It’s high time we share our list of the best podcasts of 2022…so far!
2022 has been another incredible year as far as amazing new podcasts are concerned! And we’re sure there are way more to come!
But you don’t just have to take our word from it! We also share what other fans are saying about the podcasts in question!*
But for now, check out our picks for the best podcasts which have graced our ears in 2022.
The Best Podcasts of 2022…so far!
1. Project Unabom
First up, we have…
Decades after Ted Kaczynski was caught, society is still asking some of the same questions about him: Is Ted a genius who went astray? Or simply a madman who murdered three people in cold blood? Project Unabom takes an in-depth look back at the Unabomber saga and Ted Kaczynski’s legacy from the perspective of FBI agents who worked to solve the case, his brother who turned him in, and Ted’s very own writings.
What listeners are saying…
“Excellent podcast! Very well done. Fascinating. Thank you! I look forward to more episodes and series!”
“If you knew anything about the Unabomber this show will expand and deepen that knowledge. If you didn’t know anything, you are in for a wild ride about one of the weirdest stories in recent US history. This is more than true crime, it’s family dysfunction, it’s the dangers of technology, it’s a portrait of an early incel (before that term existed) and the women who took him down.”
There’s also this review! One’s like this don’t happen every day!
“They nailed it – from someone who lived it. I am Jeff Ward, the former Unabom suspect who figures so prominently in episode 3. As only someone who lived this story for 20 years can tell you, Eric Benson and Pineapple Street Studios nailed it! In fact, they were more accurate about the Unabom timeline than I was.”
2. Twin Flames
We all want love, that happily-ever-after feeling of finding your soulmate. What if someone not only claimed they could help you find that perfect partner, they guaranteed it? Jeff and Shaleia, a young couple famous on YouTube, teach about ‘Twin Flames’ — a deep, romantic connection with your perfect partner in their videos.
It’s divine love, you’re designed for no one else, and they’re designed for no one else. But the path to finding your Twin Flame isn’t so simple. Some followers claim they were encouraged to cut ties with friends and family that are holding them back, and to claim their Twin Flame by any means necessary. From Wondery, Twin Flames is a podcast about what happens when the quest for love turns into a dangerous obsession. Hosted by Stephanie Beatriz. (Detective Rosa Diaz of Brooklyn Nine-Nine fame!)
What listeners are saying…
“Gripping! Such a good podcast! I have binged this, please tell me there is another season as 6 episodes isn’t enough.”
“Love the new series, I mean, we all want to find true love and we are vulnerable, look at all the love scams online, women and men that give away their life savings, people can go to extremes to find love and unfortunately is always someone to take advantage of it! Love the show, highly recommend!”
“Best. Podcast. Ever. I am hooked. Aghast. Thank you for telling this story and PLEASE make a series 2! Six episodes isn’t enough! Poor Angie :-(“
Next, we have…
3. Trojan Horse Affair
A strange letter appears on a city councillor’s desk in Birmingham, England, laying out an elaborate plot by Islamic extremists to infiltrate the city’s schools. The plot has a code name: Operation Trojan Horse. The story soon explodes in the news and kicks off a national panic.
By the time it all dies down, the government has launched multiple investigations, beefed up the country’s counterterrorism policy, revamped schools and banned people from education for the rest of their lives.
To Hamza Syed, who is watching the scandal unfold in his city, the whole thing seemed … off. Because through all the official inquiries and heated speeches in Parliament, no one has ever bothered to answer a basic question: Who wrote the letter? And why?
The night before Hamza is to start journalism school, he has a chance meeting in Birmingham with the reporter Brian Reed, the host of the hit podcast S-Town. Together they team up to investigate: Who wrote the Trojan Horse letter? They quickly discover that it’s a question people in power do not want them asking.
From Serial Productions and The New York Times comes The Trojan Horse Affair: a mystery in eight parts.
What listeners are saying…
“Top notch! Brilliant. I loved everything about this podcast. So thorough. One felt part of the trial and error action all the way through. The mission, the team, the rapport between the journalists, the murder board, the frustration, the mistakes, the dentist, and on and on. Very real. A warts and all presentation. I look forward to the continuation of the story.”
“Excellent. A vital story, explored earnestly and thoroughly.”
4. Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy
Next up, Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy, another fun gem that landed in in 2022.
Over the course of nearly half a century, Siegfried & Roy performed 30,000 shows for 50 million people and generated well over $1 billion in ticket sales. Although the German-born illusionists and pop culture icons were mega-famous, much about their private lives, eccentric public personae, and tragic final show remained shrouded in mystery…until now. Emmy®-winning filmmaker and journalist Steven Leckart, in his very first podcast, takes you behind the velvet curtain to reveal shocking moments, surprising details, and hidden truths about two men who were lionized by millions of fans, lampooned by the media, criticized by animal welfare advocates, and endlessly scrutinized by the public.
What listeners are saying…
“Best recommendation I’ve ever gotten. So glad this showed up on Recommended For You, I would’ve never found this podcast. It’s everything I love in a podcast, and it’s great background noise for when I’m painting. Such an interesting story, and I’m sad I’ll never get to see their magic on stage.”
“10/10. So well done, story is so fascinating, very entertaining never gets boring, uses so much information based facts, awesome narrator. It’s a hidden gem for real, 10/10.”
5. Let’s Make a Sci-Fi
Next, Let’s Make a Sci-Fi is perfect for all the nerds out there! And a really unique podcast premise!
Can three comedians create a legit sci-fi show? Comedians Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly, and Mark Chavez are going to find out. Over eight episodes, they’ll try to write a serious, and seriously nerdy, pilot script. When they run into trouble they’ll consult Hollywood experts who have worked on things like Star Trek, Star Wars, and Firefly and science fiction superstars like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Rainn Wilson, Emily VanDerWerff and Neill Blomkamp. And in the final episode, professional actors will read their script, bringing it to life — for better or worse.
