Podcasts are Taking Over the World! Happy International Podcast Day!

A Brief History of Podcasting:

Podcasting was considered to be an obscure way to listen to audio information. It is now a highly recognized medium for distributing audio content. Podcasts allow the public to play and listen to audio files at their own convenience. Similar to radio without the ability to listen to segments multiple times.

The concept for podcasting came around in October of 2000. A developer by the name of Tristan Louis proposed that they attach sound and video files in RSS feeds. The idea was implemented by Dave Winer, a software developer, who was familiar with the RSS format. From there the idea of podcasting took off.

The first application to make the process of podcasting doable was iPodderX, which was developed by August Trometer and Ray Slakinski. In June of 2005, Apple released iTunes, which added a format that could support podcasts. Streaming platforms, Spotify and Anchor, jumped on board. Podcasts have become a major source of news, entertainment, and revenue.

Suggested Podcasts by Genre:

This list was based on national polls by listeners across the US.

Sports:

1. All the Smoke
   • This has quickly become one of the best sports podcasts out there! The hosts, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, bring authentic conversation to this podcast. They get their guests to open up in ways that you don’t really see athletes do too often. 
2. Jalen & Jacoby
   • Hosts Jalen and Jacoby break down all things sports! This is not a regular sports talk podcast. This show is a lot of fun to listen to. It feels like you a part of the conversation.
3. The Bill Simmons Podcast
   • This is the most popular sports podcast with good reason. He is one of the best podcasters in all podcasting history. Bill Simmons has a captivating personality that makes you want to keep listening to his takes on sports and pop culture. This pod is mostly centered on the NBA and NFL.
4. Pardon My Take- Barstool Sports
   • This podcast delivers the loudest and most correct sports takes in the history. Daily topics, guests, and an inability to tell what the hosts might be doing will make this your new favorite sports talk show.
5. Fantasy Footballers
   •  Fantasy Football at it’s very best. The expert trio of Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright break down the world of Fantasy Football. Each episode provides player and team analysis. Along with strong opinions and match-up winning advice. A high quality and entertaining show that will win you your Fantasy Football league.

True Crime:

1. Serial
   • This podcast is an investigative journalism podcasthosted by Sarah Koenig. The first two seasons dive into real life events and investigate how these cases unfolded. Koenig’s great use of story-telling and exceptional look into these cases keeps you coming back for more. The third season is full of exploration into investigations happening near the Cleveland area. This podcast will keep your attention with its disturbing content.
2. My Favorite Murderer
   • If you want to feel like you’re listening to your friends casually chatting about murder, this is the best true crime podcast for you. The two hosts balance horrific subject matter and humor brilliantly as they discuss “Hometown Murders”, and much more two times a week. 
3. Dr. Death
   • This podcast is a crazy story about a Dallas-based neurosurgeon, Christopher Duntsch, who got away with many botched spinal surgeries that left people paralyzed or dead. Journalist Laura Beil dives deeper into this story in Season 1.
4. Dirty John
   • Journalist Christopher Goffard takes us through the whole disturbing story of John Meehan. The story of John Meehan centers around his relationship with Debra Newell and her family. It gets you thinking how well do you really know someone?
5. Last Podcast On The Left
   • Wherever your interest in true crime lies, it’s here. Hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski will have you trying not to bust out in laughter! Their commentary is purely horrific yet entertaining. From serial killers to cults, these guys discuss it all.

Comedy:

1. SmartLess
   • Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett team up for a refreshingly funny podcast! Each episode is based around them interviewing a “mystery guest,” whose story unfolds through their insightful and funny questions. You will probably learn some new things if you’re not too busy laughing your butt off. 
2. How Did This Get Made?
   • In this podcast, movie critics and comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas attempt to answer the question “how did this get made”?
3. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
   • The infamous host of the Late Night Show, Conan O’Brien, has stepped onto new turf with his hilarious podcast about making celebrity friends.  Each week, he interviews a different celeb in an attempt to try and find his bestie.
4. Comedy Bang! Bang!
   • You’ll only need to listen to one episode to understand why this podcast has topped the comedy charts for two decades. The host Scott Aukerman interviews celebrities on each episode. There are always shenanigans taking place that keep you entertained.
5. My Brother, My Brother & Me
   • Brothers Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy give advice to listeners who call in and ask them questions. They have no qualifications for giving good advice. The hilarious answers and conversations are what keep listeners tuning in for more! The podcast is entertaining and enjoyable to listen too.

Highly Rated:

1. This American Life
   • This American Life is a weekly public radio program and podcast. Each week a theme is chosen and the hosts put together different kinds of stories based around that week’s theme. An entertaining kind of journalism builds that around plot.
2. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
   • This is a weekly podcast hosted by American actors Dax Shepard and Monica Padman. Each episode has a special guest. They have interviewed celebrities, journalists, and even a prince. Not kidding… Prince Harry was on an episode. Shepard and Padman ask guests about the messiness of being human.
3. Stuff You Should Know
   • This award-winning podcast educates their audience on a wide selection of topics – often things you should really know! Hosted by Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark. Stuff You Should Know educates its listeners on a variety of topics ranging from science and history to pop culture and conspiracy theories.
4. WTF with Marc Maron
   • This podcast is hosted by stand-up comedianMarc Maron. Mostly the podcast consists of interviews with guests in the entertainment realm. WTF has featured several notable guests, including Robin Williams, Ben Stiller, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock, Zach Galifianakis, and Former President Barack Obama.
5. The Joe Rogan Experience
   • Joe Rogan hosts long form conversations with friends and guests that include comedians, actors, musicians, MMA instructors and commentators, authors, and artists—basically everyone! As of right now this is the most downloaded podcast this year.

Podcasts have become a huge platform for artists, entertainers, scientists, and more over the past couple years. Up to 60% of US adults ages 18 to 34 listen to podcasts monthly in 2021. Studies suggest that there will be an increase of 10.1% of podcast listeners year-over-year. Leading to over 117.8 billion by the end of this year.

We would love to hear about your favorite podcasts! Leave a comment on our Facebook or Instagram posts letting us know if your favorite was on the list, or if there is something we might have missed.