The MasterCast

Have Murder Will Travel - No spoilers!

This week we’re looking at an American crime show that travels internationally to tell stories from every part of the globe. Like many of its fans, I found this podcast by recommendation from the Morbid podcast, who like me, is a big fan. The true treasure of this pod is its host Valeira Drake who is also a St.Louis based actor and dancer! She is so funny and charming and I love her voice. Some don’t care for her tangents but I think they are hilarious and make the show. She’s just saying what we’re all thinking. I even named my monstera plant after her. So there hasn’t been an episode in a while since May of 2023 actually but Valeria has mentioned on the show before about depression. Let’s just be hopeful and supportive and maybe another episode will bless our feeds soon. There are episodes to burn through though! 43 in fact and I binged all of them in a couple of days. Most are about crimes. There are few disapperances, the rare spooky episodes, and even rarer still a survival story. My favorites are Episode 33: Deadly Cruise Ships: The Disappearance of Tammy Grogan, and Episode 12: Guatemala: Rodrigo Rosenberg although there are too many to name. Usually each episode has a great instagram post with it. When the show was really active they came out once a week. Apple Podcasts has a 4.7/5 with 94 ratings.
There is swearing and of course the normal trigger warnings for true crime.

Similar pods: Location Unknown, Lost in the Woods, Twisted Travel and True Crime.

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The Frankston Murders - No Spoilers !

From Casefile Presents this gripping podcast looks at the serial murders of three women that took place over seven weeks in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, a case unfamiliar to most in the US. Its creator and host Vikki Petratis reported on the crime as it was happening and later wrote the best-selling book The Frankston Murders. In this podcast, she speaks with an array of people including family members, police officers, and prison guards to uncover unheard material and new victims stalked before the murders. It is a longer podcast made up of 11 episodes. I honestly usually avoid single-crime podcasts of this length because they tend to use a lot of filler but the pace and layout of this pod was incredible. Informed complete reporting with no repetitive information. It is one of the best-produced podcasts I’ve heard all year and with a rating on Apple Podcasts of 4.7 it’s safe to say I’m not the only one who thinks so. There have been updates in the case as recent as this year which leaves Petretis asking for the listener’s help. I do need to give a trigger warning for animal abuse.

Similar pods: The Detective’s Dilemma, West Cork, and Bowraville

Lore - No Spoilers!

From Grim & Mild Entertainment and host Aaron Mahnke, this week’s review is on the award-winning podcast Lore. It is proof that history isn’t just events and dates. Myths, legends, folk tales, and creatures are woven throughout our collective history no matter where you are from. In each episode, Mahnke picks one and dives into it, making a snapshot of its culture and psychology. Mahnke isn’t just the host but is also the creator, writer, producer, and founder of its network Grim & Mild Entertainment. For those unfamiliar Mahnke has a distinct, divisive, but much-loved diction. If you find it bothers you, try to listen to only a couple of episodes at a time. I will say that so many people love the show it was adapted for television by Amazon, has a Youtube channel, and Penguin Random House has published it as a three-book set. It won Best of 2015 for iTunes, Best History Podcast for the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards as well as a handful of others. Some schools have even incorporated it into their curriculum. On Apple Podcast the show has 4.6 out of 5 stars with 43K ratings. So far there are 227 episodes available for free everywhere with paid episodes sprinkled in on Apple Podcasts. On average they are about 30-35 minutes long and release about once a week. A note on the factual nature of the show… It's a great starting place. It’s well-researched and it can be hard to get everything into a 30-minute episode. The subjects it covers are also pretty subjective. That being said there have been many times where people have pointed out missed or falsely interpreted parts. I think it’s a great introduction but definitely not the bible. The show’s episode sources page on its website is huge and could be a great place to dig deeper if you’d like. Also, be aware a common complaint of the show is the jarring volume of the ads so sleepy listeners beware. My favorite episodes have been Episode 170: Into the Wild, and Episode 42: In the Bag. While there is no swearing the spooky nature of the show might require discretion for younger listeners.

