Did someone say the word "podcasts"? That's like a batsignal, except instead of a bat, it's my name!
Hi! Do I ever know good podcasts! Let me write you up a list!
You're already into Night Vale, so let's start on that end.
Spooky podcasts
Alice Isn't Dead - created by the WTNV-creators, a really good creepy mystery narrative.
The Black Tapes - a pseudo-documentary about paranormal investigation. I'm a scaredy cat and was unable to finish season one without terrible nightmares, but it's really good if you enjoy creepiness.
Lore - folklore, mythology and strange history. Super-atmospheric, sometimes spooky, always interesting.
Tabletop podcasts
At the end of 2015, I got into listening to actual-play podcasts of people playing various tabletop rpgs, and there are some really good ones out there!
Friends at the Table - Actual-play podcast focused on, and I quote, "critical worldbuilding, smart characterization, and fun interaction between good friends." Edited to be less focused on dice rolls and rules-bickering, and a bit more like a radio play. Excellent soundtrack! Currently in the middle of a interlude-slash-intro-season that serves as a great jumping-on point, after which you can go back and listen to the first two seasons. Each season features a different setting (s1 - Dungeon World fantasy, s2 - scifi meets mecha anime).
The Adventure Zone - The McElroy brothers of My Brother, My Brother and Me-fame play Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition together with their dad, and it is consistently amazing and hilarious. I'm not caught up on the current arc - which is like groundhog day meets the Wild West with time-bubbles and infinite loops and frontier-towns - but I can promise you it's great.
Critical Role - a bunch of professional voice actors play Dungeons and Dragons together. Yes, it's as amazing as it sounds. Yes, those episodes are 3 hours long or more. Yes, it is 100% worth it.
History podcasts
The British History Podcast - a chronological history of Britain. It started with the oldest evidence of human habitation on the British Isles, and is currently up to the Anglo-Saxons dealing with the invading Norsemen. Consistently great, well researched and spends a lot of time destroying common myths about history.
History of Rome - The rarest of unicorns among podcasting - and actual finished history podcast! Tells the story of Rome from the founding of the city through to the fall of the Westen Empire.
History of Byzantium - "But", you say, "what about the EASTERN Roman Empire?" Don't worry, Robin Pierson's got you covered! Picks up where History of Rome ended and continues on through the Byzantine empire.
History of the Crusades - a.k.a Latin Christians Are Consistently The Worst. Learn more than you ever thought existed about the Crusades! Sound quality varies a lot, but it's an interesting period of history, and highly relevant to what is happening today in the Middle East.
Revolutions - by the same creator as History of Rome, this podcast chronicles revolutions, from the English Civil War on forward.
The Egyptian History podcast - hosted by a real live Egyptologist! There is more to Egypt than pyramids - though, to be fair, the pyramids are important.
You Must Remember This - So maybe you aren't quite as into ancient battles and religious schisms as I am, but want something a bit more recent! Then this is the podcast for you; the lost, obscure and forgotten history of Hollywood's first century. Fascinating and well researched.
