In 2016, podcasts of every stripe had a decision to make: Address the worst aspects of 2016 head-on, or create artful distractions from same. This year, that pattern holds true: Nostalgia-laden podcasts gently guide our gaze the other way while political shows unabashedly call out bullshit where they see it. Below are the Podmass superlatives of 2017, recognizing some of the most noteworthy stuff we heard this year.
Best Use Of Time: The 30-minutes-or-less podcast
In the early days of podcasting, the gold standard was the hour-long comedy ’cast. These would often expand, even double as a show’s popularity grew and the comedians’ riffs extended to match. But this year, our writers were drawn to a growing trend, the half-hour (or shorter) podcast. It’s a more realistic commitment that’s perfect for a commute or as a soundtrack to your morning routine. Over the years, there have been early favorites such as 99% Invisible, The Memory…
