The 10 Greatest Podcasts of 2016—from Conspiracies to Digital Revenge

Conspiracy theories. Viral general performance artwork. Heartbreak. This 12 months, if absolutely nothing else, managed to completely stay clear of becoming unexciting. And in 2016, via personal stories, nuanced assessment, and escapist fiction, podcasts helped us make perception of all of it—from odd Net phenomena to the election-cycle-that-must-not-be-named. Podcasts also provided proof that when it arrives to creative storytelling, audio is just getting began. Retain looking at for the 10 best podcast episodes of 2016. And if these excellent ‘casts give you the audio bug, head again into our weekly roundup archives to pay attention to a lot more.

Reply All, “Boy in Photograph”

The best Reply All episodes are Net rabbit holes explored to the extreme, and “Boy in Photo” presents sufficient twists and turns for even the most insatiable sleuths. In 2006, an ILX concept board rallied about a photograph of two women and one particular lonely-searching dude, whom the concept board named “Wayne.” The associates of the concept board followed the lives of the figures on social media for the up coming 10 decades. In this episode, host PJ Vogt apprehensively travels to the Philadelphia suburb where by he grew up to keep track of down the real Wayne—and come across out what genuinely transpired that night time.

The best Reply All episodes are Net rabbit holes explored to the extreme, and “Boy in Photo” presents sufficient twists and turns for even the most insatiable sleuths. In 2006, an ILX concept board rallied about a photograph of two women and one particular lonely-searching dude, whom the concept board named “Wayne.” The associates of the concept board followed the lives of the figures on social media for the up coming 10 decades. In this episode, host PJ Vogt apprehensively travels to the Philadelphia suburb where by he grew up to keep track of down the real Wayne—and come across out what genuinely transpired that night time.

Much more Great, “Imperfect Plaintiffs”

Meet up with Edward Blum, Supreme Court matchmaker. In 6 landmark circumstances, the “legal entrepreneur” has hand-picked just the correct plaintiffs necessary to adjust American rules via the best court in the land. Much more Great, the Radiolab spinoff all about the Supreme Court, is worth listening to in its entirety. Start off with the unlikely path of how one particular 911 get in touch with led to the end of sodomy rules, and the critical part of method in choosing consultant circumstances. Listen in this article.

Credit: Getty Illustrations or photos

Meet up with Edward Blum, Supreme Court matchmaker. In 6 landmark circumstances, the “legal entrepreneur” has hand-picked just the correct plaintiffs necessary to adjust American rules via the best court in the land. Much more Great, the Radiolab spinoff all about the Supreme Court, is worth listening to in its entirety. Start off with the unlikely path of how one particular 911 get in touch with led to the end of sodomy rules, and the critical part of method in choosing consultant circumstances. Listen in this article.

Flash Ahead, “Revenge of the Retweet”

Every single week on Flash Ahead, host Rose Eveleth imagines a upcoming primarily based on fictional eventualities, from the bizarre disappearance of the Net to nefarious room pirates. This episode, about the political ramifications of our digital histories, is particularly prescient as we lurch toward a new administration. It also has an interview with Laura Olin, who ran Obama’s presidential campaign Twitter account, in which she discusses shifting American standards about a politician’s former beliefs.

Every single week on Flash Ahead, host Rose Eveleth imagines a upcoming primarily based on fictional eventualities, from the bizarre disappearance of the Net to nefarious room pirates. This episode, about the political ramifications of our digital histories, is particularly prescient as we lurch toward a new administration. It also has an interview with Laura Olin, who ran Obama’s presidential campaign Twitter account, in which she discusses shifting American standards about a politician’s former beliefs.

Felony, “Dollars Tree”

Felony reliably presents weird stories of legitimate crimes that will continue to be with you. In “Money Tree,” hear about Axton Betz-Hamilton: When she was 11, an individual stole her parents’ identities. As a higher education college student with bills to shell out, she realized that they had stolen her identification, too—and then she set out to identify who that individual was. What she found hit closer to property than she—or we—ever would have thought. Adhere about for the twist.

