Podcast Pulse: Binge-Worthy Podcasts

A binge-worthy podcast is something you can really sink your teeth into – a show that you can put on for hours and get lost in. It’s an escape everyone can use now and then. Introducing, your next podcast obsessions.

“Radio Rental“

“Radio Rental” is a podcast about real-life horror stories, told by those who lived them, produced by Atlanta Monster’s Payne Lindsey. Although the stories are real, the podcast is hosted by a video store clerk named Terry Carnation, played by Rainn Wilson. This framing device provides some much-needed levity when the stories get a little too close to home. “Radio Rental” is all about close calls, mysterious strangers, weird memories and last-minute twists.

“You’re Wrong About“

What if the most widely-accepted version of the story, the story you’ve been hearing your whole life, just isn’t true? “You’re Wrong About” is a podcast about common misconceptions, the way stories get warped in the public eye. Host Sarah Marshall and her various guests take turns telling each other about things like the satanic panic, Anastasia Romanov, Koko the gorilla, Y2K and so much more. The podcast never stops surprising you.

Your Guide to Buying a New Car

Tips and tricks to get you through every step of buying a new car, whatever “new” means to you.

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“Rabbit Hole“

“Rabbit Hole” is a podcast from the New York Times chronicling how the internet can change people’s minds and lives. From algorithms that point people toward more and more polarizing content to forums that stoke conspiracy theories, “Rabbit Hole” is true to its name. The podcast asks, “What is the internet doing to us?” Columnist Kevin Reese tries to find out. Whether you’re an internet expert or a newbie, “Rabbit Hole” will shock you.

“Oh No, Ross and Carrie!“

On “Oh No, Ross and Carrie!,” Ross Blocher and Carrie Poppy investigate the fringes of belief – then take part in it themselves. The two embed themselves in self-help workshops, sample snake oil, attempt paranormal experiences and sit in on spiritual ceremonies. Listening to the two skeptics sharing their bizarre adventures is one of the most binge-worthy podcast experiences out there.

“You Must Remember This“

“You Must Remember This” by Karina Longworth is a beloved podcast all about Hollywood’s first century. This podcast boasts an incredible library of episodes all about the silver screen. Longworth’s meticulous research and soothing voice make “You Must Remember This” enthralling.

“My Year in Mensa“

When comedian Jamie Loftus took the Mensa exam, she didn’t think she’d actually get in. But once she did, she uncovered an alt-right underbelly of this network of “geniuses.” “My Year in Mensa” recounts online harassment, the hidden world of Mensa Facebook groups and Loftus’ visit to the annual Mensa convention – after being blocked online by half of the people there. “My Year in Mensa” is as shocking as it is funny. Loftus’s creative editing techniques and storytelling skill will make you want to listen to the entire thing all at once. If you like “My Year in Mensa,” try Loftus’s other podcasts, “Ghost Church,” “Aack Cast” and “Lolita Podcast.”

“The Dream“

Season one of “The Dream,” hosted by Jane Marie, is all about the world of multilevel marketing, or MLMs. Marie interviews a participant in the airplane game pyramid scheme of the 1980s, goes deep into multilevel marketing’s alleged ties to the White House and even has a former cosmetics marketer try (and fail) to make money selling makeup through an MLM. This show is shocking, funny and sometimes enraging. Season two explores the state of the wellness industry as Marie tries crystals, magnetic therapy, acupuncture and more. The personal connection that Marie brings to these stories, in addition to her and her team’s tireless research, make “The Dream” a must-listen.

“Killed“

We’re all familiar with the big news stories, the articles that change everything. But what happens to the stories that never get published? On “Killed,” Justine Harman brings dead stories back to life and tries to uncover why they were killed in the first place. The machinations behind these decisions are sometimes even more interesting than the stories themselves.

“Missing Pages“

The publishing world is filled with scandal, gossip and juicy stories. On “Missing Pages,” literary critic Bethanne Patrick uncovers some of the industry’s most outrageous characters, from published plagiarists to industry scammers who built their entire careers on deceit.

What are your favorite binge-worthy podcasts to listen to? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for even more shows to listen to? Check out all of our recommendations in Podcast Pulse.