We count down the 100 best new podcasts of 2018

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I’ll be gone in the dark: the podcast is a story of true old-fashioned detective work by an ordinary citizen that substantially contributed to solving the mystery of who the Golden State Killer was. The pod traverses how author, Michelle McNamara employed her unwavering dedication and investigative precision to reveal the Golden State Killer’s crimes and the production of the incomparable compendium of them in her book, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.

I’ll Be Bone In The Dark: The Podcast comes in at number 100 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Empty Frames presents the story of one of the greatest art heist mysteries in modern history. Presenters Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna uncover the theories behind who stole 13 pieces of artwork that had a combined estimated value of $500 million, from the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum in Boston in March, 1990. With the first episode released on 6 February 2018, Empty Frames is an intriguing mash-up of the true crime and society and culture genres that is worth a listen. While the first episode is presented as though listeners have some assumed knowledge of the theft, don’t let this dissuade you – the second episode lays the groundwork for what is shaping up to be a thoroughly researched and fascinating pod.

Empty Frames comes in at number 99 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Disgraceland is the perfect podcast blend mixed for music lovers and true crime tragics. Since its release on 13 February 2018, Disgraceland has revealed the madness and debauchery of some of music’s biggest names like: Jerry Lee Lewis; Sid Vicious; Sam Cooke; Van Morrison and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. The delivery is dramatic and the musical score that accompanies the pod polishes it up nicely.

Disgraceland comes in at number 98 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall to a conversation between Amy Schumer and her friends? If so, Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith leaves a 40-ish minute window open weekly for you to do just that. The light-hearted banter and random chat is a good distraction from ordinary life.

Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith comes in at number 97 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If being a fly on the wall to conversations between famous people; namely, Dax Shepard (Without a Paddle (2004), Punk’d (2003), CHiPs (2017) and Parenthood (2010-2015) and his friends is something you’d be into, Armchair Expert will be right up your alley. Since being released on 14 February 2018, a star studded line-up of guests have been interviewed for the pod (including Kristen Bell, Ashton Kutcher, Joy Bryant, Jimmy Kimmel and Pete Wentz). The interviews are lengthy (an hour plus) but worth it for the revealing chat.

Armchair Expert comes in at number 96 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Recently released by Rees Witherspoon’s media company, Hello Sunshine, How It Is tells stories about women, by women, for women. Host, Diane Guerrero (of OITNB fame) speaks to women from all walks of life about subjects like the online outrage culture, constructive anger and speaking out.

How It Is comes in at number 95 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The Gateway takes listeners on a deep dive into the controversial world of spiritual leader, Teal Swan. Much of the series focuses on Swan’s method of counselling followers who are suffering from depression and experiencing suicidal thoughts. Above all, The Gateway exposes how easy it is for characters like Swan to both build a tribe of dedicated followers and be subjected to extreme criticism, in the age of the internet.

The Gateway comes in at number 94 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Absorbing a constructive conversation between two people about how to properly communicate with other members of our species is informative and engaging. But, when those participating in the conversation are Alan Alda (with his trademark dulcet delivery) and luminaries of our culture, it’s a real pleasure.

Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda comes in at number 93 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Who are Indian Millennials? What do they want out of life? What concerns and excites them? How big are their dreams? Find out in the BBC’s Kalki Presents: My Indian Life, an interesting, international podcast that is probably aimed at young Indians, but has a lot to offer everyone, the world over.

Kalki Presents: My Indian Life comes in at number 92 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Happiness is no longer an elusive aspiration reached with only the vaguest of road maps. Thanks to PRI and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and the release of its podcast, The Science of Happiness we can all learn research-based strategies for leading a more meaningful, happier life. Learn about how to get perspective, how to find your best self, how to let people help you and heaps more (and all in bite-sized 20-ish minute episodes).

The Science of Happiness comes in at number 91 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Slate’s newest podcast offering, The Decoder Ring is a monthly culture pod dedicated to unpacking, one by one, cultural habits, questions or issues and asking, ‘Why do we care?’ So far, The Decoder Ring has tackled The Johnlock Conspiracy, The Laff Box, Clown Panic and more.

The Decoder Ring comes in at number 90 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Imagine being tried for the same crime six times. That’s exactly what has happened to Curtis Flowers who, despite many successful appeals, remains on Death Row. In its second season, the team at In the Dark investigates how this can be.

In The Dark, Season 2 comes in at number 89 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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With the addition of This Sounds Serious to the scene, parody pods of the true crime genre are becoming their very own genre. Like, A Very Fatal Murder (which also made this list), This Sounds Serious takes the piss out of the true crime genre and the podcasting medium. It’s laugh out loud funny and will give you a break from true crime saturation.

