Lots of podcasts are centered around interviews or the news, but sometimes you want a podcast that tells a story. These story podcasts are like a good book that pull you in and keep you hooked.
So, to help you sort the wheat from the chaff, here is a list of the best story podcasts that are focussed on telling exciting and interesting tales. Subscribe to these podcasts that tell stories and you’ll never need a radio drama again.
1. Homecoming
Homecoming tells the story of Walter Cruz (Oscar Isaac), a former soldier, and Heidi Cruz (Catherine Keener), his therapist in an experimental rehabilitation program. This story podcast is packed with twists and turns. Each episode reveals more about the characters, the program, and the unsettling truth behind it all.
In addition to Isaac and Keener, David Schwimmer (as Bergman’s impressively intense and infuriating supervisor), Amy Sedaris, and David Cross also provide voice acting. The talent of the actors and the very high production value make this a standout.
The podcast was so well-received that Amazon picked it up and turned it into a TV series. You should check it out, along with these other great Amazon Originals.
2. Welcome to Night Vale
The premise of Welcome to the Night Vale is simple: each episode contains updates from the fictional city of Night Vale. You’ll get the weather, the local news, updates from the Sheriff’s office, and information on various goings-on. But things in Night Vale are a little stranger than you’re probably used to.
The deadpan humor, unsettling paranormal events, and exploration of the mysterious Night Vale put on the scripted-podcast throne, and it hasn’t left. A little science fiction, a little horror, and a little comedy make this a unique podcast, and one well worth listening to.
3. Myths and Legends
Myths and Legends tells stories of magic, dragons, knights, and wizards. It’s all about the folklore that shaped our world and cultures. Think something along the lines of Robin Hood or Thor—tales you might know from Hollywood. But this podcast looks at their true origins.
Some folklore you might think you know, others you won’t have heard of at all. Regardless, you it’s unlikely that you know the real stories. Myths and Legends is hosted by the personable Jason Weiser as he tackles exciting and gripping stories from the past.
4. Limetown
“Ten years ago, over three hundred men, women and children disappeared from a small town in Tennessee, never to be heard from again.” How could you possibly not subscribe to this podcast after hearing that description? Limetown evokes Serial, though this is a fictional story told from the viewpoint of a fictional journalist.
Limetown packs a punch, despite each season being relatively short. If you’re looking for drama and you like the journalistic style of The Black Tapes, or the alien hunting fun of The X-Files, this one should definitely be on your list.
If you enjoy Limetown, you should check out our list of spine-tingling mystery podcasts.
5. We’re Alive
We’re Alive is a post-apocalyptic zombie survival horror. If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, this is definitely the podcast for you. A band of survivors has to work together to find food, water, shelter, and safety while being pursued by the shambling undead hordes. It’s a classic zombie story.
With masses of episodes, you’ll get all of the zombie-evading action you can handle. The podcast has also branched off into a spin-off series called Goldrush, which is set 17 years after the events of We’re Alive with some of the same characters.
6. Passenger List
Passenger List is a gripping and thrilling story podcast. The premise is that a flight has disappeared between London and New York with 256 people on board. Kaitlin Le is a college student whose twin brother was on the fight, so she sets out to uncover the truth.
This is a really well produced podcast—it’s worth wearing headphones for so you can feel truly immersed in the story. It also features some cracking voice talent from the likes of Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars) and Colin Morgan (The Fall, Merlin).
7. Alice Isn’t Dead
The group behind Night Vale have concocted this strange tale of a trucker on a cross-country trip to find her wife, who was (erroneously) believed to be dead. The podcast centers on the rather abnormal things she finds on her trip, including “not-quite-human serial murderers, towns literally lost in time, and a conspiracy that goes way beyond one missing woman.”
Alice Isn’t Dead is a great example of serial fiction, and it will keep you guessing throughout the story as to what’s really going on. The podcast is also available as a book, if you want to devour it in multiple formats.
8. The Truth
Like an audio short story collection, The Truth presents a new story in each episode. Styling itself as “movies for your ears,” each episode of the podcast gives you a 10- to 20-minute short story. Some of them are unsettling, while others are funny, but all of them are unique.
Episodes have centered on topics like a submarine crew that goes deeper than it thought possible, a man transporting himself into the body of a prison inmate, and an elf who gets a job in the Naughty or Nice division of Santa’s workshop. You never know what to expect, but you can be sure that it’ll be great.
9. PleasureTown
Around the turn of the 20th century, two men founded a new town in Oklahoma. Calling it PleasureTown, they aimed to make it an oasis of free thought and hedonism. A place without judgment, where the only goal was happiness. As you might expect, things don’t always go as planned.
The story of PleasureTown is told by the ghosts of the townspeople, and the stories are written not only by the producers and writers of the show, but by the audience as well. Each season goes through the history of the town with stories of happiness, betrayal, ecstasy, and murder.
10. The Bright Sessions
Have you ever wanted to listen to other people’s therapy sessions? How about superheroes’ therapy sessions? The Bright Sessions follows Dr. Bright and her clients, all of whom have supernatural abilities. However, even with supernatural abilities, they have ordinary problems around emotions, relationships, identity, and just about everything else we non-supernaturals deal with.
These therapy sessions for the “strange and unusual” provide a look into the day-to-day lives of people who are anything but normal… or at least that’s how they seem. What is Dr. Bright’s story? How did she come to be offering therapy for people with special abilities? And why? The podcast is full of questions, but also of insight and empathy.
11. The Angel of Vine
The Angel of Vine is set in the present day, where a journalist finds audio tapes recorded by a private eye in the 1950s. In these tapes he details how he cracked the greatest unsolved murder mystery in Hollywood, but didn’t tell anyone.
If you like detective stories or the noir genre, you’re bound to enjoy The Angel of Vine. It’s an engrossing listen and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time. It also boasts an impressive voice cast with the likes of Joe Manganiello, Alan Tudyk, Nolan North, and Camilla Luddington starring.
Discover More Great Podcasts to Listen To
These are some of the best podcasts that tell stories you need to hear. There’s nothing better than kicking back and listening to a podcast that tells a story. And since podcasts aren’t going away any time soon, hopefully many more great story podcasts will be produced in the future.
Do you want more recommendations for great podcasts? Then check out these apps to find awesome podcasts to listen to.
Image Credits: Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock
Read the full article: The 11 Best Storytelling Podcasts With Addicting Stories You’ll Love
