The Ten Best Indie Podcasts Of The Year

 In the last month, the large podcast networks have their P.R. and Marketing people working on all kinds of Best Of... lists that contain their podcasts. Spotify has already put out several lists. 

So Amazon, Apple, Cumulus, iHeart, New York Times, NPR, Podcast One, SiriusXM, Spotify, and others don't need my help to publicize their podcasts at the end of this calendar year.

I am probably correct in assuming that they don't want me anywhere near their podcasts.

So, my list this year consists of all independent podcasts. My reasoning is based on several trends and past events.

First, independent podcasts started podcasting. Podcasting began as a basement endeavor, not financed by Warren Buffett or despicable private equity types.

Second, despite their lack of money and resources, independent podcasts are often better quality. These indie podcasts don't pander to their audience like, say, Cumulus or SiriusXM podcasts often do.

Also, indie podcasts don't infect us with self-absorbed influencers, disgraced celebrities, and obnoxious "tools" to generate downloads and ad dollars.

Third, independent podcasts are endangered, just like amphibians (frogs and salamanders). As the big boys (or girls) like Spotify trounced all over the podcasting industry in the last two years, attempting to dominate, something definitely expected happened.

These big companies tanked the industry. Thanks to "Big Podcasting," the bust has inevitably overtaken the boom cycle. Jobs have been lost, careers damaged or ended, good ideas sent to limbo, and talent wasted.

Without further ado, here are my top ten indie podcasts of 2023.

 10. Salad with A Side Of Fries --  At the beginning of each episode, host Jenn Trepeck says, "Welcome to Salad With A Side Of Fries, talking wellness and weight loss for real life. I'll clear up the myths, misinformation, bad science, and marketing and teach you how to eat and how to cheat."

Now, this is my kind of wellness, diet, and fitness podcast. I don't want to run seven miles on the beach in army boots. Or go to CrossFit and flip tractor tires. Can Trepeck be my trainer?

9. Trashy Divorces / What A Creep -- Two similar podcasts with four strong female co-hosts who nail the shitty behavior of celebrities. You'll smirk at their snark and smile at their sarcasm.

8. The Art Career -- The Art Career podcast with Emily McElwreath  celebrates the arts, the people involved, and the value the arts add to the vibrancy of our culture. Most importantly, the podcast illustrates that the arts can be a solution, a coping mechanism, and a way forward when dealing with chronic societal problems such as domestic violence.

7. Murder Sheet-- The best true-crime podcast out there, and it's an independent venture. Co-hosts, journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee, exemplify what true-crime hosts should do instead of the junk podcasts about crime. They're sensational without all the phony sensationalism.

6. Adoption: The Making Of Me -- Two adult adoptees, Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne, decided to delve into all things adoption, from their perspectives as adult adoptees, to DNA testing, to nature vs. nurture and beyond. It's a masterclass in the importance of family. Bring tissues.

5. 6 Degrees Of Cats -- What I like most about 6 Degrees of Cats is its scholarly intentions toward cats, the hosting skill of Amanda B, and the catchy friskiness of its audio. It's chatty, cathartic, but never catty.

4. Vanishing Postcards -- It’s a documentary travelogue that invites listeners on a road trip exploring the hidden dives and histories found by exiting the interstates. Host Evan Stern is the connective tissue who illustrates how Americans revel in their distinctness but still have much in common.

3. Nerdpreneur -- The podcast boasts that it "interviewed dozens of niche professionals from all over the world, including board game designers, dice retailers, D&D content creators, tarantula breeders, and even a German zombie magician!"

 It's a podcast from Frank Bailey and Chris Saunders that has successfully carved out its own topic niche that is the recombinant DNA of business entrepreneurship and nerdiness. 

2. Multispective -- The host of Multispective, Jennica Sadhwani, says, "We believe each person has a unique story to tell. Experiences, both good and bad, shape our everyday lives. Many of us go through similar things, yet our stories are never the same."

Sadhwani is masterful as she searches for insights inside the narrative of her guests, not sensationalized details that can shock. 

1. The Life Shift -- host Matt Gilhooly has candid conversations with people about the pivotal moments that changed their lives forever. This podcast can help you through your "life-altering moment." 

In his non-podcast life, I believe Gilhooly is a teacher. He must be a hell of a good teacher, because listeners learn a lot from his conversations with people who have gone through the meat grinder and come out as close to whole as possible. 

Honorable mention to Playing Anne Frank, a seven-episode limited series that debuted in January and was conceived, written, and directed by Adam Langer.

The winners will receive a graphic that illustrates their inclusion on this highly prestigious list. No, Daniel Ek, you can't have one.

What are your favorite indie podcasts? There are thousands of great ones out there.