This Sounds Serious comes in at number 88 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Navigating workplace issues can be difficult at the best of times and can feel almost insurmountable if you have no one to talk to about them. Ask a Manager seeks to alleviate those feelings by providing expert advice on how to handle workplace dilemmas and dramas. The pod responds directly to listener requests for help so it’s not dealing with non-existent problems in the abstract.

Ask a Manager comes in at number 87 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Listen in while Jessie Ware and her mum share a meal and have a chat with other famous people. This season (season 3), the pair have dined with Randy Jackson, the ladies from My Dad Wrote A Porno, Sadiq Khan, Alan Carr and more!

Table Manners with Jessie Ware comes in at number 86 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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This is Real is a punchy 5 episode podcast that lifts the lid on social security fraud and takes listeners into the day-to-day jobs of federal agents who are charged with maintaining the integrity of the system, uncovering complex fraud and prosecuting offenders.

This is Real comes in at number 85 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Susan Calman’s Mrs Brightside is a brutally honest podcast about mental health. It’s promoted as a “cheerful chat” between Susan and her friends about depression. But it’s more than that; good quality content like this undeniably helps break down the negative stigma surrounding mental health.

Susan Calman’s Mrs Brightside comes in at number 84 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The brand new pod from HowStuffWorks, Behind the Bastards tells little known true stories of history’s most evil characters. An example of what Behind the Bastards offers listeners; episode 1 which dropped on 24 April 2018, revealed Hitler’s atomic farts and pre-trendy hipster wardrobe.

Behind the Bastards comes in at number 83 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If you like movies and a predictable purpose driven podcast, Unspooled is likely to be for you. In this pod, movie buff Paul Scheer and film critic, Amy Nicholson pair up to re-watch the AFI’s top 100 movies and analyse why they’re so great.

Unspooled comes in at number 82 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Ever wondered what an inanimate object has to say for itself and the world around it? If so, Everything is alive will satisfy your curiosity. The pod is humorous, littered with zany historical tidbits and gets surprisingly deep.

The Reductress Minute comes in at number 81 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Don’t Stop Us Now is a female empowerment podcast that strikes the perfect balance between introducing listeners to truly inspirational women doing ground-breaking work and cushioning our feelings of inadequacy by revealing the doubts, fears and shortcomings that can cloud the path forward for those same women.

Don’t Stop Us Now comes in at number 80 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Ever wondered what an inanimate object has to say for itself and the world around it? If so, Everything is alive will satisfy your curiosity. The pod is humorous, littered with zany historical tidbits and gets surprisingly deep.

Everything is alive comes in at number 79 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Personal Best is about achieving little things every day. Like, landing a backflip, improving table manners, making a grandma laugh, learning to swim and successfully cancelling plans. It’s a heart-warming self-improvement show that’s about making tiny goals reality.

Personal Best comes in at number 78 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Female Criminals is the newest podcast to be released from the Parcast network. Since the first episode dropped on 17 March 2018, Female Criminals has covered crims such as Griselda Blanco and Juana Barraza. Female Criminals has adopted the approach taken by other podcasts released by the Parcast network (think, Cults, Serial Killers and Conspiracy Theories) and releases each episode in two parts. If you’re a true crime fan and are fascinated by female criminals in particular, give this pod a crack.

Female Criminals comes in at number 77 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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On Drugs is a podcast about drugs. Now in its second season (the first episode of which was released on 9 February 2018), On Drugs dedicates each episode to exploring a different drug or an issue that has arisen due to the prevalence of a drug. Host, Geoff Turner, tackles psychedelics, cannabis, caffeine, and Mormons and addiction. It’s a diverse and informative podcast that provides important historical and cultural context to drugs and their use.

On Drugs (Season 2) comes in at number 76 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Yep, it’s THAT Marcia Clarke. And in her new project, Marcia Clark Investigates The First [48] she musters all of her courtroom and forensic expertise and delves into some of most captivating and controversial homicides in American history.

Marcia Clark Investigates the First [48] comes in at number 75 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Septic recounts the tragic and preventable death of five year old, Noah White in 2015. After a frantic four day search, Noah’s body was discovered in his family’s septic tank. His mother, Ashley White, had been napping when he went missing. The podcast also grapples with themes that underscore this tragedy: the poverty and drug addiction that has ravaged communities like the one where Noah lived in Virginia.

Septic comes in at number 74 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The simple premise of Sleepover with Sook-Yin Lee is to bring three complete strangers together for 24 hours to talk about a big problem they are troubled by, workshop through it and try to collectively make it better. It’s packed with raw human emotion, unexpectedly valuable perspectives and top quality problem solving. Sleepover with Sook-Yin Lee is proof that an unconventional idea for a podcast can be a huge success.

