Last updated on September 21st, 2024
Once again, it’s time for my annual look at my favorite podcasts for 2023. While most of the entries below are the same as last year’s list, a few are new. I note my podcast listening has declined a bit lately; a new job has meant less time for podcast listening.
Shows marked with an asterisk are rated as “explicit” by Apple Podcasts. The NPR podcasts listed below do warn at the start of the show if there’s any strong language or adult content present.
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 the origins of the term “people of color” to reparations for African Americans to the cultural impact of “Dora the Explorer.”
There’s also a paid subscriber version of the podcast available, “Code Switch+.”
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, from the earliest books to the series’ recent shift to mostly-religious books. 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 “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” (2000) with “The Joy Luck Club” (1993) (both films feature actress Lauren Tom).
While the podcast features mostly theatrical films, direct-to-video and made-for-TV movies are also covered.
(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 war nonsense to Serena Williams’ final game.
Despite the URL above, the longtime host, Sam Sanders, recently left the show; it’s now hosted by Brittany Luse.
There’s also a paid subscriber version of the podcast available, “It’s Been a Minute+.”
MEGASheen
Podcast(*): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/megasheen/id1133749508
“MEGASheen” is a podcast by Viktor Kerney and cohost Nick, two gay Black men. 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 of the guests focus on media, others discuss aspects 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.
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.
Reitman for the Job
Podcast: reitmanforthejob.podbean.com
“Reitman for the Job” is a podcast by comic writer Ross May. The podcast focuses on the filmmaking career of the late Ivan Reitman, the director of films such as “Ghostbusters,” “Kindergarten Cop,” and “Twins.” Reitman also served as the producer of “Space Jam,” and the executive producer of its sequel. May, meanwhile, has been an occasional guest on the “FilmsTRIPS” podcast.
Some of the episodes delve into spin-offs of Reitman’s films, such as the animated series “The Real Ghostbusters.”
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.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels)
