One of the great blessings of the digital age is that we’ve finally got something to listen to in the car. If obnoxious radio DJs are still a part of your morning commute, it’s time to take a trip to the iTunes store and pick up some podcasts. Here, four of our favourites.
WTF with Marc Maron
Marc Maron never broke big as a standup comic, but WTF is a sensation. His hour-long interviews with the titans of comedy are always compelling, whether he’s patching things up with former roommate Louis C.K., listening to tapes of a teenaged Judd Apatow interviewing Jerry Seinfeld, or confronting Carlos Mencia for stealing jokes.
This American Life
The soothing, boyish voice of Ira Glass will take you through some of the funniest, craziest, saddest, most incredible tales you’ve heard. Drawing on a network of contributors across the U.S., this program, produced by National Public Radio, is non-fiction storytelling at its very finest.
Wiretap
Wiretap, by Montreal’s idiosyncratic comic genius, Jonathan Goldstein, is the most hilarious thing on Canadian radio. A bizarre group of friends and rivals form Goldstein’s alternate universe, where everyone is more obnoxious, neurotic and outrageous than you ever thought possible.
Freakonomics Radio
From Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the clever chaps who famously explained why sumo wrestlers are cheaters, comes a podcast similarly effective at revealing counterintuitive or unlikely truths. Like, for example, that expensive wine doesn’t necessarily taste better. And that advertising on football players jerseys might not actually be that brilliant.
Did we overlook your favourite? Let us know by commenting on this story.
Photo courtesy of el patojo.
I’d like to throw into the mix Dan Savage’s “Savage Love” podcast.
These are all great. I like Adam Carolla, Joe Rogan, and the B.S. Report with Bill Simmons, too.
I’ve been listening to Greg Proops – The Smartest Man in the World, Judge John Hodgman and Jay and Silent Bob Get Old.
Another vote for Greg Proops! Definitely makes a packed subway car at rush hour more bearable.