Sleepover with Sook-Yin Lee comes in at number 73 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Inside Jaws takes listeners back in time and behind the scenes of the blockbuster, Jaws. Weaved throughout the 7-part series is the personal history of Steven Spielberg as well as the story of how Jaws came to be made. Even if you haven’t seen Jaws, Inside Jaws is well worth a listen as it showcases one of our most culturally significant films.

Inside Jaws comes in at number 72 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Ever wondered what it’s like to write and publish a children’s book? Listen to Wondery’s new podcast Launch to find out. In Launch screenwriter John August takes listeners along for the ride as he seeks to have his first novel, ‘Arlo Finch and the Valley of Fire’ published. Listeners learn what it really takes to turn a thought bubble for a book, into a reality.

Launch comes in at number 71 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Repeat is a podcast that you need to see through to the end. Repeat ostensibly evaluates the shooting of four convicted criminals by the same Deputy. But, the pod pans out and asks questions that are relevant on a broader scale to the lightning-rod issue of police shootings.

Repeat comes in at number 70 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Season 4 of Science Vs landed in podcast feeds on 22 March and episode 1 kicked off the new season by addressing one of the most significant health crises the US has faced in decades: the opioid epidemic. Reliably as ever, Science Vs goes beyond the news of this epidemic and looks at why things got this bad and what role science played in that. In fulfilling its undertaking to look at topical fads and trends and to separate fact from fiction, in this season Science Vs will reportedly also cover topics as diverse as sex addiction, UFO’s and serial killers.

Science Vs (Season 4) comes in at number 69 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Why is this happening? is the very question that most people seem to be constantly pondering at this time in our history. In this pod, Chris Haynes seeks to come up with some answers. So far, Why is this happening? has tackled issues like the Middle East, the Conservative Movement, the Rule of Law in the Trump era and the Internet.

Why is this happening? W/ Chris Haynes comes in at number 68 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The Secret History of the Future is about learning from lessons of the past to ensure that as our digital technology capabilities are further developed, mistakes with devastating ramifications, aren’t repeated. For tech heads that love a bit of history, this pod is right in your wheelhouse.

The Secret History of the Future comes in at number 67 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Hysteria is a podcast presented by articulate, knowledgeable and opinionated women about issues that affect women’s lives. If you’re after an informed, issues based discussion led by strong female voices, this pod is for you.

Hysteria comes in at number 66 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The long awaited season 4 of Invisibilia dropped on 9 March and the first few episodes demonstrate that the show is as incisive as ever. The trailer to season 4 promised that this season would be all about life’s grey areas and after the release of the first few episodes, Invisibilia has delivered on that. So far, Invisibilia has explored how people go about rediscovering themselves after heart retching loss and how a reality show can meaningfully influence reality. Yet again, this pod proves to be thought provoking and inspiring.

Invisibilia (Season 4) comes in at number 65 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Unladylike is a feminist podcast packed with well researched subject matter that lacks unconstructive ranting. The chemistry between hosts, Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin sizzles (they’ve got history as the previous hosts of the popular pod, Stuff Mum Never Told You) as they seek to answer a question posed at the top of each episode about issues relating to women. Since the first episode was released on 23 January 2018, the pair have tackled questions like: ‘How to Pay for an Abortion’; ‘How to Break the Bronze Ceiling’ and, ‘How to Clap Back’? It’s a humorous pod that tackles contemporary issues from important perspectives and is worth a try.

Unladylike comes in at number 64 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Cocaine & Rhinestones is a heavy weight in the music podcast genre and is a must-listen for country music and music history devotees.

Cocaine & Rhinestones comes in at number 63 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The Crimetown boys are back with another true crime hit: The RFK Tapes. With its release coinciding with the anniversary of Robert F Kennedy’s assassination, The RFK Tapes chronicle Kennedy’s assassination at the hands of Sirhan Sirhan, the tapes that captured the ensuing investigation and the emergence of the conspiracy surrounding Sirhan’s conviction.

The RFK Tapes comes in at number 62 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The second podcast offering from creator, producer and host, Aaron Mahnke (of Lore fame) proves that he knows how to make a podcast. Cabinet of Curiosities is a bi-weekly petite storytelling podcast about the weird and wonderful. Go on, take a peak.

Cabinet of Curiosities comes in at number 61 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Crooked Media’s newest offering; Keep It is a pop culture pod to be LOL’d along with. First released on 10 January 2018, Keep It gives listeners an equal part dose of celebrity and political news. Each week, host, Ira Madison III is joined by comedians, activists, actors, journalists, politicians for a lively chat about current events that people are actually talking about.