Felony reliably presents weird stories of legitimate crimes that will continue to be with you. In “Money Tree,” hear about Axton Betz-Hamilton: When she was 11, an individual stole her parents’ identities. As a higher education college student with bills to shell out, she realized that they had stolen her identification, too—and then she set out to identify who that individual was. What she found hit closer to property than she—or we—ever would have thought. Adhere about for the twist.

The Vibrant Sessions, “Affected individual #12-D-10”

Dr. Bright’s treatment people have some normal considerations: unrequited teenage really like, dad or mum-kid relationships. But they’ve bought some a lot more abnormal concerns, as well, like uncontrollable time journey and Kilgrave-like brain regulate. Section Professor X, part Sigmund Freud, Dr. Bright’s specialty—treating “the bizarre and unusual”—makes for incredibly enjoyment audio intrigue. The time finale does not disappoint, but begin from episode one and binge absent a weekend on Dr. Strange’s couch.

Dr. Bright’s treatment people have some normal considerations: unrequited teenage really like, dad or mum-kid relationships. But they’ve bought some a lot more abnormal concerns, as well, like uncontrollable time journey and Kilgrave-like brain regulate. Section Professor X, part Sigmund Freud, Dr. Bright’s specialty—treating “the bizarre and unusual”—makes for incredibly enjoyment audio intrigue. The time finale does not disappoint, but begin from episode one and binge absent a weekend on Dr. Strange’s couch.

ninety nine% Invisible, “Skip Manhattan”

1 woman’s body adorns libraries and town halls and museum courtyards throughout the state. But who is she? Like the best ninety nine% Invisible episodes, “Miss Manhattan” investigates an architectural element concealed in basic sight. It’s the story of Audrey Munson, “America’s to start with supermodel,” and her path from serving as inspiration for in excess of 30 statues at the Met to a sensationalized murder scandal to starting to be a rollerblading eccentric in a small city. Listen in this article.

Credit: Radiotopia

1 woman’s body adorns libraries and town halls and museum courtyards throughout the state. But who is she? Like the best ninety nine% Invisible episodes, “Miss Manhattan” investigates an architectural element concealed in basic sight. It’s the story of Audrey Munson, “America’s to start with supermodel,” and her path from serving as inspiration for in excess of 30 statues at the Met to a sensationalized murder scandal to starting to be a rollerblading eccentric in a small city. Listen in this article.

Homecoming, “Mandatory”

2016 has been a good 12 months for fiction podcasts: Archive eighty one, Hector Vs the Upcoming, Alice Is not Useless, The Deep Vault, The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified. But Homecoming, from the creative mind of Eli Horowitz, presents audio fiction of a various kind: There’s no found footage or reporterly set-up in this article. Rather, you are dropped correct into a psychological thriller about what went down at a military reentry facility—and it stars Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac, and David Schwimmer.

2016 has been a good 12 months for fiction podcasts: Archive eighty one, Hector Vs the Upcoming, Alice Is not Useless, The Deep Vault, The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified. But Homecoming, from the creative mind of Eli Horowitz, presents audio fiction of a various kind: There’s no found footage or reporterly set-up in this article. Rather, you are dropped correct into a psychological thriller about what went down at a military reentry facility—and it stars Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac, and David Schwimmer.

This American Lifetime, “Inform Me I’m Body fat”

Yeah, This American Lifetime is not new—but its storytelling is still the gold normal for a explanation. In “Tell Me I’m Body fat,” comedian and writer Lindy West, producer Elna Baker, and author Roxane Homosexual inform vivid, alarming first-individual accounts of how living as a body fat individual suggests becoming handled as a next-course citizen. As West claims, becoming body fat can experience like “a slender individual who’s failing regularly for your full existence.” This harrowing episode will continue to be with you. Listen in this article.

Credit: Jenny Jimenez

Yeah, This American Lifetime is not new—but its storytelling is still the gold normal for a explanation. In “Tell Me I’m Body fat,” comedian and writer Lindy West, producer Elna Baker, and author Roxane Homosexual inform vivid, alarming first-individual accounts of how living as a body fat individual suggests becoming handled as a next-course citizen. As West claims, becoming body fat can experience like “a slender individual who’s failing regularly for your full existence.” This harrowing episode will continue to be with you. Listen in this article.

