26 episodes

Hosted by Leah-Simone Bowen, Podcast Playlist's podcast obsessed producers help you find the best podcasts out there. Each week we curate fresh, exciting and thoughtful stories to help you unearth new podcasts to add to your rotation. From true crime to comedy, from current affairs to audio fiction and everything in between. Each week we take you on a journey with lots of discoveries along the way.

Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives

Podcast Playlist CBC Discover & Learn

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.3 • 256 Ratings

Hosted by Leah-Simone Bowen, Podcast Playlist's podcast obsessed producers help you find the best podcasts out there. Each week we curate fresh, exciting and thoughtful stories to help you unearth new podcasts to add to your rotation. From true crime to comedy, from current affairs to audio fiction and everything in between. Each week we take you on a journey with lots of discoveries along the way.

Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives

    The unsolved murder of an 80s counterculture icon, a different kind of doping, and more true crime stories (ft. Penelope Spheeris)

    The unsolved murder of an 80s counterculture icon, a different kind of doping, and more true crime stories (ft. Penelope Spheeris)

    This week on Podcast Playlist, we’re listening to true crime. 

    During the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial, there was a huge amount of online hate directed towards Amber. But what if that was all part of an organized campaign? We’ll find out on Who Trolled Amber. 

    Plus, even if you’ve never heard of Peter Ivers, you’ve probably heard some of his music without realizing it. He was murdered in 1983, and the case was never solved. Now, a new podcast called Peter And The Acid King is trying to get to the bottom of it. It’s hosted by Penelope Spheeris, a friend of Peter’s and the director of Wayne’s World. Leah will sit down with Penelope to talk about the show, and Peter’s legacy. 

    All that and more, this week on Podcast Playlist. 

    Featuring: Peter And The Acid King, Stolen, White Lies, Who Trolled Amber, Ghost In The Machine

    For links and more info head to cbc.ca/podcastplaylist.

    • 53 min
    FLASHBACK: Our producers pick their favourite shows you might have missed

    FLASHBACK: Our producers pick their favourite shows you might have missed

    To make this show, our team listens through hours upon hours of audio. But sometimes, a few excellent shows will slip through the cracks.

    This week, Leah is joined by the Podcast Playlist crew to share some amazing podcasts that you may have missed.

    Like Once upon a time...at Bennington College. Our senior producer Kate Evans likes it because listening feels like, "a summer page turner, but for a podcast." The show shares the history of the unique Liberal arts college where authors Brett Easton Ellis, Jonathan Lethem and Donna Tartt all went to school together. 

    Plus, producer Julian Uzielli shares a heartfelt podcast about a group of Armenian soliders who survived months of being trapped behind enemy lines.

    That and more, this week on Podcast Playlist.

    Featuring: Once Upon A Time...At Bennington College, Freeway Phantom, The Ballad of Billy Balls, Country Of Dust

    For more info, head to cbc.ca/podcastplaylist.

    • 53 min
    The Avril Lavigne body double conspiracy theory, time-travelling trivia, and more great shows for April (ft. Simone Polanen)

    The Avril Lavigne body double conspiracy theory, time-travelling trivia, and more great shows for April (ft. Simone Polanen)

    You might have heard of a popular conspiracy theory about one of Canada's most famous rock stars. Avril Lavigne died in 2003, and her record label secretly replaced her with a body double who has been living as an impostor ever since. 

    Could it be true? Probably not, but comedian Joanne McNally helps us find out on the new podcast Who Replaced Avril Lavigne. 

    Plus, a lot of people think history is boring. Depending on how you were taught, that's pretty understandable. Simply memorizing a bunch of dates or names can make history feel about as dead as that fourth prime minister (whose name you've already forgotten).

    To Simone Polanen, the opposite is true– history is all around us, woven into the fabric of everyday life. Simone joins us to talk about her podcasts Past Perfect, a history trivia show, and Not Past It, a story-driven show about the links between the past and the present.

    All that and more of this month's top picks, this week on Podcast Playlist.

    FEATURING: Who Replaced Avril Lavigne? // City Space // Past Perfect // The Ultimate Choice // The Recipe with Kenji and Deb

    For links and more info, head to cbc.ca/podcastplaylist.

    • 53 min
    The radio DJ who debuted at age 73, a 20-year quest to get on Jeopardy, and more stories of late bloomers

    The radio DJ who debuted at age 73, a 20-year quest to get on Jeopardy, and more stories of late bloomers

    This week on Podcast Playlist we're listening to stories about late bloomers.

    The first time Jean Westcott auditioned for Jeopardy, she had to wait 18 months to see if she made it. She never got the call. But instead of giving up, she auditioned again… and again… and again… for 20 years. We’ll hear her story.

    Plus, what does it take to swim from Cuba to Key West? We’ll hear from record-breaking swimmer Diana Nyad on completing that swim at 64 years old.

    All that and more this week.

    Featuring: Snap Judgement, This Is Love, Death, Sex & Money, 70 Over 70, Grown from The Moth

    For more info head to our website, cbc.ca/podcastplaylist.

    • 55 min
    The unwritten rules of mosh pits, unpacking the influence of Christian rock, and more stories about rock 'n roll

    The unwritten rules of mosh pits, unpacking the influence of Christian rock, and more stories about rock 'n roll

    This week on Podcast Playlist, we’re featuring podcasts about rock and roll. 

    Sister Rosetta Tharpe is often called “The Godmother of Rock and Roll” and inspired artists like Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin… Yet she’s been largely left out of the history books. The podcast They Did That tells her story.

    Plus, churches are often the venue for a unique but hugely influential subset of rock music: Christian rock. PRX’s Rock That Doesn’t Roll explores how contemporary Christian music shaped the youths of Church kids everywhere– in sometimes unexpected ways.

    Featuring: Decoder Ring, The Moth, Rock That Doesn't Roll, They Did That, Switched On Pop, Disgraceland

    For links and more info, head to cbc.ca/podcastplaylist.

    • 54 min
    The man who robbed a Vegas casino and then moved in, and more stories about scammers and thieves

    The man who robbed a Vegas casino and then moved in, and more stories about scammers and thieves

    One early morning in December 2010, Tony Carleo rolled up to the Bellagio Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Dressed in a full motorcycle jumpsuit, gloves and helmet, he took out a pistol and robbed $1.5 million worth of casino chips. 

    But that wasn’t all. Soon after he returned, and he used the very money he stole to check into the hotel and live like a king – for free.

    We’ll hear that story, plus other tales about scammers and thieves, this week on Podcast Playlist.

    Featuring: The High Roller Heist, Hot White Heist, Code Switch, Chameleon: Scam Likely, Life Kit

    For links and more info head to cbc.ca/podcastplaylist.

    • 53 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
256 Ratings

256 Ratings

marge in perth ,

great podcast

This is my go to when looking for a new podcast. Great host, great format. Always at least one of the recommendations are a hit with me, enough to pass along to friends.

Kerri13Skidoo ,

Find new favorites and expand your podcast collection

Even if you don’t like every suggestion on podcast playlist it’s fascinating to hear pieces of so many different podcasts. I’ve definitely found new favorites and listened to things I never would have without listening to this podcast!

nscaper ,

A big thank you

I have found a good part of my listening library just by following up on the recommendations of this podcast. Some are suggestions of podcast themes I would never have looked up myself. So - thanks!
And you can count me in as a big fan of the hosts! So easy to listen to! Keep ‘em coming!

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