My Final 2020 Podcast Update
Looking back over all the Podcasts that I listened to and enjoyed in 2020, I discovered some that I had overlooked; Podcasts that I loved but never included in any of my other blogs. So, I decided one more “2020 Podcast Blog” was needed (even if its 2021 by the time it’s live). As always, all Podcasts will be added to My Complete Top Podcast List too.
10 Old But Not (Quite) Forgotten Podcasts!
1. WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork - Hosted by David Brown For Wondery.
WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork is a Podcast that I listened to at the beginning of 2020 and had me hooked from the first episode. As the title suggests, this Podcast discusses the rise and fall of WeWork and it is:
“… a story of hope and hubris, big money and bigger screwups, and the lengths people will go to chase “unicorns.””(Source here).
Some more about WeWork, taken from here:
“The founders of WeWork thought they were on the brink of making history. The company was valued at $47 billion dollars, it was ready for a huge IPO, and its charismatic CEO Adam Neumann thought it was going to change the world. Adam had a prophet-like vision for WeWork that he sold to some of the world’s savviest investors — but did his vision ever match the company’s reality?.”
All six episodes are available now, another great Wondery Podcast.
2. The Baron of Botox - Hosted by Justine Harman for Imperative Entertainment.
I knew nothing about Dr. Fredric Brandt until I listened to this Podcast. His story, as presented in the Podcast is really quite sad and of course the ending is tragic.
Throughout the twelve episodes of The Baron of Botox we get to know Dr. Fredric Brandt who:
“Over two decades, Dr. Fredric Brandt went from a small dermatology practice in Miami to being Madonna’s personal skincare consultant and the go-to for public figures desperate to stave off aging. His clients loved him. Fashion magazines profiled him. But as Brandt continued to build his empire—a best-selling product line, pristine homes in New York and Miami, and an absurd modern art collection—he was slowly becoming addicted to his own product. Popular speculation has it that it was Martin Short’s scathing portrayal of a clearly-based-on-Brandt character in the ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ that pushed him to his death, but the truth is far more complicated.” (Source here).
If you like following Hollywood gossip and USA based reality shows then I think you will really like this Podcast.
3. Heaven’s Gate - Hosted By Glynn Washington for Witness Docs & Stitcher.
Well needless to say, I love cult related Podcasts/stories and this Podcast from Witness Docs & Stitcher does not disappoint. In the Heaven’s Gate Podcast host Glynn Washington speaks to those directly involved in Heaven’s Gate, from the members to the leaders, to the families of members and to experts in all things cults - you really get a complete insight into all things Heaven’s Gate.
A little background about Heaven’s Gate:
“In 1997, thirty-nine people took their own lives in an apparent mass suicide. The events captivated the media and had people across the planet asking the same question… ‘Why?’ 20 years later, those who lost loved ones and those who still believe - tell their story.” (Source here).
This is a really well presented and put together Podcast. The host does an excellent job of connecting with all the interviewees and getting their perspectives heard. I cannot believe I left this out of my other Podcast blogs!
4. Headlong: Missing Richard Simmons - From Topic, Pineapple Street Media & Dan Taberski.
I was very late to the party with this Podcast! Released in 2017, it was not until early 2020 that I listened to this Podcast about Richard Simmons. The Missing Richard Simmons Podcast includes interviews with Richard’s brother Lenny, as well as with many other people who were close to Richard prior to his disappearance. These interviews are conducted by the Podcast host Dan Taberski as part of his investigation into the many different theories about Richard’s disappearance.
Richard Simmons “ghosted the world” on February 15th 2014:
“On February 15th 2014 Richard Simmons didn’t show up to teach the exercise class he had led for 40 years. He has not been seen in public since”. (Source here).
Having listened to this Podcast in its entirety, I really want to know the truth about Richard’s disappearance and believe there is definitely more to this story that we have yet to hear!
5. Headlong: Surviving Y2K - Topic, Pineapple Street Media & Dan Taberski.
As you might have guessed, I loved the aforementioned Headlong: Missing Richard Simmons Podcast so much that I had to see what other Podcasts were available from the same team, that is how I found this next Podcast, Headlong: Surviving Y2K.
