Need a Distraction? Give A Listen
By Illumination Staff
I think we've all hit a point of quarantine where we are losing our goddamn minds. Being trapped inside with blankets and food sounds nice and all until you're forced to do it, and for some reason, that ruins the fun of the whole thing (though there isn't much fun in the whole thing, hey, we're trying to remain positive, here!).
As you can tell, maintaining a positive attitude isn't so easy. As a way to increase the positivity - or a well-needed distraction - Illumination is producing our second installment of Illumination's Short List! This time, we're focusing on Podcasts, the beautiful book-like, talk-show like, comedy-series like (I could go on and on) platform inspired by those with radio voices who have a story to tell. Without further due, our shortlist:
Scream, Queen!
Scary movies tend to get...redundant (except for you Jordan Peele, you wonderful, talented human). It seems that any desiring block-buster horror creator, upon entering the business, is given a rulebook of how to make a horror film, which leaves us (the audience) with a plethora of films indistinguishable from one another. Then comes Scream, Queen! This podcast about scary movies dives into the stories we don't typically hear. Trust us, you'll be hooked after one episode.
Reply All
Reply All is a podcast about technology. More specifically, it's a podcast about what you don't know about technology, with a little bit of crime mixed in for good measure. Ever seen "Don't Fuck With Cats?" If not, you should, but if you have, think of that in a podcast...yeah, it's sweet. Need a place to start, check out our favorite episodes: #109 "Is Facebook Spying on You?, and #130 "The Snapchat Thief."
My Favorite Murder
So, we have a theme going of murder/crime going. What can we say, they give us some incredible stories, and My Favorite Murder is no different. Follow along as each episode tells the story of one crazy murder story. This fear-shaking, comedy loving podcast is what true crime was made for. You're going to love it.
Future Perfect
We love Vox. The unhindered, progress pushing (and at times provocative) publication has succeeded, yet again, in getting us hooked on their content. With Future Perfect, they jump into the ideas that hold the potential in truly improving our world. As they walk you through prison reform, global warming, world poverty, and more, you'll find yourself inspired to do and be more.
Bad Gay's Podcast
Why don't we ever hear the stories of the world's bad guys? And we're not talking about the Hitler, Stalin-Esque bad guys, but the ones who push against progress and then disappear as if they never existed at all. Well, here is an entire podcast about those people. Framed specifically around the evil and complicated gay men in history, this podcast will redefine what you thought you knew about queer history, and make you think...what can I learn about these unlikely characters?
Food4Thot
This is a podcast centered around sex, relationships, race, identity, and life in general. Hosted by Tommy "Teebs" Pico, Fran Tirado, Dennis Norris II, and Joe Osmundson, this podcast is equally as brilliant and hilarious as those who star in it. Alice Isn't Dead So, we're going back to crime, but this isn't just any crime, this is a digital narrative following one truck driver's journey across the country in search of a once-believed dead wife. As she travels, she runs into towns lost in time and murders beyond human conception, diving further and further into her wife's mysterious disappearance.
Beatles City
You may think you know everything about the Beatles but think again. Yikes, okay that was wickedly cliche, but seriously, this podcast takes one of the greatest bands this world has ever seen and makes them a little more familiar. By interviewing those who made the band who they are, from the women who sewed John Lennon's close, or the man who sold George Harrison a Ford Cortina, these are the periphery stories we don't hear much about, but which take the group from phenomenon to your neighbor's best friend and your aunt's old student. Truly, it's about all of us and the stories we have to tell our grandchildren.