NEW YORK – The top 10 podcasts of the year picked by The Associated Press.
1. “To Live and Die in LA,” Tenderfoot TV & Cadence 13. What makes this podcast from journalist Neil Strauss so riveting is how organically it all came together. Strauss was asked to help out in the search of a missing woman in LA named Adea Shabani because he worked in media and could maybe help call attention to the case. He quickly established a trust with people involved who agreed to speak with him and share information. Some parts of the podcast air in almost real time. He even received tips from listeners that altered the nature of the investigation. The podcast is No. 1 because of Strauss’ authenticity. He’s devoted to finding out what happened, even when it gets uncomfortable and frankly scary.
This image released by WTOP shows the cover art for “22 Hours: An American Nightmare,” named one of the top ten podcasts by the Associated Press. (WTOP via AP)2. “22 Hours: An American Nightmare,” WTOP/PodcastOne. Journalists Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore do an excellent job at reconstructing the 2015 case of Savvas and Amy Savopoulos, their 10-year-old son and housekeeper who were taken hostage and then killed in their home. Another local station in Washington did their own podcast on the case as it was unfolding, but “22 Hours” didn’t air until after a man named Daron Wint was convicted of the murders. “22 Hours” is superior and makes this list because it is carefully, respectfully and responsibly reported about a horrific crime and sets an example for how true crime should be handled. Cloherty and Moore should do more podcasts.
3. “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” Team Coco & Earwolf. You could say that celebrity podcasts are the new celebrity perfume because everybody has one and that number seems to grow by the day. O’Brien’s podcast is a standout because he has longer conversations that go beyond bits and talking points. Noteworthy episodes include a deep conversation with Howard Stern and a recent interview with Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. He helps humanize Chelsea in particular as she recalls being a kid in the White House, just trying to get her homework done with a state dinner happening downstairs.
This image released by Glass Entertainment Group shows cover art for “Confronting: O.J. Simpson with Kim Goldman,” named one of the top ten podcasts by the Associated Press. (Glass Entertainment Group via AP)4. “Confronting: O.J. Simpson With Kim Goldman,” GLASS/Wondery. This podcast is an emotional roller coaster. Listening to Goldman, her father and friends remembering their son and brother Ron, who was killed with Nicole Brown Simpson in 1994, will make you cry. The reading of a letter Kim received from judge Lance Ito in response to a request for an interview will make you gasp, and taped portions of a phone call between O.J. Simpson’s attorney and journalist Nancy Glass are incredulous.