It’s been a MASSIVE year for podcasts, with more episodes released than ever before and over 5.5 million Aussies listening weekly. We have been treated to a gauntlet of entertainment, ranging from breathtaking true crime, to chatty and addictive celebrity musings to motivating fitness inspiration. No longer a niche platform, the likes of Meghan Markle, Michelle Obama, Russell Brand, Justin Long and Dax Shepherd have championed the industry this year, with huge results. Let us save you from the endless scroll and recommend the best of the best that deserve a download.
Nick, our co-founder says : “The Apology Line was sublime. The story arcs, the twists and turns,
narration and final production was like nothing I'd heard before.”
If you could call a number and say you’re sorry, and no one would know…what would you apologize for? For fifteen years, you could call a number in Manhattan and do just that. This is the story of the line, and the man at the other end who became consumed by his own creation. He was known as “Mr. Apology.” As thousands of callers flooded the line, confessing to everything from shoplifting to infidelity, drug dealing to murder, Mr. Apology realized he couldn’t just listen. He had to do something, even if it meant risking everything. This is a standout podcast series from Wondery, heralded as one of the best True Crime series of the year.
Also recommended: And the Calls Live On - Episode 7
Ok so we’re a bit bias as we represent this show, but since Byron made the move from mainstream radio (he used to be part of the “Fifi, Fev and Byron” show on Fox FM) to full-time podcasting. He has explored hard-hitting topics such as the Aussie music industry, vaccinations, career direction, the police, trolls and addiction. One stand-out episode from this year featured Ali Halkic, who tragically lost his son Allem on 5 February 2009 as a result of cyber bullying. In collaboration with National Be Kind Day 2021, this is a memorable episode creating even closer ties between Bully Zero and schools across Australia.
Also recommended: How to Set Goals and Smash Them!
We welcomed Australia’s number 1 fitness podcast, dedicated to sharing the most effective training and nutrition methods on the planet to Ranieri & Co in July. The show gains over 200,000 listens every month for a reason. Hosts Lachlan Rowston and Raph Freedman are no strangers to persistence, as the show has been going for seven years, with over 900 episodes recorded.
On this hell of an episode, the boys speak to guest Shona Vertue, personal trainer of David Beckham and yoga teacher with over 400,000 YouTube subscribers. Shona dives into the human psychology around your limiting beliefs, relationships and childhood trauma. A motivating and enlightening interview that will inspire you to start thinking differently.
Also recommended: Kien Vuu on Securing Your Longevity in Health
News/pop culture podcasts were huge this year and we love a local favourite, Pedestrian's new Spotify podcast Pedestrian Daily. Perfect if you want an irreverent and fun 5 minutes to fill you in on the latest entertainment, online, sports, style and politics stories that go down across the country and beyond. This episode shines light on a trend that has gone viral recently on Instagram, looking into who started it and where the hell they’re going to get all the seeds needed to plant 1milion + trees and counting. This podcast is currently charting at #4 in the Spotify Australia top podcasts. We predict that short-form audio content will get bigger and bigger next year and this is a great one to lead the charge.
Also recommended: The Bloke who Bungled the Adele Chat has Broken His Silence
Wondery’s brilliant series, Even the Rich is a fascinating peek behind the curtain of fame, with the glamorous hosts chatting about some of the greatest family dynasties in history, from the Gettys to the Royals, to the Carters (Jay-Z and Beyoncé, that is). You can watch our Head of Commercial and Partnerships Sammy, interview amazing hosts Brooke and Aricia here. One of our favourite episodes from this year (honestly, they’re all good, binge now!) looks at the Murdoch family. They explore the in-fighting, back-stabbing, and the many marriages of Rupert Murdoch and his children. The fight in the Murdoch clan to take over the media tycoon’s empire is so juicy that it inspired HBO’s hit series “Succession” - our top pick for the best TV show of 2021.
Also recommended: Back to Bennifer
2021 has brought us hundreds of amazing stories that have captivated audiences on the most immersive platform. As one of the only accessible and safe ways to make entertainment in a pandemic, we saw an influx of content and now as the world emerges from lockdown, we’re addicted and looking for that perfect audio accompaniment to our commute and workout. 2022 is predicted to be even bigger for podcasts, with the industry hitting $1 billion in net worth. Contact us anytime to learn more, it’s easier than ever to harness the power of this highly effective medium.
Comments