Research & Subject Guides: Podcasting: Types of Podcasts

Types of Podcasts

Podcasts can be about anything. They present n opportunity for creators to showcase their talents in new ways and in a new format. Current examples stretch from horror and science fiction to comedy and the existential, to a variety of non-fiction genres.

This page includes a sampling of podcasts created by individuals as well as production companies.

Dramas/Thrillers

Almost Tangible
Based in London, this podcast is soon to release an "immersive audio production" of Macbeth.
Homecoming (Gimlet)
Psychological drama set in a veterans' rehabilitation home. Features Caroline Keener, Oscar Isaac and David Schwimmer. Created and written by Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg
Secrets, Crimes & Audio Tape (Wondery)
Terms (Wondery)
Political intrigue between outgoing and incoming Presidents.

Fantastic & Supernatural

Limetown (Two-Up Productions)
Faux-NPR documentary on a mystery in a small Tennessee town. Created by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie
Lore
Created by writer Aaron Mahnke, delves into true-life stories and the dark web of folklore and legends that surround them.
The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium (Stitcher)
The adventures of an 18th century botanist on the high seas. Created by Duncan Sarkies, James Milne and artist Stephen Templer
The Orbiting Human Circus (Night Vale)
Soap opera of surrealism built around a radio variety program. Written and Created by Julian Koster
Sight Unseen (Wondery)
Story of a teenager who loses her sight while gaining psychic powers.
The Songonauts
A sporadic series within The Truth podcast which follows the adventures of a struggling band with a magic drum machine.
Tides
A human biologist marooned on an ocean moon in another solar system. Created by Jesse Schuschu and Ayla Taylor.
The Truth
Ever changing collection of stories billed as "movies for your ears." Various authors.
Within the Wires (Night Vale)
Stories told through a variety of "found sound" narrative devices. Written by Jeffrey Cranor and Janina Matthewson.

For Kids

WOW in the World Podcast
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
Space faring fun and hijinks in this episodic story for children.
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd

Horror

Alice Isn't Dead
Horror/mystery story following a woman on an odyssey across America. Written by Joseph Fink.
Archive 81
Modern horror podcast that follows a secret project into unseen worlds.
Written and Produced by Marc Sollinger and Dan Powell
Mabel
By Dublin-based writer Becca De La Rosa, a haunted house tale told through voicemails.
Welcome to Night Vale
Imagine all X-Files episodes occurring in one desert town, then imagine Garrison Keillor doing a radio show in that town. Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor

Music

36 Questions (Two Up Productions)
A musical in three episodes, based on 36 questions designed to make two people fall in love.
Broken Record
Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce Headlam talk with musicians about their work.
Song Exploder
Creators describing the creation of their songs. From Hrishikesh Hirway.

Science Fiction

The Message (GE Podcast Theater)
A team of linguists race to decipher a decades-old alien transmission. Written by Mac Rogers.
A Night Called Tomorrrow
The Penumbra Podcast
Created by Sophie Kaner and Kevin Vibert. Radio dramas with a twist. Gender- and genre-fluid.
Sandra (Gimlet)
Steal the Stars (Tor Labs)
Secret research base with a crashed spaceship and alien. By Mac Rogers.
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian (Gen-Z)
Space faring fun and hijinks in this episodic story for children.

True Crime

Atlanta Monster
The story of the Atlanta Child Murders in 1979-1981. By Payne Lindsey and HowStuffWorks.
Dirty John
From journalist Christopher Goffard from the L.A. Times and Wondery.
In the Dark
S-Town
A self-contained seven-episode podcast investigation of one man and his life in a small town. From the producers of Serial and This American Life.
Serial
Each series of Serial (now on season 3) covers one specific story, from a murder case to the criminal justice system itself. From the creators of This American Life.
Bear Brook
From New Hampshire Public Radio, an investigation into a cold case involving bodies uncovered in a state park.

Podcasting