It’s that time of year on the Take when Mark runs down his best and worst films of the year—so get ready for a reminder of 2025’s biggest raves and rants from I’m Still Here to Tron: Ares. It’s all new content as he ranks the big-screen bangers and clangers of the last 12 months and picks the Take’s best picture. We’ll also look at the year’s best small screen releases, revisiting stunning series like the gruelling Narrow Road to the Deep North and the gripping Pluribus (00:43:00 https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/pluribus/umc.cmc.37axgovs2yozlyh3c2cmwzlza). For Vanguardistas listening ad-free, Pluribus is at 00:39:31. Brand new reviews too of two new cinema releases. First up, Song Sung Blue—a feelgood musical drama biopic about a real-life couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band and follow their long-held musical dreams, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. There’s Peter Hujar’s Day too—which follows the everyday life on the 70s Downtown New York arts scene of the titular photographer, played by Ben Whishaw. Plus we remember the greats we lost in 2025. We’ve said goodbye to some true cinema legends this year, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, David Lynch—and of course tragically and most recently Rob Reiner. Mark and Simon celebrate their exceptional contributions to cinema. Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free): 00:00:00 Start of Discussion 00:02:51 Song Sung Blue review 00:17:15 Best films of 2025: 00:30:20 Peter Hujar’s Day review 00:36:12 Best TV of 2025 00:45:39 Worst films of 2025 00:56:45 They Lived Their Dash (obits) You can contact the show by emailing correspondence@kermodeandmayo.com or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo Please take our survey and help shape the future of our show: https://www.kermodeandmayo.com/survey EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts To advertise on this show contact: podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
DEC 2
The 10 Best Books of 2025
All year long, the staff of The New York Times Book Review conducts a running discussion over what belongs on its year-end Top 10 list. In this week’s episode, host Gilbert Cruz gathers a group of fellow Book Review editors to talk about the most exciting fiction and nonfiction of the year. Here are the books discussed in this week’s episode: Fiction “The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,” by Kiran Desai“Angel Down,” by Daniel Kraus“The Sisters,” by Jonas Hassen Khemiri“The Director,” by Daniel Kehlmann“Stone Yard Devotional,” by Charlotte WoodNonfiction “A Marriage at Sea,” by Sophie Elmhirst“Wild Thing,” by Sue Prideaux“Mother Emanuel,” by Kevin Sack“There Is No Place for Us," by Brian Goldstone“Mother Mary Comes to Me,” by Arundhati Roy Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
DEC 22
Looking Back: The Story of Three Defiant Nuns in Austria
As we look back at our international reporters' most memorable stories of the last year, we revisit the story of the defiant Austrian nuns. The three sisters, all in their 80’s, recently ran away from a nursing home. With the help of supporters, and a locksmith, they broke into their former convent in defiance of church orders. They’re determined to fulfill their vows and grow old on their own terms. These sisters are have taken Instagram by storm where they’re being supported by a growing community. We go to Salzburg to meet them. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
6D AGO
Alternate Realities: Double or Nothing
As soon as Alternate Realities publishes, Zach Mack calls his dad to hear his reactions to the series. The conversation takes an unexpected turn, launching them into another year-long experiment. To listen to this series sponsor-free and support NPR, sign up for Embedded+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
DEC 22
Dr. AI will see you now
Could AI chat bots replace human doctors? Probably not, but that won’t stop people from trying. Just as they did during the emergence of Google, doctors across the country are grappling with the changing healthcare landscape thanks to artificial intelligence. Today on the show, Dr. Hassan Bencheqroun, a pulmonary and intensive care doctor in San Diego, California, talks about his approach to the intersection of patient care and AI.
