House on Loon Lake

Discovering Podcasts – Gladly Jumping in With Both Ears

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If you have been wondering where I have been lately, don’t worry, I am still here.

However, I haven’t been gaming, and I haven’t been listening to music or watching movies. I haven’t been reading much either. Nope, everything for which Caught Me Gaming stands for has been swept aside as I immerse myself in killing my Swoncho with knitting needles (more on that in a future post). And, while I’ve been knitting a ton, I must admit to picking up another hobby which has lead me down a rabbit hole of sorts: listening to awesome podcasts. I have listened to several in the past, but never have I sought out my next ear candy podcast like I have this month. I could say, “somebody stop meeeee,” but I don’t really want to be stopped! There is some good stuff happening in this new podcast land I have discovered, and I look forward to what else is around the corner! Allow me to share some of what I have found with you…

Retro Fandango

I have pointed this podcast out before, but if you haven’t listened to Retro Fandango, I highly recommend it. I know, I know, I am a bit biased: the hubs co-hosts it, and I have been a guest twice (shameless self-promo time!). But, who can pass up lively discussions on video games, movies and science fiction? Over the last several months, hosts Buried On Mars and RamVox have dedicated podcasts to the Alien and Predator movie franchises, and if you are a fan of both movies, you will want to partake! Their next franchise will be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies and games, happening this April. Retro Fandango is a total recommend – always entertaining, and something for every gamer geek or movie buff.

You can find Retro Fandango on podbean here: cartridgeclub.podbean.com

Also available on iTunes under “Cartridge Bros”.

The House on Loon Lake (episode 199 from This American Life)

I always like a good true story, steeped in mystery and curiosity. I stumbled upon a random Reddit thread (I lurk on Reddit every so often – there are some great stories on there) that pointed me to a podcast that upon one listen, piqued my interest enough to get the bug to search for other content. The House on Loon Lake, a This American Life-produced true story tells of Adam Beckman’s epic search to solve a mystery. As a child, visiting a small town in New Hampshire one fall day, he, his brother and a friend find a boarded up house that they could not resist exploring. Inside they find the remnants of the people who used to live there. The cupboard full of dishes, cans still in the pantry, clothes in the closet, personal effects left behind… it was like the people who lived there just evaporated. Who lived there? What happened to them? Why did they leave their stuff behind? I’ve always been fascinated with stories like this, even when the true reasons behind the abandonment weren’t as interesting. The House on Loon Lake is an emersive story that keeps the listener in mind, providing details that one could envision while listening. Providing a mysterious and haunting soundtrack also makes this story irresistable.

Get the podcast here.

Start to Continue Podcast

This weekly podcast has two TV insiders, Bill and Joe, discuss everything from music, movies, TV, video games and Transformer figurines (which they refer to as TFs or in some cases Trannys), while hilariously busting each other’s balls. The hubs had pointed me to this podcast last week, as I have known co-host, Bill, for many years but wasn’t aware he was producing any podcasts. I have since enthusiastically plowed through all 20 episodes of this hilarious and interesting podcast, and I totally recommend it.

Find their podcast via their blog: http://stcpod.blogspot.ca/

Follow them on twitter @STCpod

Available on iTunes, Podomatic and Stitcher.

Serial

If you haven’t heard of Serial, you need to rectify that immediately. Produced by This American Life, its first season explores journalist Sarah Koenig’s search for answers in the case of teen, Adnan Sayed and his conviction in the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. This winding tale will grip you, leaving you wanting more. Combining Koenig’s storytelling, taped interviews with Adnan and other people involved in the case, as well as an atmospheric music score, you are made to feel this is how storytelling podcasts should be. I am already on the 8th episode and can’t wait to hear more.

Get the podcast here: http://serialpodcast.org/

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That is four of the podcasts I am listening to right now. So many podcasts! And with a 50-minute commute to and from work, I have the time! I am discovering new podcasts weekly!

Are any of you listening to some awesome podcasts? Let me know in the comments!