Similar Pods: Myths and Legends, Destination Terror, and Let's Talk About Myths, Baby!

Bomber - No Spoilers!

In March of 2018, the city of Austin, Texas was rocked by a serial bomber who for 19 days used homemade explosive devices to kill and injure in the city’s neighborhoods. Hosted by Jason Puckett and KVUE News Director Tim Ryan the 2019 series is produced by Vault Studios who is known for making popular true crime podcasts such as Bardstown and The Officer’s Wife. Even for those who might have been living in Austin at the time, it’s possible you only recall what needed to be communicated at the time. In each of the six gripping episodes of this podcast, you’ll hear from eyewitnesses, victims, and investigators as they give an inside look at what it took to find and capture the perpetrator. Apple Podcasts has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 with only 459 ratings, a surprisingly small number of ratings for a network known for well-received podcasts. There was some discussion about how suddenly the series ended without much insight into who the bomber was. Many felt this was anticlimactic but I think the pod was just focused on not glorifying him in any way. By not mentioning the details of his life they were saying he didn’t matter which I think was the proper way to handle such a sensitive topic. My only issue with the show was the music seemed a tad too dramatic although not intolerable.

Similar Pods: Darkness: Austin Bomber, The Tylenol Murders, and Timothy McVeigh vs. The USA

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Sold a Story - No spoilers!

This mind-blowing, action inspiring podcast from APM Reports focuses on the alarming lack of literacy in the United States, a substantial issue for everyone to be concerned about. Hosted by Emily Hanford it investigates how methods sold by a handful of companies set the reading skills of millions of children irrevocably back years, wasted taxpayer money, and engrained false research into the American education system despite it being disproven decades prior by cognitive science. With 4.9 average stars from 4.6K ratings, the reaction to the show has been strong and positive. Reviews are filled with students, parents, and teachers realizing why so many around them seemed to have a hard time with reading comprehension. Instead of learning phonics many children were sight memorizing and fooling mentors until they were years behind where they should be. In this podcast you hear from parents and teachers who explain how unbelievably easy it was to miss this oversight. The original release of the show included six, one hour long episodes and later 6 more bonus episodes were published. Be sure to check out the show’s website which includes supporting articles, a reading list, and a discussion guide for teachers and parents. This quality reporting is absent of any political agenda and is highly recommended for those with school aged children. It also begs the question..what about basic math?

Similar Pods: Science of Reading: The Podcast, Educate, and MindShift Podcast

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Out Alive - No Spoilers!

Animal attacks, getting lost, avalanches, forest fires. When you head out into the outdoors the possibility of an emergency could only be a split second away. Would you be prepared? Every episode of this podcast is a survival story from someone who was. With help from their rescuers, fellow adventurers, and the occasional assist from the narrator, these cautionary tales are some of the most brutal and inspiring you’ll ever hear. Hosts Louisa Albanese and later Zoe Gates not only keep it from getting too dark but also steer the episodes into lessons you can use to not get yourself into similar situations. I would love to say that’s my favorite part of this genre but savage appetites crave peril. I will say it is a bonus to identify the various different mistakes the experienced, inexperienced, and thoughtless make that lead them past the point of self recovery. Often it seems that people are too cautious in saying why they love these morbid and passive chances to experience danger without any risk. It is only appropriate to say you find it fascinating or love learning from it instead of just saying you enjoy it. Either way I’m glad this podcast is so well received. Sitting in the number 8 spot on the Apple Podcasts charts for Places & Travel, it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 with 908 ratings. So far there are 44 episodes and on average they’re about 40 minutes in length. Episodes that have stood out to me include “Their Plane Went Down in the Sea” and “Buried In An Avalanche.” One episode to avoid might be “Miracle on Mt. Hood” parts one and two. The episode received a ton of negative reviews for celebrating the irresponsible actions of its subject which put rescuers and others in harm’s way unnecessarily. I’m inclined to agree. Like with so many precarious scenarios it is easy and common to have the “it’ll never happen to me” mindset. I love pods that reset that. With compelling stories, great interviews, tips, and solid sound design, what’s not to love.