DEC 19
Your pop music is influenced by God
Popular music went more Christian this year, but religion has had a long history of influencing secular sounds. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Worshipers during the 2023 "It's Time" tour in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
There's no magic potion that can make someone adore you. But there are things you can do to promote a deep and enduring connection — and even feelings of passion — between yourself and your partner. In the final chapter of our Relationships 2.0 series, psychologist Arthur Aron shares some techniques for falling and staying in love. In today's conversation, we explore: *The assumption that love fades over time. *The effects of daily routine on romantic relationships. *What our choice in a romantic partners says about us *How successful long-term couples keep love alive If you love Hidden Brain, please join us for our upcoming live tour! Shankar will be visiting cities across the U.S., and our listeners have the first crack at purchasing tickets. You can get yours at https://hiddenbrain.org/tour/. Use the pre-sale code BRAIN. We hope to see you there! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SEP 2
Knock, Knock
On stage, Edd Hedges, a fledgling English comedian, tells a quirky-yet-creepy tale about the scariest night of his life. The audience hangs on every word, including crime producer Jodi Tovay, unaware that this night would spark an investigation that would last nearly a decade.Binge the entire season ad-free. Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ at tenderfootplus.com or on ApplePodcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JUN 5
A Mystery in Marion (Part One)
On a Friday morning in rural Kansas, the publisher of a tiny local newspaper hears a knock at the door. It’s the police—with a search warrant. Within minutes, they’re inside his home, seizing his electronics. At the same time, officers are raiding his newsroom, confiscating computers and phones. No subpoena. No warning. And, according to legal experts, no right to do it. The publisher scrambles to understand: Why is this happening? Who’s behind it? He has made some enemies over the years, in this town of just 2,000 people. And then—just as he starts to piece it together—something even more devastating happens. A tragedy that would make national news, and change his life forever. Part Two of this story drops next week. Sign up for our newsletter: www.kcrw.com/questioneverything “Question Everything” is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory.
OCT 2
Ready or Not
A tip alleging a Silicon Valley conspiracy leads to a much bigger story: the race to build artificial general intelligence — within the next few years — and the factions vying to accelerate it, to stop it, or to prepare for its arrival. FEATURING: Mike Brock, Kevin Roose, Geoffrey Hinton, Connor Leahy, William MacAskill, Liv Boeree, Sam Harris, and Yoshua Bengio LINKS: Sam Harris 2016 TED Talk, Can We Build AI Without Losing Control Over It Nick Bostrom's book Superintelligence Sam Harris' Making Sense podcast Center for AI Safety Hard Fork podcast Geoffrey Hinton’s resignation coverage: Why the “godfather of AI” left Google to warn about existential risk William MacAskill's book What We Owe the Future Eliezer Yudkowsky's book If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies Liv Boeree's podcast: Win Win CREDITS: This episode of The Last Invention was reported and produced by Andy Mills, Gregory Warner, Andrew Parsons, Megan Phelps-Roper, Matthew Boll, Seth Temple Andrews, and Ethan Mannello. It is hosted by Gregory Warner Music for this episode was composed by Scott Devendorf, Ben Lanz, Cobey Bienert, and Matthew Boll The Last Invention artwork by Jacob Boll To become a Longview subscriber you can visit us here Thank you to our sponsors Ground News and FIRE GROUND NEWS : Go to groundnews.com/invent to get 40% off unlimited access to global coverage of the stories shaping our world. FIRE This is a paid sponsorship link.
SEP 21 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
A group of immigration judges, who almost never speak to the press, describes the dismantling of our immigration court system from the inside. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Zoe Chace gives an eyewitness account of what has been happening at 26 Federal Plaza, an immigration courthouse in New York City. (5 minutes)Act One: The judges walk us through how different their jobs have become in just the past few months, because of sweeping policy changes by Trump’s Department of Justice. (26 minutes)Act Two: It gets extremely personal for the judges. Also, the story of one person who got pushed through the new immigration court system this summer. (23 minutes)Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org This American Life privacy policy. Learn more about sponsor message choices.
