The Big Listen ended production in May 2018. While this site is no longer updated, all the content remains available for archive purposes.
Hey, pals. We’ve all been through the ringer this week.
Regardless of who you supported (or didn’t) in this presidential race, there’s no denying that the last few months have been especially taxing. But here’s the good news: we still have podcasts! If you want a playlist free of politics, punditry and endless prognosticating, look no further. I present to you a totally bonus listicle — 13 Podcasts of Pure Joy and Delight for Uncertain Times. If you have suggestions you want us to add, tweet Lauren at @oberandout.
Guests
- Kelly Prime Producer, Audible Originals
- Phoebe Robinson Host, Sooo Many White Guys
- Joseph Fink Co-creator, Night Vale Presents
- Nate Dimeo Host, The Memory Palace
What Else Is On This Week’s Show?
In the past year, comedian Phoebe Robinson’s star has ascended. She wrote a New York Times bestselling book, “You Can’t Touch My Hair.” AND she’s done stand-up on just about every late night show. AND she launched two podcasts with WNYC Studios — 2 Dope Queens with former Daily Show correspondent Jessica Williams, and Sooo Many White Guys, which ironically features practically zero white guys. She dropped by the Big Listen HQ to chat in between book tour stops.
So remember back in the day when people used to gather ‘round the Victrola and listen to old timey radio dramas? If not, just pretend with me. That was fun, wasn’t it? Well, the team behind Night Vale Presents is recreating the radio drama for the 21st century. They’re building a small empire of shows that take place in sort of weird, sci-fi-ish worlds. Like the hit show Alice Isn’t Dead, Within The Wires, which launched this summer, and Welcome to Night Vale, their flagship cult smash. Co-creator Joseph Fink has reinvented the medium for today’s listeners.
Nate Dimeo, the host of The Memory Palace, has one of the dreamiest voices in podcastland. Sometimes I wish that he could just narrate my dreams. Is that too much to ask? Anyway, when Nate’s not cranking out those six-minute gems of his, he’s listening to:
Audio Baubles
- Very attractive listener recommendations for this week: Model Health Show, Scummy Mummies and Grapes of Rad.
- As we do each week, let’s check the charts! Or rather, the 289th-ranked podcast on iTunes: Jim Harold’s Campfire True Ghost Stories. Jim Harold is apparently the “Paranormal Podcast Guy,” which means he podcasts about specters and apparitions and poltergeists, which I’m pretty sure are all the same thing.
- Best podcast title of the week: Presidents Are People Too!
Call Me!
Do you have a podcast recommendation you’d like to share with us? We want to hear it! Give us a jingle on the Pod Line at 202-885-POD1 and leave a message. Then we’ll put you on the radio and you’ll be famous.
Thanks for reading, pals! ‘Til next time…keep listening, America.
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