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There are a lot of podcasts out there. Much like with television, listeners have come to choose what they listen to by more and more minute details. Do you like true crime? Sure, but there are so many true crime shows. If you’re like my roommate and want to hear true crime hosted by women, look for shows like My Favorite Murder. Maybe you’re searching for a particular era, so you’re drawn to shows like Most Notorious!. Or perhaps you love true crime but it makes you anxious, so you tackle a show like Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo where the cases have actually been solved, providing that satisfactory got’em ending.
That being said, there are a few shows out there that know how to appeal to a broader audience by simply widening their lens, revealing a bigger picture. Reply All is a podcast from Gimlet Media, predominately hosted by PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman and as they’d say: it’s a show about the internet. Yet, it’s so much more than that. It’s a show that dives into politics, mental health, immersion journalism, and the occasional detective narrative — while also being glued together by the internet.
Recurring Segments
Although the show’s format varies between episodes, there are a few returning segments among the lineup, including a 24-hour hotline for listener questions and a year-end “extravaganza” in which the hosts give updates on past stories. But two segments reign supreme in the show’s catalog: “Yes Yes No” (sometimes known as “Sports Sports Sports”) and “Super Tech Support.”
Yes Yes No
The segment begins and ends with Twitter. A tweet is read, and afterward, Vogt, Goldman, and Reply All‘s resident dad and co-founder of Gimlet Media, Alex Blumberg, went around and answered the question, “Do you understand this tweet?” Often, at least one of them (usually Blumberg) is lost, thus launching a researched dissection of internet trivia. Sometimes the tables are turned, and a tweet revolving around sports, Blumberg’s area of expertise, will arrive, allowing him to educate the other two.
Super Tech Support
A personal favorite, “Super Tech Support” episodes consist of the Reply All team (mainly Goldman) taking on odd or complex tech support issues from listeners or friends. Some examples include hearing a woman speaking a foreign language on a white noise app and a mysterious, reoccurring order for a large soda at a pizza chain. It doesn’t sound like much, but stories often evolve into bonkers bits of journalism, taking the team from behind the computer and into the real world.
Episodes To Start With
Diving into any podcast with a large archive can be overwhelming, and let’s face it, not all episodes are going to be gems for a newcomer to enjoy. So for those who might be more inclined to dip in, here are some excellent places to start.
Episode #156: ” The Case Of The Missing Hit”
If you only listen to one episode of Reply All (although you should really listen to them all), let it be “The Case Of The Missing Hit.” I have yet to come across a more absurd, incredible journey in a nonfiction podcast. A man remembers a song that seems to have disappeared from existence.
Google has no clue what he’s talking about when he searches the lyrics. Shazzam doesn’t recognize the melody. It’s a music fan’s literal nightmare, but he will not let it go. Joined by Pj and a handful of musicians tasked with recreating the astonishingly specific details he provides, the team hunts for this haunting earworm that will soon take over everyone it encounters.
Episodes #102 & 103: “Long Distance Part 1 & 2”
The first episode I found from Reply All is one that’s stuck with me; it’s a perfect summation of what the show presents its listeners. The two-part saga entitled “Long Distance” covers Goldman’s investigations into phishing calls. From interviewing the various people calling him to flying all the way out to speak to people who work in international call centers, he brings attention to a world often cast-off as a commonplace annoyance.
Episode #56: “Zardulu”
I could go on and on about “Super Tech Support” episodes but to throw in one that hits a bit of a different note, “Zardulu” is a twofer: encompassing an internet conspiracy theory and an excellent example of a “Yes Yes No” that dives into 2016 election memes. The episode chronicles someone shrouded in mystery who claims they’ve orchestrated many viral videos, including Pizza Rat.
It’s an ideal starter episode because it highlights how Reply All engages with how the internet has come to shape our interactions with the world around us.
Plugging Into A Podcast Fan’s Heart
Reply All is a podcast that is informative, entertaining, and fueled by modern curiosity. It reminds you why this medium is so wonderful. By blending together various genres, Reply All reaches diverse audiences and delivers something to everyone. You could not ask for more. You can find episodes of Reply All on Gimlet Media‘s site and wherever you get your podcasts.