Keep It comes in at number 60 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The ground-breaking original pod, Where Should We Begin with Esher Perel returned in 2018 for season 2 and it doesn’t disappoint. For the unacquainted, Esher Perel is a relationship psychologist who, with the generous consent of her patients, lets listeners in on the most intimate of problems and resolute advice.

Where Should We Begin with Esher Perel (Season 2) comes in at number 59 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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This is a truly creative pod inspired by the mecca of dreamers and creative visionaries: Los Angeles. In Welcome to LA host, David Weinberg takes listeners deep into the folds of some of LA’s most interesting citizens and reveals their stories of stardom, heartbreak and survival. The masterful storytelling that defines this pod means that it deserves automatic download status in your podcast library.

Welcome to LA comes in at number 58 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Framed investigates what really to Brian Carrick in December 2002 after he finished his shift at Val’s Grocery Store in Johnsberg, Illinois. One thing is for sure, there is more to this mystery than meets the eye. An endearing aspect of Framed is the realistic re-enactments of transcript evidence from the case file that reminds listeners of how tragically real this story is.

Framed comes in at number 57 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Season 2 of Up and Vanished takes listeners back to Georgia but this season, it’s to investigate the disappearance of Kristal Anne Reisinger. Reisinger hasn’t been since July 2016 after she moved to the tiny town of Crestone, apparently seeking religious and spiritual enlightenment. Listen along to see if season 2 of Up and Vanished can match the undeniable success of season 1 (which led directly to solving the case and arrests being made).

Up and Vanished (Season 2) comes in at number 56 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The fourth season of Someone Knows Something dropped on 6 February 2018 and it was well worth the wait. This season, David Ridgen investigates the heart wrenching unsolved murder of Wayne Greavette who was killed after opening a letter bomb addressed to him, in 1996. In episode one, listeners are introduced to the Greavette family who, with the help of Ridgen, have come together to try to solve this tragic mystery.

Someone Knows Something Season 4: Greavette (Season 4) comes in at number 55 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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From The New York Times, Change Agent is a brand new short-run podcast that tries to fix problems by looking at them from a surprisingly different angle and through the lens of a seemingly unrelated story. Host, Charles Duhigg, author of ‘The Power of Habit’ plants the seed of the problem and then a journalist tells an intriguing story from an unexpected angle. Then, Duhigg returns to the problem and seeks to solve it by implementing a strategy for change that is sometimes a little out-of-the-box. It’s a self-help podcast that doesn’t force it down your through.

Change Agent comes in at number 54 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Connie Walker and her team have returned for season 2 of Missing & Murdered with the tragic tale of Cleo Nictone Semaganis. Cleo, a young Cree girl was apprehended by Saskatchewan child welfare officers in the 1970s and, her family believes, was raped and murdered while she was attempting to hitchhike from her foster family in the United States back to Canada. With only a single photo of Cleo as proof of her existence, Missing & Murders: Finding Cleo seeks to discover what really happened to Cleo and ascertain where her remains are located. With episode one released on 14 March 2018, now is the perfect time to start listening.

Missing & Murdered: Finding Cleo comes in at number 53 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If you are a true crime podcast addict and love taking the piss, you’ll appreciate this pod. Released on 5 February 2017 by Onion Public Radio, A Very Fatal Murder lampoons the true crime genre and the podcasting medium. Its success lies in its attention to detail and brevity; the whole season can be knocked over in about an hour and a half. Even the fake adds interspersed throughout the episodes play into the parody. Take a break from the tragically serious and recline in the outlandish.

A Very Fatal Murder comes in at number 52 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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A brand new podcast produced by WBUR and the Washington Post, Edge of Fame tells stories of some of the most creative people of our time. Insightful and candid, this isn’t the run-of-the-mill ‘interview with a famous person’ podcast. With the seventh episode being delivered on 21 March 2018 (in which host, Geoff Edgers, seeks to discover the guys from Hanson survived fame), this pod is quickly establishing itself as a must-listen society and culture podcast.

Edge of Fame comes in at number 51 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If you haven’t listened to Atlanta Monster, get onto it! A brand new series from HowStuffWorks and Tenderfoot TV, Atlanta Monster is a multi-part series dedicated to investigating the serial murders of black children from impoverished neighbourhoods that gripped the city of Atlanta from 1979 to 1981. Of course, you need to start listening to this riveting podcast from episode one, as all ten episodes have been released, you’ve got an entire season to sink your teeth into.

Atlanta Monster comes in at number 50 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Philosophy is great. Especially in 10-ish minute doses. If you’re up for a hit, give The Big Idea a go. It’s an ideas podcast dedicated to discovering and understanding our world and the most interesting ideas emanating from it.