Similar pods: Not Today, I Survived, and What Was That Like

New podcast recommendation! No spoilers! Review is in the 2nd - 5th photos. If you’d rather listen to this review look for “The Mastercast” wherever you get your podcasts. Or follow the links in the bio to any major podcast player.

Intent: The Tex McIver Case - No Spoilers!

The question of who shot and killed Diane McIver in her vehicle in 2018 isn’t a mystery. Everyone knows it was her husband 78-year-old Claud "Tex" McIver. He’s admitted to as much. The real puzzle was his intent, hence the name of this podcast. Was it a malicious plot as the authorities of Fulton county Georgia believe or terrible decision-making as claimed by Tex? From Valut Studios and hosted by reporter Kaitlyn Ross, this show features experts and friends of the family weighing in on what they think happened as the case and its eventual trial are simultaneously covered. Every one of the 8 episodes is filled with information. This isn’t a case that could be summed up in one or two 60 minutes episodes. Race, contentious divorces, privilege, guns, favoritism, and so so much money are all elements in this case. The pod’s rating comes with a pretty notable asterisk because it was released as what seems like a second season to a different, very popular show The Officer’s Wife. The case could be made that both involve domestic violence and questionable murder of spouses. However, many reviewers are quick to point out the obvious benefit using the same feed would mean for the performance of this newest segment of the feed. Some parts of the show do have a slightly sensational tone which isn’t my favorite but isn’t overwhelming either.

Similar pods: Stolen Hearts, Death of an Artist, and The Ex*****on of Bonny Lee Bakley.

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New podcast recommendation! No spoilers! Read the full review in photos 2-3. If you rather listen to the review, look for The Mastercast wherever you get your podcasts.

60-Second Science! No spoilers!

Full review in the second and third photo. If you’d like to listen to this review and future reviews, you can search for The Mastercast wherever you get podcasts.

Strangeland - No Spoilers!

This true crime podcast from Audiochuck covers the 2003 triple homicide of mother, her 2-year-old son, and their nanny in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Also known as the Mile Massacre or the Koreatown Slayings, the ex*****on of almost an entire family has left the Koreatown community with a mystery for what has become two decades. Hosted journalist Ben Adair and interpreter Sharon Choi, the podcast covers not only the crime but how crime can effect immigrant neighbrohoods and the investigations into those crimes very differently. It’s a crictal and well-deserved look at how different the experience of immigrants can be in our criminal justice system. There are outside interviews weaved into the narrative and without trying spoil anything I’ll say the podcast plays a part in investigation. The show has 4.2 out of 5 stars with 1,300 ratings on Apple Podcasts. There is some criticism of what seems to be staged dialouge between the hosts but I didn’t find that it made the pod unlistenable. There are ten total episodes that are about 34 minutes long on average. The last episode does mention new episodes will come out as there are updates in the case. Overall a podcast everyone should add to their queue.

Similar pods: The Other Latif, Lost in Panama, and Tom Brown’s Body

Everything, Everywhere Daily - no spoilers!

This U.S podcast is a daily education show from Glassbox Media that gives crash courses on a variety of topics from any given subject including but not limited to history, geography, mathematics, biographies, and technology. It was launched in July of 2020 by its host Gary Arndt, the world traveler, beloved blogger, and photographer. His blog has received mentions and awards from many top journalism organizations such as Time, National Geographic, and the Lowell Thomas Awards. Since its debut it has gained over 10,000,000 downloads with listeners in almost every country. Apple Podcasts has 4.8 out of 5 stars with 393 ratings. Episodes are on average about 12 minutes long and so far there are 911 episodes. Some of my favorites include “Potemkin Villages'' and “The Greatest Buildings Never Built.” There’s even a completion club for those who manage to finish the surreal backlog. Despite this brief length the podcast is jam- packed with information and often more thorough than shows five times its length. With so many episodes there’s bound to be the rare error but Arndt mentions corrections gracefully when necessary. The show also has an extensive website with every episode broken down by release date, a detailed about page, photography, and coverage of every place he’s visited. Theme song is short and the production quality got better with just a little bit of time. It is well-paced and its bite-sized 10 minute tidbits mean it’s great for kids who love learning.. Or even the ones who don’t.

