Yesterday I vented on Facebook a little bit.
It’s that strange time about a week or two after a book is finished that I get completely discombobulated. I am restless and anxious, and I feel weird, and I don’t know what to do with myself. One of the writers I knew when we started out called it the post-novel ennui.
The cure for this is work, but I haven’t recovered enough for work yet. At some point right before the edits were finished, the brain was gone so far that I couldn’t carry on a conversation. Friends would call, and I would just sink into these long pauses on the phone where whatever neural connection that makes words go failed.
But I really hate the restlessness. It makes this sticky semi-anxiety that looks for weird places to attach itself to. Like the mind bounced back enough to produce anxiety but not quite enough to be creative.
Turns out I’m not the only one who gets this annoying restlessness after a major project. Thank you to everyone who commented and assured me that I wasn’t alone.
One common advice seems to be distraction – TV, books, knitting, gaming, etc. Last week we’ve been playing Windrose and listening to podcast as we build pirate bases, so today I bring you some of my favorite podcasts.
I will preface this by saying that I’m less of a true crime fan and more of a scandal or scam fan. Most of us have strong emotional walls built up, but writers work with emotion. We have zero armor, because we are constantly in flux portraying the emotional state of our characters. I suspect that’s why sometimes writers overreact in seemingly normal interactions. So true crime hits me very hard.
Please use your discretion when listening because your mileage will vary.
British Scandal
Hosts: Alice Levine and Matt Forde
Where to Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Audible.
This podcast profiles British scandals, both contemporary and historical. It’s hosted by Alice Levine, who is a writer and a TV presenter, and Matt Forde, a comedian. The hosts do not take themselves too seriously, and the scandals are fascinating.
The series does tackle some heavy topics and they are usually handled well and with reasonable sensitivity. The writing is superb, although, ahem, the accents are … memorable and often commented on by the hosts themselves. Heh.
It’s a perfect blend between somber and funny. It’s never too grim and never too flippant. Also, as a non-UK person, I never felt lost. If they make a reference, they will explain it.
I have learned so much about British history. There is this whole section about the rise of Nazi Germany and the effect it had on British upper class. Also, I finally know who Guy Fawkes is. This video makes a little bit more sense now.
Favorite episodes: Operation Mincemeat (Aug 19, 2026) and Liz Truss/ Liz vs Lettuce, (Sep 19, 2023.) Start with those, hehe.
Scamfluencers
Hosts: Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi.
Where to Listen: Available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and Amazon Music.
Saachi Koul is a Canadian writer who had written for Slate and BuzzFeed Canada. Sarah Hagi is a Canadian journalist who had written for Guardian, Hairpin, and Gawker.
This podcast covers scams, mostly US-based. The tone is younger and sharper, more biting at times, but still tinged with humor. If you want to know what young, educated, politically and culturally savvy people think about various scams, this one is for you. The writing is excellent. Also, while they cover the famous scandals, like Martha Stewart and Dr. Oz, they have a lot of stories that I’ve never heard of.
Favorite episodes: John McAffee (219, Jun 22, 2026) was very interesting.
Redhanded
Hosts: Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala.
Where to Listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeart
The story of how this podcast came to be is very interesting, and here is a great interview of them at the Medium.
This is another British podcast and it concentrates heavily on true crime, although they do have shorter episodes on fun supernatural lore. I’ve never been to a British pub – please help me remedy this when we are in London next summer – but I imagine if I went to a British pub, ordered fish and chips and some good ale and met two fun friends obsessed with true crime, this is what it would sound like.
I will say that I cherry pick the episodes, though. Some of it is just so grim. There are flashes of humor, but it is a little on the darker side. If you are less bothered by terrible things human beings do to each other and are fascinated by crime, this one is great. The cases are often international.
Episode to start with: Richard Chase: Vampire of Sacramento (Mar 1, 2018) or Thabo Bester: Twisted Firestarter (Sep 16, 2025)
Rotten Mango
Hosts: Stephanie Soo and “mysterious partner in crime.”
Where to Listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Pocket Casts
Where to Watch: Rotten Mango Youtube and Netflix.
This is a true crime podcast that leans into high profile, viral cases and international crimes lesser known to US audience. It is young and very on the edge of what people are talking about online. Stephanie will often do a very deep dive on more prominent cases, so if you wanted to know everything there is to know about a case, this is a good podcast to try. If an influencer committed a crime, sooner or later, they will end up on this podcast.
