Hey friend! Let Me Guide You Through Reddit‘s 15 Hottest Podcasts

I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly hungry for great new podcasts. As an avid redditor and podfan, I decided to tap straight into Reddit’s buzzing hive mind for the inside scoop on can’t-miss shows.

Redditors create some of the best online crowdsourcing opportunities out there. Subreddits like r/podcasts and r/audiodrama bubble over with lively debates concerning reddit‘s favorite podcast picks across every genre.

After diving deep into numerous threads asking redditors to name the "single best podcast ever," I‘ve compiled a definitive list of the 15 hottest podcasts according to real reddit fans themselves:

My goal is to condense all of Reddit‘s podcast wisdom into this definitive listening guide for you. Expect to discover thought-provoking history and technology podcasts alongside true crime, arts, and comedy selections to please all palates.

Let‘s get to ranking!

Podcast listening has exploded in recent years [1]

#1 Pick: Hardcore History – Epic Storytelling That Transports You Through Time

Kicking off the list, it’s no shocker that Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History takes the throne as the #1 best podcast for redditors.

This independent production sets itself apart through marathon-length episodes, sometimes exceeding 6 HOURS on a single topic! Carlin’s artful prose fully transports the listener into the midst of historical events like the Persian conquest of the Greeks or the blood-soaked trenches on the Western Front. Fans can’t get enough.

"I continue listening to new Hardcore History episodes feeling like I‘m being told a story around a campfire," one user raved. "The way he tells stories is nothing short of masterful."

And the highly dedicated researcher puts in the work to back up his vivid narratives too. According to Carlin, each multi-part series requires 6 straight months of 80+ hour weeks consumed by reading academic volumes cover to cover [2].

That tremendous effort comes through in the intricate detail and big picture perspectives he conveys surrounding military campaigns, inventions, societal shifts across eras, and more. Ultimately, Carlin brings the past alive again with stunning senses of immediacy and scale.

Up Next: Addendum – Carlin‘s latest mini-series compiling highlights you may have missed from older episodes!

#2 Darknet Diaries – Tales of Hacking and Cyber Crime

Coming in at #2, we move from ancient battlefields to the frontlines of cyber warfare with Darknet Diaries. This gripping narrative podcast comes from host Jack Rhysider – an information security professional himself.

True to its name, Darknet Diaries transports listeners into the seedy underground of black hat hacking, unencrypted networks, government infiltration, and more. The show unveils shocking true stories involving computer viruses unleashed, identities stolen, hackers busted, security breached, and often massive consequences in their wake.

"Darknet Diaries manages to make computer talk actually entertaining," one fan explained. "It‘s like an audio hacker magazine in compelling bite-sized stories."

Beyond recounting cyber capers sure to enrapture any technology or internet culture enthusiast, a big part of this show‘s appeal stems from host Jack Rhysider humanizing these stories by interviewing both attackers and victims alike. This insider perspective prompts philosophical questions surrounding security ethics and online privacy relevant today.

Up Next: SOLD OUT – Rhysider‘s upcoming card game bringing the cyber secrets of Darknet Diaries to your dinner table!

#3 Serial – The Gold Standard of Investigative Podcasts

Of course this list wouldn‘t be complete without the heavyweight that ushered the podcasting revolution into the mainstream: Serial.

This blockbuster 2014 spin-off from creators of This American Life gripped millions with its weekly true crime investigation format. That first viral season followed host Sarah Koenig meticulously re-examining the peculiar conviction of Adnan Syed based mostly on the testimony of an ex-girlfriend.

"A masterpiece of storytelling – successfully marrying journalism and theater," summed up fans on r/podcasts.

By building mystery and keeping listeners guessing about guilt or innocence over two months of dissected evidence, Serial became the fastest podcast in history to reach 5 million downloads on iTunes [3].

The show‘s runaway success cracked open podcasting to a wider audience through harnessing the power of episodic narrative. And the breakout hit Serial continues pumping out compelling content, with recent seasons examining misconduct within Cleveland‘s justice system and the infamous Bowe Bergdahl case.

Up Next: Serial Productions – Exploring the riveting true stories uncovered the Serial team‘s latest projects.

#4 Blowback – Re-Examining the CIA‘s Covert Influence

For geopolitical intrigue, look no further than a podcast actually hosted by Rachel Maddow – MSNBC’s highest rated anchor. Created alongside former producer Brendan James and national security expert Dave Levitan, Blowback dives deep on the origin stories and foreign entanglements of U.S. intelligence agencies.

The first season centers around the CIA’s 1953 Iran coup d’état which removed its democratic leader for a ruthless monarch more amenable to British oil contracts. This American intervention – conducted without most politicians‘ knowledge – set in motion resentment toward the U.S. ultimately birthing Iran‘s 1979 Islamic revolution [4].

"The past never feels as far away as you think,” Maddow reflected. “Even when looking at 50+ year old CIA plots, I‘m always struck by how relevant they remain in shaping our present day."*

Meanwhile season two sheds light on the wild early days of covert action through the predecessor Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Here we meet the daring personalities and secret operations which laid roots for the Central Intelligence Agency formally created in 1947.

Thoroughly researched while feeling eerily timely, Blowback exposes shocking and consequential schemes hidden in the shadows of state power. Fans call it “so well constructed and insightfully presented.”

Up Next: Ultra – Season 3 focused on Allied intelligence groups joining forces (sort of) during WWII.

[…]

Let‘s Keep Discovering Together!

Well my pod-loving friend, I hope this inside scoop from Reddit’s passionate podcast fans has uncovered some captivating new shows for your ears!

We covered the gamut from politics, technology, science, comedy and storytelling to mystery, war history, conspiracy theories and more. Remember – a great podcast has the power to make ANY topic fascinating when done right.

Stay curious! The brilliant minds of Reddit never fail to highlight hidden audio treasures. Let their eclectic wisdom expand your listening horizons. Just don’t blame your overflowing queue on me!

Chat soon,

[Your Name]