The Pod Piper

1. Only Human - "The Birth of Climate Change Denial" Have you ever wondered how the facts of climate change seem to be liberally appropriated for any and all political causes?  Did you know that George H.W. Bush senior was very open about supporting the environment?  This excellent podcast from Only Human (in collaboration with The United States of Anxiety ) is among the best journalism I've encountered on the topic of how science has been changed into something subjective.  It is engaging but also impartial, and informative above all else.  I won't give away too much here, but I was (perhaps foolishly) astounded by the amount the story hinges on the work of an "expert."  The villainization attached to this label hits incisively here, in a way that is both telling and frightening for how professionals in the hard sciences may be treated as things evolve. 2. Planet Money - "Small Change" It's hardly novel to posit that the rate of change in t...

1. Radiolab - "Null and Void" What are the foundations of our democracy?  Should it be ruled by the people or ruled by experts? And what are the exceptions to maintain the long-revered laws and procedures that have held together some semblance of order in our legal system?  These are but some of the questions Radiolab  endeavors to answer in this deeply thought-provoking inquiry into the life of a woman who sought to bring about justice without regard for the law.  But that's just the beginning, as the team probes into the larger and vastly amorphous conversation around the vital functions of government in relation to the governed.  I walked away from this feeling both invigorated and unsettled, a rare combination of emotions that merited awarding the top spot on this week's list. 2. The Memory Palace  - "The Year Hank Greenberg Hit 58 Home Runs" The Memory Palace  often hones in on the very granular details of a life tossed into the ditch of histo...

1. This American Life - "I Am Not A Pirate" By this point in the early 21st century, selling pirates as an intriguing narrative focal point might seem to be a fools gambit.  Such things are the basis of fairy tales long left behind in childhood, surely not a compelling topic for any self respecting adult...right?  Wrong.  Some quirky historical figures come to life via interviews with experts, both of which are well done an fitting of the theme in their own right.  And just when you start to think "This is all fine,  but give me some hard hitting reporting," a gut wrenching true story rings through your earbuds.  When a man caught in the throngs of power imbalance seeks to make something right, things get complicated.  "I Am Not A Pirate" is a good name for the episode, but it almost could have born a name that speaks to the nature of wresting with two realities in two very different locales. 2. Slate's Culture Gabfest - "Demme God Edition"...

1.  Planet Money  - "Georgetown, Louisiana (Part One & Two)" This two-part series from Planet Money probes into the nuances of a recent revelation: that Georgetown sold slaves to help keep the university afloat.  It's not shocking that a prestigious institution had a hand in something unsavory, particular since this history-drenched school lies south of the Mason-Dixon line.  The surprising thing is that Georgetown has acknowledged this injustice and is (sort of) seeking to make amends in some form.  These episodes explore life in a town where many of the slaves were sent, checking in with various locals who can trace their lineage to these enslaved people.  The tension here lies between doing the right thing, and realizing that the manifestation of adequate compensation is uncomfortable after so many years have passed.  It's tempting to think of reparations as some bizarre narrative from a parallel universe where humans treat each other abhorrent...

I've been away again this weekend and neglected to compile my recommendations.  In place of prods to listen, this week I'm plugging my favorite writer on all things podcasts. Nick Quah writes the weekly Hot Pod column with a hearty run-down of industry news.  The column is great if, like me, you enjoy delving into the inner workings of the medium as it expands into something I hope I want it to be.  Quah does a great job of writing at a level that is both not-boring to a podcast wonk while remaining accessible to those who may be a little less engrossed in the world of portable audio. Which, I suppose, accounts for the bevy of articles he has written for Vulture geared to please both such audiences.  Anyway, check him out via the links below, and I'll be back next week with what I'm sure will be some essential listening. Hot Pod Nick Quah's Website Quah's taxonomy of news podcasts The 10 Best Podcasts of 2016