I cherry-pick this one too, because some of it is just too dark.
Good episode to start with: Pathological Liar Kills Beloved Dentist (Aug 20, 2026)
Stephanie also has a scandal podcast, which is much lighter in tone. It is called Moral of the Story, and it focuses a lot on Chinese and Korean media scandals. I just had to share this one with you.
We stumbled on it, and we were like, wait, what? It’s about an influencer who stole from her friends for years. I laughed so hard.
Honorable mention: American Scandal. It is hosted by Lindsay Graham, and I should love it, but it puts me to sleep. There is something about the cadence and tone of Lindsay Graham’s voice that just makes me go into my happy drowsy place. If you are a fan, let us know if you have any favorite episodes that I should try.
And now it’s your turn. Recommend your favorite podcasts to us in the comments.
My favorite are Ologies with Ward and History Chicks.
First. 🙂
First?
Almost First!
🥳
Maybe drop into a totally different story? I’ve been listening to the series The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One produced by Worlds Beyond Number. Fantastic story and (edited) tabletop roleplaying.
If you want stories of real fascinating people, “What’s Her Name?” is excellent. Many seasons and you can cherry pick whoever intrigues you.
I’ll take 2nd or third or…😂😂😂
I honestly feel like me and Mango’s partner would be mates. Most of the time we have the same reaction, which basically both of us going, “Wait. What?”
I like the Jocko Willink podcast. He co-hosts it with a guy named Echo and every episode they start with “good evening, Echo”, “good evening”. I like that they set the tone with good manners, no matter what subject they’re talking about. It’s in one of the oldest episodes where Jocko does his famous “Good” bit, which has been made into numerous clips all over the interwebs.
Can I ask for recommendations here?
Looking for a good podcasts on Jewish magic and on the history of languages and/or linguistics. Wouldn’t say no to a youtube lectures instead of podcasts.
Not a podcast, but a very good basic resource: The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis.
Thank you!
The History of English by Kevin Stroud is pretty good.
Im a big fan of Gastropod which is a podcast about intersection of food and history. Its made by 2 women and its absolutely delightful.
oh, I have to check these out, thanks!!
The Ancients by Tristan Hughes. Most of the History Hit podcasts are interesting.
Was absolutely going to say this!
my favorite of the history hit podcasts is ‘Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society’ I simply love the host. But you should take her fair dues warnings in the beginning of the episodes seriously, they often talk about sensitive things.
My recent serious recommend is Kill List which was a Wondery podcast and then Audible bought Wondery. It’s really an investigation into the dark web corner where you buy a hit man which sounds crazy, but is apparently A REAL THING PEOPLE TRY TO DO. It’s so well done, and might restore the faith in humanity the whole notion OF TRYING TO OFF YOUR LOVED ONES ANONYMOUSLY destroys.
I don’t have any podcast recommendations. However, “I understand the you’ve done something for so long and now it’s done, so now what?” syndrome. When my brain can’t take it anymore, I veg out on TV, reading, crochet, or anything I don’t have to think about. It’s nice when I don’t have to think.
My attention span is short these days, so I have been listening to The Moth Radio Hour. Great storytelling!
I’m sorry that I don’t know anything about Podcasts, but next year when you get to London, besides trying the fish and chips also try bangers and mash. You won’t be disappointed.
Not a podcast, but if you haven’t finished watching Pursuit of Jade, you should. I’m considering rewatching it. It was so good! And since here is where I found out about it, it seemed right to remind you about it. Also, you mentioned you’d stopped watching in the midst of working on Maggie2. (This Cat Will Not Cuddle Me, in our house, or sometimes our latest idea for the title. Thanks for the fun ongoing conversation!)
Thanks for all you do!
May I recommend In The Dark? Excellent investigative reporting. I’m also a big fan of Dolly Parton’s America and The Dream (especially the first season which goes hard at the world of MLMs).
I don’t normally listen to podcasts, but sometimes listen to Strictly Anonymous. It’s rather out there, but I learn about things I never even knew were things, if that makes sense.
People call in with anonymous confessions of things they do behind closed doors (or well, open, as the case may be), like bedroom doors. It’s very eye opening. 😄
You already have Red Handed which is a favorite, but I love Short History Of… Behind the Bastards, and Betwixt the Sheets
Anyone know any good books on the same topics? I’m interested, but I prefer to read over listen. The two I have so far are Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History, and West Plains Dance Hall Explosion.
