The Best Independent Podcasts Worth Checking Out

One of my favorite easy ways to find a new podcast to listen to is to simply search for example "BBC" or "CBC" and see if they have produced a new one. I have a list of my favorite networks/podcast producers to search for. It's way harder to find a good podcast that is completely independent from bigger companies/professional broadcasters. And for them, it's way harder to find a way to show up on your Spotify homepage or podcast app feed.

But that doesn't mean they don't exist and it certainly doesn't mean they aren't worth a listen! So today I want to share with you a list of my favorite independent podcasts!

A quick note before we start: I have linked to the podcasts own website or YouTube whenever I can, but rest assured: these podcasts are available wherever you get your podcasts!

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1. Do Go On

Start with episode: The Mystery of DB Cooper

Tag words: Comedy, not suitable for children, storytelling

The Do Go On trio consists of three Australian comedians: Jess, Dave and Matt. Each episode, one of them prepares a school like report on a topic, often mysteries or historical events, and presents it to the other two who act like the most lovable class clowns you've ever listened to: they are interested but also not afraid to go on dogshit riffs and derail the story for our entertainment. 

All three are good storytellers, which makes that both the story as well as the surrounding comedy are both highlights of the podcast! However, their main objective is to entertain, if you want an informational deep dive or are listening in public and don't want people to look at you while you snort laugh, best to go for another podcast! 

2. Buffy the Gilmore Slayer

Start with episode: Shadowy Figures Named Luke

Tagwords: Comedy, rewatch, fall, Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I don't think I have ever listened to a podcast with an audience more niche than this one: people who have watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gilmore Girls and are interested in reliving those shows through the eyes of two New York based comedians. I didn't even know I was part of that niche, until one day I was craving some autumn content and came across this podcast. Two episodes in and I realized this podcast is a delight! And this may sound diabolical to you, but I have recently started my 10th (!!) relisten of the podcast. It's become my number 1 comfort podcast!

Bryan and Stacey are a couple living in a small New York apartment with their cat Kurt when, during the pandemic, they decide to start watching each others favorite shows. Stacey loves Gilmore Girls, which Bryan had never seen. While Bryan loves Buffy the Gilmore Slayer, which Stacey had never seen! Each episode they watch an episode of each, making their way through the entire series, episode by episode. They recap the episodes, talk about their experiences, their theories and the similarities between the shows. Oh and they gossip about their crazy New York neighbors too. And I don't think I have ever felt more cosy listening to a podcast in my life! And for fans of Veronica Mars, Firefly and Bunheads: good news, they watched those shows too after finishing Buffy and Gilmore Girls!

3. Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding

Start with episode: S1 E1 Who shat on the floor at my wedding? 'A crime was committed'

Tagwords: True crime, mystery, comedy, parody

If you like comedy but also listen to dark, true crime series: this might be your new favorite podcast! Helen and Karen got married in 2018 on a boat. On this otherwise lovely day, something awful happened: someone relieved themselves on the floor. Yes, someone shat on the floor of their wedding. But who was it? That's the question this podcast aims to answer, true crime investigation style. With the riveting storytelling and great audio production to match it.

Even though the podcasts main aim is to entertain, I got seriously invested in the story of the wedding and the evidence uncovered! I personally found the second season, where they solve a different case, less entertaining, but will be checking out the third season (with a new premise of solving mysteries of listeners within 24 hours). 

4. 99% Invisible

Start with episode: Interrobang

Tagwords: Documentary, design, architecture

You might have heard of this podcast before, it's often named as one of the best podcasts ever made. And with a back catalogue going back to 2010, I understand it can be a bit daunting to get into. However, one thing about this podcast is that every episode is an audio documentary onto itself. Host Roman Mars is joined by different reporters to tell the most interesting backgrounds behind design and architecture you encounter every day. It's on of those podcasts that seriously fuels my curiosity and gave me a perspective on stuff I would have otherwise never known to notice. As someone who studied communications, my favorite episodes are often about the internet and marketing, but if you enjoy history, fashion, architecture, books, or any other form of design, I'm sure you'll find some episodes of this podcast that you'll enjoy! 

