Hello everybody! Today, I’m going to discuss my favorite podcasts produced by Wondery. If you’ve never listened to a Wondery podcast, they have the tendency of fulling fleshing out the story. Plus, they do narration-style storytelling, so it doesn’t feel like you’re just listening to the facts.
Here is a list of my favorite Wondery podcasts in order from least to most favorite:
10. The Mysterious Mr. Epstein
The Mysterious Mr. Epstein goes past the major headlines and gets into Jefferey Epstein’s life. This is important because it explains how he got to a point where he committed gruesome acts against young girls and women for decades with no repercussions. The reason it’s so low on the list is that there’s another podcast (Truth and Lies: Jefferey Epstein) talks about that monster from the viewpoint of his victims.
9. Man In The Window
Man in the Window is one of those podcasts that my keep you up at night. Co-produced with the L.A. Times, Man In The Window is about the Golden State Killer, James Deangelo. He terrified California in the late 70s, early 80s.
8. Confronting: O.J. Simpson
Confronting: O.J. Simpson is hosted by Kim Goldman, Ronald Goldman’s sister. To me, this is the definitive podcast on the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, and the trial of O.J. Simpson. Kim interviews the prosecution, witnesses, jurors, and others.
7. Legal Wars
Hosted by actor/lawyer Hill Harper, Legal Wars covers some of the most high-profile cases in history. The show discusses how the case came about, what happened during the trial, and the lasting effects. Season 5 is one of my favorites. It’s on Pharma Bro Martin Sckreli.
6. Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.
This is a complicated one. This podcast is about the rise and eventual conviction and death of Aaron Hernandez. But, it goes a little deeper than that. It also discussed how the institution of football may have been complicit in a lot of the things that led to Hernandez’s participation in the murder of Odin Lloyd.
5. American Scandal
Just like Legal Wars dives into huge legal cases, American Scandal tackles…well…scandals in America. Each season, the show tells the story of how certain people and events led to big scandals. Some of my favorite seasons are Balco, the Hare Krishna Murders, the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, and Enron. This season, they are covering Waco.
4. The Shrink Next Door
If you loved the crazy story of Joe Exotic, then you should listen to The Shrink Next Door. It tells the story of a psychologist who pretty much took over one of his patient’s life. He alienated the guy from his family, took over his businesses, and mooched off of this guy for decades. Your favorite fiction writer could not create a story this nuts.
3. Over My Dead Body/Joe Exotic: Tiger King
If Joe Exotic sits at number three, you know we have some really good podcasts coming up. Season one is about a couple that had a nasty breakup, where one of them wound up dead. Season two was about Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. It would later become Joe Exotic: Tiger King. That’s right! Everyone’s favorite Netflix documentary is based on this podcast.
2. Dr. Death
I think this story is more messed up than Tiger King. You’re supposed to trust the doctors, nurses, and surgeons charged with your care. Well, the neurosurgeon in Dr. Death should’ve never been trusted. He injured over 30 patients and killed two. But, how did this happen? Why wasn’t he stopped before hurting so many people? Those are the questions that this podcast answers.
And my number 1 Wondery Podcast is…
1. Dirty John
Sitting at the top of my Wondery Podcast pile is the shocking Dirty John. This podcast was an emotional and frustrating rollercoaster ride that you have to hear to believe. It’s about a really lonely woman named Debra. She thought John was the man of her dreams, but he turned out to be a terror for her and her family. But, it’s not John’s actions that will shock you…it’s Debra’s. You won’t know whether to feel sorry for her, or feel extreme anger at her decision making. Dirty John begs the question: is it love, stupidity, or loneliness that makes us blind to dangerous partners?
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for this week’s list. Wow! It took a few days to finish this one. This week, I have more DnD & Me. Tomorrow, I will bring you my thoughts on Tower of God episode 2. Later this week, I will tell you my thoughts on episode 1 of Food Wars: The Fifth Plate. I will see you later!
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