This is an open thread to discuss your favorite podcasts.  Below I’ve listed some of my recent favorites.  As you can see I stay away from the political and instead enjoy history and true crime.

History on Fire – Daniele Bolelli is an author, history professor, and martial artist who was influenced heavily by Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. If you want your history fix, and can get by Bolelli’s noticeable Italian accent, then History on Fire is a good place to go. Based on the podcasts I’ve listened to he doesn’t veer off from historical sources but still doesn’t come off as unbearably dry. Instead he explores the bloodier chapters of the past without fear of offending modern sensibilities.

A History of the World in 100 Objects – this is aural popcorn, short 14 minute episodes about the meaning of objects along with the hows and whys they were constructed. Neil MacGregor, the presenter, has a stuffy (as in head cold) British accent that hustles through the material, along with a few short interviews. The material spans the very ancient to the modern day.

Casefile True Crime – if you like Australian accents, then Casefiles is for you. This anonymous podcaster touches on cases all over the English speaking world, going through evidence including available recordings that are presented to the listener. Some of the material is chilling, especially the 911 calls. The cases range from old historical pieces, to well-known serial killers, and even child abductions. Not for the faint of heart.

True Crime Garage – Nic and the Captain explore cases both old and new, all while consuming a reviewed beer. Some very rare anti-gun proselytizing does occur, but the musings on the suspects and motives is always interesting. The focus is mostly on American crimes, and sometimes the episodes veer into odd tangents of humor, but it’s never a boring ride. I rate this a little lower than Casefile but still worth a listen, especially for the deep dives into modern cases that have only just faded from the headlines.

Breakdown – Over the course of a season, Breakdown will concentrate on one case. The listener will hear the evidence, including the police interviews, and opinions of lawyers not directly associated with the case. Given the title name the podcast mostly concentrates on wrongful convictions with improper police procedures and evidence tampering.  Since it is produced by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, journalistic standards (remember those?) are high.