The Secret World of Podcasts

One of the benefits of being retired is having the time to explore new mediums.  I have recently discovered the world of podcasts.  I know… late to the game!  There is something very personal and kind of intimate about listening to podcasts.  You invite these people into your home to tell you a story, relay some information to you, introduce you to new music or literature, and generally, to entertain you.  

I often listen to podcasts while I am in my office/studio, and particularly when I am quilting.  The stories stick with me and some really capture my imagination!

These are some of my favourites, but I am always open to suggestions!  

1. A friend recently told me about “Futility Closet”.  This is a podcast about forgotten stories from history.  It is hosted by Greg Ross and his wife, Sharon, which gives it that personal “chatty” feel.  There are episodes about a guy who double-crossed the Nazis, the Boston molasses disaster, and the mad-gasser of Mattoon.  Each episode also includes a lateral thinking puzzle, which is fun to figure out.  See the Futility Closet website at www.futilityclosets.com/podcast
2. I love the true crime serials, where the reporter is investigating a crime that really did happen. More of the investigation is revealed each week.  There are two particularly good ones done by the CBC:  “Someone Knows Something: Season 2 Sheryl Sheppard”, and “Missing and Murdered: Who Killed Alberta Williams”.  
• Someone Knows Something host David Ridgen investigates the unsolved mystery of who killed a young woman in Hamilton.  The story is heartbreaking at times as Sheryl’s mother participates in several episodes.  The website for Someone Knows Something is www.cbc.ca/radio/sks
• Missing and Murdered is an eight-part podcast that unearths new information about the unsolved murder of Alberta Williams.  Host Connie Walker is relentless in following up tips and leads in trying to find out what happened to 24-year-old Alberta Williams in 1989.  The website is www.cbc.ca/missingandmurdered/podcast
3. Another show I recently listened to is produced in a new style for podcasting:  it is made to sound like a real mystery, but is actually fiction.  The one I am now in the midst of is “Rabbits”.  It is allegedly the story of host Carly Parker trying to find out what happened to her friend Yumiko, who has disappeared.  The “story” gets into the dark web and real-world gaming, and is actually quite creepy… but intriguing.  Rabbits is produced by the Public Service Alliance and the website is www.rabbitspodcast.com
4. Finally, for all those CBC, BBC, and NPR lovers out there, you can listen to many of your favourite shows as podcasts.  Shows like Quirks and Quarks, Ideas, DNTO, and the Vinyl Cafe are all available on demand as podcasts.  BBC offers The Archers, a show called The Documentary, and Music Documentaries.  NPR offers a multitude of podcasts including many political commentary shows, comedy shows, and a whole category of science and medicine shows. 


So, you can see why the world of podcasts can quickly overtake one!  Pick a topic, any topic, and there will be a podcast to capture your interest.  I have heard it said that the key to living a long and healthy life is to keep your brain active, and I intend to continue to explore the podcast world to do just that!  
P.S.  Although, I may have to force myself to move away from crime and missing persons!