Updated on March 25, 2023
It’s time again for my annual post about my favorite podcasts of 2022. While most of these are the same as my 2021 list, there’s been a few changes this year.
The entries below are just audio podcasts. I’ve covered video podcasts before, but might write an updated post about those in the future. Shows marked with an asterisk are rated “explicit” by Apple Podcasts. The NPR podcasts below, while not marked as such, do give pre-episode warnings about strong language or content.
9to5Mac Happy Hour
Podcast: 9to5mac.com/guides/podcast
The Apple-oriented website 9to5Mac has a weekly podcast covering all things related to Macs, iPhones, and so forth. One of the show’s two hosts is based in the UK. This sometimes comes up in discussions about things such as Apple TV+ carrying sports.
All Songs Considered
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510019/all-songs-considered
This NPR podcast highlights various songs and musicians, including a weekly roundup. It doesn’t sound like what’s on commercial radio; it’s more like a podcast version of Seattle’s alternative/indie radio station KEXP.
Code Switch
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch
Code Switch is an NPR podcast that focuses on American society’s treatment of people of color. Topics covered by Code Switch range from analyzing the origins of the term “people of color” to the cultural impact of “Dora the Explorer.”
One episode covered the topic of reparations for African-Americans, with Erika Alexander interviewed. Alexander is the actress who played Maxine Shaw (attorney-at-law) on the 90s sitcom “Living Single.”
The podcast received a large amount of attention in 2020, after the Black Lives Matter protests saw a spike in interest in Black-produced media. While said interest’s waned (unfortunately) since 2020, “Code Switch” is still popular.
Deep in Bear Country
Podcast: berenstainbearcast.org
Deep in Bear Country is a podcast by Phil Gonzales about the long-running series of “Berenstain Bears” books. Each episode features a different book in the series. The podcast also gives Gonzales’ thoughts on both the story and the topic covered.
Factually! with Adam Conover
Podcast(*): www.adamconover.net
Comedian Adam Conover (from TV’s “Adam Ruins Everything”) has his own podcast, where he interviews various experts on different topics. Topics covered include climate change, antitrust laws, self-driving cars, and privacy issues in modern tech.
FilmsTRIPS
Podcast: filmstripspodcast.home.blog/episodes
FilmsTRIPS is a podcast by Andrew Kannegiesser and Dave Babbitt, a pair of Canadian hosts who review a wide range of movies. While all film genres are covered, the main criteria is that the next episode’s film must have a tie to the previous episode’s film (the same directors, actors, etc.). An example is following Richard Pryor’s “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling” with “Harlem Nights” (another of Pryor’s films).
While the podcast features mostly theatrical films, direct-to-video and made-for-TV movies are also covered. Sci-fi and horror are also areas of interest; most of the “Highlander” films, as well as “Phantasm II,” have had episodes. Although the hosts enjoy most of the films covered, there’s also films that they disliked; see: the episode about the 2000 film “Highlander: Endgame.”
Episodes also throw in fake TV show “plugs” as a running joke (“coming up after FilmsTRIPS: the failed pilot for ‘Vampire’s Kiss: The Series’, starring Tony Danza.”). “Doctor Who” also comes up occasionally, as Dave is a fan.
(Disclosure: Dave Babbitt’s a supporter on my Patreon page; however, this didn’t influence my decision to include “FilmsTRIPS” on this list.)
It’s Been a Minute
Podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510317/its-been-a-minute-with-sam-sanders
“It’s Been a Minute” is an NPR podcast that covers a range of topics that affect people of color. Topics range from the latest culture wars to Serena Williams’ final game.
Despite the URL above, the longtime host, Sam Sanders, recently left the show; it currently has a series of guest hosts.
“It’s Been a Minute” sometimes features special “guest” podcast episodes, such as “Code Switch.”
MEGASheen
Podcast(*): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/megasheen/id1133749508
“MEGASheen” is a podcast by Viktor Kerney and Bussy Phillips. The podcast covers sci-fi/fantasy and comics material from a Black queer perspective. Topics range from the latest Marvel/DC superhero films to video games to the horror genre. There’s usually also interviews with various guests; while some focus on media, other guests discuss various facets of LGBTQ culture.
Typical podcast episode titles include “They Got 99 Problems and the DCEU is ALL of Them” and “Black Folks Play D&D Too, Y’Know.” True about the latter, though I’ve never played Dungeons & Dragons before. As for the former, the hosts make clear they aren’t exactly thrilled about the state of the DCEU (DC Extended Universe).
Kerney is also the creator of his own fantasy-themed comic, “StrangeLore.”
On the Media
Podcast: www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm
“On the Media” is a weekly public radio program produced by WNYC in New York. The podcast covers issues about American media, including journalism, corporate media, how the press covers some topics (like racism), etc.
Revision Path
Podcast: revisionpath.com/podcasts
Revision Path is a design podcast hosted by Maurice Cherry. The podcast features interviews with a variety of Black graphic designers, web developers, and other digital creators. Both Cherry and his guests discuss their respective histories as creators. Cherry’s also from Atlanta, so the city’s sometimes discussed, along with famous historically Black college (and Cherry’s alma mater) Morehouse.
Revision Path’s website also carries job listings.
Photo by Emmanuel Jason Eliphalet. (Pexels)
