This mortal life: Best of the Decade (2010s): Podcasts

The 2010s was a big decade for podcasts. Though I started listening to a few before 2010, the became a larger part of my life and commute this decade. See below for my favorite podcasts of the decade (grouped by five categories: Current Happenings, Series, Interviews, Stories, Topical):

Current Happenings

Podcasts where episodes come out 2-3 times a week and mostly contain conversations about topics of the day.

The Bill Simmons Podcast

This has been a staple for me over the last 5-6 years. I love sports and this is the main way that I stay up to date on what’s going on. Bill is interacts with various guests, mostly to discuss interesting happenings in sports, but sometimes to discuss pop culture, movies, etc.

The Relevant Podcast

This has been one of my favorite and most consistent podcasts over the last 12 years (started in 2007). Episodes come out twice a week and mostly consist of hilarious banter about random things, faith-meets-culture updates, and interviews with various leaders/songwriters/authors.

Series

Podcasts telling one story over multiple episodes.

Serial (Season 1 - 2014) - This was an incredible journalistic story that seemed to have most of the country captivated during its run and seemed to re-invigorate the true crime genre. This American Life producer, Sarah Koenig, took another look at a murder case from 1999 involving Adnan Syed.

Scene on the Radio: Seeing White (2017) - I was really challenged by and appreciated this series on race and whiteness.

S-Town (2017) - This is the fascinating account of John B. McLemore, genius and antique clock restorer, troubled by his own self, his small Alabama town and so many things in the world. Great story-telling by Brian Reed about a very unique man.

Blue Babies Pink (2016) - I was really challenged by listening to this story of Brett Trapp, growing up as a Christian and struggling with his sexuality. It help create a lot more empathy and understanding for those who are gay.

74 Seconds (2017) - This tells the tragic story of the shooting of Philando Castile, during a July 2016 traffic stop outside of Minneapolis. It took 74 seconds from the stop to the shooting. This podcast explores race, policing, justice and safety in America.

Caliphate (2018) - A New York Times reporter goes on a quest to better understand ISIS. It’s fascinating to hear her get to know former members as they explain more about the organization and how they got there.

On the Media: Busted: America’s Poverty Myths #1 - #5 (1/17/16) - A very challenging and interesting series that speak to our incorrect assumptions about poverty.

Dolly Parton’s America (2019) - RadioLab host Jad Abumrad helps us understand Dolly’s past, influence, and her place in the “crossroads of America’s culture wars.

Interviews

Podcasts where each episode is a different interview.

On Being

I discovered this podcast earlier this year, but it’s quickly risen to one of my favorites. Host Krista Tippett thoughtfully engages with each guest, always asking insightful questions, ultimately trying to open up conversations around deep realities of meaning and purpose.

Favorite Episodes:

Eugene Peterson (12/22/16)
Ta-Nehisi Coates: Imagining a New America (9/12/19)
Father Gregory Boyle (2/26/13)
Isabel Wilkerson - The Heart Is The Last Frontier (01/11/18)

Conversing

Hosted by Fuller Seminary president Mark Labberton. I appreciate the focus on issues like community, justice, creativity, and faith.

Favorite Episodes:

Tony Hale on the Creative Life (6/25/19)
David Brooks and Community (4/9/19)
Gary Haugen on Working with the Poor (2/27/18)

WTF with Marc Maron

On each episode, comedian Marc Maron interviews a different guest, often from Hollywood, about their personal stories. Marc is very open about his own struggles and does a great job connecting with his guests and having them open up about the experiences that have shaped their lives.

Favorite Episodes:

Brené Brown (4/22/19)
President Barack Obama (6/22/15)

Stories

Podcasts where each episode is a different story or a collection of stories.

This American Life

I started listening in 2011 and have tuned in most every week since then. It’s produced and hosted by Ira Glass and puts on weekly episodes centered around a particular topic.

Favorite Episodes:

White Haze (9/17/17)
129 Cars (11/16/19)
Beware the Jabberwock (3/17/19)

RadioLab

I started listening to this back in 2014. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich do a great job unpacking various stories related to science, philosophy, psychology, and history.

Favorite Episodes:

Match Made in Marrow (11/9/17)
For the Love of Numbers (5/2/14)
Oliver Sipple (9/22/17)

Topical

Podcasts where each episode or season is a discussion on a particular topic or idea.

This Cultural Moment

Having just ended its third season, this is self-described as a podcast about following Jesus in the post-Christian world. Each episode is a collaborative conversation, mostly between John Mark Comer and Mark Sayers, about our current post-Christian age. Very engaging and insightful.

Favorite Episodes:

Live at Wildfires in the UK (6/11/19)
Soft Power, Dirty War, and Russian YouTube Videos (12/4/18).

The Liturgists Podcast

I don’t currently subscribe to this one and haven’t always jived with the conversations had here, but they have produced some very helpful/impactful episodes related to various topics.

Favorite Episodes: