#Storytelling podcasts series

The theme succeeds because it doesn’t supply the obvious: rather than news headlines, the show tells stories such as a father whose children suddenly grow up too fast, and that of a forgotten notebook that unexpectedly brings the past into the present. Hosted by former radio DJ Bob Carlson, the podcast delivers its stories with smooth editing and compelling narration.Ī recent highlight of UnFictional was its season focusing on “Stories of Transformation” in the aftermath of the pandemic. History and memory collide on this show, which mixes narration with on-the-ground recordings, giving each episode a journalistic tone. UnFictional, a long-running storytelling podcast from KCRW, turns the microphone on those small moments that spiral into something bigger. Rich in humor and thought-provoking themes, Never Told is already a joy.

It’s always exciting to see a podcast network prioritize new original work in a field dominated by old favorites and celebrity interviews. Each episode delivers its narratives with delicious narration and decent production, and also concludes with an engaging interview where the author at hand clarifes the process behind their story.Įach season begins with a writing prompt and the show has kicked off with a doozy: What haven’t you told anyone before? The artists feature have responded in personal and innovative ways, delivering magazine-quality stories. Although many shows have attempted this format, Never Told is the rare gem that actually pull its off.

#Storytelling podcasts series

The first show from Britain’s Brock Media, Never Told is an eight-episode series composed of stories and personal essays narrated by the authors themselves.

This is a show that inspires us to pause, even if only for a half-hour. Short Cuts has earned a devoted following who call the show “triumphant,” “humbling,” and “something to be savored.” These fans also leave comments about when and where they listen to Short Cuts: sitting at the window, watching the rain lying in bed before drifting off on a dark Sunday evening with a cup of tea. Presented by British journalist Josie Long, the show features “audio adventures” that experiment with form and narrative convention, often basing episodes around themes such as “devotion” or telling stories through numbers. Here is a list of nine of our absolute favorites.įrom BBC Radio 4 comes Short Cuts, a series of narrative nonfiction with a dreamy, escapist tone that’s perfect for late-night listening. This American Life is one such example, but it’s by no means the only storytelling podcast out there. We consider a “storytelling podcast” one that involves a series of singular, contained narratives told - told, not performed - by one or more narrators. And now, with the rise of storytelling podcasts, the verbal yarn has become even more pervasive. We tell stories to our children, to our friends over a few drinks, and in places of worship, just to name a few examples. Indeed, “telling a story” is common to most cultures, often in the form of oral histories or religious ceremonies. The storytelling podcast is the natural evolution of a tradition that might be said to predate the Homeric ballad.