Headlong: Surviving Y2K is a documentary Podcast that:
“… takes you back to the turn of the millennium to meet the people for whom it was anything but a joke — computer coders, conspiracy theorists, survivalists, and true believers — as they each face their own version of the apocalypse. And Dan tells a new millennium story of his own, about a decision that could destroy his life.” (Source here).
“December 31, 1999: The world braced for disaster as midnight approached. Then, nothing happened. The hysteria over the Y2K computer bug quickly became an afterthought; a punch-line.” (Source here).
A great Podcast investigating “life” before, during and after Y2K, what could have happened, what did happen and what is happening since then.
6. 22 Hours: An American Nightmare - Hosted By Megan Cloherty & Jack Moore for WTOP & Hubbard Radio.
The 22 Hours: An American Nightmare is a Podcast about the murder of a:
“… D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son and housekeeper held hostage for nearly 24 hours and murdered inside their own home.” (Source here).
WTOP:
“… examines the complicated trail of evidence that police say led to finding their killer and why they say he committed such a brutal crime.” (Source here).
While the first episode of this Podcast was released in June 2019, the latest episode only aired in January 2021. This latest episode came following an appeal by the person found guilty of the crimes, to have their conviction over turned and to be granted a new trial.
7. The Wonderland Murders - Hosted By Tracy Pattin for Hollywood & Crime with Wondery.
The Wonderland Murders is an investigative Podcast into the brutal murder of four people in their home in the Hollywood hills in 1981. It is:
“… the tale of a violent home invasion robbery and the revenge rampage that followed. It involves a drug-fuelled gang of criminals, a crazed crime kingpin and the world’s most famous porn star on a downward and deadly spiral.” (Source here).
Tracey Pattin is a great host and I find her voice very pleasant and easy to listen to, even with the disturbing subject matter.
8. BOMBER - From the True Crime Network, VAULT Studios & KVUE.
The BOMBER Podcast is definitely suited to a “binge session” - listening to one episode after the other, the story unfolding in your ears, you simply cannot stop listening (even if you already familiar with this story, the Podcast has so much insider information).
The BOMBER Podcast:
“… tells the untold story of how law enforcement hunted down the 2018 Austin serial bomber and brought 19 days of terror to a sudden, cataclysmic end.” (Source here).
“Over the course of 19 days in March 2018, 23-year old Mark Anthony Conditt planted a series of homemade bombs around Austin neighborhoods, killing two, injuring five others, and paralyzing an entire city.” (Source here).
Check it out - let me know what you think!
9. Who Killed Jennifer Short - A FOX8 Original Podcast.
Caught for time? This is a great Podcast for you! There are seven episodes that range from 9-15 minutes in duration so easy to fit into your busy day.
Who Killed Jennifer Short the Podcast is based on the following true crime event:
“On August 15, 2002 in the quiet town of Oak Level, Virginia someone shot and killed Michael and Mary Short in what investigators called an execution style murder. Their daughter 9-year-old Jennifer Short was snatched from her bed, setting off a massive search. Heartbreak 6 weeks later as deputies found her remains 45 minutes away near a North Carolina creek. 17 years later, no suspects, no motive, and no clues as to who killed Jennifer Short.” (Source here).
This is an open case, the police are still actively pursuing the killer so you can expect future episodes.
10. The Officer’s Wife - From the True Crime Network, VAULT Studios & 11Alive.
This was another Podcast binge for me, knowing nothing about this case, I simply could not stop listening, I had to know what happened next!
The Officer’s Wife is an investigative Podcast and here is what it is all about:
“In April 2016, hours after an argument with his wife Jessica, Griffin, Georgia police officer Matthew Boynton radios for assistance and reports hearing two gunshots coming from inside his home. Officers rush to the scene to find Jessica Boynton inside a locked closet, with an apparent gunshot wound to her head. Underneath her body, officers find her husband’s service weapon. But this story of small-town romance gone wrong was far from over. The investigation into what really happened inside that closet and what happened next would captivate a small town and change the lives of one family forever.” (Source here).
Even after listening to this Podcast in full, there are still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding this case. Moreover, while officially (and legally) the case has been concluded or “solved”, you cannot help but wonder if the conclusion that was reached the right one!
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