The ten Greatest Podcasts We Listened To This Yr – The Boston Courier

Except for notable bits of movie star interviews or viral moments, podcasts typically don’t get a number of protection right here at HuffPost. That modified this yr because of the presidential election, as listeners who may not in any other case be engaged with the information had priceless entry to the 2024 candidates on high podcasts. Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines for showing on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, the place she mentioned abortion rights and pupil loans with host Alex Cooper, whereas now-President-elect Donald Trump sat down with the polarizing and undeniably influential Joe Rogan.

However this medium gives a lot greater than the reveals you see dominating the most-played lists. Podcasts can present context to hot-button water cooler subjects, supply an entertaining distraction throughout a gnarly commute, or simply make house for just a little screen-free listening earlier than mattress.

Try the ten reveals HuffPost staffers picked as our favorites from 2024.

As “Saturday Night Live” at present celebrates its fiftieth season, the cultural zeitgeist is teeming with nostalgia for the enduring stay sketch present and the methods it has impacted comedy (e.g., Jason Reitman’s latest “Saturday Night” movie). Nevertheless it’s unattainable to debate the present’s historical past and affect with out mentioning the individuals who paved the best way for digital comedy as we all know it: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, aka The Lonely Island comedy group. Beginning in April, the trio reunited with Seth Meyers, who was head author throughout most of The Lonely Island’s “SNL” tenure, to host a weekly podcast recapping their work on the present.

“The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast” seems like reconnecting with an outdated buddy and selecting up proper the place you left off, irrespective of what number of years it’s been because you’ve seen them. Every episode is a comfortable stroll down reminiscence lane, full of tidbits about their inventive processes, voice memos from earlier “SNL” hosts and writers, musings about which digital shorts have the potential to be Criterion Assortment-worthy, and loads of endearing giggles and snort-laughing. This podcast is the right dose of levity in my life — Sunday scaries are gone once I know I’ve an episode of “The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast” ready for me each Monday morning. — Alexandra Niforos

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

On this present, host Dan Taberski (“Running from Cops,” “Finding Richard Simmons”) seems to be again at a mysterious 2011 case of unexplained tics that started to have an effect on a gaggle of highschool college students in a small city in Western New York state. He talks to individuals who had been college students on the time and dissects the assorted theories for the reason for the diseases in addition to the media frenzy surrounding it. Finally, it serves as a jumping-off level to look at the historical past of conversion dysfunction — as soon as known as hysteria — and the way a lot of our thoughts we are able to management. At seven episodes, it’s the right deep-dive size, in my view — sufficient to sink your enamel into with out feeling bloated. — Jillian Capewell

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

As somebody who lately checked “reading ‘The Power Broker’” off my bucket checklist (and am now unbearable about it), it was enjoyable to accompany my studying of Robert Caro’s mammoth biography of notorious New York city planner Robert Moses with a month-to-month podcast breaking down the e-book. Within the particular sequence from the structure and design podcast “99% Invisible,” every episode summarizes a piece of the e-book in an accessible method. However the actual spotlight has been the colourful array of visitors, who’ve every introduced a singular perspective to the e-book: politicians like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.); TV creator Mike Schur, whose “Power Broker” obsession impressed his work on “Parks & Recreation”; actual property developer Majora Carter, who grew up within the South Bronx and now works to attempt to proper a few of Moses’ wrongs; in addition to the legendary Caro himself. The podcast has given me a larger appreciation for Caro’s magisterial work (and likewise, in all probability has made me much more unbearable about it, as is my proper). — Marina Fang

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Shannon Sharpe’s podcast “Club Shay Shay” has been round for some time, however the weekly interview sequence reached a brand new stratosphere in January 2024 when the previous NFL participant interviewed comic Katt Williams. The episode runs a whopping 2 hours and 46 minutes and is value each minute. On “Club Shay Shay,” which is a collaboration between iHeartPodcasts, The Quantity and Shay Shay Media, Sharpe interviews celebs and athletes about their initiatives and popular culture — and he isn’t afraid to ask them something. In 2024, he interviewed Mo’Nique about her profession in Hollywood, Vice President Kamala Harris about her 2024 run for presidency, Keke Palmer about her new memoir and Marlon Wayans on his comedy. Sharpe has come below fireplace for his interview expertise all year long, however there’s no denying how compelling it’s to look at him have deep and exploratory conversations with a number of the greatest names in tradition and leisure. — Erin E. Evans

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

On this Yr of Politics, my consolation podcast has been this sequence concerning the historical past of intercourse, gender and scandal. Hosted by historian Dr. Kate Lister — additionally the good thoughts behind Whores of Yore — you get all the things from crowd-pleaser subjects just like the intercourse lifetime of historical past’s best fuckboy, Henry VIII to extra obscure ones just like the historical past of pubic hair and the way it’s been considered over the centuries. Good and witty, Lister discusses her subjects with the experience of academia and the sass of a gossip weblog. However Lister and her visitors don’t restrict themselves to the fluff and gossip of historical past — there’s actual evaluation of the stakes concerned within the politics of intercourse, gender and social constructions throughout years and cultures. Listening to this podcast seems like hiding a “Bridgerton” e-book inside your historical past textbook to sneak a learn at school, in the very best method. — Lilli Petersen

