The Top 22 Podcasts of 2022 is here!
Blue skies, Reading, and British comedy death + just added and top 5
Hey Poddy People!
I’ll be traveling next week back to my mother country of India but will be listening and writing. Excited to bring some international podcasts into the fold in the coming weeks.
In this edition:
3 Recs
Top Pods of the Year
Top 5 & Just Added: 10
1st Demo Day recap
Pointing Always Helps
It’s here! The top 22 most visited podcasts on Great Pods of 2022. I took this from a full year from December 1, 2021, to December 1, 2022. It was only fair since we all cut the “year” off anyway. This is all data based on listeners visiting and not me choosing a particular podcast.
I have probably listened to 90% of that list even a couple of episodes. How about you? My personal favorite of 2021: Sweet Bobby 2022: Case 63
‘Tis the season! A Cinematic Christmas Journey created by Ralphie, Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story), and Vince Vaughn is coming to your ears in discussing 6 iconic movies. Launched today. More here.
The Deck with Ashley Flowers is going on tour: Check the cities and dates here.
I’m running the LA Full Marathon next March. It probably is a mistake, but it’s happening. This past year I ran just half, so I felt a bit of a fraud and need to prove it to myself. Oops. In any case, I started training with the charity I am supporting K9 Youth Alliance once again. They help kids and rescue pups together to socialize in these afterschool programs. Win-Win. Check it out and support the cause here.
Lastly, quick one question:
When reading the newsletter, if you find something to listen to, do you
A) Add it directly to your podcast app
B) Click on the link to Great Pods to add it via the Listen Now buttonComment below because that takes no time at all.
On to my picks this week…
Podcast: Sold a Story
Genre: Education, History
Publisher: APM
About: Millions of kids can't read well. Scientists have known for decades how children learn to read but many schools are ignoring the research. They buy teacher training and books that are rooted in a disproven idea. Emily Hanford investigates four authors and a publishing company that have made millions selling this idea.
Thankfully I wasn’t taught the method Hanford uncovers with parents who were struggling with their kid’s education. This is a fascinating look into the last 20 years in the US and the background of how the theory came to be in the 60s. Crisp and clean narration is this one.
Nat Malkus • The 74
“In the hands of adept reporter and storyteller Emily Hanford, that deep dive unfolds with crystal clarity, emotional anchors and dramatic cliffhangers to spotlight why many students struggle to read...Hanford and her colleague Christopher Peak deftly stitch together the complete picture”
Podcast: Pale Blue Pod
Genre: Astronomy, Comedy
Publisher: Multitude
About: Pale Blue Pod is an astronomy podcast for people who are overwhelmed by the universe but want to be its friend. Astrophysicist Dr. Moiya McTier and comedian Corinne Caputo demystify space one topic at a time with open eyes, open arms, and open mouths (from so much laughing and jaw-dropping). By the end of each episode, the cosmos will feel a little less “ahhh too scary” and a lot more “ohhh, so cool!”
I’m reserving full personal judgment on this podcast as it continues to grow. Being compared to Startalk Radio is no small feat, but there’s potential here. Part of the charm of Neil Degrasse Tyson is the way he describes science in this curious excitement. Astrophysicist Dr. Moiya McTier does get giddy talking about science and the stars, so that’s check-marked. But, if I compare the two, I think I need a little bit more breaks with other experts coupled with the fascinating science they go over.
Risa Sarachan • Forbes
"...relatable and playful approach...Astrophysicist Dr. Moiya McTier and Comedian Corinne Caputo, who bring their warmth and curiosity into each episode..."
Podcast: Where There's A Will, There's A Wake
Genre: Comedy
Publisher: Somethin’ Else, Sony Music Entertainment
About: If you could plan your perfect death, what would you do? Join Kathy Burke as she chats to the likes of Dawn French, James Acaster and Jamali Maddix asking them questions like 'how do you want to die?', 'where are you going next?' and of course, 'who gets your prized possessions?'. It's a hilarious, irreverent, dark and sometimes moving podcast where our guests will see their death brought to life as they plan their final day from dawn to dusk and into the afterlife.
Another podcast that may need some additional time to get going in my book, is Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake. British Actress, Kathy Burke, interviews her British celebrity friends. You know how that goes. The first episode stars someone I know via watching Graham Norton’s talk show on YouTube, Comedienne Dawn French, and this podcast. I was amused but definitely chuckled with a very particular raunchy embalming scene Dawn would like to do for good luck. Pretty normal chatter otherwise. I believe Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein is the closest comparison to this where his guests pick 5 films to be buried with them and discuss those films.
Miranda Sawyer • The Guardian
“Burke’s so thoroughly lovely that you feel as though any guest will shine as hard as they can, just to hear her filthy smoker’s cackle.”
Just Added this week:
Origins
The Art of Longevity
Late Fragments Podcast
The Cedric Maxwell Celtics Podcast
Young & Indigenous
The Reith Lectures
Conviction
Birds Of Empire
Where There's A Will, There's A Wake
French and Saunders: Titting About
Top 5 This Past Week (11/28-12/4):
Archetypes
Rachel Maddow’s Ultra
Case 63
Quiet Part Loud
Sold a Story *New to the top 5*
Demo Day Recap:
I finally did the first demo day for Great Pods yesterday. What a great experience to be on stage, forget what you are supposed to talk about, and then improvise your way out of it. 😂 We had a virtual version in the morning and an in-person version in the afternoon. From week 1 to now, all of us in the cohort has improved night and day. So different and diverse which made it that much more special.
This isn’t an ad, but a shoutout to the FounderBoost organizers and mentors, Arvind, Matt, Jared, Jordan, Nicole, Matt, Kelly, & Melissa. They all volunteer their time for this. Here’s a list of my colleague startups:
After Sunset is women’s sleepwear made with non-toxic and sustainable material. Again, not an ad, but you can use promo code: DemoDay for 15% off.
If you are in San Diego, at least for now, try Savorite. Find local empty tables at restaurants at a discount. Simple. Check out Savorite.
If you have kids, toddlers, or babies, do they get sick? Of course, they do. Telemedicine isn’t really made for them and that’s why Tiny Pediatrics exist. On-call 3 AM visit if you need to instead of getting that $1000 ER bill, it’s $50. Check out Tiny Pediatrics.
Not in love with your HOA? Assembly changes with automation to optimize your HOA. Check out Assembly here.
If you ever wanted to own a piece of that ice cream shop down the street, well now you can. Fractional Biz teams up with small businesses that are willing to take on investors with partial ownership. Check out Fractional Biz.
And finally, you have Lucyd AI which uncomplicates your project management. For example, in construction where there are more than 20 vendors to keep track of and over 20 hours of work getting timelines set, Lucyd AI cuts the hours. Check them out here.
You can watch the Demo Day presentations…here, including Great Pods
Stay safe, be bold, have no regrets, and be kind!
Listening with you,
Captain Ron
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