The term “podcast” was coined by Ben Hammersley in an article appearing in The Guardian on February 11, 2004. That’s a gazillion years ago in internet years. In reading it, so much has changed in the 20-plus years since – including an explosion in podcasts, vodcasts (video podcasts), and media in general. Apple made it easier to listen to podcasts on your iPod/desktop computer by releasing iTunes 4.9 in June 2005 with native podcast support. 

Podcasts make it convenient to catch up on news or enjoy entertainment while you’re in the car, walking the dog, or even dozing off to sleep. They can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, and dozens more applications. Podcasts can be a couple of minutes long or span hours of listening time. They can be sponsored for free listening or, for an additional fee, can be enjoyed ad-free through Patreon.  

Podcaststatistics.com shares that 1 in 3 people in the United States listen to podcasts on YouTube, which makes it the most popular place to tune in. 55% of people in the United States listen to podcasts monthly (that’s about 158 million people). An estimated 115 million people in the U.S. listen to podcasts weekly. The variety of podcast topics is overwhelming in itself – sports, news, history, politics, religion, travel, etc. 

Where did my podcast journey start? 

My first encounter with podcasts was listening to old-time radio shows. There are so many great broadcasts to enjoy from the 1930s and 40s on up through the 1970s, when CBS Radio revived the “theatre of the mind” with their CBS Radio Mystery Theater (you can listen HERE). I remember listening to the original broadcasts on a clear channel (back before that was a conglomeration of stations – a clear channel was a high-powered AM station - 50,000 watts - authorized to operate at night without interference from other stations). The production quality and voice actors are very good. For an extra plus, some of the productions include commercials from their original broadcast. Talk about a step back in time! 

Some other old-time favorites include The Lux Radio Theatre. Lux, which made soap for dishes and laundry, was the sponsor, and the host was Cecil B. DeMille. Many of the productions were radio adaptations of Broadway plays or recent movies. Oftentimes, the stars from the original production would participate in the radio reading.  The production quality will sometimes be lacking on this one. 

You Are There is another radio production from CBS Radio. It aired in the late 1940s and used modern technology to put you, the listener, on the scene at history’s biggest events like the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac, the Assassination of Caesar, and more.  

If you like westerns, try the radio production of Gunsmoke, the radio series. William Conrad portrayed Marshal Dillon on the radio (you might remember him as TV’s Cannon). What about mysteries/horror, you ask? Try the Inner Sanctum. If you want to test your knowledge of the presidents. Try Mr. President. This radio show aired on ABC from 1947 until 1953 and portrays little-known events that happened during the presidential term. I’ve learned a lot of interesting facts in this one.  

What Do I Listen to now? 

My podcast list is pretty lengthy. I am definitely one of the 80% of podcast listeners who spend at least seven hours each week listening to a podcast. Sometimes I’ll miss a broadcast of a news show or Sunday news magazine show that I'll catch up on later via a podcast. But my regulars are history, science, or true crime based.  

1865 is a production of Wondery, a family of podcasts, and explores the time after President Lincoln’s assassination. It is made more interesting because it is dramatized, so it’s like watching a documentary. The creators added in some bonus episodes to help listeners understand where they had to fill in the blanks. I really enjoyed this presentation and have listened to it a couple of times.  

Edge of Sleep is truly a theatre of the mind production. The characters must work together to stay awake to figure out why a worldwide epidemic is killing people who fall asleep. **There may be some “language” in this one.  

Carrier is a drama/science fiction production (there is definitely some language in this one, so listener discretion is advised). Raylene, played by Cynthia Erivo, is substitute driving a tractor trailer delivery for her dad. She needs to pick up a paying load to bring home. Definitely listen with headphones for the full effect! 

History This Week comes out every Monday and covers a wide range of topics. It is a part of the History Channel’s offerings, so the production quality is excellent, and the research is thorough. Nancy Helm, the host, does a great job covering famous events as well as those that are not widely known at all. I look forward to listening every week, but one of my favorite episodes is The Great Boston Molasses Flood. It was just recently replayed as an encore before the new season started. I listened again, even though I had already listened to it a couple of times. 

Stories of Appalachia doesn’t have the production quality of some of the others I listen to, but it shares stories of home. The two podcasters, Rod Mullins and Steve Gilly, share folklore along with stories of coal wars, moonshine, music, and more. New episodes come out every Friday. 

Everything 80s is a podcast for you if you grew up in the 1980s, like music or TV from the 1980s, or enjoy pop culture and history that’s not quite as old. Jamie Logie, the host, covers everything from MTV and video games to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.  

History of the 90s is the story of the 1990s. Its host, Kathy Kenzora, shares stories from Columbine to Air Jordan to the Spice Girls and more. She is based in Canada, so some of the episodes will cover topics that are not as familiar as others because they are Canada focused. Still, they are opportunities to learn something new.  

