Podcast Thoughts and Reviews
I LOVE PODCASTS! I listen to podcasts while I’m working out, cleaning, driving long distances, meditating, and going to sleep. My favorite type of podcasts are true crime, but my interests run the spectrum. This is why I’m introducing a new category here on Couch Cruisin’…Cast Away. I was going go with Cast Off, but I didn’t like it.
My goal for Cast Away is two-fold. One, I want to tell you about some awesome podcasts that will get you through your day, or ones you should avoid. Two, I want you to tell me about your favorite podcasts. I walk/hike three to four miles a day, so I have plenty of time to give it a shot.
My First Podcast
Like most of America, my introduction to podcasts came in the form of the widely successful Serial, season 1. If you’ve lived under a rock, Serial involves the death of Hae Min Lee. Hae’s ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed was accused of the murder and imprisoned for life.
Journalist Sarah Koenig investigates the crime at the request of Rabia Chaudry (I follow Rabia on Twitter. She’s awesome!) Rabia’s brother was close friends with Adnan. The podcast is Sarah’s investigation.
There are so many sketchy things surrounding the investigation and prosecution of Adnan. Don’t get me started on the prosecution’s “star witness” . As a matter of fact, don’t get me started on the prosecutor.
At any rate, Serial leads to books and t.v. specials about the case. It also leads to my search for more podcasts. Speaking of which…
My Favorite Podcast
If Serial opened the door to my podcast obsession, True Crime Obsessed busted that bitch off the hinges. Gillian Pensavale and Patrick Hinds are theatre nerds who watch true crime documentaries and T.V. shows. Much to my delight, they created a podcast giving us their thoughts. TCO brings you true crime in an often hilarious but still respectful way.
TCO is like listening to your good friends get drunk and discuss true crime. Some of my favorite episodes are episode 12: “Jesus Camp”, episode 20: “Prophets Prey”, episode 26: “Tabloid”, episode 45 “The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia”, and episode 74: “Grizzly Man”. All of the episodes are great. These are just my favorites.
True Crime Obsessed branched into other podcasts. Obsessed with Abducted in Plain Sight features Patrick and the director of Abducted in Plain Sight, Skye Borgman. There’s also Obsessed with Disappeared. This one features Patrick and his friend Ellyn Marsh. They are giving us their thoughts on episodes of Disappeared. It is hilarious!
Up Next…
In my next Cast Away post, I’m going to discuss the fictional murder podcast The AAU Murders. I tell ya, it’s a weird journey. Later this week (probably tomorrow), I’m going to review episode 11 of Tower of God on Couch and Chill. I will see you later.
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