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Robbe Reddinger's avatar

Half of these were already on my top episodes ever (though I think Reply All's "Call Center" trilogy also deserves a spot), so I know the rest have to be incredible. Can't wait to dive into the others. Thanks for sharing!

If I may also add a couple others: Heavyweight's "Jimmy & Mark" about a 10 year old who went on a 240 mile bicycle trip by himself to see a friend, 99% Invisible's "Palm Reading" about palm trees in SoCal, Human Race's "Little Mo" about a 13-year-old girl who set the world record for the women's marathon in 1967 and then disappeared for 50 years. Also, the Revisionist History episode on the theory of Elvis's parapraxis.

Last thing- in the early days of Gimlet, like first episode of Startup, was there a crowdfunding invite from Alex Blumerger where listeners could essentially become angel investors if they wanted to? I feel like that was a thing, but can't remember if that was true. Always regretted not jumping on that.

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Tim Duggan's avatar

These are really excellent additions, thank you Robbe. I think I'll be doing a follow-up in a future edition of OUTLET and will add some of these after I listen to them.

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Robbe Reddinger's avatar

Can't wait, thanks for putting it together!

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Amina's avatar

RIP Reply All because that back catalogue is (mostly) stellar. I need to see more podcast commentary on Substack, so happy this came onto my feed! There's so many I could recommend...You're Wrong About serial killers episode, NYT's 'Rabbit Hole', currently loving 'no such thing' !

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Tim Duggan's avatar

I miss Reply All so much, such a shame it had to come to an end. Some great suggestions, I think I might do a follow-up featuring some of these so thanks.

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Jeanne Callahan's avatar

One of my all time favorite podcasts about crime and the justice system is season 1 of In the Dark. Season 2 is great, too.

For fun, Dolly Parton’s America is entertaining. For an American history “lesson”, I enjoyed listening to In Plain Sight on Lady Bird Johnson.

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Tim Duggan's avatar

Ah some excellent suggestions. Have listened to Dolly Parton's America but not the others so they are now going on my list, cheers Jeanne.

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Simone's avatar

hey Tim

how nice to come across your list! i have listened to quite a few but will make sure to check the ones i haven't... what a treat! have you listened to Heavyweight? It's worth it and i have added as a recco on one of my stacks https://somewhatsimone.substack.com/p/friday-the-13th-why-were-all-a-bit

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Tim Duggan's avatar

No I haven’t listened to Heavyweight but it’s now on my list, thank you Simone!

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Rachel's avatar

Heavyweight is my fave! Wonderful wonderful show. Again so sad it's come to an end.

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Simone's avatar

Hey Rachel, it is back! It's now on Pushkin. I hope this brightens your day!

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Rachel's avatar

Oh this has brightened my day! That's so great to know! Thank you Simone.

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Rachel's avatar

I love this list! Thanks so much for creating/curating it. I was surprised that Criminal didn't make the cut? I think that team, with Phoebe Judge at the helm, are some of the best storytellers in the podcast field.

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Tim Duggan's avatar

Great suggestion, I'll check it out thanks.

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Rachel's avatar

Start with episodes: He's Neutral, Cowboy Bob, or Ten Doors. But they're all fab.

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Nellie's avatar

Do you listen to This is Love also with Phoebe Judge? Probably my favourite podcast, SUCH good storytelling.

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Rachel's avatar

I do! I love it so much! So many beautiful stories. Both shows are amazing. Some of the best audio content there is to be had. They're such a class act!

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Nellie's avatar

They are such heartwarming little tales in troubling times. I only have to hear ‘I’m Phoebe Judge and This is love’ to feel a warm sense of wellbeing (even though they often bring a tear to my eye)

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Kelly Barrett's avatar

As soon as I saw that The Case of the Missing Hit was first, I knew I could trust this list. Haven't listened to all of these yet so saving for later to work my way thru!

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Tim Duggan's avatar

Great minds.... :)

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Sarrah Marić ✨'s avatar

The belt buckle is etched into my brain!! I love that episode and my best friend and I listen to it on every long road trip we take

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Tim Duggan's avatar

It's so damn good, even all these years later.

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Nellie's avatar

So happy to have stumbled upon this list, quite a few of my favourites are here so I'm looking forward to your recommendations - thank you! I listened to The Mystery Show back in 2015 when my husband played me this thing called a podcast on a car journey and have thought about it since but didn't know what it was called - excited to re-listen to it.

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Mark's avatar

Great list thanks for posting

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Francis Vierboom's avatar

i wish to propose that the best single thing in the Gimlet/TAL extended cinematic universe is this episode of Without Fail, where Alex Blumberg interviews his former boss Ira Glass. the crackle of apprentice interviewing master, creativity and talent and the Whiplash question about when drive is too much, two of the best in the game, ‘going there’… almost, above all knowing what makes great radio

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ira-glass-the-man-who-launched-a-thousand-podcasts/id1437293054?i=1000425492334

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Perzen Patel's avatar

I know you have no reason to listen to a kids podcast but my all time fav podcast to recommend to all parents is Fun Fables.

It’s a fabulous, modern and funny re-telling of all the fables and fairy tales I grew up with. Not the Lion King is my fav episode as is Cinder-Ella. Just wow.

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Esther Wood's avatar

I’d like to add Rob Reiner’s “Who Killed JFK”. Always know it’s a great podcast when I’m sad and furious it’s over!Fascinating! Couldn’t recommend it enough!

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Tim Duggan's avatar

Oh great tip, I will take a listen. Thanks!

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werdnagreb's avatar

This is great. About to go on a roadtrip and I’ll be downloading some of these.

Any suggestions on narrative podcasts?

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Tim Duggan's avatar

They will make your roadtrip go so fast. It's hard to pick a favourite, but I especially adored the narrative of Wind of Change, Unravel and The Teachers Pet if I really had to.

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EP108's avatar

Thank you for sifting through the multitude of podcasts to find the best of the best from someone who barely has dipped her toe in the podcast world.

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Tim Duggan's avatar

It's my absolute pleasure, hope it gives you hours of pleasure.

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Eva dick's avatar

Yeah! Thanks heaps for this generous list 🌸

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Tim Duggan's avatar

It took ages, glad it has found appreciative ears.

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