What listeners are saying…
“Wow!!! The lead up and creation of the idea and show was interesting to hear, but the actual produced audio drama is fantastic! If this becomes a TV show I will definitely watch, if it doesn’t I hope they make more episodes to finish the series here. This story is so good I would definitely audiobook it if they produced it that way! I was sceptical when I first heard the premise of this podcast, but gave it a chance and absolutely love it. I highly recommend. Give us more content!”
6. Wild Boys
We’ve reviewed the first two seasons of Chameleon on different posts (you can check them out here and here) and 2022 brought us the next installment, Wild Boys.
In 2003, two half-starved brothers emerged from the wilderness, telling an incredible story of survival. A small Canadian community took them in. The only problem? The boys weren’t who they said they were. Hosted by Sam Mullins.
What listeners are saying…*
“Season 3, Wild Boys, is amazing. I love this story so much. Sam’s voice, proximity to the story, descriptions, and empathy make this an extra special podcast. I listened several months ago and I still think about Roen and Kyle and check for updates. I love how Sam presents the story with empathy and compassion and leaves room for the listener to draw their own conclusions.”
““This is a story told by a gifted story-teller. I felt connected to the characters and the words made me feel like I was part of the journey. Told with compassion and without judgement, an unusual gift in today’s society; the ability to separate oneself from the views we find abhorrent and find understanding for the person behind the rhetoric. When it would have been easy to fall victim to outrage our narrator search’s for empathy. Outstanding, one of the best podcasts I’ve listened too.”
*Reviews left on Chartable
7. Crypto Island
A new series from a founding host of Reply All. Crypto Island explores the frontiers of a strange new world. (This series is best experienced by beginning at episode one).
What listeners are saying…
“Amazing. Excellent podcast even if you don’t care about crypto coins. Just amazing story telling.”
“This show is amazing. Absolutely awesome show. Covers all sides. Is more critical of Crypto than pro that’s for sure. It takes a logical view of it all and sees through the empty hype. Super interesting stories.”
8. Downton Abbey: The Official Podcast
For everyone down with everything Downton Abbey, you’ll want to check out the official Downton Abbey podcast!
Downton Abbey: The Official Podcast is a brand new weekly re-watch podcast that is the place to be for fans of Downton Abbey in all its forms, from the television series to the upcoming film Downton Abbey: A New Era . Co-hosted by Rotten Tomatoes Awards Editor Jacqueline Coley and British broadcaster Anita Rani, Downton Abbey: The Official Podcast goes deep, starting with the iconic moments of Season 1 and taking fans all the way to the new film.
What listeners are saying…
“Exactly what DA fans needed! I love this podcast! As an avid fan, I’ve been waiting a long time for something like this, and it was well worth the wait!”
“Thank you for this podcast!! Truly love Downton Abbey!! Thank you for extending our love through your interviews with the beloved cast members.”
And to conclude, we even have some new favorites for younger listeners….
9. The Adventures of Cairo
This first one is perfect for younger kids!
Welcome to the exciting world of Cairo Carter! Cairo is seven years old and lives in the big city, and he loves to explore the world around him. Cairo has lots to learn about kindness, safety, and even the value of a dollar, so it’s lucky he can always depend on his family, his friends, and his community to help him learn and have tons of fun along the way. Come join him in the ADVENTURES OF CAIRO!
What listeners’ parents are saying…*
“This is probably my kids’ favorite podcast. Relatable short stories with good lessons. We’ve listened to them over and over (and hope more episodes are forthcoming).”
“May be cringy for older kids but perfect for 8 and under. My boys are 5 and 7 and we enjoy listening to these episodes as a family. I love that it sparks good conversation afterwards. Keep them coming!”
*Reviews left on PodParadise
Tomorrow
If your kids (or you!) loved the musical Annie, then check out this podcast!
Annie Warbucks and Agatha Hannigan, two names forever connected by events that made one of them the richest girl in the world…and sent the other to prison.
Tomorrow is an original, scripted series set in a post-pandemic New York City, five years after “little orphan” Annie was adopted by billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Lance Reddick, The Wire, Fringe). Now 15, Annie (Abbie Grace Levi), a singer-songwriter/influencer extraordinaire, is about to face the biggest test of her signature positivity when a mystery rocks the Warbucks empire. Annie must rely on her pals from the orphanage, Molly, Tessie and Pepper, and her artificial intelligence “butler” Drake (Alan Ruck, Succession) to save her family.
Agatha Hannigan (Tony Award winner Laura Benanti) has spent five years in prison, revisiting her bad choices and stewing about the billionaire and his adopted daughter who put her behind bars. Finally released back into society, Hannigan will have to decide: Does she want to turn her life around, or does she want revenge?
What listeners’ parents are saying…*
“A Beautiful Story for Young & Old . What an adventurous, thrilling, and fun story TOMORROW is! Gen-Z has done an absolutely beautiful job with bringing this original, scripted series to our phones! The performances are super engaging and you will find yourself singing along to the familiar yet fresh tunes to the soundtrack. This is a beautiful story told by incredible artists! Best of all, it’s perfect for the whole family!”
*Reviews left on Audible.
Conclusion
There is absolutely no doubt that 2022 has introduced us to some of our new favorite podcasts! And there’s still plenty of year to go!
We can’t wait to see the amazing new shows we’ll get to share with you at the end of the year!
Until then, enjoy these gems!
Did we miss some of your new favorite shows from 2022 (so far!)? Let us know in the comments and we can check them out!
*All reviews can be found on the Apple Podcasts page for the respective podcasts unless otherwise stated.
