2024’s Most Bingeworthy Podcasts (So Far)

Beyond All Repair is hosted by WBUR Boston journalist Amory Sivertson (fun fact, she’s also a musician who performs the opening and closing music). She hears from Shane, a guy she did a story on in 2017. He tells her about his sister, Sophia, who was accused of murdering her mother-in-law. She wants to tell her side of the story and it spirals from there. Beyond All Repair takes you down WTF rabbit holes and it seems like everyone is willing to talk about the mysterious murder of Marlyne Johnson. Her super shady brother is involved and that’s a whole other bonkers side of the story. Sivertson does a great job remaining objective which is incredibly challenging when you don’t know who is telling the truth. I had no idea what I was getting into when it started and couldn’t stop binge listening. Being surprised is part of the fun. Smash that subscribe button now.

It was this series and Serial that got me hooked on true-crime podcasts years ago. The latest season takes us to Nome, Alaska, to figure out what happened to Florence Okpealuk. The details of her disappearance are chilling. Literally.

A trio of female best friends head to the Appalachian woods for some fun, but only two come back. This is the story of teen cruelty and angst and how social media keeps bad-behavior receipts. The situation rocks the community and continues to horrify everyone close to it.

On December 14th, 2010, the Bellagio Hotel was robbed by a mysterious guy on a motorcycle. Out of the gate, you are hooked into the action. Anthony “Tony” Carleo, AKA the biker bandit talks about how and why he did it. It’s fun and addicting, kind of like gambling.

While the series is inspired by the salacious trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, it’s more about the social-media discourse around it. Host Alexi Monstrous is known for investigating dark corners of the internet and looks into who is behind the noise on this and other events.

Anyone who lives anywhere New England is familiar with Boston’s massive road project. But you don’t have to be from the area to appreciate it. The project spanned years and was filled with all kinds of financial and construction drama plus lots of shady local politics. Bonus points for the awesome Massachusetts accents throughout this saga.

The BBC’s Jon Ronson examines culture war issues in the Covid era. Strange stories about normal people that can leave you inspired or horrified. He covers anti-vax warriors, lockdowns, book bans and how the 1980s deaths of sex workers lead back to the killing of George Floyd.

The 2024 election is closer than you think. The Bulwark is hosted by former GOP operative Tim Miller and The Run Up is hosted by New York Times political reporter Astead Herndon. Both series are extremely current with guests and headlines that every politico is talking about that week.

A “Momfluencer” with millions of fans on YouTube who shared her strange and strict parenting tips. But of course the internet is never what it seems. She and her partner were arrested and charged with child abuse. This series breaks down how they became so famous and what ultimately brought them down.

Since Hulu just released a documentary on Atlanta’s Black spring break experience, here’s another angle. This series analyzes how the media failed women in its coverage of the event. Locals, musicians, journalists, residents and politicians relive and investigate Freaknik.

Mara Davis is a media personality based in Atlanta, Ga. In addition to hosting the VoteHer podcast with Senator Jen Jordan, she also is a senior talent booker for various television networks and podcasts.