Five Podcasts You Need to Hear in 2020 

Formerly known as Failing Upwards, Throwing Fits is perhaps most succinctly articulated by their very own synopsis: ‘Two grown dirtbags just tryna navigate the millennial male zeitgeist.’

Indeed, navigating this zeitgeist is duo Lawrence Schlossman and James Harris, the streetwear fiends gaining a cult-following thanks to their off-coloured humour and undeniable passion. Stacked with personality, Throwing Fits recently tapped like-minded ‘garmentologist’, photographer, and sartorial provocateur Mordechai Rubinstein (aka Mister Mort) for a look into the Grateful Dead colabs and New York Fashion Week. 

Certified soothsayers of contemporary streetwear, Throwing Fits devours the confusing maelstrom of millennial fashion so you don’t have to. The so-called ‘only podcast that matters’, this is a must-listen. 

Founder of the Momofuku restaurant group, American chef and TV personality David Chang has been serving up killer podcasts since 2018.

One of the most recognisable voices on the airwaves, Chang recently discussed the challenges of opening a restaurant during COVID-19, the secret to a perfect Italian parmigiana, and tips for cooking in quarantine. A man of many talents, Chang’s enthusiasm for other subjects like film, martial arts, and music regularly broaden the scope of the podcast, his long CV (Chang is also the creator and host of Ugly Delicious) regularly makes for fascinating listening. 

Don’t tune in while hungry! 

Debuting in 2016, Cole Cuchna’s Dissect is a tour de force in the podcasting space. 

Taking an astonishingly deep dive into some of your favourite albums, Cuchna has dissected modern classics such as Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN., and Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. 

Embodying all that is possible with podcasting, Cuchna’s historical, lyrical and compositional breakdowns spotlight one song per episode. That level of forensic analysis presents a great antidote to the overwhelming speed of modern life.

In the words of Cuchna: ‘Great art deserves more than a swipe.’ 

Produced by the American public radio station WNYC, Radiolab is an eclectic mashup of science, philosophy, storytelling, and audio production.

Aired on over 300 radio stations in the United States alone, Radiolab broaches tough subjects with levity and grace, as hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich showcase their very own slick style. Now a two-time Peabody Award–winner, the folks at Radiolab recently tackled the complexity of the Chinese language, the lifesaving blue blood of the ‘horseshoe crab’, and the enduring sound of Nina Simone.

Built for those who ‘demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder’, this is a podcasting paradox that’s especially timely in 2020. 

One for all of you audiophiles out there!

The most downloaded sports podcast in history, Bill Simmons’ legendary audio archive now spans over 300 episodes. 

Featuring an unrivalled cast of comedians, athletes, actors and musicians, the podcast recently featured the likes of Don Cheadle, Judd Apatow, Jason Segel and Jimmy Kimmel. 

Effortlessly insightful, Bill Simmons’ regular guests Joe House and Cousin Sal spark hilarious familiarity, while audio mishaps, confessional relationship woes, and bizarre narrative tangents only serve to make the podcast more charming. 

A familiar voice in unfamiliar times, The Bill Simmons Podcast is the perfect ‘anytime’ audio companion.