Now, if someone has a good recommendation for a 70s podcast, I’d love to hear about it. 

In the Red Clay is a true crime podcast that explores the history of the Dixie Mafia through interviews with the son of Billy Sunday Birt, who was rumored to be the head of the group. I’m not going to lie, I would like to meet Stoney Birt. I think he’d be a great person to enjoy a BBQ supper with. On a more personal note, the second season of In the Red Clay deals with an unsolved triple murder that happened in Boone, North Carolina. I was eight years old when it happened and remember it being in the local newspaper and on the TV news. One of my high school classmates, Terry Harmon, wrote a very, very detailed account of the murder and subsequent investigation. Convoluted was published in 2024. Terry is interviewed in the second season. Note: There is some explicit language in this podcast, so listener be aware it is not appropriate for young ones. 

Other podcasts on my list that I float in and out of include Radiolab, StarTalk, The Ancients, VMHC Lectures (this one has stopped updating, but I remember enjoying the lunch lectures at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture), History of the Crusades (more than 300 episodes, I had no idea there were so many crusades – the world history we learned in high school was definitely just an overview), Stuff You Missed in History Class (Even if you don’t like history, you’ll enjoy this history podcast – it's like a behind the scenes look at lots of “stuff.” This is a LINK to one of my favorite episodes, especially from a retailing perspective, of how the Sears catalog helped level the playing field for people of color).  

What are some Other Favorites? 

Enough of my favorites, what are my co-workers across the Mast Store organization listening to? Let’s see... 

Emily C. 
Store Training Coordinator, Boone 
I love listening to Bless Your 'Hardt, hosted by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his wife Amy. It's my favorite because they simply discuss what's happening in their day-to-day hectic lives and share inside stories about living life in the fast-paced racing world. It's a very funny show with lots of laughs!   

Jon Z. 
Information Technology, Home Office 
I have two favorites that I’ll share. The Why Files is a show about mysteries, myths, legends, and conspiracy theories. The host, AJ, tells a compelling story about a strange event (like aliens, lost civilizations, or secret technology) and then spends the end of the episode breaking down the actual science and facts to see how much is true. He also has a talking goldfish sidekick named Hecklefish who adds some comic relief. The production value is incredible—it feels like watching a movie. It’s a fun way to learn about history and science without it feeling like a lecture. It strikes a perfect balance between being open-minded and skeptical. It’s generally safe for kids – I would rate it PG/PG-13.  

That Chapter is a true crime podcast (and YouTube channel) hosted by Mike Oh. He walks through crazy criminal cases, disappearances, and mysteries with a very distinct Irish charm and a bit of levity to keep things from getting too dark. Mike is a fantastic storyteller. He manages to be respectful of the victims while keeping the narrative engaging and easy to follow. It’s less "doom and gloom" than other true crime shows, but still very gripping. This one is definitely not for the little ones, but great for adults who enjoy a good mystery. 

Tommy B. 
Sales Associate, Columbia 
I watch and listen to the Unashamed podcast with the Duck Dynasty family. This is a Christian podcast that teaches the Bible as the Word of God. Very hard to find this type of honest faith anymore.   

Emi B. 
Marketing, Home Office 
Emi is another podcast-a-thon listener. She said she listens to a long list of podcasts (trust me, her list rivals – and might ever surpass - mine), but she picked through them to share a few highlights for consideration. 

Articles of Interest is a fashion and beauty podcast. It's about the surprising stories behind the clothes we wear every day, like jeans, pockets, or outdoor gear. It digs into how they connect to culture and history in ways you’d never expect! I like this one a lot.  

Song Exploder is a music podcast where artists break down one of their own songs piece by piece and share the story of how it was written and recorded. It gives you a peek into the creative process behind the music! I am very picky with music, so I really pick and choose here, but the episodes I came across of music from the 80s and 90s were amazing. They occasionally do country music. This is a LINK to one of my favorite episodes examining A-ha's Take On Me. 

And one more... I don’t listen to all the episodes on The Atlas Obsura, but they just recently released one that is very fitting for Mast Store. It’s about North Carolina’s Hellbender, a giant, fully aquatic salamander. It was released in partnership with Visit NC and features the Hellbender Festival in Spruce Pine and mentions the mural in Downtown Boone.  

John D. 
Fashion Manager, Winston-Salem 
He enjoys the podcast Stuff You Should Know because it’s a “never ending quest to explain absolutely everything there is on planet earth and beyond.” You’ll see this one mentioned in a later “rec,” too. John also enjoys Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History. The author takes a deep dive into many things that are often overlooked or misunderstood. My favorite episode is "A Good Walk Spoiled," which focuses on golf courses and the real reason they exist, and it's not just to play golf! 

