codenamechamomile:

So after being a podhead (idk, is that our fandom name?) for about 3 years now, I’ve amassed a collection of podcasts that I really love, and I would like for people to know more about them. Most of these are storytelling podcasts – I’m not big into talk show podcasts – but still, I really wish this list was around when I was first starting out.

Wolf 395

Description: A podcast that follows the adventures of Doug Eiffel, the communications officer for the U.S.S. Hephaestus Research Station – which is revolving around red dwarf star: Wolf 359 – and his co-workers as they find that most ordinary-seeming things have a way of turning into anything but that. 

Why you should listen: Zany space adventures with great dialog done by amazing voice actors. The voice actors are really, really great (I can’t stress that enough). Currently has 25 episodes (as of October 19th, 2015) so it’ll be fairly easy to catch up. Guaranteed to make you cry at some point. SFW.

The Black Tapes Podcast

Description: The Black Tapes Podcast is a serialized docudrama about
one journalist’s search for truth, her enigmatic subject’s mysterious
past, and the literal and figurative ghosts that haunt them both.

Why you should listen: Do you like paranormal-y adventures exploring weird and eldritch things that you’ve never heard about and never want to hear about again? Yes, you do. The host’s voice is so great too. Relatively new with only 12 episodes (as of October 19th, 2015) and generally SFW.

Kakos Industries

Description: Corin Deeth III is the CEO of Kakos Industries, and he reads the company news on topics ranging from adult entertainment to food to philosophical sabotage. Occasionally, the broadcasts will feature personal musings and elements of a more dramatic nature.

Why you should listen: If you listen to WTNV, this is like the NSFW version of what goes on in Desert Bluffs. Terrific audio with a lot of really entertaining situations. Not for everyone due to it’s explicit content.

D&D is For Nerds

Description: A comedy podcast in which a group of adults sits around a table, pretending to be different people and play
some good old fashioned Dungeons and Dragons. Starring Jackson B. Baly
as a half-elf wizard, Joel L. Zammit as a halfling rogue, Alli Kathleen
as a human ranger and everyone’s favorite DM, Adam.

Why you should listen Even if you’re not into Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), it’s really hilarious to listen to these guys as they play. A great podcast that’s perfect to play while you’re doing housework or something. The players do swear, so don’t play this in front of kids. NSFW (only for swearing).

Imaginary Worlds

Description: This is an informational podcast about sci-fi and fantasy genres, exploring how we create them and why we suspend our disbelief. Talks about everything from Batman, to puppeteers, to famous heroines, and everything in between.

Why you should listen: The host’s voice is like butter. This guy breaks down the psychology behind humans making sexy robots in films and it’s genuinely interesting. Great podcast to relax to. SFW.

The Nosleep Podcast

Description: A podcast that specializes in telling scary stories. These stories are intended to frighten and disturb people (and they do a great job at it).

Why you should listen: This podcast is really creepy. There are a good mix of mediocre stories with a low shock value, but the voice actors and the soundtrack and the background noise and the host’s voice…it’s a super great podcast if you want to be scared. Does contain adult themes, but posts trigger warnings with every podcast.

TANIS

Description:
A serialized docudrama about a fascinating and surprising mystery: the
myth of Tanis. This is an exploration of the nature of truth,
conspiracy, and information.

Why you should listen:
this podcast is super duper new with only 3 episodes (as of October
19th, 2015) and it’s really great. A lot like Limetown or the Black
Tapes Podcast in the sense that they’re trying to unravel a mystery, but just uncovering more. Great for mystery fans.

Welcome to Night Vale

Description: Stories from a friendly desert community where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful,
and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep. The host, Cecil Palmer, tells about the weird occurrences around the town of Night Vale.

Why you should listen: People tend to love this podcast, not only for Cecil’s amazing voice and the vaguely disturbing hilarity of Night Vale, but because in the first episode, it establishes a canonly queer couple. Great podcast with a ton of diversity. Generally SFW. 

We’re Alive: A Story of Survival

Description: A audio drama that follows the story of Army Reserve Soldier Michael Cross, as he and a group of survivors struggle to stay alive in the post-apocalyptic, zombie infested Los Angeles. Barricaded in an abandoned apartment building, they all soon find that the zombies aren’t their only threat as their water supply dwindles, and raiders begin to attack.

Why you should listen: This podcast has made me cry so many times. I’ve listened to it three times, and every time though I find something new that I missed before. Great voice acting crew with very diverse characters. Highly realistic. Generally SFW, but does include character death/trauma, some swearing, and disturbing sound effects. (so like, general zombie stuff)

Limetown

Description: Ten
years ago, over three hundred men, women and children disappeared from a
small town in Tennessee, never to be heard from again.In
this seven-part podcast, radio host Lia Haddock asks
the question: “What happened to the people of Limetown?”

Why you should listen: The host has a really nice, soothing voice. Very believable to listeners. SFW. Great for mystery and sci-fi fans.

Pseudopod/Podcastle/The Drabblecast/Escape Pod

Description: Podcasts that tell a variety of short stories pertaining to their specific interests (horror, fantasy, miscellaneous stories, and science-fiction). Quality entertainment, all provided by Escape Artists podcasts.

Why you should listen: These are quality stories. So many of my favorite short stories have come from these podcasts. Hosting a very wide variety of different voice actors and writers, Escape Artists will make sure that you’re never bored again. (seriously, they have so many stories) Not all stories are SFW!!

Lore

Description: The truth is out there. The people, places, and things of our darkest nightmares all have real
facts at their core. Each episode of Lore looks into a uniquely scary
tale and uncovers the truth behind it.

Why you should listen: This podcasts is both informational and freaky. The host has a fantastic voice that’s great for just sitting back and zoning out to. Generally SFW but does contain a few disturbing themes (trigger warnings are provided).

Honorable mentions:

Nightmare Magazine – Horror stories that are really nice to listen to. Not completely SFW due to some adult themes.

Nocturne – A sort of talk show that follows the lives of different people and what goes on when the lights go out. Very SFW (despite what you may think).

Relic Radio – A podcast that plays everything from science fiction, to horror, to slice of life, to mystery radio broadcasts from the 1930′s and onward.

The Secret World Chronicle – So long. It’s great, but so long. If you want something to tackle that’s going to take you at least four months (if you listen almost continuously) and extensive character memorization, then this is great for you. Not good for leisure listening. About realistic super humans (Metahumans) and an alien invasion and time traveling Nazis.

**Many of the podcast descriptions were taken from their websites and/or podcast descriptions in iTunes.