractice for years before he finally was held accountable.
As I was searching for my next podcast, I saw that Wondery has a new “investigative reporting” podcast out–Man In The Window.
It’s about a serial killer accused of multiple murders, rapes, home invasions, and other crimes committed in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He hasn’t stood trial yet, so I guess potential jurors shouldn’t listen to this one–they could be biased by the “evidence” uncovered by reporter Paige St. John.
I’m joining the Friday Five link up at Fairytales and Fitness.
Do you have any favorite podcasts?
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Thanks for the great suggestions. I am late to the podcast party too, but I have a bunch of road trips coming up this summer. I will have to check out Serial.
Serial is great!
Interesting, I was just thinking about how I need some new podcasts! I’ve never heard of a fiction podcast like the first one, I’ll have to check that out. It sounds like a cool story telling medium.
It’s pretty well done. I hope they follow through with season 2!
I feel like I”m the only person who doesn’t listen to podcasts! My son and I listened to Serial last summer on a road trip and it was interesting, but we never finished it!
Nope, not alone. I don’t listen to anything on the run. There are sooooooo many podcasts that sound great, but there are just so many hours in the day!
I’ve really gotten more into them lately — maybe because TV is such a wasteland these days and I’m too lazy to make new music playlists.
I have to say that all of these just sound so negative (I’ve heard of a few of them). It’s just not what I, personally, want to be feeding into my consciousness.
I don’t listen to anything on the run, and most of the rest of the day — since I don’t like to multitask — I just don’t have the time.
For travel, I prefer audiobooks.
They definitely are of the true crime genre. They “feel” a lot like audio books to me. These aren’t the “people talking” type of podcasts.
I watched Dirty John on Netflix it was crazy! The shrink next door sounds like something I would like to listen to. I sometimes listen to them while I go on walks in the afternoons. Thanks for the ideas!
Let me know if you discover others!
I saw the Dirty John story on Dateline!
I would listen to more podcasts if it were easier to download them to my ipod. I dont like using my phone.
Thanks for linking up with us. Have a good weekend!
Does your iPod have wi-fi? I’d think you could download that way. If not, it really would be a pain to download.
Saving, like I did Kim’s last summer. Just never got into podcasts
I think it started with getting hooked on all the weekend NPR shows ….
I admit I am not one to listen to podcasts all that much. This looks like a great list with some interesting listens. I will have to check some out!
There are so many different types. I really like these to pass the time.
I looooooove me a good podcast! My favorites are Armchair Expert and Finding Mastery. Both are long-form interview styles and I learn so much.
I’ll have to check those out!
I have not gotten into podcasts. I like some music (some of the time) while running, but I’m starting to run more with nothing other than conversation. These stories sound scary! I have a pretty active imagination, so I’d be freaked out LOL
Yes, they can make you skeptical of others — or at least of “doctors”!
Homecoming was a great fiction podcast, too! I found Dr Death to be terrifying – how could they let those infractions slide!? And don’t get me started on Dirty John. I wanted to go and slap that woman!! I’ll check out some of the other new Wondery ones. Criminal is good, too!
Oh, I’ll check out Homecoming! And Criminal — that one sounds familiar.
Dirty John is horrifying and I’ve tried Dr death a few times but i get so upset.
My Dad Wrote A Porno is fabulous and I listen to Mean Girls Book Club off and on.
I have just gotten into listening to podcasts! I can’t wait to check some of these out!!
Ooo, thanks for these! I’m starting off my road trip in less than a week and these will be super helpful! (Speaking of which, my brother and I will be in DC next weekend! He planned a super packed itinerary but maybe we can meet up sometime if you’re free? 😮 I’m dropping him off at the airport on Sunday evening-ish so I’m free after that and on Monday morning too, before I drive to WV!)
I don’t listen to podcasts while working out, but definitely during travel! I just listened to “Thunder Bay” which is tough but really interesting. Another favorite was “Slow Burn” – Season 1 is about Nixon and Watergate; Season 2 – Bill Clinton’s impeachment.