For Pod's Sake

As Hollywood listens in, the chorus of podcasts continues to crescendo. Here, Leon Neyfakh, the host of Slate's Slow Burn podcast, which delves into the untold stories behind Watergate and the Clinton impeachment, recommends his must-listens:

Leon Neyfakh

OThe Pope's Long Con

"The jaw-dropping story of con man Danny Ray Johnson, who ran for state office in Kentucky in 2016 on a campaign of lies about his past—and won. With its tragic, shocking conclusion, this show is a reminder that there will be more Trumps after Trump, and is a bracing example of the impact that honest reporting can have on dishonest subjects."

©Decoder Ring

"Hosted by Slate's TV critic, Willa Paskin, this podcast

cracks cultural mysteries. Who

tries out for reality television? Who picks the paintings that hang in hotel rooms? Where did the laugh track come from and why did it die? Listening to this show is like staring at a Magic Eye image: the stories reveal their profundity gradually, sneakily."

Bodega Boys

"Profane, irreverent commentary on culture and politics, delivered by two funny friends with anarchic brains. Desus Nice and The Kid Mero have been podcasting since 2013, and they possess a staggering amount of detailed knowledge about the world and a seemingly infinite ability to turn it all into jokes."