Idea for a podcast. You interview an author you love and they interview you. Could focus on the latest book, book theme, author life, or whatever.
I occasionally listen to Palace Confidential for royal news and gossip. Others:
Conspiracy Theories, mostly modern events with conspiracy theories attached. They are factual and most often debunk the theories. The MK Ultra ones were interesting.
The Ancients. Gone Medieval. Not Just the Tudors. Short History Of. .(various topics). American History Hit. History of Egypt and History of Greece. Self explanatory.
A Little Bit Culty and Blown for Good. Podcasts by survivors of NXIVM and Scientology respectively. Lots to learn about mind control and how people get into negative cults.
Mary, I am so flattered, but with my accent, who would listen to me?
The Horde. 😊
Think of it as Dina’s conversations at the Inn type of podcast.
Gastropod! Looks at food through the lens of science and history! Hands down favorite. So good. Microbes- drink! I’ve been listening since they started in 2012 so it’s hard to pick a favorite.
Also a newly started podcast Always A Bridesmaid which discuss the filmographies and careers of actors who’ve been nominated multiple times for acting Oscars, but who have yet to snatch that trophy.
No Such Thing As A Fish – 4 friends, British, that are also the writing team behind QI, get together to mention their 4 favourite facts of the week and then make silly puns and comments around it. Science, but funny.
I really am not a Podcast person, but I have been loving My Victorian Nightmare. It’s far enough removed in time that it doesn’t disturb me as much. I am a bit OCD so I started with episode one and am still working my way through. Also, it doesn’t have 500 episodes so getting caught up seems like it’s actually possible (probably not, but let me dream).
I like True Weied Stuff from The Bob and Sheri Show folks. It’s odd stories and bits of history that caught Sheri’s attention.
My two favorite podcasts are Imaginary Worlds and The Allusionist.
Imaginary Worlds is all about anything related to sci-fi & fantasy and covers a whole range of stuff. One episode might be about the work of a particular fantasy author, and the next will be about how they do makeup effects for monster movies. He picks some really interesting topics and is a really good interviewer.
The Allusionist is all about language! She covers the stuff you would expect her to like word origins and popular expressions, but she goes in so many unique directions that I would never have thought of — what happens when you have aphasia, how do they go about naming new varieties of apples, how do new words get added to Icelandic, and all kinds of random stuff. Plus her voice is really easy to listen to.
Normal Gossip is my absolute favorite podcast. It’s just what the title says, normal gossip people send in. It’s hilarious and light hearted.
Try ‘The Dollop’ podcast by two comedians (Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynold) who love history. Some weird and wild history that you never knew. Check out the Holy Rollers story.
Also just learned that Mellisa McCarthy and her husband have a podcast (Hilda the Barback and the Lake of Fire). Sounds like it might be fun
My most listened to podcasts are Fated Mates (Sarah Maclean and Jen Prokopf discuss and recommend romance books, discuss craft and occasionally interview authors) and Cults to Consciousness where Shelise interviews survivors of cults or high control groups. It’s so fascinating to hear peoples first-hand accounts! She is so kind and careful with those with trauma who agree to be on her podcast.
Normal Gossip is my favorite podcast – it’s so fun and the episodes are never dark or depressing, just funny. It really highlights how so many mundane, ordinary people are unhinged in their own way lol
In light of the above lineup, I simply must recommend the Corporate Gossip Podcast!
Similar to several of the shows in the main post, Corporate Gossip features CPA Scored Becca Platsky, her brother Data Analytics Playboy Adam Platsky, and Out-of-Office Reply Guy comedian Robby Slowik. They discuss juicy corporate scandals, ridiculous CEOs, and once a season, a company doing well by doing good.
Becca and Adam both enjoy Bravo-type reality shows, and pair rigorous business research with a casual and fun presentation style. Adam recently took a step back from the mic to a producer role, and Robby has provided a good foil to Alex. Becca and Adam’s father is an old-school professional business journalist they can occasionally entice to join the pod, and Becca recently started taking journalism classes to beef up her work on the podcast.
It’s hilarious, irreverent, and educational. I love it so much I’m a member of the Patreon so I can get all the extra episodes.
OMG I saw Stephanie in my favoritw author’s recommended post *squeeeeee*
Chinese and Korean media scandals are really out of the world! *cackles*