AUG 13
The Taylor Swift Episode
92%ers, welcome to a very special pre-season episode of New Heights! On today’s episode, we are joined by singer, songwriter, producer, director, and the most requested guest in the history of New Heights, Taylor Swift! Taylor joins Travis and Jason to talk about her journey to reclaim her master recordings, what she’s been up to after the record-breaking The Eras Tour, her experience as a member of Chiefs kingdom, and all the details on her new album, The Life of a Showgirl! The Life of a Showgirl is available on October 3rd. Pre-order now at https://taylorswift.com New Heights will return August 27th to kick off the NFL season. You can also listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. . . . Download the full podcast here: Wondery: https://wondery.app.link/s9hHTgtXpMb Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-heights/id1643745036 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1y3SUbFMUSESC1N43tBleK?si=LsuQ4a5MRN6wGMcfVcuynw Follow New Heights on Social Media for all the best moments from the show: https://lnk.to/newheightshow Check out all the New Heights merch at https://homage.com/newheights See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In Season 1 of Bone Valley, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King tells a story of a man, Leo Schofield, fighting to prove his innocence in the case of his wife Michelle’s murder. In Season 2, “JEREMY” Gilbert King brings us a story about her actual killer, Jeremy Scott, fighting to prove his guilt. The State of Florida does not believe either man. Bone Valley Season 3 | GRAVES COUNTY is a new story about a new case. A story that shares many familiar themes with the first two seasons of Bone Valley - an unspeakable crime, a dubious investigation, half-truths that ensnare innocent people, and heartbroken families caught in the middle. GRAVES COUNTY is hosted by Maggie Freleng, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and one of the hosts of Lava For Good’s Wrongful Conviction. Maggie is going to take us to a small town in Graves County, Kentucky, where a terrible discovery on the front lawn of a middle school invites a string of amateur and professional investigators to try to solve a murder. Maggie is the latest investigator to get pulled in. And she’ll take all of us along as she teases out this complicated web of rumors and lies, and perhaps even the truth. Bone Valley Season 3 | GRAVES COUNTY will be available every Wednesday beginning September 17 wherever you get your podcasts. To binge the entire season, ad-free, starting September 17, subscribe to Lava for Good+ on Apple Podcasts. Bone Valley is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.
4.9 (4791)
TRUE CRIME
Jacob Haendel has been handed a death sentence. He has a terminal progressive disease that's eating away at the white matter of his brain. In six months, he'll be dead. As the months progress, Jake slips into a coma, laying there in total darkness. But something odd has happened... Jake is fully conscious. Nobody knows that he can hear them. They’re certain he's no longer in there. With the promise that Jake will never recover, friends and family visit less and less. Until there is just one person left. A person who begins to whisper strange admissions in his ear. It is here, helpless in his hospital bed, that Jake realizes what may have gotten him here in the first place. The scariest thing in the room is no longer the potential of dying, but rather, the person sitting right next to him. This is Blink, the untold true story and survival of Jacob Haendel. Blink is part of The Binge - subscribe to The Binge to get new episodes of Blink one week early and all episodes completely ad-free. From serial killer nurses to psychic scammers – The Binge is your home for true crime stories that pull you in and never let go. Follow The Binge Crimes and The Binge Cases wherever you get your podcasts to get new stories on the first of the month, every month. Hit ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the Blink show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com. The Binge – feed your true crime obsession.
4.6 (7178)
TRUE CRIME
Come hang with Amy Poehler. Each week on her podcast, she'll welcome celebrities and fun people to her studio. They'll share stories about their careers, mutual friends, shared enthusiasms, and most importantly, what's been making them laugh. This podcast is not about trying to make you better or giving advice. Amy just wants to have a good time.
4.7 (8359)
COMEDY
Maybe you’ve laid awake and imagined how it could have been, how it might yet be, but the moment to act was never right. Well, the moment is here and the podcast making it happen is Heavyweight. Join Jonathan Goldstein for road trips, thorny reunions, and difficult conversations as he backpedals his way into the past like a therapist with a time machine.