Similar pods: A Thousand Things to Talk About, 60 Second Science, and TEDx Shorts

SNAFU with Ed Helms - No spoilers!

This nonfiction podcast from iHeartMedia, FilmNation Entertainment and Pacific Electric Picture Co is a blend of comedy and history. Hosted by actor and comedian Ed Helms, it aims to cover some of the most infamous and sometimes unknown blunders in history. The first season looks at the military exercise with the codename Able Archer 83 and why some historians consider it the closest the U.S came to nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis. A harrowing drama, it is filled with interviews from those involved, old audio, and experts from both NATO and the Soviet Union. Despite the seriousness of the nation’s nuclear fears, Helms is able to keep a balance of professionalism and comedy. Overall history is the prominent element. The finished series is pretty long at eight episodes that are on average fourty-five minutes long and the addition of two bonus episodes. This is due to the decent background given on the Cold War and the perspective of the two countries at the time. Apple Podcasts has it at 4.6 out of 5 stars with 498 ratings. Many, if not most, of the negative reviews are in defense of presdient at the time Ronald Regan. Although I didn’t think the critique of his actions were all the critical. There should be a second season although confirmation has not been given. Overall an interesting and worth listing to podcast. A little campy at times and there is a recurring scream soundbite that comes about 3 times but isn’t bad enough to avoid listening.

Similar pods: Red Elvis, Infamous (Campside Media), and American Scandal.

If you’d like to listen to this review instead, you can find The Mastercast on any podcast player or in the link in the bio. HUGE THANKS to featured artist . Their song “Still Breathing” was a fantastic end to 2022. Please check it out!

Science Diction - No Spoilers!

From WNYC Radio and Science Friday, this podcast is equal parts etymology and science. Newsletter turned podcast, every week host Johanna Mayer dived deep into a single word and the science behind it. Some words or ideas are clearly science-forward (Myers-Briggs, Ambergris, Mercury) but others are not (honeymoon, serendipity, etc). No matter what the subject, the show found the history and science behind the term. A lot of the words covered are interesting stories that don’t meet the standard flashy news criteria and so otherwise would be stories that go untold. Facts, trends, predictions, and interviews are weaved together with the interruptions of music or ads. The show has 4.7 out of 5 and 588 Ratings. You may have caught the past tense and I have to confirm your future fears. The podcast said goodbye in April of 2022 with a mini-recap episode that looked back at all the show had done. During its run, a total of 42 episodes were published. On average they are about 17 minutes long. My favorites, which I recommend listening to first, were “Vocal Fry: Why I’m Not Getting A Voice Coach” and “Hydrox: How A Cookie Got A Name So Bad.” The episode on vocal fry is a must-listen! I won’t go on my usual vocal fry rant but it isn’t “hard on your ears.” It’s a natural occurrence in women AND men (although women are almost exclusively judged for it) that can change the meaning of words in many different languages. The host was often criticized for her vocal fry but uses the opportunity to educate others on the topic. Honestly listening through I didn’t notice anything.

Similar pods: Surprisingly Brilliant, Distillations | Science History Institute, and Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast by Sam Kean.

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Short Cuts - No Spoilers!

