In a compelling new audio series, New York Times columnist M Gessen delves into a shocking family drama with the release of The Idiot podcast. This five-part production, launched under the NYT/Serial Productions banner, explores the wild truth about Gessen's cousin Allen, a braggart accused of ordering a hit on his ex-wife Priscilla and known for repeatedly kidnapping his own son.
The Idiot: A Leftfield Investigative Series
With distinct shades of previous acclaimed series like We Were Three and S-Town, The Idiot presents a gripping narrative where Gessen serves as both reporter and host. The podcast examines how "anyone's first cousin could be plotting murder," weaving a complex tale of family relationships gone dangerously awry. Episodes are released weekly and are widely available across major podcast platforms.
Other Notable Podcast Releases This Week
The podcast landscape continues to expand with several noteworthy new releases spanning various genres and themes.
Friends Keep Secrets brings together Mr Selena Gomez and top record producer Benny Blanco with rapper-actor Lil Dicky and his wife Kristin Batalucco. While some might find the content hovering close to "intolerable brain rot territory," the podcast delivers unexpected moments including an interview with Ed Sheeran that ventures into surprisingly visceral territory.
Screwed By AI, hosted by The Economist's Avantika Chilkoti, takes listeners to the Adult Video Network expo in Las Vegas - often called "the Oscars of porn." The series investigates how the adult entertainment industry might influence the broader future of artificial intelligence, including potential impacts on human relationships, based on the premise that "where porn leads, other industries follow."
Jacob Reed and Me offers an "investigative comedy" where a writer with a surprisingly common name attempts to track down all his namesakes to help answer life's biggest questions. The quirky storytelling follows Reed on a wild goose chase that connects him with beach-scene painters, economists, porn stars, and more - with even the advertisements featuring businesses owned by other Jacob Reeds.
Raven presents a fascinating hybrid of character study and investigation, telling the story of Raven Chanticleer, founder and owner of the African American Wax Museum in Harlem. The series alternates between Chanticleer's extraordinary life story and the mysterious disappearance of his waxworks following his death in 2002, packed with entertaining detail throughout.
All these podcasts are widely available with new episodes released weekly, offering diverse listening options for audio entertainment enthusiasts seeking everything from true crime investigations to comedic explorations and cultural examinations.
