I am adddddicted to Podcasts! Since I spend most of my time editing at my computer, I've got like... 40 podcasts that I listen to on a regular basis! As a writer, I definitely prefer story-driven podcasts over more laid-back chit-chatty podcasts, which means I listen to a lot of history and true crime podcasts!
1) Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. Each episode is LONG and intense, like... four to five hours long. But they are so well researched and Dan has got such a soothing voice. He doesn't release many episodes... like, one every five or six months. But they are so good! I really like listening to them on nights I can't sleep and have insomnia.
2) Disgraceland. An interesting twist on history and celebrity-gossip entertainment - it talks about the disgraces and misadventures that some of our most beloved celebrities have gotten into, in a story format. Definitely holds a big focus on musicians! Super well written and I enjoy the host's style! And a lot of the episodes are pretty quick, clocking in at around a half hour long (compared to True Crime, which can often be several hours long!)! I'm not a fan of their "After Party" episodes, but the others are really interesting!
3) American History Tellers. I really like the format of the show. Very story driven, very well written. And very interesting! They've covered several topics that I thought for sure would put me to sleep from boredom, but they've managed to keep my interest and keep me engaged! Their episodes tend to be in little mini-cycle formats: four or five episodes devoted to one event, then an episode interviewing an author of that topic, and move on to another topic. It's just enough time to explore many aspects in depth, but without getting bored.
4) Casefile! One of my top fave True Crime Podcasts. Interesting, well written, and I like they way they manage to share a few details without going overboard, and always remaining respectful of the victims involved. They are not a humor-based True Crime view, like Last Podcast on the Left (another one of my faves!) or My Favorite Murder. But man, I could listen to that host narrate a phone-book. Add in an awesome team of writers and I'm hooked!
5) The Strange and Unusual Podcast. This is another one that doesn't update super often, but whenever she does, I always thoroughly enjoy her episodes. She covers bits of history, some of the less well known and sometimes macabre bits, but she does it in a really fascinating way. Plus, I'm a super sucker for podcasts made by real, normal DIY people, instead of the same few Podcast Networks that dominate the industry.