While Hardcore History is one of my favorite podcasts, I think the current storyline about the Persian empires isn’t quite as engrossing as some of the earlier episodes. When I recommend it to friends, I always strongly suggest that they begin with either Blueprint for Armageddon (the WWI epic six-parter) or Prophets of Doom. Blueprint is the one that got me hooked.
@PlantMom , I just came across the podcast Satellite Sisters - have you (or anyone else) listened??? I downloaded a couple of episodes for later, but wondering what to expect. Sounds like a little bit of this and that? Political or no? Reading the bios of the sisters they are seem to be high achievers and successful.
@PlantMom and @abasket, I have been a fan of the Satellite Sisters for at least 10 years. They used to have a daily radio show. They went to podcasts after they were cut by their sponsor (ABC). There have been many iterations of the podcast since then. I believe they only offer new podcasts once a week (Tuesday), with older podcasts brought back to life on other days. The sisters range in age from early 50s to early 60s and they are smart, successful, and funny. They don’t take themselves too seriously. Their political persuasions are varied and don’t factor too much into the podcasts. The format is a little of this and a little of that. They’re all about connecting as women, mothers, sisters, daughters and figuring out how to navigate the serious (aging/dying parents, college send offs), and the not so serious (rude telemarkers,house repairs gone awry). The SS would fit in quite well on CC as funny, knowledgeable, and respected posters.
^^ @Mansfield - that’s the impression I got! It sort of looked like a CC blend to me. 
It was a “suggestion” that came up for me so I took a look - I was interested in adding a new podcast and this might be a good fit.
I’ve never listened to a podcast. Until this moment, I didn’t even realize I have a podcast button on my phone! What should be the first one I listen to if I am game to try this out?
What are your main interests?
Probably something humorous, quirky, or nerdy. New empty nester so looking to discover some new interests too- beyond my usual- music, gardening, home fixit, crafts, kids.
it’s been mentioned before, but i really like to listen to “wait wait dont tell me” - a humorous news/quiz show by NPR. funny!
Just started listening to new podcast entitled “Heavyweight”. The narrator takes people into their past to help resolve an issue. The two episodes so far have been engrossing and humorous.
Freakonomics Radio - That’s my go-to podcast series for walking. LOTS of choices!
Judge John Hodgman, for funny, quirky, nerdy (humor podcast in Judge Judy-type format).
No Such Thing as a Fish is another good quirky, funny, nerdy one (weird trivia).
Season 1 of Serial to get you hooked on podcasts! (But NOT Season 2). Have to start with episode 1.
ETA: I like most of the Slate podcasts, especially Double X and the Political Gabfest (moderate/ liberal leaning).
SpyCast is interviews with Ex CIA or authors on the subject.
Virgin is a bit like Freakenomics only by the Virgin people.
Embedded is like a 60-minutes.
I mostly listen to audiobooks but recently have started some podcasts. My favorite right now is NPR’s Invisibilia (about psychology and social norms) and Lexicon Valley.
Hardly light and funny though. Smart Podcast Trashy Books sounds like fun!
Another vote for “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” as a starter. “The Moth” and “Modern Love” are great, too. I recently added “The Pulse”, which is interesting stories about health & science. And like “60 Second Science”, which is snippets on science topics daily.
One book podcast I have been enjoying since “Books on the Nightstand” went off the air is “What Should I Read Next?” Guests tell the host three books they love and one book they hate, and then she makes recommendations for what they should read next. My kids and I have fun trading our own constantly changing lists of what we would say on this show.
Plus 1 for Lexicon Valley, especially now that John McWhorter has taken over. I’ve been a fan of his for a very long time. I like Invisibilia too, but I often feel that it doesn’t quite live up to its promise.
My reading plummeted when I became addicted to podcasts. I used to listen to audiobooks on my commute (abd then continue reading in hard copy when I got home) but now it’s podcasts, podcasts, podcasts. I may be starting to get a little burnt out on them. I swear I’m going to quit after the election …
Not humorous but I’m hooked on In the Dark, about the boy who was abducted in Minnesota, whose body was just found. It’s mostly about the police investigation.
Also I’m listening to season 2 of Undisclosed. Also NPR Politics, Masterpiece Studio. And some football and sports podcasts but not of much interest I’m sure here.
Man, I love podcasts.
History:
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History has already been mentioned in this thread, but it bears repeating. Each episode is so long I generally save them for plane trips.
The History of Rome, a comprehensive history of the Roman Empire from speculation about its origins to the fall of the Western empire. The audio and recording quality of the first few episodes is not great, but it really hits its stride during the Samnite Wars. It’s much drier than Hardcore History, but for anyone with an interest in Roman history it’s stunningly well researched - fascinating with occasional flashes of dry humor.
Revolutions, by the same guy as The History of Rome, has “seasons” detailing political revolutions. The English Revolution, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Haitian Revolution have all been completed; the current project is the wars of south American independence. I believe the Mexican Revolution is next on the queue. Great insight into the commonalities and differences within revolutions, and how and why they occur.
The History of English, about the history of the english language and how and why it formed the way it did. Fascinating!
Non-History:
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text is a gorgeous podcast using techniques traditionally used for sacred texts to analyze Harry Potter, one chapter an episode.
99% Invisible, about design and how it impacts the way we live our lives
Not sure if these have been mentioned yet - “you must remember this” about old Hollywood
“Simon Mayo’s confessions” -BBC podcast where people write in and “confess” usually something silly they did when they were younger and the podcast team decides if they need forgiveness. Very silly and British
“Kermode and Mayo’s film reviews” -also from the BBC -movie reviews with lots of chatter, inside jokes, interviews.