After the great reception for my list of seven indie podcasts to listen back in the spring, I was determined to make this a regular feature. Summer came and went. Other projects arose. And despite your enthusiasm, it wasn’t until I began judging this year’s Independent Podcast Awards that I compiled another list, inspired by the creativity on display.
One of the hardest parts of gathering shows for a feature like this is identifying indies from their affiliated peers. While that might be a headache for me, it speaks to the quality of today’s independent content: more often than not, I can’t really tell the difference. If you get an email from me asking “Is your show independent?,” I’m not trying to rumble you. Just doing my due diligence.
When I search for indies, either on socials or in my PR inbox, I’m inundated with business and personal development content. Many emerging indie podcasts are less as an expression of personal creativity and more a lead generator for personal brands. There’s nothing wrong with self-promotion, but these aren’t the shows I want to cover.
To help with my search, I teamed up with the founder of Mercury, a network of independent podcasts. Liam Heffernan is one of the most engaged voices in the indie space, and he has impeccable taste. For transparency, my podcast Second Helpings is with Mercury, but I don’t make him any money. His contributions here are 100% his own opinions.
From innovative “AI” history podcasts to personal narratives about trauma, this round-up of indie podcasts covers five different genres. If you have any suggestions for future lists, comment on our socials to start a conversation.
We’ve written extensively about movie podcasts in the past. Verbal Diorama hits the flicks a little differently. For starters, the podcast focuses on the history and legacy of podcasts you know (and some you may not), including cult films like The Usual Suspects and Batman & Robin. That includes how the film was made, who made it, and how it was received. Diverging from comparable podcasts like Supercontext, which covers a plethora of media, Verbal Diorama is hyper-focused on iconic movies from the last five decades or so. Think romcoms, animated classics, and blockbusters.
Verbal Diorama is a great example of indie podcasting because it demonstrates that an engaging format that’s easily scaled can be the key to reaching new audiences. With thousands of movies to choose from, it’s unlikely that Em, the host and creator of the show, will ever exhaust her subject matter. Instead, her delivery will keep getting better, and more listeners will tune in thanks to the universal appeal. If you’re looking for a model of how to do indie podcasting, look to Verbal Diorama for cues. — AFO
Jonathan Wright’s Hello Unknown launched its second season earlier this year. If you’re unfamiliar, the show is a delicate, story-driven podcast that investigates questions of the human experience. In this case, that means ideas around spirituality, place, language and how we relate to each other. In the first episode of S2, ‘Wrong Colours’, Wright explores Sectarian issues in Glasgow. He compares the phrases and insults that Celtic and Rangers throw at each other in the name of religion, and questions their hate in the name of God. As someone who has spent many years living in Glasgow, it is refreshing to hear a nuanced take on a conflict that has become woven into the fabric of an otherwise friendly and cultural city.
So many podcasts claim to be “impartial” or a new take on a familiar story. Often, they’re just poorly executed investigative series, with far too much of the personal filling in the gaps more research should have filled. Hello Unknown is totally different. Listening to an episode is hearing the world filtered through an inquisitive and creative mind. I highly recommend for fans of Rumble Strip. — AFO
As someone in recovery, I’m always looking for podcasts that explore trauma and survival in novel ways. The Scars is a series hosted by Suzi Dale, a radio and audio producer who survived a horrible accident when she was seven. She was left with scars, both physical and mental. In her podcast, she speaks to others who have survived their own worst days, and asks them to share lessons of self-acceptance and empowerment. This concept could be twee; many have tried to document trauma recovery and have failed. But The Scars is effective because it’s an indie production, rather than in spite of it. The stories are well told but aren’t polished. They feel real.
