By Alice Florence
Each month, Podcast Review’s staff offers recommendations on the best new shows to listen to. Here are our favorite podcasts for September.
A Tiny Plot
From KQED’s Snap Judgment, A Tiny Plot is a five-part podcast that took years to produce. The series follows a group of unhoused people in Oakland, CA as they fight for a radical idea: their own plot of land from the city, where they can live in community, set their own rules, and finally feel in control of their futures.
The City of Oakland called it an “experiment in co-governance.” Surprisingly, the city had never tried anything this ambitious to tackle their homelessness rates; if it worked, this small group of people hoped their example would be a model that would help others across the state.
As you might expect, complex problems don’t have easy answers. But the story is one of unexpected beauty — a must-listen podcast in both content and execution.
Camp Swamp Road
Spotify and The Wall Street Journal have teamed up on a new true crime podcast called Camp Swamp Road. The story begins on September 9, 2023, in rural South Carolina. A man is killed in a shootout on Camp Swamp Road. Police say it’s a clear case of self-defense, but is that
really the whole story?
When secret recordings tell a different story, the case begins to unravel. WSJ reporter Valerie Bauerlein leads an investigation into a shooting that could have gone unnoticed if the victim’s sister had not committed to uncovering the truth.
How to Get Wet When You’re Dry
There are some excellent recovery podcasts out there, but few that focus on the impact of sobriety on sexual relationships. How to Get Wet When You’re Dry is a new podcast from journalist Anna Wolfe that draws from influences like Marc Maron and Ottessa Moshfegh to turn personal discomfort into art.
During her recovery, Anna learned two key truths. Firstly, she wasn’t alone in her experiences. And secondly, her story wasn’t unique — a realization that was both humbling and healing.
The journey hasn’t been smooth. As it turns out, replacing alcohol with seven cans of Diet Coke per day has its own consequences. Indeed, when I asked why she decided to start a podcast about her recovery, Anna replied, “People got sick of my writing.”
Featuring guests including Margaret Cho and Gorillaz’s bassist Seye Adelekan, How to Get Wet When You’re Dry is a sexy, provocative show that will appeal to both serious AA members and the sober curious.