Radiolab, “Seneca, Nebraska”

What do you do with a populace so divided there’s no hope? We really do not know the response for America, but in Seneca, Nebraska, the citizens dependable in democracy—and set their existence up to a vote. Right after small-city squabbles turned irreconcilable differences, the denizens hit the polls to determine whether to unincorporate, or whether there was any worth in maintaining the city together. Listen in this article.

Credit: NPR

What do you do with a populace so divided there’s no hope? We really do not know the response for America, but in Seneca, Nebraska, the citizens dependable in democracy—and set their existence up to a vote. Right after small-city squabbles turned irreconcilable differences, the denizens hit the polls to determine whether to unincorporate, or whether there was any worth in maintaining the city together. Listen in this article.

Heavyweight, “Buzz”

On Heavyweight, Jonathan Goldstein acts as a professional meddler, assisting men and women resolve (or at the very least relive) anything from their past. In the to start with episode, the host commences with his own household, speaking his octogenarian dad and uncle via the missed bar mitzvahs, ruined bris, and shirked funereal tasks that have retained the brothers apart for 20 decades. Like the rest of the Heavyweight time, Goldstein’s prying into his own household history is a delight.

On Heavyweight, Jonathan Goldstein acts as a professional meddler, assisting men and women resolve (or at the very least relive) anything from their past. In the to start with episode, the host commences with his own household, speaking his octogenarian dad and uncle via the missed bar mitzvahs, ruined bris, and shirked funereal tasks that have retained the brothers apart for 20 decades. Like the rest of the Heavyweight time, Goldstein’s prying into his own household history is a delight.

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Conspiracy theories. Viral general performance artwork. Heartbreak. This 12 months, if absolutely nothing else, managed to completely stay clear of becoming unexciting. And in 2016, via personal stories, nuanced assessment, and escapist fiction, podcasts helped us make perception of all of it—from odd Net phenomena to the election-cycle-that-must-not-be-named. Podcasts also provided proof that when it arrives to creative storytelling, audio is just getting began. Retain looking at for the 10 best podcast episodes of 2016. And if these excellent ‘casts give you the audio bug, head again into our weekly roundup archives to pay attention to a lot more.

The best Reply All episodes are Net rabbit holes explored to the extreme, and “Boy in Photo” presents sufficient twists and turns for even the most insatiable sleuths. In 2006, an ILX concept board rallied about a photograph of two women and one particular lonely-searching dude, whom the concept board named “Wayne.” The associates of the concept board followed the lives of the figures on social media for the up coming 10 decades. In this episode, host PJ Vogt apprehensively travels to the Philadelphia suburb where by he grew up to keep track of down the real Wayne—and come across out what genuinely transpired that night time.

The best Reply All episodes are Net rabbit holes explored to the extreme, and “Boy in Photo” presents sufficient twists and turns for even the most insatiable sleuths. In 2006, an ILX concept board rallied about a photograph of two women and one particular lonely-searching dude, whom the concept board named “Wayne.” The associates of the concept board followed the lives of the figures on social media for the up coming 10 decades. In this episode, host PJ Vogt apprehensively travels to the Philadelphia suburb where by he grew up to keep track of down the real Wayne—and come across out what genuinely transpired that night time.

Meet up with Edward Blum, Supreme Court matchmaker. In 6 landmark circumstances, the “legal entrepreneur” has hand-picked just the correct plaintiffs necessary to adjust American rules via the best court in the land. Much more Great, the Radiolab spinoff all about the Supreme Court, is worth listening to in its entirety. Start off with the unlikely path of how one particular 911 get in touch with led to the end of sodomy rules, and the critical part of method in choosing consultant circumstances. Listen in this article.

Credit: Getty Illustrations or photos

Meet up with Edward Blum, Supreme Court matchmaker. In 6 landmark circumstances, the “legal entrepreneur” has hand-picked just the correct plaintiffs necessary to adjust American rules via the best court in the land. Much more Great, the Radiolab spinoff all about the Supreme Court, is worth listening to in its entirety. Start off with the unlikely path of how one particular 911 get in touch with led to the end of sodomy rules, and the critical part of method in choosing consultant circumstances. Listen in this article.