4.9 (17038)
PERSONAL JOURNALS
You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how. The Mel Robbins Podcast is the #1 podcast on the globe for a reason: Mel’s simple, research-backed advice has changed millions of people’s lives, and in every episode, she’s giving you all her hard-fought secrets, science-backed tools, and deeply personal stories, so you can change yours too. If you’re a new listener, you’re in the right place. Every episode will empower you to create a better life and help you take a step toward the life you want. Want more? Follow along at @melrobbins Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of The Mel Robbins Podcast ad-free. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
4.7 (13214)
SELF-IMPROVEMENT
A three-part series from Radio Atlantic about why, even in one of the world’s most inventive cities, a visible and pervasive problem is still so hard to overcome.
REVOLT Art Fair: Limited podcast series is your inside look at the three day cultural experience taking over Ice Palace Studios from December 4 to December 6. Hosted by Wize Grazette, this limited podcast series brings you behind the scenes with the creators, curators, and visionaries shaping one of the most exciting events happening during Art Basel 2025. Whether you are already planning to pull up or still deciding, these conversations give you the insight you need. From how the programming comes together, to the artists defining the moment, to what you can expect the moment you walk through the doors, this podcast breaks it all down in a way that feels real, inviting, and rooted in culture. If you want the energy, the context, and the why behind REVOLT Art Fair, start here. Follow @revoltartfair on Instagram for updates and visuals, and RSVP today at https://revoltartfair.com/ Edited by Storytime Studios and powered by REVOLT Podcast Network
5.0 (1)
VISUAL ARTS
Unruly Subjects is Chenjerai Kumanyika’s podcast where he goes off script to make space to think through the week’s politics, culture, and struggles together with family, friends, and interesting people. The show is created in partnership with Rowhome Productions. Support Unruly Subjects at Patreon.com/UnrulySubjects
5.0 (9)
NEWS COMMENTARY
ON THE CASE with Paula Zahn is a true crime podcast that explores some of the most fascinating cases within our justice system. Each episode takes the listener on an in-depth exploration of a single case, utilizing first person accounts, from family, witnesses and the key members of law enforcement. The show’s goal is to take the audience on a journey from the moments just before the terrifying crime, all the way through its climactic conclusion in the courtroom. The stories are woven together by Paula’s in-depth interviews, that take listeners through all the steps that led to solving a complex murder, including all its emotional twists and turns. All of the work is designed to give the victim, their family and those closest to the case a voice: an opportunity to share their experience, in hopes of helping others. The podcast also shines a light on the relentless spirit police bring to their work, sifting through the layers of deception in order to find the truth for those desperately seeking answers.
4.9 (40)
TRUE CRIME
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.
4.6 (43)
DOCUMENTARY
Meet Cute Originals: your go-to, ever-growing library of romantic comedies, fantasies, and dramas. Discover a new serialized, addictive audio series every month, with episodes released twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays. Want to binge the entire series at once? Get the full series in a convenient single-episode-feed on the last Friday of the series’ run: like an audiobook, but better. Only an earbud away, you can take Meet Cute Originals anywhere, anytime – for free. It’s no-payment entertainment because at Meet Cute, stories are on us, always. Looking for your favorite Meet Cute series? Search the series title for its single-episode feed.
4.0 (947)
COMEDY FICTION
Tracing how China's timeless creations journey across borders and centuries, shape cultures, and connect worlds along the way. Have thoughts or questions about the episodes? We'd love to hear from you. Contact: li.yi@cgtn.com
Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at 99percentinvisible.org.
4.8 (25531)
DESIGN
For 20 years, the Modern Love column has given New York Times readers a glimpse into the complicated love lives of real people. Since its start, the column has evolved into a TV show, three books and a podcast. Each week, host Anna Martin brings you stories and conversations about love in all its glorious permutations, dumb pitfalls and life-changing moments. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
4.3 (8382)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
Everything is Alive is an unscripted interview show in which all the subjects are inanimate objects. In each episode, a different thing tells us its life story--and everything it says is true.