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Caleb Hearon is a person of many abilities: humorist, author, actor and social media sensation, simply to call a couple of. However this yr he added a solo podcast enterprise to his burgeoning checklist of initiatives: “So True With Caleb Hearon.” Every episode options Hearon in informal dialog with visitors, normally comedians however typically different figures in leisure, described by producer Headgum as “basically just getting into it and sorting it all out and kind of identifying what’s really real.”

And whereas there’s a plethora of interview podcasts in the marketplace, “So True” rises to the highest due to Hearon’s sharp comedic chops. Moreover being a giving interviewer, he’s masterful within the bits and jokes he’s in a position to give you within the blink of a watch — the phrase “quick wit” appears lackluster contemplating how naturally Hearon delivers quips that depart me catching my breath. The entire episodes are attention-grabbing irrespective of the visitor, however a spotlight is unquestionably the Halloween episode with web personalities Drew Afualo and Brittany Broski, which is further humorous because of the trio’s dynamic as associates. — Niforos

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The one dangerous factor about “We’re Here To Help” is that it’s happening indefinite hiatus as of late December (however worry not, you may nonetheless entry outdated episodes!). Based through the writers strike in 2023, “We’re Here To Help” is helmed by “New Girl” star Jake Johnson and comic Gareth Reynolds, two longtime associates who purpose to assist callers clear up their most ridiculous issues. The issues aren’t severe per se (one of many podcast’s extra well-known episodes includes a name from a man who needs a technique to discover out whether or not his twin brother is circumcised with out coming proper out and asking him). And the solutions aren’t particularly severe, and even useful (quite a lot of options contain making a faux web site by way of podcast sponsor Squarespace). However that’s the attraction of the entire challenge, which appeared from the outset to be too good to be true. And it was — with Johnson preoccupied with Hollywood initiatives and Reynolds on tour, the 2 haven’t been in a position to make the two-episode-a-week schedule work long run. The again episodes — that includes Johnson’s former “New Girl” co-stars Max Greenfield and Hannah Simone — are nonetheless nicely value a pay attention for followers of comedy and questionable recommendation. — Liz Skalka

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

When Jamie Loftus makes a brand new podcast (see additionally: “Aack Cast!” and “My Year in Mensa,” amongst others), I pay attention — particularly when it’s a present that speaks on to my chronically on-line, destroyed-by-TikTok mind. Every episode dives into a distinct segment web second that gave the impression to be all everybody was speaking about for … about 12 hours or so earlier than it was fully forgotten. Loftus’ topics, which up to now have ranged from the “I love my curvy wife” man to the HQ Trivia quiz daddy to Ken Bone, will make you go, “Oh, wow, remember that guy?!” and likewise ship you into an existential spiral concerning the fleeting, intense nature of our on-line lives and the impact it has on social media’s unwitting most important characters. However don’t fear — Loftus’ humor and attraction make it a enjoyable spiral, I promise. — Capewell

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Many podcasts cowl profession recommendation and inspiration, however my favourite is “Second Life,” the podcast hosted by Who What Put on co-founder Hillary Kerr that explores the complicated and sometimes tumultuous profession journeys of ladies in all kinds of fields. Every interview highlights how skilled ladies in trend, design, journalism, enterprise and the humanities have pivoted of their careers to begin their “second life” — usually later of their careers and after years of uncertainty. The interviews fluctuate from well-known figures like Reese Witherspoon and Padma Lakshmi, to area of interest creators and girls founders in tech, leisure and well being. The in-depth interviews showcase how distinctive and unconventional our careers might be — and that there’s by no means a unsuitable time to change gears and pursue your ardour. — Lizzie Grams

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This podcast from CBC, concerning the historical past of gender-testing in elite ranges of sport and the results it has on athletes’ careers, had sadly excellent timing. I used to be listening to it this summer season in between watching the Paris Olympics across the clock and following the story of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, whose gold-medal-winning journey was overshadowed by controversy and false claims that Khelif was not a girl. “Tested” seems to be at how sports activities officers through the years have tried to confirm athletes’ gender — and, within the course of, reveals that regulating participation primarily based on chromosomes, hormone ranges or different elements isn’t as black-and-white because it may appear. Although this sequence doesn’t observe transgender people, it does present vital context that’s all too wanted as debates over who’s allowed in ladies’s sports activities persist — with very actual, and deleterious, results on athletes. — Capewell

Pay attention: Apple Podcasts | Spotify