Tim D. 
Director of Stores, Home Office 
The Journal is a daily podcast featuring important stories about money, business, and more. I listen to it every day because of its broad variety of topics and current events.  

Cecilia S. 
Sales Associate, Knoxville 
I was just recently telling some of my coworkers about my favorite podcast and getting them to listen to it, too! It’s called National Park After Dark. It’s narrated by two best friends, who live on opposite sides of the country. They tell stories about adventures, survival, historic events, and true crime. I love it because the stories always have a tie to a national park and can take place all over the world. (Note, there is some explicit language from time to time.) 

JD D. 
Marketing, Home Office 
Astonishing Legends didn't invent the podcast, but they have been around since 2014. Each week the hosts, Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess, take a deep dive into all things paranormal such as folk tales, UFOs, bigfoot, mothman (and other cryptids), ghost stories, hauntings, and all manner of unexplained phenomena. With more than 420 episodes, it's a great resource ... if you believe any of this at all. 

John J. 
Director of Ecommerce, Home Office 
Stuff You Should Know is my favorite podcast. These guys research and present on lots of varied topics. Most are around 45 minutes, and they post what they call “Short Stuff” that is around 15 minutes. It is my favorite because, regardless of topic, I always enjoy the episode and learn something new. The content is well researched, and they state their sources to back up what they are saying so I trust the information. The hosts are smart, funny, and keep things entertaining and informative. 

Anna L. 
Buyer, Home Office 
Memory Palace is one of my favorites. The show focuses on storytelling in American history. The Emma and the Trail episode about Grandma Gatewood is great.  

Dolly Parton's America is another one of my favorites. It explores the cultural, historical, and musical impact of Dolly Parton, examining how she bridges political and social divides in America. The series looks at her career, upbringing in Tennessee, and her role as a unifying figure. It's my favorite because it is a multifaceted look into Dolly as an icon as well as a person. There are great interviews with Dolly herself. The perspective that the producers take is uniquely Appalachian, and it is a beautiful lens to examine the country at large. 

Rachael B. 
Buyer, Home Office 
Christine T. 
General Manager, Original Store 
Both Rachael and Christine mentioned Ologies with Alie Ward as one of their favorite podcasts. Rachael shares that it’s funny, informative, and engaging. I listen to her to and from work every day. And Christine said that she listens to this podcast to take a break from the doom and gloom that we can fall into.    

Justin H. 
Store Training Coordinator, Winston-Salem 
The Magnus Archives is a weekly horror fiction audiodrama. I didn't think I would enjoy a "supernatural horror" podcast, but it's so well done (especially mid/late episodes), that it really hooked me!  

Michael T. 
Sales Associate, Original Store 
With my 36 years in policing, I tend to like true crime podcasts. I currently am listening to Crime Junkies. This podcast covers both infamous and underreported incidents. Be aware, some episodes will have explicit language. 

Chris C. 
Buyer, Home Office 
Broken Record is a podcast hosted by Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Justin Richmond, and Bruce Headlam. It features deep dive interviews with bands or artists, from classic names to new and emerging artists. You never know how an interview is going to end up. Watch for notations on each episode to gauge language and material covered. 

Brett Willis 
Marketing, Home Office 
American tennis icon Andy Roddick anchors a lively weekly discussion about modern tennis in Served with Andy Roddick. While current superstars and legends often drop by for in-depth interviews, featured guests and regular contributors include an array of tennis insiders, journalists, and Association of Tennis Professionals and Women’s Tennis Association executives to provide behind-the-scenes insight into the state of the game nationally and globally. Banter heats up during “draw shows” when Andy and his staff make their pre-tournament bracket picks. 

Although Andy saw extraordinary success as the most recent American man to hold the world #1 ranking and win a Grand Slam on the ATP Tour, he makes no bones about failing to live up to the status of his chief contemporary foe, Roger Federer, and, in many instances, his own demanding standards. Served is a must-listen for hardcore tennis fans, but even casual fans of tennis, sports in general, and human-interest stories will find it accessible and engaging. To be honest, I wasn’t a Roddick fan during his playing career, but, as a quick-witted, matter-of-fact podcaster, who wears his passion for tennis, its players, and its future on his sleeve, he has won me over. Served has some language in most every episode, so it’s not for youngsters but is OK for older teens. 

Hannah K. 
Community Relations, Home Office 
I enjoy Culture Study. It's about so many different topics of culture and society. Sometimes the host talks about infrastructure like bridges, other times, she talks about the allure of a particular movie star and how it reflects our culture. Sometimes she talks about Deaf culture. Anything that counts culture.  
 

Whew! I don’t know about you, but I believe my podcast list is going to need the week to be expanded to at least eight days and the days need to be 30 hours long to get them all in. I hope you found something that interests you and encourages you to dig deeper into the podcast universe.