The Best New Podcasts This Spring
These are the six podcasts we're looking forward to this spring.
Media Lists Podcasts
There’s no shortage of great podcasts coming out this spring, covering everything from UFOs and unsolved crimes, along with deep conversations with skilled celebrity hosts. Plus we revisit one of the best investigative podcasts on the planet. Happy listening!
This series follows the trajectories of two lives. First, Lenard Clark, a black teenager who ventures into a white neighborhood and comes out beaten and in a coma. Second, journalist and host of the series Yohance Lacour. He covered the story at the time, but was incarcerated for selling drugs. The events always haunted him, so he investigates what really happened. He discovers corruption, mob connections, surprising alliances and media propaganda. The dual storylines are an interesting reflection on how this 1997 crime parallels current events.
Even if you don’t currently believe in UFOs, High Strange may convince you otherwise. Payne Lindsay (Up And Vanished) details some of the most interesting unexplained events and interviews some alleged abduction survivors. Plus you’ll hear about some of the most recent sightings and the government investigations surrounding them. I’ve always been a believer and this series confirmed it even more. Bonus points for the dreamy, out-of-this-world sound design.
This is about Carole Howe. A socialite, debutante and adopted daughter of an extremely wealthy family who happened to hang out with domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh, who was tried, convicted and executed for carrying out the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. But did he act alone? How does Carole fit in? Host Jon Ronson (Things Fell Apart) seeks to find out if Carole was an advocate or maybe even an FBI informant. His angle on the many layers of extremism is absolutely fascinating.
Wiser Than Me With Julia Louis Dreyfuss and Onward with Rosie O’Donnell
I’m usually skeptical of celebrities getting podcast deals. Just because they are famous, it doesn’t always translate into good audio. That’s definitely not the case with these two. Dreyfuss’ guests on Wiser Than Me are women of a certain age, including Jane Fonda. They talk about life, aging, careers and everything in between. Dreyfuss is such a terrific interviewer, it seemed like a genuine friendship was blossoming between her and Fonda. Onward with Rosie O’ Donnell is so relaxed and genuine that you feel like you’re in on the conversation. She talks with friends, newsmakers and social media stars. Even when it gets raw and raucous (especially with guest Jenifer Lewis) you hang on every word. It brings back memories of her classic talk show.
The New Yorker recently purchased the beloved In The Dark podcast from American Public Media, retaining co-creators Samara Freemark and host Madeleine Baran, along with their staff of writers. Season 1 focuses on the abduction of Jacob Wetterling in rural Minnesota. Season 2 examines the case of Curtis Flowers, who was tried six times for the same crime. The series got so much traction that part of the investigation made it all the way to the Supreme Court. It’s the gold standard of podcast investigative journalism. Season 3 will be coming out soon and the fact that they are mum on the topic has us intrigued.