Favorite podcasts

• Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

  The first history podcast almost everyone recommends for a reason. It's not for everyone, mostly because the episodes are usually three to five hours long and are part of a longer series of four to six episodes to tell a complete story. I think of it as semiformal audiobooks from a lover of history who helps explain context. And I love Dan Carlin's voice.

• EconTalk

  An interview show mostly about economics but fairly wide-ranging. I think Russ Roberts is a great interviewer because he's not afraid to push back, challenge assumptions, express his own opinion, or to change his mind.

• All Consuming

  A show of two guys shooting the shit about new direct-to-consumer products that they mostly found from Instagram ads. Imagine a review of the Thigh Master if this was the 90s. Funny and sometimes the products are worth buying. (I bought the Ember mug they recommended for my wife as a postpartum gift because moms are too used to cold coffee. Success.)

• Reply All

  The most fun and funny show about internet culture. Start with #102 Long Distance, Part I and #103 Long Distance, Part II.

  Update: A lot has happened to this show and it might never come back. The NY Times wrote about it and Alex Goldman has a short episode about it on their feed. Seeing the moral universe bend toward justice is unquestionably good even as learning about the past is depressing.