Musicals, Secrets and Tragedy, 4 Podcasts You Should Listen To
Sentimental Men
From Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi
This feels like it was made for me and me alone. Of course that’s not true, but in a landscape filled with very similar interview podcasts that all share guests, the way to break that cycle is by focusing on what you talk about, unashamedly. Through each episode Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi go through the songs of the musical Wicked and are joined by a guest who has played the phosphorescent role of Elphaba (or on occasion Galinda). There was a time where I would have called this pod a guilty pleasure but who has time nowadays to feel guilty for harmless things you enjoy, I love it. It’s all the queer energy and positivity I need to get me through a pandemic. This isn’t for the introductory or casual Wicked fan, these are deep cut discussions about performance choices, production insights and MT references that even had me saying 'Alexa add Bare a Pop Opera to my playlist.’ That said, it adds to my previous point about the number of interview podcasts kicking about and while they have their place, anything that finds its niche in a worldwide market can still pull in the crowds and Defy…damn, I wish I could think of a good metaphor for rising up.
The Apology Line
From Wondery and Marissa Bridge
If you could call a number and say you’re sorry, and no one would know…what would you apologise for? This six part series from Wondery is gripping and chilling in equal measure. Following the story of “Mr Apology” and the line he set up in Manhattan in the 1980’s for people to call and apologise for anything they’d done, just to get it off their chest. People used the line to say sorry for things as small as the telling of a white lie to admitting a murder. As the calls flood in, this is the story of how Mr Apology decides he can no longer stay as an observer and has to intervene despite the risk involved.
As a listening experience, it’s chilling. What’s more true crime than hearing people actually admit to what they’ve done? The draw for listeners is not only the tense and heartfelt narration from Marissa Bridge, but the voyeuristic fascination of the calls in question. This archive audio material is expertly used not only to shock but by virtue of actually being from the time, setting the scene and giving you a feel for the crime ridden streets of New York
Blindspot: The Road to 9/11
From the History Channel and WNYC Studios. I’m late to this pod, well over a year late, but it came recommended to me and I really enjoyed it. It also feels fitting to mention it in the year of the 20th anniversary.
Hosted by Jim O’Grady, it tracks the events, mistakes and some downright ignorance that led to the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Beginning in 1990 with an assassination in midtown Manhattan, an undercover Egyptian spy, the early bombing of the Twin Towers and an assassination attempt on the Pope. You can tell the facts of this series have been combed through and examined from the detailed presentation from O’Grady, who weaves a complex web of people, places, events and motives into a thrilling listen.
As he was in New York on the morning of the attack, and lost a friend in it, providing moments of this retrospective that are heart-wrenching. While it could be said that for any American that the story of 9/11 is a personal one, it does feel more acute for our host. There’s a sweet moment at the end of each episode where O’Grady gives us a glimpse into the making of the pod, as we hear him being interrupted by his son who interjects with a wistful question or complaint before his dad has to remind him that he’s working. I mention this because it’s sweet but it also speaks to hopefulness, and by giving us a moment of joy and innocence at the end of an episode that is often filled with upsetting or troubling details it gives perspective and calm. A happiness aperitif.
In Strange Woods
From Atypical Artists, Jeff Luppino-Esposito, Brett Ryback, & Matt Sav
I’ve always been wary of recommending this podcast to anyone. Not because it’s not excellent. For me it’s the best example of a podcast in its field and utterly took me by surprise. The reason I’m wary of recommending it is that when you say it’s a ‘musical’ to some people they’ll role their eyes and think back to the time they were dragged to Phantom Of the Opera. (Phantom fans, I see you and I see your bullsh*t). However this is something special.
For me, in Strange Woods is a near masterpiece. Using the tropes of a Serial like investigative podcast to take us through the story of the kids in a northern Minnesota town reeling from tragedy through the eyes of host Brett Ryback. It explores grief, how we react to it and the distance we put between how we feel and out ability to cope. Something that’s mirrored by the characters acknowledging that they don’t have the skills to survive in the wilderness and doing something about it. All of which is wrapped up in a satisfying mystery that twists itself throughout the series in really pleasing ways.