5. Articles of Interest

Start with episode: The Corduroy Appreciation Club

Tagwords: Documentary, human interest, fashion, design

Articles of Interest started as a couple of episodes of 99% invisible about fashion, but grew to become it's own podcast hosted by Avery Trufelman. I have no particular interest in fashion, but I've found every episode of this podcast so interesting! Avery really dives deep into the human connection to clothes and fashion. I'm a big fan of Avery's reporting, her outlook is curious, non judgmental and kind.

6. Underunderstood

Start with episode: Amazon’s Next Top Model

Tagwords: Comedy, investigation, journalism, nostalgia

In this podcast, four journalists come together to answer questions that the internet doesn't have the answer to. Like, can I still safely eat the food that got lost at the airport? And what happened to Disney's Virtual Magical Kingdom?

I absolutely love the premise of this podcast. Nothing delights me more than people trying to find answers to burning questions that aren't actually that important. The low stakes combined with the actually interesting stuff they uncover along the way is so much fun to listen to! Unfortunately, the podcast doesn't have that many episodes and it's unknown whether it will return for more, so if you get obsessed (like I did!) pace yourself! Or binge listen to the entire thing in a month. I won't tell. In fact, that's what I did as well. It's just so fun!!

7. Ologies with Alie Ward

Start with episode: Cucurbitology (PUMPKINS) with Anne Copeland

Tagwords: Science, interviews, introductory

I'll just come out and say it: I am bad at all things science. So this podcast felt a little daunting to me at first. Alie Ward goes out and visits experts in their fields to ask them dumb questions and get an introduction into what their field is about and, even more interesting, what they are passionate about.

Even for a science noob like me, the episodes are relatively easy to follow. Alie will interject with segments of explanations when needed (and I NEED them). The passion of the experts is often super infectious. I did not care that much about pumpkins before I listened to the episode I linked, for example. And now I have a newfound appreciation for them and I get excited to see them arrive every fall season!

8. Brain on Nature

Start with episode: Episode one - The Accident

Tagwords: Limited Series, documentary, investigation

Sarah Allely suffered from a mild traumatic brain injury, suddenly, she couldn't read, write, watch tv or listen to a podcast (I know, sorry if this is nightmare material for you too!). In this limited, narrative podcast series, she tries to reconstruct her journey to healing and the massive role that nature played in her recovery. She talks to experts as well as narrating her own story in an immersive way. I was immediately engrossed in this podcast, it's so well made! As you may know from my other blog posts, I love a documentary podcast and you can find this one on my list of favorites, for sure!

9. Swindled

Start with episode: 46. The Gamechanger (Belle Gibson)

Tagwords: Fraud, scams, disasters, crime

Don't let the 130 episode backlog fool you: the episodes of this podcast contain some of the most immersive and high quality audio design you can get in a podcast. Covering stories of corporate evil, fraudulent greed, scams and the like: the topics are diverse but always well researched and so interesting! The host has a deep voice and occasional dry, witty comment worked into the story. It's honestly mesmerizing to listen to sometimes! I will add a warning though, some episodes can get quite graphic, and I would only recommend this podcast if you are someone who can stomach true crime. If you recently enjoyed the TV show Apple Cider Vinegar, you'll like the episode I linked!

10. Your Own Backyard

Start with episode: Episode 01: A Face On A Billboard

Tagwords: Missing person, investigation, criminal trial, true crime

For years, Chris has seen the face of Kristin Smart on a billboard in Arroyo Grande. She was a missing student and there was a reward for information on her disappearance. But the information never came. When Chris dove into the case, he decided to create a podcast to reach more people and maybe find someone who did have information about Kristin. 

I have tried my best to not spoil anything in my description because honestly, I think Chris is one of the best storytellers the true crime podcast genre has ever seen and anything I would write would completely pale by the quality of the podcast. If you have listened to limited true crime series in the past, this one should be on your 'to listen' - list. Chris worked with Kristin's family and the police to help the case forward in ways that would have never happened without the podcast. In my opinion, this is the golden standard of true crime reporting!

11. Twenty Thousand Hertz

Start with episode: The sonic secrets behind Ted Lasso

Tagwords: Documentary, audio design

This podcast is a pure passion project, and I think you can feel it. Host Dallas Taylor tells the stories behind sounds and audio you hear in your life all the time! From gaming with a visual impairment to how Ted Lasso managed to design the audio for an episode during covid lockdowns: the stories show the wonderful ways audio shapes our lives. And, as you might expect from someone with a passion for audio: the storytelling is immersive and the audio design absolutely top notch.