The Big Idea comes in at number 49 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The current political climate has inspired many podcast producers and hosts to revisit some of history’s most significant political events and crises. Election 2000 certainly falls into that category. In this series, listeners are led back through the 2000 American Presidential Election and relive the Bush and Gore campaigns from election night through to the Florida recount. The originality of this pod springs from its reliance on the accounts of two accomplished photo-journalists that captured both sides of the story.

Election 2000 comes in at number 48 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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In this season of Within the Wires listeners are invited to eavesdrop on the confidential notes and letters sent by a bureaucrat to his secretary that record the unfolding of a gripping political thriller set in 1950s Chicago. Season 3 of Within the Wires does not disappoint as it delivers one of the most original and entertaining pods on the market.

Within the Wires comes in at number 47 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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From the produces of Black Hands comes the brand new pod, Heavy Metal: The Murder of John Reynolds. This time, the team explores the murder of Reynolds, a scrap metal dealer from Christchurch, New Zealand who was beaten to death at his scrap yard in April 1996. His murder has remained unsolved for more than 20 years. With three episodes dropping at once on 10 April 2018, now is the perfect time to get downloading.

Heavy Metal: The Murder of John Reynolds comes in at number 46 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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In the last week of this quarter, all seven episodes of the brand new true crime podcast, Empire on Blood dropped. Empire on Blood investigates the double murder conviction of Calvin Burari, a showy, mink-wearing, crack dealer from the Bronx. Since his conviction in 1995, Burari has professed his innocence and he’s had at least one high profile lawyer (Myron Beldock) in his corner. Download and listen to journalist, Steve Fishman tell this compelling wrongful conviction tale.

Empire on Blood comes in at number 45 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Gone is a podcast about things going (and staying) missing. In each 45-ish minute weekly episode, Gone investigates cases of missing people, objects and even entire civilisations. Gone goes in search of things like D.B Cooper, the Amber Room and Oliver Cromwell’s head.

Gone comes in at number 44 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The satirical advice pod, Dear Joan & Jericha is everything that a politically correct advice pod is not. Their judgy, zany, bitchy advice will have you in stitches and, coming back for more.

Dear Joan & Jericha comes in at number 43 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If you’re a listener of The Daily, you’ll probably be familiar with this 5-part series they produced about the life and death of Lavar Montray Douglas (‘Nook’), a teenager fatally shot by police in Baltimore in December 2016. The series is so good it’s been released as its own stand alone pod: Charm City. If you haven’t taken the time to listen to it yet, do so.

Charm City comes in at number 42 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Gossip blastered onto the scripted comedy podcast stage in 2018. It’s everything that a podcast of this genre should be: fast paced; hilarious; edgy; and realistic as hell. Gossip is a headlining act in this podcasting genre and is well worth your time.

Gossip comes in at number 41 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Released on 3 April 2018, Felonious Florida tells the story of the 1994 triple murders, known as the Casey’s Nickelodeon Murders, of Butch Casey, Sharon Anderson and Marie Rogers in Miramar, Florida. It’s a story full of twists that include two convictions, a hung jury, two death sentences and two successful appeals. These twists are most compelling when the available evidence is considered: the murders were captured live on video and one of the faces of the murders was revealed. Download and listen to host, Lisa Arthur seek to answer: was this a home-invasion gone awry or were those that were murdered targeted?

Felonious Florida comes in at number 40 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Buried Truths is a brand new NPR podcast dedicated to uncovering untold stories of the black vote being supressed in America in the post-World War II era. In the first episode, host, Professor Hank Klibanoff looks at how the Southern White Democrats conspired to keep Southern Blacks from the ballot boxes. An opening line used by Klibanoff in the first episode of Buried Truths justifies why this podcast warrants attention: “when we understand who we were, we can better understand who we are”. There is no time more important than now to start listening to this pod.

Buried Truths comes in at number 39 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If you’re after an inspirational pod, look no further than The Story. Released on 14 March 2018, The Story delivers listeners a bitesize burst of the backstory of women who changed the world. Each story is vastly different from the last and will leave you feeling as though anything is possible. These women’s stories are proof that irrespective of one’s background, education, qualifications or the size of their bank account, with hard work, determination, persistence and resilience, dreams can become reality. With each episode in this 12-part series being about 15 minutes long, it’s just the hit you need to get you back on track with whatever life changing project you’re working on.

The Story comes in at number 38 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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While this podcast falls into the true crime genre, it is refreshingly specific, telling true tales of white collar crime. Since its release in January 2018, Swindled is building an impressive back catalogue of haunting accounts of corruption, fraud and embezzlement all with devastating consequences.