This podcast is a one of a kind show, in a category of its own, on the same caliber as The Moth and This American Life. Made under BBC Radio 4 and hosted by lovely Josie Long, a writer and comedian, it’s a collection of audio art that includes all sorts of things from short documentaries, to weird and surreal soundscapes, to true stories, to poems, and absolutely everything in between. Each episode is based on a theme and is made up of usually three 9 minute clips that inspire an extraordinary range of emotions and appreciation for every aspect of life. The show seems perfectly adapted to the internet age attention span. Audio can have all the dimensions that regular art has. It can be abstract, a snapshot of life, or surreal. It can be more than just educational, entertaining, or interviewing famous people. This podcast showcases that. It’s proof that there is no limit to what podcasts can be. Hidden gems of perspective and time that chronicle unheard sounds. Okay, enough gushing. The podcast has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Apple Podcasts with 138 Ratings. There are currently 191 episodes that are on average about 30 minutes long. My favorite episodes are hard to choose but “Body Language,” “Rabbit Holes,” and “Lines of Communication” are all high on the list. Some episodes come with difficult subjects but all are covered with attentiveness. The only problem with the show is that there will never be enough. It’s truly something you have to hear to understand.

Similar pods: Anthems, The Kitchen Sisters Present, and Selected Shorts

New podcast recommendation! No spoilers! Full review in photos 2-3.

Going West - No Spoilers!

I think I’ve mentioned before how I really like to start my mornings listening to something familiar because it’s comforting. Not only has this true crime podcast become one of those for me but it’s one whose release days I get excited for. Honestly only about 10 other podcasts make that list for me. Other podcasts I’ll listen to all of their episodes then take a break until there’s a few more to listen to. And this podcast doesn’t make you wait, releasing new episodes every Tuesday and Friday afternoon at 2pm PST. Started in 2018, its host’s, Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman, are a complimenting duo who present well reported cases from the United States that I haven’t heard anywhere else. Congratulations to them on their upcoming wedding by the way. So far they have 251 hour-long episodes! The ones I found most interesting were “Tracey Lynn Kirkpatrick // 52” and “Thomas Brown // 35.” For a deeper dive on the Brown case check out another podcast, “Tom Brown’s Body.” Woolsoncroft and Marryman also have a new-ish dark history podcast worth checking out that has 23 episodes and comes out every Thursday. I LOVE that you can find transcripts for each episode on their website. It’s so inclusive and helpful in research. With 4.7 out of 5 stars on Apple Podcasts, the podcast has a decent following. The care they take for the loved ones of the victims and the listeners shows. No chit-chat or jokes. Average ads. I don’t love the theme song but it isn’t super theatrical or anything. Some of the best merch I’ve seen with very detailed, artistic posters, mugs, stickers and clothing. The illustrations are super thought out and honestly cute.

Similar pods: Already Gone, The Trail Went Cold, and Stolen Lives.

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This Week I learned - No spoilers!

Not to be confused with the weirdest thing I learned this week by popular science, this podcast from the magazine The Week is made up of fun bite sized bits on interesting and diverse topics. Some of the other shows The Week has include Seven minute explainer, The Week Unwrapped, and Seven-Minute Opinions. Host Lauren Hansen is a fun and charming host, coupled with lovely short music weaved into facts and the studies behind them. Science, history, and psychology are just a few of the subjects that were presented by the show during its run. The podcast ended in 2017 but with 79 episodes all about 18 minutes long you have at least 23 hours of amazing content to listen to. My favorite episodes which I recommend starting with were “Ep. 74: This week I learned the dinosaurs could still be alive today if the asteroid had hit pretty much anywhere else, and more” and “Ep. 36: This week I learned why we're all suckers for the good cop/bad cop routine, and more.” For its short run the show has 4.2 out of 5 stars and 239 ratings. You should give it a listen and a review, you never know what shows can be brought back.

Similar pods: The Fact of the Matter, Unexplainable by Vox, and NOVA Now

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New podcast recommendation! No spoilers! Full review in photos 2-3.

Sidedoor - No spoilers!