A highlight of every episode is Suzi’s guests reading their “Letter to My Scars.” The words can be harrowing, but part of being in any recovery community is the honor of bearing witness to the bravery of others. I hope this podcast inspires you, too. — AFO
The Rabbi, The Imam And The Power of Dialogue
Since the partial ceasefire was announced in October, discussion has turned to how Israel and Gaza can find a more permanent peace. The conversations around this conflict haven’t been easy, but podcasts like The Rabbi, The Imam and The Power of Dialogue have attempted to find some common ground in the debate. The podcast is hosted by two British religious leaders in Manchester, England. Imam Nasser Kurdy and Rabbi Dovid Lewis were friends prior to starting the show, and their efforts to understand the perspectives of the other are admirable.
The pair became closer after Nasser was stabbed in his neck outside his mosque in 2017. They’ve pushed for numerous interfaith initiatives across schools and premiership football clubs in the north west of England, and their podcast is an extension of this impressive effort.— AFO
History is one of the most popular podcast genres in the world. It’s hard to do something original. PastMaster manages to reinvent the wheel by being a time-travelling, role-playing show that turns history into an interactive game using an AI interface. When I hear “AI podcast,” I often wince. But PastMaster is unlike any preconception you may have about an AI-assisted format. Instead, the AI brings a sense of realism and unpredictability to the game, and I can easily see the PastMaster concept becoming a hit amongst role-playing gamers. If you love shows like Apocalypse Players, I suggest giving this history podcast a try. — AFO
From hip hop podcast Breaking Atoms comes a new mini-series Elements that proves the best things can sometimes come in tiny packages. Sumit Sharma and Chris Mitchell dive deep into the world of 90s hip hop to explore the defining themes behind some of the most game-changing albums. Episodes fuse offbeat scripted sequences with compelling music journalism, creating something utterly compelling, even when the scripted bits feel a little self-indulgent at first. That said, the format will definitely grow on you, as its delivery speaks not just to millennial hip hop fans, but to everyone.
This is not your average album review podcast. Elements is super relevant, exceptionally nostalgic, and unmissable. — Liam Heffernan
This new podcast from comedian Laura Lexx teams her up with her former lecturer and comedy expert Olly Double to take a more academic approach to a well-worn format.
In every episode of The Comedy Bureau, they break down the theory, the history, and the rules that make comedy nearly universally effective. On paper, this concept doesn’t sound like it should work. It probably shouldn’t work… but the podcast succeeds emphatically, due mainly to the wonderful dynamic between Laura and Olly. Comedy podcasts can often feel formulaic, but it’s refreshing how comfortable they are in getting serious about being funny.
Burning questions include: who was the first stand up comedian? Are women funny? And is it a relief to laugh? If you’re interested in the origins of the genre, The Comedy Bureau has the answers. — LH
If you like history or have an interest in the US, then this veteran podcast from Liz Covart should be in your queue. Despite its title, this isn’t just about the former politician (who was never actually President, by the way). Instead, Ben Franklin’s World explores the most influential people and events in early American history during the time of his life.
There’s a huge back catalogue to enjoy. If you’re new to this subject, spend time exploring before you dive into some of the more recent, niche subjects. You’ll be glad you did; this is an exceptionally well-informed podcast that will make you an expert in American history. — LH
From MAGA to Beyonce, Love Island to Mark Zuckerberg, no topic is off limits in the newly refreshed Sounds Like A Cult, the podcast where OG Amanda Montell is joined by two new co-hosts (ok, since September 2024, so not totally new), to pick apart the rampant culty behaviour in our modern world. The latest iteration of Sounds Like A Cult lacks the comedic spark of old, but it remains a fascinating and insightful autopsy of popular culture, calling out some of society’s toxicity which we all take for granted. The show also explores some pretty outlandish rabbit holes… which often provide some of the more enjoyable albeit take-with-a-pinch-of-salt moments. — LH
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Liam Heffernan is an award-winning audio producer. He is the Founder and CEO of Mercury, a new podcast network for the world’s best independent shows.
Alice Florence Orr is Managing Editor of Podcast Review.