Swindled comes in at number 37 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Obviously, everything that Queen Oprah does is perfection. That’s even true when she takes a step back from the starring role, as she’s done in Oprah’s Master Class. Listen in while Oprah simply facilitates the stories of some of our cultures most significant figures (actors, musicians, athletes, public figures) being told. Life lessons abound in each episode.

Oprah’s Master Class comes in at number 36 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Want to know everything about the family who inspired the recent armed uprisings in the American West? If so, look no further than Bundyville. Produced by NPR, this seven part, fascinating series recounts who The Bundy’s are, what they believe, how they intend to save the US Constitution, their achievements and failures and ultimately, what impact they’ve had.

Bundyville comes in at number 35 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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I, Survive is an empowering pod that tells true stories of women who experience petrifying assaults and near-death experiences but survive, mend and rise above the awful setbacks they faced. The best feature of I, Survive are the sound effects that punctuate the stories and boost the sense of realism.

I, Survivor comes in at number 34 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If movies like Black Hawk Down and Zero Dark Thirty rank highly in your must-see list, Covert should be on your must-listen list. Covert uncovers in meticulous detail some of the history’s greatest Special Forces missions. The premier double-episode takes listeners back to the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.

Covert comes in at number 33 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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True Crime: Evidence Locker is a true crime pod with a truly international flavour. Since its release in June 2018, the pod has covered crimes in Australia, the USA, Brazil, Sweden, Denmark and more. True Crime: Evidence Locker is Casefile-esq in its presentation and delivery, and gives excellent context about the location of the crimes.

True Crime: Evidence Locker comes in at number 32 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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RBG: Beyond Notorious explores the life and legacy of the formidable American Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. While its release coincides with a spate of bio pics about the socially progressive Justice, the podcast traverses her life and the impact that she has had on American jurisprudence in a satisfyingly thorough, meandering way.

RBG: Beyond Notorious comes in at number 31 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If you want to stay on top of the ever-evolving story about Trump’s business dealings and the impact they are having on his Presidency, listening to Trump Inc. is the way to do it. In this joint project by WNYC and ProPulica, Trump Inc. seeks to answer what deals the Trump business is still doing, who those deals are with and whether the Trump Organisation is really divorced from the Trump White House.

Trump Inc. comes in at number 30 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Worklife with Adam Grant is a pod that will make you feel better about work or will inspire you to imagine what work could be. Host, Adam Grant is an organisational psychologist who, in each episode of Worklife with Adam Grant takes listeners inside diverse and extraordinary workplaces. The workplaces that he explores earnt such a reputation by thinking outside the box, flipping trends on their heads and having unbelievable outcomes as a result. If you’re work life needs an injection of creativity and stimulation, get downloading.

Worklife with Adam Grant comes in at number 29 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The Thread is a unique and well researched pod that stitches together interlocking lives and events to reveal patchwork tales from history. This season, The Thread’s needle is Gloria Steinem.

The Thread (Season 2) comes in at number 28 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Mystery buffs revel in the weekly release of episodes from Unexplained Mysteries; a podcast that investigates history’s most alluring and puzzling mysteries. If you sink your teeth into the two episodes dedicated to the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, you’ll surely be hooked.

Unexplained Mysteries comes in at number 27 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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If you’ve caught World Cup fever and want to fill all of the time you aren’t watching soccer, listening to soccer related stories, get American Fiasco into your library. In this riveting new podcast released on 4 June, Roger Bennett looks back at America’s performance at the 1998 World Cup and examines the best way to go about not winning.

American Fiasco comes in at number 26 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The Wonderland Murders recounts the gruesome murders of four people in the Hollywood Hills in 1981. With each of the different characters stories masterfully interwoven, The Wonderland Murders is a compelling true crime pod to get into your feed.

The Wonderland Murders comes in at number 25 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Season 2 of the superb pod, Anatomy of Next landed in library feeds in May 2018 to much anticipation. This season the team explore every aspect of going to and inhabiting Mars. Anatomy of Next is extremely comprehensive and makes conquering this far away planet seem within reach.

Anatomy of Next (Season 2) comes in at number 24 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Ever been freaked out by the thought that your tech devices are actively listening to you? Sandra will confirm your worst nightmares. From Gimlet Media, Sandra is a seven part drama series that tells the story of Helen who breaks away from her old life and gains employment as a real world assistant that enables Sandra, an artificially intelligent virtual assistant to do what she does (answer every question imaginable, on demand). An easily digestible narrative, Sandra confronts some of the modern era’s great existential questions.

