Podcasts to Listen to in Lockdown
By Elias Canterbury, Reporter

All the extra downtime being socially distanced and stuck at home can get kind of mind-numbing. Podcasts are a wonderful way to not only pass the time, but also give yourself something productive to do. Here’s a list of podcasts for anyone looking to pass the time, distract themselves, or just to listen to a podcast.

Behind the Bastards
Behind the Bastards is a podcast about the worst people in history and a personal favorite of mine. The podcast goes into the ridiculous realities of the lives of some of the most evil people in history. Overall, I’d recommend it to anyone; bad people are interesting. It is hosted by Robert Evans, and almost every episode brings in a different guest.

Worst Year Ever
This podcast, hosted by Cody Johnson, Katy Stoll, and Robert Evans, covers 2020, the “worst year ever” as it happens. It’s a very entertaining way of getting an understanding of the things that are shaping our world and this year as it is happening. For example, astroturfing, a process by which supposedly grassroots movements are manufactured and given the guise of credibility.

99% Invisible
“99% invisible,” hosted by Roman Mars, is a podcast about the mostly invisible world of design and architecture. It’s an entertaining podcast and manages an interesting narrative in every episode.

The Bright Sessions
“The Bright Sessions” is a science-fiction podcast that follows a group of therapy patients who all have different supernatural abilities, and their therapist, Dr. Bright. It’s an entertaining podcast, and I’d recommend it if you’re into science fiction and want a good story.

Myths and Legends
“Myths and Legends,” hosted by Jason Weiser, is all about the myths and legends that have shaped cultures from Norse sagas to Trojan folklore and even the more famous stories like The Arabian Nights. It’s a fun podcast and tells a good story, even if you’re never going to use any of the information it gives you.

Welcome to Nightvale
“Welcome to Nightvale” is a surrealist radio show for a small desert town. While it may not be for everyone, it’s still a pretty entertaining and well-produced podcast. If you’re interested in surrealism and a fine, easy-to-absorb story to take you away from being stuck at home, then “Welcome to Nightvale” may be for you.

Alice isn’t dead
“Alice isn’t Dead” is a fiction podcast that follows a truck driver traveling across America searching for her wife she thought was dead. It’s an engrossing and grand story that keeps drawing you in deeper and deeper. I’d recommend this podcast for anyone looking for a wonderful and constantly exciting story to dive into.

Chapo Trap House
“Chapo Trap House” is a personal favorite podcast of mine. It’s a remarkably entertaining and engaging political podcast. If you’re interested in a political podcast without the usual pieties of political commentary, then give Chapo a try. Chapo is hosted by Will Menaker, Matt Christman, Felix Biederman, Amber A’Lee Frost, and Virgil Texas.

Serial
“Serial,” hosted by Sarah Koenig, is an amazing true-crime podcast made up of three seasons; two following specific crimes and the third is about the ridiculousness of the court system. I absolutely love all seasons of this podcast and would recommend “Serial” for everyone. Season one is a wonderful place to start; it follows the murder of Hae Min Lee and her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed who was arrested for her murder.

S-Town
“S-Town” starts as a true-crime podcast about a small Alabama town and the son of a rich family who has been bragging about getting away with murder. But it later morphs into a larger investigation into the town as a whole. I love this podcast, and find the inside look into the feuds and stories of a small Alabama town to be remarkably engrossing.