While the yearly calendar turns over with two, new, matching digits and Seattle weather turns a bit chill, there’s no better time to curl up with an informative, entertaining podcast that kindles your imagination, especially one that spins its audible yarns about the life and times of your city and your community, right in your own backyard.
As podcast producer Tina Nole of Larj Media averred in our how-to interview on “How to Produce the Perfect Podcast,” the podcasting medium is far more intimate than radio. The best streams create an auditory atmosphere, whether taking the listener on a nature walk along a tranquil forest trail or inside a compelling conversation between two people.
The digital, micro-casting medium continues to evolve. 2019 marked the emergence of podcasts wholly-scripted and narrated by artificial intelligence systems, such as Roborah, as well as a new breed of ‘infinitely’ generated podcast, a stream that will never sound the same twice, creating a randomly made podcast just for you. Another AI-based, podcast development portended a deeper fakery by mimicking the voice of podcast host Joe Rogan.
Seattle24x7’s editorial team swept the dial to curate Seattle’s Best Podcasts of the Year. Whether perking up your ears on a daily commute, while walking the dog, or logging a few thousand steps on your pedometer, one of these super-sonic, Puget Sound picks for 2020 could have you grinning from ear-to-ear.
Northwest Mystery Pods
True Mysteries of the Pacific Northwest
True Mysteries of the Pacific Northwest are stories of strange and unexplained people, places, and events obscured by the mists of time. All stories are true and researched. Names and locations may be altered to protect the privacy of individuals and private property.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-mysteries-of-the-pacific-northwest/id1425524212
The Black Tapes
A weekly podcast from the creators of Pacific Northwest Stories, and hosted by Alex Reagan, The Black Tapes Podcast is a serialized docudrama about one journalist’s search for truth, her subject’s mysterious past, and the literal and figurative ghosts that haunt them both. Do you believe?
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-black-tapes/id997522893
Here Be Monsters
A podcast about fear, curiosity and the unknown. Unusual audio documentaries produced by Jeff Emtman, Bethany Denton and other independent producers since 2012.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-be-monsters/id564425626
Food and Drink Pods
Seattle Kitchen
A foodie’s dream! Chefs Tom Douglas and Thierry Rautureau, both winners of the prestigious James Beard award, review the Puget Sound’s best restaurants, share recipes based on a special weekly ingredient, and answer your burning culinary quandaries. Produced locally by Larj Media.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seattle-kitchen/id503308704
Your Last Meal with Rachel Belle
What would your last meal be? On this James Beard Award nominee for best podcast, National Edward R. Murrow award-winning reporter Rachel Belle asks every guest this question — but that’s just the beginning. Each dish’s origins, preparation, and cultural influence are among the many stones upturned as Rachel consults chefs and culinary anthropologists, fishmongers and fry cooks, on her quest to explore every facet of Your Last Meal. Episodes every two weeks.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-last-meal-with-rachel-belle/id1140304624
Seattle Foodie
Join your Instagram hosts @nelson_eats and @monybseattle for the latest on the Seattle food scene, the influencers behind it, and the businesses who keep us coming back for more.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seattle-foodie-podcast/id1437279835
Seattle Sports Pods
The Seahawkers Podcast
Hosts Adam (“Tell It Like It Is”) Emmert and Brandan Schulze (of the Military Seahawkers) are two impassioned Seahawks fans from Montana, of all places, who have attracted a flock of Seahawks fans from around the world. Along with weekly game recaps and astute commentary, the duo manages to find both the clouds and the silver linings in Seahawks’ wins and losses, all with unbridled optimism and good cheer. The co-hosts have also vowed to never fail to mention who is better at life than Skip Bayless.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sea-hawkers-podcast-for-seattle-seahawks-fans/id686065962
Sounder at Heart: for Seattle Sounders and Reign FC Fans
The official home for audio programming from Sounder at Heart, SB Nation’s community for fans of the Seattle Sounders and Reign FC.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sounder-at-heart-for-seattle-sounders-and-reign-fc-fans/id1371807448
Sonic Boom
Once among the NBA’s most iconic franchises, the Seattle Supersonics had to pack their bags when they were sold to Oklahoma City investors by Howard Schultz and cohorts in 2008. ‘Sonic Boom’ reveals new truths about the NBA’s greatest heist — a story of basketball and politics, wealth and power.
http://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/the-ringer/sonic-boom/6426a152-d0b2-4a42-a147-bd1ebc3de157
Runner Up: Mitch Unfiltered
Mitch Levy hosted one of the most successful and longest-running morning-drive sports radio talk shows not just in Seattle, but in America. Outspoken and unafraid analysis loaded with humor and unparalleled interviews.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mitch-unfiltered/id1442464821
Seattle Politics Pods
The Overcast
In-depth interviews with Pacific Northwest newsmakers focusing on local news and politics. Produced by The Seattle Times. http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-overcast/id1155659738
The Record with Bill Radke
Host Bill Radke leads in-depth conversations about what matters today in Seattle and beyond. Produced by KUOW, Radke also hosts a Week-in-Review podcast on Seattle news every Friday.
