I spend a lot of time commuting. A lot of time. Around 10 hours a week, actually, and there are only so many times you can stare at the same road before you think –
“Damn, I wish I was creeped out right now.”
I started my podcast journey with Welcome to Night Vale. I’d heard about it, and wanted to know what all the fuss was about. From that moment on, I’ve been consumed with finding more and more podcasts to devour. Desperately searching for more as I crawl my way through the backlog.
Below, and in no particular order, is a list of my favourite podcasts. They are mainly audio fiction in the horror genre, if that’s a thing you like. I am by no means an expert in podcasts, and I’m still pretty new to the world, so if you have any recommendations feel free to add them in the comments.
Now lets get to it.
1. The Black Tapes
Imagine The Blair Witch Project in audio form. Now imagine it better. The Black Tapes is a docudrama about reporter Alex Reagan and her investigation into paranormal investigator/professional skeptic Dr Richard Strand. Strand prides himself on being able to denounce all supposed paranormal phenomena… all besides his mysterious black tapes – videos he has yet to debunk. As Alex falls deeper into her investigation of Strand and the tapes, she begins to realise that they might all be connected.
The Black Tapes is well produced and pretty realistic. Enough to make certain episodes even more chilling.
Listen if you enjoy – Demonic possession, realistic dramas, paranormal investigation, cynical but honey-voiced skeptics.
2. Welcome to Night Vale
Night Vale is a quirky desert town where a glowing cloud can become head of the PTA, a faceless old woman can secretly live in your home and going to the library can kill you. The podcast itself is narrated by Cecil Palmer – radio host of the Night Vale Community Radio. Equal parts funny and creepy, Night Vale is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket that may or may not also be hiding a spider.
I also hear that they’re looking for interns.
Listen if you enjoy – small town radio, cute LGBT couples, when time doesn’t work, hooded figures.
3. Alice Isn’t Dead
From the creators of Welcome to Night Vale comes Alice Isn’t Dead, the story of a woman trucking across America in search of her wife. A wife she had, for a long time previous, believed to be dead. Alice Isn’t Dead is almost poetic in tone, and much creepier than Night Vale in my opinion. As the narrator travels across the country she begins to find herself in deep water, caught in a conspiracy and hunted by a monstrous serial killer who doesn’t appear to be completely human.
Listen if you enjoy – poetic fiction, driving across America, hiding from the Thistle Man.
4. Small Town Horror
Now I have to admit, I’m not far along with this podcast and there aren’t many episodes to begin with. However, from the little I have heard, I am in love with this podcast. Similar in tone to The Black Tapes, Small Town Horror follows Ryan Jennings as he returns to his home town and the site of his disappearance 18 years ago. With a creepy game and sound editing, I am loving this podcast so far and I can’t wait to see how it develops.
Listen if you enjoy – creepy laughs, crazy towns, sinner’s games.
5. Tanis
Tanis is made by the creators of The Black Tapes, so you know it’s going to be good. The podcast, narrated by Nic Silver, is about the search for the mysterious Tanis. However, nobody really knows what Tanis is. A cabin bigger on the inside? Some sort of creature? An area of woodland? Tanis is an enigma, and we follow Nic as he searches not only for Tanis itself, but also the truth behind it.
Listen if you enjoy – sci-fi, cults, sarcastic hackers.
Well that’s my current five favourite podcasts. You can find all of the above on iTunes and on the links provided. Which podcasts do you recommend? Let me know in the comments!
Baylea Hart 
Leave a Reply