Fall back: 5 podcasts you should check out this weekend

Happy November, and welcome back to Podsauce’s weekend listening guide. May your extra hour of sleep be cozy, your sweaters be comfy, your sugar cookie lattes be sweet, and your podcast streaming list be up-to-snuff with our weekend listening guide. We’ve selected some true crime podcasts, a cooking series to gear up for Thanksgiving, and a show for bibliophiles.

On our list, hear about an opioid-addicted plane engineer-turned bank robber, one of the most prolific heisters America has encountered. “The Agent” chronicles a former KGB member’s undercover mission who hid in America for ten years. Learn more about a cold case, when a former sex crimes prosecutor was killed in her neighborhood.

Check out Podsauce’s complete weekend listening guide below:

Gone South

When 41-year-old former sex crimes prosecutor Margaret Coon was murdered in her neighborhood, the crime sent shockwaves through her affluent neighborhood of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This case remained unsolved since 1987, and leads ran dry, stumping law enforcement. Journalist Jed Lipinski wanted to find answers and headed to this Parish outside New Orleans to speak with those who knew Coon, investigators from her case, politicians, and more. Listeners soon learn the community is filled with corruption and secrets, but what lead to Coon’s murder? Tune in weekly to learn more from this Audacy C13Originals series.

Cooking Up A Storm with Al Roker

NBC Today Show’s favorite weatherman Al Roker is heading to the kitchen and “Cooking Up A Storm” on his new podcast. Al and special guests want to help you gear up for Thanksgiving, making a meal one course at a time through episodes. Listen in as Al cooked parmesan smashed potatoes with Ina Garten, oyster cornbread dressing and bacon with Alexander Smalls, herb-roasted turkey and honey thyme gravy with chef Sohla El-Waylly. Restaurant owner Marcus Samuelsson shared his recipe for caramelized Brussels sprouts. Chef and Oglala Lakota tribe member Sean Sherman shared his Cranberry Wojape recipe and baker Maya Camille Broussard joined Al to make sweet potato and plantain pie. In the episode descriptions, each recipe is posted in case you’d like to try it yourself. Dig into all episodes, now streaming.

The Agent

Imperative Entertainment presents “The Agent,” a 12-episode documentary series about Jack Barsky, the longest-known surviving member of the KGB illegals program during the Cold War in the 1980s. Jack lived a double life and hid in America, sent on a ten-year spy mission. He shape-shifted into many identities in New York City with his wife and daughter with roles as a software developer, bike messenger, and more until he was faced with an unexpected decision. It’s a captivating and binge-worthy story. In this series, listeners will hear from Jack himself, along with narrations from Alden Ehrenreich.

Book of the Day

NPR’s “Book of the Day” is calling all bookworms to listen to its daily, under-15-minute episodes all about literature. This series is a great listen if you’re searching for new books to add to your reading list, as you’ll hear authors discussing their works. Recent episodes included Nick Offerman on his book, Where the Deer and the Antelope Play, Joy Harjo on poetry and her new memoir, and Melissa Lozada-Oliva’s new book on Selena.

Hooked

“Hooked” is an Apple+ / Campside Media true crime podcast recounting the life of Tony Hathaway, one of the most prolific bank robbers in America. At the time of his arrest in 2014, he robbed thirty banks in a thirty mile radius from his home, all in one year. Hathaway was a Boeing airplane engineer and struggled with an opioid addiction. This series unpacks what led to his drug addiction, robbing spree, the secrets he long held, all while confusing law enforcement. This series also explores the nation’s opioid epidemic. “Hooked” was compiled from three years’ worth of conversations between Hathaway and journalist/host Josh Dean. Check out new episodes, posted weekly.