I’ve only been to the Smithsonian Institution in D.C. once as a kid but this bi-weekly podcast the muesum produces makes you feel like you’re walking through the halls. Perfect for those who are still cautious about going out. Not only does it cover an extreme variety topics (history, science, art, space, and nature to name a few) but it covers some that aren’t on exhibit so even if you were to go you wouldn’t experience these stories. How many could there possibly be I hear you ask. Well the archives of the museum are filled with around 155 million artifacts each one with a story to tell. The institution is made up of 21 museum and the natural zoo. This podcast pulls from all of them and puts the objects discussed into captivating narratives that make the information you learn stay with you. Host Lizzie Peabody weaves interviews with facts that will leave you passionately curious about whatever the topic. The show, which first aired in October of 2016, has 4.6 stars and 1,700 ratings. So far there 150 episodes each about 25 minutes long. Perfect for the average commute. Their website has the show coming out every other Wednesday but on Pocketcasts and other players the days semm more sporadic. Owltail has the most listened to episodes as “Special Delivery” and “The Curse of the Hope Diamond.” My favorites were “The Dinosaur War” and “Murder Is Her Hobby” Music is quick and unremarkable. No trigger warnings for this one.

Similar pods: Museum Confidential, Museums n'That, and Museum Archipelago

Sweet Bobby- No Spoilers!

If after all of these true crime podcasts you still think you’re invincible to being tricked by love… this show is for you. It doesn’t hide what the story is about. In the first couple of minutes host Alexi Mostrous introduces what is catfishing on steroids. The 2021 six part series from Tortoise Media starts with Kirat Assi, a bright career-minded radio DJ whose decade long hell is the subject of this story. After a distant friend contacts her through social media she’s slowly caught up in a deception that is unmatched. It starts slow, makes you think you know this same old story, hits you with a brick wall of truth, and leaves you with the same question as everyone else… why? You haven’t been this turned around since Hollywood Con Queen. I am being a bit more vague than I usually am but the less you know the greater the twists will be when you listen. I will say the story isn’t just from Kirat who does a lot of the reporting herself but by family members, friends, and experts in psychology and crime. It has 4.7 average stars and 1,600 ratings. Each episode is around 40 minutes long, and there’s a bonus episode which the hosts use as a chance to respond to listener questions. Music is fitting. Content warnings for catfishing, loss, and emotional abuse. Trust me and the millions of global listeners the show has, download it.

Similar pods: Queen of the Con, Sympathy Pains, and Betrayal.

Super long review for Decoder Ring this week! The full review can be found in photos 2-4. If you’d rather hear the review then read it you can find it wherever you get your podcasts by searching The Mastercast. Link is also in the bio as well.

The Hopeful - No spoilers!

One of the most precious treasures pasted down among the Omidvar family is the story of the perilous journey Amir Omidvar took to get from revolution-gripped Iran to North America. Young Amir dreamed of America since the age of 9 when he started work and learned about people leaving to find better lives there. Despite knowing the journey would not be easy even he couldn’t have imagined the unrelenting hurdles between him and becoming a citizen. Sleeping in the restaurant he worked at in Spain, getting gravely ill in a Mexican prison, and being beaten by officials in Milan are only a couple of the trials Amir endured alone in the nearly two years it took him to reach his goal. Narrated by his daughter Shayda and produced with the Frequency podcast network, this six part series was voted as Apple Podcasts’ Show of the Year in Canada for 2020. The well produced show has 4.7 stars on the Apple platform with 401 ratings. Each episode has an average length of about 36 minutes and must be listened to in order. It’s a captivating documentation of what immigration for one man looked like that will have you laughing, crying, and inspired. Sure, you might know immigrating is hard but how many actually know what it looks like or understand what it involves? A story not only about honoring where you come from but also how you got there, it serves as a strong reminder to treat everyone you meet with kindness because you never know where someone is on their journey. Be sure to check on their instagram to see accomplish pictures. Content warning for suffering and violence.

Similar pods: Indefensible, They Tried To Bury Us with Tamer Kattan, and Code Switch.

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