Podcasts
These are the shows and episodes I keep recommending. If someone asks me what to queue up next, I usually start with the episode picks below and then send the broader show list after that.
Favorite episodes
The episodes I send people first
Split by the kind of mood I usually recommend them for.
Casual
Story-driven, entertaining, and easy to recommend when someone wants a strong episode without much setup.
- The Snapchat Thief
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Still one of the easiest recommendations when someone wants a great story.
- Inside the Gangsters' Code
Art of Manliness
A strange, memorable listen that sticks with you.
- Long Distance
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The setup and payoff are both excellent, which is why I usually share both parts together.
- Long Distance, Part 2
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The follow-up that makes the original episode even better.
- OxyMonster
Darknet Diaries
A great entry point if you want something tense without feeling overly technical.
- Bangladesh Bank Heist
Darknet Diaries
An easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys internet-era crime stories.
- Money Maker
Darknet Diaries
A sharp, entertaining episode with just enough chaos to make it memorable.
Self-improvement
The episodes I come back to when I want clearer thinking, better judgment, or a useful mental reset.
- Instagram Revisited
Acquired
One of the better episodes for thinking about product strategy and market timing.
- Things We Learned in 2019
Planet Money
A compact reminder that good lessons often come from unexpected places.
- What Board Games Teach Us About Life
Art of Manliness
Useful because it sneaks practical thinking into an easy listen.
- What Plato's Republic Has to Say About Being a Man
Art of Manliness
The kind of episode I revisit when I want something more reflective.
- Adam Grant: Rethinking Your Position
The Knowledge Project
A strong listen on changing your mind without losing conviction.
Recurring shows
Shows I keep coming back to
The regular rotation spans software, business, economics, security stories, and the occasional internet rabbit hole.
- Acquired
- The Changelog
- Darknet Diaries
- Freakonomics Radio
- Malicious Life
- Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman
- No Stupid Questions
- Planet Money
- React Podcast
- React Round Up
- Reply All
- ShopTalk
- StackStories
- StartUp
- Syntax.fm
If you listen to The Daily, you should also check this out.