Shakespeare's Timon Of Athens Available; Lawless Podcast Debuts: America's Crime Lab

 

Today, we have three new podcasts. One is a Shakespearean play adapted into modern English. 

Second, we have the courageous people who expose and prosecute environmental crimes. Get the SOBs.

Third, for you fans of the TV show Bones, there is a podcast for you. No, it's not a rewatch podcast. This is better. It's a lab that has solved more cases using forensic genealogy than any other organization.

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ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION OF SHAKESPEARE’S TIMON OF ATHENS 

The timeless tale of betrayal, wealth, and disillusionment gets a bold new voice as Timon of Athens, one of William Shakespeare’s most enigmatic plays, makes its debut as a serialized podcast drama on July 21. Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts and Play On Podcasts, this modern verse audio translation brings the tragic tale to life engagingly and entertainingly for a new generation of listeners.

 Timon of Athens premiered on July 21st, with subsequent episodes of the six-episode season launching weekly through August 25. 

 “Who could have predicted that one of Shakespeare’s least-known plays would be so suited to our times?” said series Executive Producer, Michael Goodfriend, who also serves as Chief Content Officer at Next Chapter Podcasts. “Here’s a guy who throws lavish parties for a laminate list of high-profile guests, showering them with all kinds of gifts–from cash to sumptuous feasts to scantily clad dancers–expecting their loyalty and friendship in return. You can easily imagine Timon carrying a little black book around with him. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t take him long to learn that money can’t buy you love (or loyalty or happiness). Just as Shakespeare and his collaborators knew this ancient Athenian tale was ripe for their time, Kenneth Cavander and Andy Wolk knew that this is the right time for modern audiences to hear an adaptation of Shakespeare’s often overlooked problem play. With each Play On Podcast series we produce, we continue to prove Shakespeare’s enduring relevance.”

Along with the debut of the new season from Play On came the announcement of a new deal for the scripted podcast producer with Evergreen Podcasts. The premier podcast network will now handle ad sales for their entire library of Play On audio productions. 

 "We’re thrilled to welcome Play On Podcasts to the Evergreen Podcasts network," said Gerardo C. Orlando, Chief Content Officer, Evergreen Podcasts. He added, "This amazing podcast perfectly aligns with our mission to deliver high-quality, engaging content that captivates and inspires. The creative vision of Next Chapter Podcasts, paired with the stellar cast and innovative storytelling of Play On Podcasts, makes this series a standout addition to our growing portfolio. We’re excited to leverage our expertise in ad sales and audience growth to amplify this exceptional audio drama, bringing Shakespeare’s enduring relevance to listeners worldwide."

 Timon of Athens explores the descent of a wealthy Athenian nobleman from lavish generosity to bitter misanthropy. Everyone who’s anyone in Athens shows up to Timon’s banquet, reveling in the excesses of his generosity and vying for favor in his esteem. The only unwelcome guest is Apemantus, a blunt and cynical philosopher who sees through all the false flattery and pretense of the crowd. By the end of the party, Timon’s trusty servant, Flavius, begins to worry that he’s overspending on his resources.

 Featuring a full, dynamic cast of acclaimed stage actors, and a fresh interpretation of Shakespeare’s language, the podcast offers a powerful listening experience that blends Elizabethan drama with contemporary storytelling.

Timon of Athens is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts and is made possible by the generous support of The Hitz Foundation. For more information on the Play On Podcast Series, visit nextchapeterpodcasts.com. For more information on Play On Shakespeare, please visit playonshakespeare.org. 
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 Lawless Planet debuts - catching environmental criminals

Typically, Wondery is business-savvy about what type of podcast to develop and produce. It's the true-crime show. Relatively inexpensive to produce and guaranteed to attract listeners, this is the proverbial bread and butter for the network. While that was always so, the trend has been exacerbated under the Amazon mother ship, where someone is going to have to pay for Jeff Bezos' $50 million wedding. 

However, the good news here is that Wondery has done something that indie podcasts have been executing for years. Find an original twist to a familiar genre. Welcome to Lawless Planet. 

Lawless Planet moves beyond traditional climate reporting, telling gripping stories of organized crime, conflict, and exploitation. From illegal deforestation to corporate fraud, each episode sheds light on how environmental battles are often fueled by greed and a lust for power. 


At the heart of these stories are real people—tycoons, scrappy activists, and government spies—locked in a struggle over the planet’s future. The result is a bold, narrative-driven series that uses Wondery’s trademark immersive style to confront the urgency of the climate crisis.


Host Zach Goldbaum is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, and director. He produced several acclaimed films for The New York Times, including Meet the World’s Most Honorable Bank Robbers and Heartache in the Hot Zone with Nicholas Kristof, which both won Emmys. 

As host of Viceland’s Noisey, he interviewed major artists like Kendrick Lamar and reported on global issues, from police violence in São Paulo to Islamophobia in Paris. His writing has appeared in VICE Magazine, and his investigation into Detroit’s violent relationship with Cartier sunglasses was featured as a cover story in the Detroit Metro Times. 
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America's Crime Lab Podcast -Fighting crime with forensic genealogy

You thought the TV show Bones was just Hollywood making stuff up again. Think Again because America's Crime Lab welcomes listeners to Othram, a lab that has solved more cases using forensic genealogy than any other organization, across the United States and internationally. 

Each week, we meet weary detectives and family members working on an unsolved case that has devastated a community and seemingly reached a dead end… until, in a last-ditch effort, the evidence is mailed to Othram. 

If you loved the TV show Bones, or the series of novels by Kathy Reichs, you'll enjoy this show.