4.8 (5206)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
Michelle Obama and her big brother Craig Robinson bring their unique experiences and candid perspectives to a range of listeners’ personal dilemmas, from the everyday to the existential. Each week, they’re joined by special guests to tackle audience questions with practical advice, relatable anecdotes, and plenty of laughs. From dating and relationships to parenting and financial planning, IMO sees the iconic First Lady at her most relaxed and honest. This podcast will leave you laughing, reflecting, and feeling more prepared to tackle life’s challenges. Join the fun and submit your questions at imopod.com!
4.3 (12348)
SELF-IMPROVEMENT
When Forrest Fenn hid a chest full of gold, sapphires, and rubies somewhere in the Rocky Mountains in 2010, he tapped into something deep. It was like the American Dream reduced to its essence—an equal-opportunity quest for a small fortune. What seemed at first like a harmless poem containing nine treasure clues sent thousands on a journey of obsession and desperation. One searcher—Darrell Seyler—gave everything. New episodes out every Monday. Missed Fortune is an Apple Original podcast produced by High Five Content in association with 30 Minutes West and Outside Magazine. Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts. https://apple.co/Missed_Fortune
4.5 (1453)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
There’s no direct translation of “la brega” in English, but for Puerto Ricans, it’s a way of life. To bregar means to struggle, to hustle, to find a way to get by and get around an imbalance of power. It’s got a creative edge, a bit of swagger; as Puerto Rican scholar Arcadio Diaz has observed, it’s a word that belongs to the underdog. Hosted by New York-born Puerto Rican journalist Alana Casanova-Burgess, La Brega tells stories of an island and a people trying to cope with too many challenges, and who deserve and demand better. Season 1: “Stories of the Puerto Rican Experience” Season 1 uses narrative storytelling, investigative journalism, and first-person reflections to reveal how la brega has defined so many aspects of life in Puerto Rico during its 120-year history as a colony of the United States. A persistent state of crisis, longstanding neglect by national leaders, and corruption in local politics have made recent events — including a 15-year recession, devastating storms and earthquakes, and deep cuts to basic services — even more arduous. What does it say about life in Puerto Rico that la brega is such a defining experience? Temporada 1: “Historias de la experiencia boricua” La temporada 1 utiliza elementos narrativos del storytelling, periodismo de investigación y reflexiones en primera persona para revelar cómo la brega ha definido muchos aspectos de la vida en Puerto Rico durante sus 120 años de historia como colonia de los Estados Unidos. Un estado de crisis persistente, el abandono prolongado por parte de los líderes nacionales y la corrupción en la política local han hecho que los eventos recientes — que incluyen una recesión de 15 años, tormentas y terremotos devastadores y profundos recortes en los servicios básicos — sean aún más arduos. ¿Qué es lo que dice sobre la vida en Puerto Rico que la brega sea una experiencia tan definitoria? Season 2: “The Puerto Rican Experience in Eight Songs” Known as the island donde hasta la piedras cantan – “where even the rocks sing” – Puerto Rico is home to a dizzying breadth of musical expression. From the lyrical boleristas of the 1930s, to the electric salseros of the ’70s, to the reggaetoneros of today who have taken music from the margins and made it a global sensation, this season takes listeners on an exciting, richly-reported, cross-genre adventure that captures the ceaseless creativity, emotional resonance, and yes, la brega that are hallmarks of Puerto Rican music across eras and formats. Temporada 2: “La experiencia boricua en ocho canciones” Conocida como la isla donde hasta las piedras cantan, Puerto Rico alberga una vertiginosa amplitud de expresión musical. Desde los boleristas líricos de la década de 1930 hasta los salseros eléctricos de los 70 y los reggaetoneros de hoy que han tomado la música de los espacios marginales y la han convertido en una sensación mundial, esta temporada lleva a los oyentes a una emocionante aventura rica en reportajes y cruce de géneros musicales que captura la creatividad incesante, la resonancia emocional y, sí, la brega, que son sellos distintivos de la música puertorriqueña en todas las épocas y formatos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.