Meet up with Edward Blum, Supreme Court matchmaker. In 6 landmark circumstances, the “legal entrepreneur” has hand-picked just the correct plaintiffs necessary to adjust American rules via the best court in the land. Much more Great, the Radiolab spinoff all about the Supreme Court, is worth listening to in its entirety. Start off with the unlikely path of how one particular 911 get in touch with led to the end of sodomy rules, and the critical part of method in choosing consultant circumstances. Listen in this article.

Every single week on Flash Ahead, host Rose Eveleth imagines a upcoming primarily based on fictional eventualities, from the bizarre disappearance of the Net to nefarious room pirates. This episode, about the political ramifications of our digital histories, is particularly prescient as we lurch toward a new administration. It also has an interview with Laura Olin, who ran Obama’s presidential campaign Twitter account, in which she discusses shifting American standards about a politician’s former beliefs.

Every single week on Flash Ahead, host Rose Eveleth imagines a upcoming primarily based on fictional eventualities, from the bizarre disappearance of the Net to nefarious room pirates. This episode, about the political ramifications of our digital histories, is particularly prescient as we lurch toward a new administration. It also has an interview with Laura Olin, who ran Obama’s presidential campaign Twitter account, in which she discusses shifting American standards about a politician’s former beliefs.

Felony reliably presents weird stories of legitimate crimes that will continue to be with you. In “Money Tree,” hear about Axton Betz-Hamilton: When she was 11, an individual stole her parents’ identities. As a higher education college student with bills to shell out, she realized that they had stolen her identification, too—and then she set out to identify who that individual was. What she found hit closer to property than she—or we—ever would have thought. Adhere about for the twist.

Felony reliably presents weird stories of legitimate crimes that will continue to be with you. In “Money Tree,” hear about Axton Betz-Hamilton: When she was 11, an individual stole her parents’ identities. As a higher education college student with bills to shell out, she realized that they had stolen her identification, too—and then she set out to identify who that individual was. What she found hit closer to property than she—or we—ever would have thought. Adhere about for the twist.

Dr. Bright’s treatment people have some normal considerations: unrequited teenage really like, dad or mum-kid relationships. But they’ve bought some a lot more abnormal concerns, as well, like uncontrollable time journey and Kilgrave-like brain regulate. Section Professor X, part Sigmund Freud, Dr. Bright’s specialty—treating “the bizarre and unusual”—makes for incredibly enjoyment audio intrigue. The time finale does not disappoint, but begin from episode one and binge absent a weekend on Dr. Strange’s couch.

Dr. Bright’s treatment people have some normal considerations: unrequited teenage really like, dad or mum-kid relationships. But they’ve bought some a lot more abnormal concerns, as well, like uncontrollable time journey and Kilgrave-like brain regulate. Section Professor X, part Sigmund Freud, Dr. Bright’s specialty—treating “the bizarre and unusual”—makes for incredibly enjoyment audio intrigue. The time finale does not disappoint, but begin from episode one and binge absent a weekend on Dr. Strange’s couch.

1 woman’s body adorns libraries and town halls and museum courtyards throughout the state. But who is she? Like the best ninety nine% Invisible episodes, “Miss Manhattan” investigates an architectural element concealed in basic sight. It’s the story of Audrey Munson, “America’s to start with supermodel,” and her path from serving as inspiration for in excess of 30 statues at the Met to a sensationalized murder scandal to starting to be a rollerblading eccentric in a small city. Listen in this article.

Credit: Radiotopia

1 woman’s body adorns libraries and town halls and museum courtyards throughout the state. But who is she? Like the best ninety nine% Invisible episodes, “Miss Manhattan” investigates an architectural element concealed in basic sight. It’s the story of Audrey Munson, “America’s to start with supermodel,” and her path from serving as inspiration for in excess of 30 statues at the Met to a sensationalized murder scandal to starting to be a rollerblading eccentric in a small city. Listen in this article.

1 woman’s body adorns libraries and town halls and museum courtyards throughout the state. But who is she? Like the best ninety nine% Invisible episodes, “Miss Manhattan” investigates an architectural element concealed in basic sight. It’s the story of Audrey Munson, “America’s to start with supermodel,” and her path from serving as inspiration for in excess of 30 statues at the Met to a sensationalized murder scandal to starting to be a rollerblading eccentric in a small city. Listen in this article.

