My favourite podcasts of the year

Good vibes, special drives, climate fiction, shifting romantic norms, memorable audio, losing vision, sand, musical climate data.

Dec 29, 2023

Writing this was one of my favourite things all year round and makes me even more grateful that I started Podstack as a way to keep track of and celebrate what I’m listening to. I got to scroll back through the playlist of shows and episodes I featured this year and just kept saying “Ohh that one! SO GOOD!”. Reader, I said that a lot. This list was hard to narrow down, but also not. As much as I want to just point you to the playlist of 361 episodes I wrote about this year, I did manage to select some extra-notable ones that left a strong impression on me. It was exciting to highlight these shows again and be reminded of how many amazing pieces of audio I got to enjoy this year. And I hope you feel that way too! I would so love to hear your favourites! Please leave a comment or send me an email if there are any podcasts you can’t stop thinking about.

Since I’m terribly indecisive, this list is divided up into shows and episodes, with a bunch of notable mentions for each. They all left a strong mark on my mind and in my heart.

Favourite shows of 2023

Vibe Check

The way that Sam, Saeed, and Zach have effortlessly blended their friendship, their analytical thinking, and their knowledge of current events impresses me every single episode. This show holds the top spot for me this year because it makes me excited for it to be Wednesday and I always learn new things, become more informed, and feel comforted by the good vibes. Even when the vibes are difficult, their genuine conversations still bring so much comfort.

Skyline Drive

If I could pick one podcast to hear for the first time again, it would be Skyline Drive. From the music to the narrative structure, it pulled me in deeper with every episode. It’s not a show about astrology, that is just the topic that’s used to explore how people believe, how they find meaning, and why we turn to intangible things when we feel at a loss for answers. Host Mangesh Hattikudur always says this show is supposed to be fun, and it definitely is, but it’s also full of so much heart.

Expectant

I’ve never heard something blend fiction and non-fiction like this. The way the fictional host grapples with the decision of having a child during the climate crisis is made so visceral by the way it uses lots of non-fiction facts and feelings to explore the possibilities. The sound design amplified the tension and emotions so well that it wreaked havoc on my heart rate.

Free From Desire

Personal narrative storytelling is a favourite style for me and this series did it so well. It had that perfect mix of a personal story, with cultural analysis, psychological analysis, and sociological analysis. It teaches you a lot about the way society prioritizes one specific way of living, while also getting you emotionally invested as Aline learns what it means to live a life that feels true to them and embraces it.

Notable mentions

The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks

Dear Alana

Other People’s Pockets

Favourite episodes of 2023

Lights Out - Dead Ends

This is where style and storytelling meet archival audio. Except that it’s the special kind of archival audio that’s deeply personal and painful to revisit. In appreciating old family memories, this episode teaches us about how we remember and how we immortalize people and moments. It left me feeling like I should be documenting more of life.

Search Engine - What’s it like to slowly go blind?

Even though this is just a discussion between two people about the experience of slowly going blind, it is so thoughtfully structured. It’s about fear, acceptance, and how different things are once you’re actually in them, as opposed to being an outside observer. I love when a small but meaningful creative choice is made and this episode does it with music that evolves as the conversation evolves.

Without - Sand

If you were to ask me about the fascinating or unique things I learned from podcasts this year, this episode would come to mind. I had never thought much about sand before and now I’ll never not tell people what a prized commodity sand is. If you thought people go to wild and dangerous lengths for oil, wait until you hear about what’s happening with sand.

The Times - Can music make people care about climate change?

I listened to a lot of climate-themed podcasts this year, but this one used music to frame how fast climate is changing. Since music can already be such an emotional medium, this one hit in a way that other climate stories hadn’t. I was equal parts impressed with the creativity and concerned with the data it reflects.