Podcasts have become one of my favorite things to listen to on long commutes, while I’m in the gym, or whenever I have some free time on my hands. The great thing about podcasts is that there is something for everyone. There are literally hundreds of free podcasts out there that cover various subject matters ranging from economics, sports, history, comedy and even crime investigation. Podcasts are a great way to learn something new or to entertain yourself, and the best part is that they are free. To get you started, I have put together a list of some of my favorite podcasts to listen to.
This is a podcast by best-selling author, Malcolm Gladwell. Each week, he takes us on an investigative journey to uncover the hidden meanings or explanations behind certain popular ideas, people or events from the past. In past episodes, he has examined the unknown and often overlooked implications of the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v Board of Education. He has also examined the history behind why McDonald’s fries taste the way they do now (yes, there is an actual reason for that), the reason why golf has managed to maintain its exclusivity over the years, and many other interesting topics. My favorite thing about this podcast is that it gives listeners a deeper understanding into how certain events or subject matters that happened in the past, continue to have great impact on the way society presently functions.
This is by far one of the most captivating and interest grabbing podcast I have listened to. Hosted by Brian Reed, this podcast follows the story of a man from rural Alabama who despises his town. He contacts Brian in hopes that he will be able to investigate the actions of a particular member of the town, who he believes was involved in a murder cover-up. However, the death of someone changes everything and leads Brian down a path of uncovering the mystery surrounding a single man’s life, and the quest for a possible hidden treasure.
The first season of the Serial podcast focuses on reexamining evidence from a case involving a teenager, Adnan Syed, who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, in 1999. Through each stage of the investigation, listeners are left contemplating the actual guilt of Adnan. Given the captivating nature of this podcast, it is no surprise that the first season was one of the most listened to podcasts in history. The second season of Serial focuses on the story of Bowe Bergdahl, a soldier from the USA who walked off the base in Afghanistan and ended up getting captured by the Taliban and held for a total of five years. In this season, we hear the reason why Bowe made that grave decision to walk of base, and what he experienced while he was held in captivity.
These three podcasts are a great place to start, and hopefully they are able to keep you hooked!