2016 has been a good 12 months for fiction podcasts: Archive eighty one, Hector Vs the Upcoming, Alice Is not Useless, The Deep Vault, The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified. But Homecoming, from the creative mind of Eli Horowitz, presents audio fiction of a various kind: There’s no found footage or reporterly set-up in this article. Rather, you are dropped correct into a psychological thriller about what went down at a military reentry facility—and it stars Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac, and David Schwimmer.

2016 has been a good 12 months for fiction podcasts: Archive eighty one, Hector Vs the Upcoming, Alice Is not Useless, The Deep Vault, The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified. But Homecoming, from the creative mind of Eli Horowitz, presents audio fiction of a various kind: There’s no found footage or reporterly set-up in this article. Rather, you are dropped correct into a psychological thriller about what went down at a military reentry facility—and it stars Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac, and David Schwimmer.

Yeah, This American Lifetime is not new—but its storytelling is still the gold normal for a explanation. In “Tell Me I’m Body fat,” comedian and writer Lindy West, producer Elna Baker, and author Roxane Homosexual inform vivid, alarming first-individual accounts of how living as a body fat individual suggests becoming handled as a next-course citizen. As West claims, becoming body fat can experience like “a slender individual who’s failing regularly for your full existence.” This harrowing episode will continue to be with you. Listen in this article.

Credit: Jenny Jimenez

Yeah, This American Lifetime is not new—but its storytelling is still the gold normal for a explanation. In “Tell Me I’m Body fat,” comedian and writer Lindy West, producer Elna Baker, and author Roxane Homosexual inform vivid, alarming first-individual accounts of how living as a body fat individual suggests becoming handled as a next-course citizen. As West claims, becoming body fat can experience like “a slender individual who’s failing regularly for your full existence.” This harrowing episode will continue to be with you. Listen in this article.

Yeah, This American Lifetime is not new—but its storytelling is still the gold normal for a explanation. In “Tell Me I’m Body fat,” comedian and writer Lindy West, producer Elna Baker, and author Roxane Homosexual inform vivid, alarming first-individual accounts of how living as a body fat individual suggests becoming handled as a next-course citizen. As West claims, becoming body fat can experience like “a slender individual who’s failing regularly for your full existence.” This harrowing episode will continue to be with you. Listen in this article.

What do you do with a populace so divided there’s no hope? We really do not know the response for America, but in Seneca, Nebraska, the citizens dependable in democracy—and set their existence up to a vote. Right after small-city squabbles turned irreconcilable differences, the denizens hit the polls to determine whether to unincorporate, or whether there was any worth in maintaining the city together. Listen in this article.

Credit: NPR

What do you do with a populace so divided there’s no hope? We really do not know the response for America, but in Seneca, Nebraska, the citizens dependable in democracy—and set their existence up to a vote. Right after small-city squabbles turned irreconcilable differences, the denizens hit the polls to determine whether to unincorporate, or whether there was any worth in maintaining the city together. Listen in this article.

What do you do with a populace so divided there’s no hope? We really do not know the response for America, but in Seneca, Nebraska, the citizens dependable in democracy—and set their existence up to a vote. Right after small-city squabbles turned irreconcilable differences, the denizens hit the polls to determine whether to unincorporate, or whether there was any worth in maintaining the city together. Listen in this article.

On Heavyweight, Jonathan Goldstein acts as a professional meddler, assisting men and women resolve (or at the very least relive) anything from their past. In the to start with episode, the host commences with his own household, speaking his octogenarian dad and uncle via the missed bar mitzvahs, ruined bris, and shirked funereal tasks that have retained the brothers apart for 20 decades. Like the rest of the Heavyweight time, Goldstein’s prying into his own household history is a delight.

On Heavyweight, Jonathan Goldstein acts as a professional meddler, assisting men and women resolve (or at the very least relive) anything from their past. In the to start with episode, the host commences with his own household, speaking his octogenarian dad and uncle via the missed bar mitzvahs, ruined bris, and shirked funereal tasks that have retained the brothers apart for 20 decades. Like the rest of the Heavyweight time, Goldstein’s prying into his own household history is a delight.

Go Again to Major. Skip To: Start off of Article.