Sandra comes in at number 23 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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In this 10 part series, Southern Nightmare recounts the terrifying rape and murder spree that the South Side Strangler unleased in Virginia, USA in the 1980s. The first episode of Southern Nightmare instils a feeling of intimacy as the pod kicks off the series by covering the South Side Strangler’s murder of Debbie Davis, who had worked at the newspaper this podcast is produced by. Interviews also aren’t limited to Attorneys and investigators; the stories told by the friends and families of victims gives the pod a depth that isn’t achieved by exclusive reliance on the case file.

Southern Nightmare comes in at number 22 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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16 Shots canvasses the tragic tale of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald in Chicago, how the media caught wind of it, the outrage that rippled through the city and the trial of Jason Van Dyke, the police officer who pulled the trigger. 16 Shots is masterful in weaving real-time criminal court proceedings with a comprehensive history of events that led up to it.

16 Shots comes in at number 21 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Death in Ice Valley investigates the unsolved mystery of who the Isdal Woman was and how she died. Here are the basic facts: in November 1970 two girls find a woman’s body in the Isdalen Valley in remote Norway; surrounding the deceased were a number of scorched items (paper, water bottles etc.); no one has ever claimed the body; the circumstances of her death remain completely unknown as does her identity. With that set up, Death In Ice Valley doesn’t hide from falling into the traditional mystery pod genre but the podcast isn’t the end game for investigative journalist, Marit Higraff and British BBC documentary maker, Neil McCarthyit. Death in Ice Valley is not the project, the real project is solving the mystery and the podcast is one of the tools investigators have deployed to help them to do so. Download and discover if you can help solve it.

Death in Ice Valley comes in at number 20 as one of our best podcasts of 2018.

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The creators of Dirty John have cemented their place as top creators of pods in the niche, medically inspired true crime pod genre with the release of their newest hit, Dr. Death. In this captivating season, the shoddy practices of Christopher Duntsch, a former neurosurgeon are laid bare. The stats that drew suspicion to Duntsch’s work alone are staggering: out of the 38 patients operated on by Duntsch in a two year period, 2 died and 31 suffered serious injuries. Listen to discover how this happened and why the system didn’t identify the problem sooner.

Dr. Death comes in at number 19 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Tracing humankind’s progression and evolution through the annals of history to ascertain how, as a species, we were able to create the technology that defines our world today, is the central theme that Stephen Fry explores in his pristine podcast, Stephen Fry’s Great Leap Years. It’s exquisite in its presentation and while the content is obviously scripted, Fry’s skills as a wordsmith makes that a desirable attribute of the show. The subject matter of Stephen Fry’s Great Leap Years is wondrous, inspiring and humbling, all at once.

Stephen Fry’s Great Leap Years comes in at number 18 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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On 19 February 2018 Vox launched the daily podcast, Today, Explained and its importance in the daily news podcast space has already been cemented. In each 20-ish minute episode, host Sean Rameswaram, explores one major news item in an informal, creative, comprehensive way. Your daily commute is the perfect opportunity to absorb everything this pod has to offer and will ensure that you aren’t the one in the office lacking informed chat.

Today, Explained comes in at number 17 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The Control Group is historical fiction at its best. Over 10 episodes that started being dropped on 27 June 2018, The Control Group tells the confronting tale of a psychiatrist testing ethical boundaries, with the support of a private research group, in the “golden age” of psychiatric medicine. This pod is gripping.

The Control Group comes in at number 16 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Unexplained is back with a new season and it has rewarded listeners yet again by being oh so British and oh so mysterious! Released on 20 March 2018, season 3 of Unexplained analyses the mysterious death of Jack Parsons, one of the scientists that established NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory that was responsible for developing the rocket fuel that enabled humans to reach the moon. The episodes that have been releases so far indicate that season 3 is set to deliver the high standard of mystery podcasting that Unexplained is renowned for.

Unexplained (Season 3) comes in at number 15 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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While fans of Malcolm Gladwell’s books will be well acquainted with his modus operandi, you don’t have to have read any of them to enjoy this engaging podcast. If you are into questioning the status quo and challenging the establishment or the dominant viewpoint, this podcast is for you.

Revisitionist History (Season 3) comes in at number 14 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to grow up in a cult? To have a childhood that to you, at the time, was completely normal but to discover when you have passed through those precious years that it wasn’t? Jonathan Hirsch, producer and host of Dear Franklin Jones is uniquely poised to present a podcast that answers these questions because it happened to him. Hirsch’s family were devout followers of controversial cult leader, Franklin Jones for over 17 years (which included the first 17 years of Hirsch’s life). Step outside of your reality and join Hirsch as he seeks to discover what happened and whether the group really deserved ‘cult’ status.

