As podcasts pick up in popularity across the country, we wanted to see what Kansas Citians were choosing for their earbuds.
This week, we asked: What podcasts are you listening to? Why?
The question came as we prepared for our event, “Serial: The Listening Party,” set for Thursday night in Westport.
“Serial,” the nonfiction crime thriller reporting series from the producers of “This American Life,” is captivating more and more listeners as the story tied to the death of a Baltimore teenager unravels every week.
The podcast was one of the most popular picks from people responding to our Tell KCUR question of the week.
Anita Reach had this to say about why she’s hooked on the hit series:
“I appreciate the presentation of facts without judgment. So I go back and forth, mostly thinking that this has been a total miscarriage of justice but then, like Sarah, I wonder if Adnan is a sociopath and could have killed Hay,” Reach wrote in an email.
“So, every week, I cycle through these feelings and have yet to come to a conclusion. I’ want him to confess or Jay to be caught or just something to say, ‘Now We Know the Truth!’”
RELATED: Podcast Recommendations From KCUR Staff
Here are some other picks that Kansas Citians were passionate about:
• The Naked Scientists: “This is an absolutely outstanding podcast in conjunction with Cambridge University that discusses the latest news from the fields of genetics, cosmology, biology, chemistry, and more. The usual host Chris Smith is very engaging. He's also a virologist who is very good at explaining such a wide-range of topics.”
– Jason Weaver, in an email
• Snap Judgment: “Snap Judgment was the first podcast I REALLY got into, because I loved the stories and the emotion some of the storytellers captured.”
– @CalebZahnd, via Twitter
• Radiolab: “They always choose seemingly difficult topics and make them accessible to the everyday person.” – @KNCSdecor, via Twitter
• Stuff You Missed In History Class: “Well researched and entertaining. Holly Frey is my spirit animal.” – Katharine Garrison, on Facebook
• 99% Invisible with Roman Mars: “Well-told backstories about creativity, invention, and design.” – @MattNuge, via Twitter
• Rooster Teeth (RT Podcast): “(It) is one of the most popular on iTunes and as a member of the community, I listen to it during its weekly live-stream. I like it because it's current, funny, sometimes irreverent and has a minor amount of interaction with the fans and watchers.” – Lorie Glaspie, on Facebook
• Democracy Now!: “A daily must-listen is the @democracynow podcast. Much respect for their (independent) journalism.” – @iyamspartacus, via Twitter
• Stuff You Should Know: “I feel like Josh and Chuck are my friends now after listening to them.” – @Daltliu, via Twitter
For more podcast favorites from Kansas Citians, check out some of the highlights from our Twitter conversation below.
For the full Twitter conversation, follow the #TellKCURhashtag or read through the Facebook comments.
Tell KCUR is part of an initiative to engage the community and shine a light on your experiences and opinions. We’ll ask a new question every week and then share your feedback on the air and online. Everyone has knowledge and insight to share. Be a source for our Tell KC network and let us know more about your expertise.
