Grab your headphones and celebrate International Podcast Day with 12 outstanding shows

September 30 is International Podcast Day, so naturally, it’s Podsauce’s favorite time of year. We’ve gathered some of our favorite shows across several genres. Tune in for bingeable true crime shows, society & culture podcasts like “The Sunshine Place,” and LOL-worthy comedy podcasts. 

Catch up on daily headlines in short episodes of “Up First.” For 2022 Midterm Election coverage, there’s a podcast on our list covering key states. If you love TV and film, check out 2 podcasts sharing pop culture updates and commentary on new releases. Plug in your favorite headphones and join International Podcast Day’s festive celebrations with these fantastic podcasts.

Society & Culture

The Sunshine Place

“The Sunshine Place” is an 8-part investigative documentary series about Synanon, an experimental drug rehab facility in the 1960s and 1970s that turned into one of the most dangerous and violent cults. On the podcast, hear from survivors, former members, chroniclers, and host Sari Crawford, the daughter of Synanon’s former leader, Bill Crawford. This series is presented by C13Originals, Susan Downey, and Robert Downey Jr.

Wolves Among Us

C13Originals’ true crime anthology series “Wolves Among Us” examines “The Larry Lavin Story.” Lavin was a dentist who moonlighted as a cocaine kingpin from 1978 to 1984. On the podcast, Lavin recounts the story in his own words and he is joined by friends, business associates, drug runners, law enforcement, and more. Learn about Lavin’s double life, how he became one of the FBI’s top 10 most wanted fugitives, and how his story impacted the community.

True Crime

Gone South

In 1987, former sex crimes prosecutor Margaret Coon was killed in her affluent, Louisiana neighborhood. She was found on the side of the road with a stab wound in her back, and the case remained unsolved. In this C13Originals series, journalist Jed Lipinski investigated the crime, Coon’s life, and uncovered new information. All 8 episodes of “Gone South” are now streaming.

The Letter

In 1996, friends Zachary Snarr and Yvette Rodier traveled to the mountains near their home in Salt Lake City one evening to photograph the rising full moon. They encountered a 19-year-old gun-wielding stranger who killed Zachary and injured Yvette. This series examines the crime, its devastating impact on the community, and episodes share conversations with guests like the victims’ family.

TV & Film

Pop Culture Happy Hour

NPR’s “Pop Culture Happy Hour” shares daily episodes on weekdays exploring the latest and greatest releases for film, TV, music, books, culture and more. Listeners will hear commentary from arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, Aisha Harris, and pop culture experts. Episodes run less than 30 minutes each.

Watch What Crappens

On “Watch What Crappens,” hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam recap all Bravo shows. They’ll analyze TV episodes, breakdown Housewives drama, entertainment news, and more in daily episodes running less than 90 minutes on average.

Comedy

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Relive SNL’s most iconic moments with comedians, hosts, past and present cast, musical guests, and writers on “Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade.” The 2 hosts are joined by guests like Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock, Nick Kroll, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks, and so many more in weekly episodes by Cadence13.

WTF with Marc Maron

Since 2009, comedian Marc Maron has interviewed creators, actors, musicians, writers, directors, and many more bright minds. Tune in for deep-diving conversations with guests like Barack Obama, Sharon Van Etten, Whitney Cummings, Neil Gaiman, Nicole Byer, Keith Richards, and more in over 1300 episodes.

News

Up First

Get the day’s news in less than 15-minute episodes on NPR’s “Up First.” Episodes are available weekdays by 6 a.m. ET with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, Rachel Martin takes a deeper look behind the headlines in episodes posted by 8 a.m. ET.

Campaign HQ with David Plouffe

“Campaign HQ with David Plouffe” is covering the 2022 Midterm Elections, candidates, and races in key states. Plouffe was former President Barack Obama’s campaign manager, White House Senior Advisor, and the creator of Obama’s winning presidential campaigns. Tune in weekly for insight on elections for the Senate, the house, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and gubernatorial positions.

Sports

Unwritten: Behind Baseball’s Secret Rules

Former baseball players Jimmy Rollins and Ron Darling are sharing the sport’s mostly unofficial rulebook. From locker room rituals, sign stealing, and bat flipping to jinxing a no-hitter, and more, the hosts unpack the history and culture behind these rules. “Unwritten: Behind Baseball’s Secret Rules” is brought to you by Audacy and Major League Baseball.

Crime in Sports

On Wondery’s “Crime in Sports,” comedians James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman dish on athletes who fought the law and lost. On new, weekly episodes, hear about athletes like former baseball player Darryl Strawberry, former MMA fighter Joaquin “Fire” Balassa,” former NFL player Aqib Talib, and more in over 300 episodes.