Dear Franklin Jones comes in at number 13 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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The Wilderness is a podcast reckoning the relevance of the Democratic Party in the current political climate. Produced by Crooked Media and hosted by founder, John Favreau (also host of the hugely popular podcast, Pod Save America) this series ultimately seeks to answer, how did the Democratic Party lose the 2016 Presidential election and how can it regroup, reclaim the territory it lost, widen its base and win in 2020.

The Wilderness comes in at number 12 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Gimlet Media has striked again with yet another original and highly entertaining podcast series. With We Came To Win they have harnessed the magic of the world’s greatest game (soccer) and turned it into a podcast series that is not only a real treat for diehard soccer fans but for all those who have a wide appreciation for sports and love a healthy dose of competition, however packaged.

We Came To Win comes in at number 11 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Refreshingly random, Endless Thread is an absorbing podcast inspired by seemingly infinite Reddit communities. Since its launch on 11 January 2018, Endless Thread has dropped episodes that cover subject matter as vast as homelessness, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the Super Bowl, opioid addiction and love. Endless Thread sparks that tiny inner thrill that comes with seeing a new episode appear in your feed and not having any idea what it will bring.

Endless Thread comes in at number 10 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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News junkies know that NPR’s Embedded has been delivering audible long form news stories since 2016. But at the beginning of 2018, they dropped a two-part series dedicated to telling the story of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US Presidential election. This story has defined President Trump’s presidency thus far. In the constant reporting of it, it’s easy to feel left behind. Embedded plugs that gap. If you want to get behind the soundbites of daily news, this pod is for you.

Embedded comes in at number 9 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Making Obama takes listeners on a deep dive into the life of former President Barack Obama in this thoroughly revealing bio pod. Through interviews with friends, colleagues, mentors and rivals Making Obama focuses on the seminal decisions and experiences that shaped his future. It’s a podcast dedicated to tracing his rise to the top, not about what he did when he got there. With episode six being released on 15 March 2018, now is the time to jump on-board.

Making Obama comes in at number 8 as one of our best podcasts of 2018.

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Caught is a crime podcast that steps away from the trope that defines this genre: did the person locked up for the crime do it and if not, who did? Instead, Caught looks into the lives of kids that are unquestionably guilty of crimes and that as a result, have been chewed up and spat out by America’s juvenile criminal justice system. Listen to Caught and explore how a million kids in America get caught up in that system each year and how that shocking number can be reduced.

Caught comes in at number 7 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Season 2 of Ear Hustle was released on 14 March 2018 and it’s better than ever. Ear Hustle is one of the most unique podcasts out there; it is recorded and produced inside San Quentin State Prison. Ear Hustle tells true stories of what it’s like living inside prison from the perspective of the inmates themselves. It’s deep, humorous, tragic, insightful, confronting and heart-warming, all at once. Get downloading.

Ear Hustle (Season Two) comes in at number 6 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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In its second season, Slow Burn turns back the clock by two decades and analyses the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal and revisits some of history’s harshest truths. It’s gripping listening and is a must listen for anyone remotely interested in American politics, whether you lived through the scandal or not.

Slow Burn (Season 2) comes in at number 5 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Gimlet Media’s new pod, The Habitat seeks to discover what it might be like to like on Mars in this truly captivating podcast by chronicling what life is like for six volunteers secluded on an imitation Mars (located in remote Hawaii) where they live and work as imitation astronauts for a year. Habitat offers listeners a unique insight into a foundational social experiment for humanity’s future intergalactic exploration.

The Habitat comes in at number 4 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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Released on Valentine’s Day 2018, This is Love is the brand new project from the team who brought us the ultra-popular podcast, Criminal. What makes people bet it all on one other person? How much have people sacrificed for love? What is love? Jump on the This is Love train while they explore these universal themes. The raw, heart-warming first episode, ‘The Run’ will leave you wanting more.

This is Love comes in at number 3 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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When the entire season 3 of 30 for 30 appeared in our feeds on 22 May 2018 we binged big-time. This season the 30 for 30 guys have dedicated their entire season to Bikram Yoga. Engross yourself in the season’s 5 high quality episodes that cover everything you ever wanted to know, and really should know about Bikram.

30 for 30 (Season 3) comes in at number 2 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.

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How do we know what we know about ISIS? Caliphate tell us in this captivating new podcast from the New York Times. While Caliphate is ostensibly about discovering what and who ISIS really is, the fascinating undercurrent that hooks listeners are the thrilling stories about the lengths that journalist Rukmini Callimachi has gone to on her five trips to war torn Iraq to investigate this hateful group. Caliphate is a testament to the risks and sacrifices that Callimachi and others like her have taken in order for the free world to understand who they have been fighting against for the past two decades. Caliphate is a must listen.

Caliphate comes in at number 1 as one of our best podcasts of 2018. Heard this podcast before? Leave it a review.