The Record: http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-record/id699004174
Week in Review: http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/week-in-review/id702998658
Rise Seattle
Sit down for intimate discussions with Seattle leaders about the pros and cons of the city’s growth and what they are doing amidst the rise.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rise-seattle/id1139329598
Seattle Growth Podcast
UW Professor Jeff Shulman explores the far-reaching impact of Seattle’s physical and cultural transformation. Notable guests include Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkins, Pete Nordstom, Slick Watts, Tim Burgess, Kshama Sawant and more.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seattle-growth-podcast/id1135609597
Local Pods
The Walking Podcast
Follow along as acclaimed journalist Jon Mooallem takes a walk through the tranquil woodlands of the Pacific Northwest, including the backwoods and beachfronts of his home turf on Bainbridge Island. No talking; just walking. Ambient. Pleasing Unusual.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-walking-podcast/id1450757852
Podcast West Seattle (PCWL)
Public radio type stories by, of and for the netizens of West Seattle.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-west-seattle/id1337839066
Inspirational Pods
Brock Huard’s Above & Beyond: The Intersection of Faith and Sports
Former Seahawk’s quarterback and 710 ESPN Seattle radio host Brock Huard talks one-on-one about the trials and triumphs, struggles and perseverance of champions on and off the field. Notable figures in sport discuss how they have dealt with their greatest professional adversities. Every two weeks.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brock-huards-above-beyond-intersection-faith-sports/id1216908138
Psychology in Seattle
Educational and entertaining, Dr. Kirk Honda and his guests convey unbiased information about the state of psychology today going “behind the scenes” of therapy and healing. http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychology-in-seattle-podcast/id767626637
Ignite Seattle Podcast
Listen to what you may have missed at one of Ignite Seattle’s evenings of 5-minute talks on every subject. Then learn more by meeting the speakers up close.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ignite-seattle-podcast/id1455433113
Internet Radio Stations
RadioKEXP 90.3FM
What began as a partnership between the University of Washington and Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project, KEXP highlights the best new alternative music from around the globe. Best known for its live studio sessions, KEXP is often among the first major media outlets to showcase up-and-coming bands, making it a great place to hear new music before all of your Spotify-loving friends.
710 ESPN Seattle
All of ESPN Seattle’s sports talk shows have gone pod, meaning they are all downloadable for on-demand play on your favorite mobile or desktop streaming app. If you don’t catch The Blitz with Lydia Cruz at 6 am, Danny & Gallant at 7 am, Brock & Salk (now on-demand only), John Clayton, Tom, Jake & Stacy, Bob, Dave & Moore, or the Pete Carroll show following game days, you now have them at your fingertips any time of day or night.
Cinemix
Seattle-based CINEMIX is one of the most listened soundtracks’ radio on the Internet. Become a ViP and see the last 20 songs played, explore the library, dedicate and request songs, listen to Cinemix in HD and Cinemix Extras, a 2nd station with thematic playlists. http://www.cinemix.us/content/blogsection/5/103/lang,en/
Tech Pods
GeekWire
The GeekWire team brings you the latest technology news, analysis and opinions on their weekly broadcast of the GeekWire Radio Show.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geekwire/id427374434
Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott
Join Microsoft’s Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott as he takes tech enthusiasts of all ages behind-the-scenes with innovators and pioneers. Find out what inspired them to create tech that has had an impact in the lives of developers and folks around the world.
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-tech-with-kevin-scott/id1381008946
Amazon Web Services AWS Podcast
The definitive cloud platform podcast for developers, dev opps, and cloud professionals seeking the latest news and trends in storage, security, infrastructure, serverless and more. Whether you’re building machine learning and AI models, open source projects, or hybrid cloud solutions, the AWS podcast has something for you. [24×7]
http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aws-podcast/id1122785133
