Caliphate
The New York TimesThere’s arguably no better person to learn about ISIS from than Rukmini Callimachi. The Times’ reporter now has her own audio series – and judging from the frist one and a half episodes, it’s going to be fantastic.
Podcasts
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The Destroyer of Worlds
Hardcore HistoryWhat happens if human beings can’t handle the power of their own weaponry? A six-hour podcast episode on the early days of the nuclear age. Worth every minute of it.
Dirty John
Los Angeles TimesIf you loved Serial, season 1 (and were disappointed by season 2), this is for you. A breathtaking story.
How to be a girl
A six-year-old child, born as a boy, who knew she was a girl at the age of three. This is her story, told by her mother (and herself) in a podcast.
A Conversation With a Former White Nationalist
The DailyAnother standout episode from The New York Times’ news podcast «The Daily».
The most popular song in the world
Switched On PopA brilliant, detailed musical analysis of arguably the most popular song in the world, with one billion plays a day (!) at its peak: the Nokia ringtone. Yes, that one. This is an older and somewhat atypical episode of my new favourite podcast, «Switched On Pop». A musicologist and a songwriter go deep into the anatomy of popular songs (usually not ringtones) and explain what makes them hits and «help listeners find a-ha moments in the music». They are at their best when they cross-examine songs – like in «Hotline Hello: Drake and Adele».
The Money Fixers
Planet MoneyInside the curious world of the «Mutilated Currency Division». I wasn’t aware of this: You can send in destroyed money (meaning: burned, shredded, digested by a cow, even) and if those people can establish it’s real money, you are reimbursed.
Edward Luce on The Retreat of Western Liberalism
Conversations with TylerI haven’t yet read the book, but after hearing this interview, I will. The Financial Times’ chief US columnist Edward Luce on the future of liberalism and why recently the US and the UK have been more susceptible to populism than other countries.
Planning the Perfect Death
The DailyDays before he was scheduled to die, John Shields had a surprising idea. He wanted to have a wake for himself. And he would be there. Alive.
Published in Weekly Filet #234
In collection: Unputdownable Stories