Summer Listenin’

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By Lexi Pandell

Whether you’re heading out on a road trip or relaxing poolside on a warm afternoon, these are the ideal moments to start working through that overrun podcast queue, which can be a daunting task, since there is more and better content than ever. From true-crime whodunits to unexpected deep dives into history and business, podcasts feature some of the most creative and compelling storytelling of the day. And the industry only continues to grow: according to the latest figures, there are more than 1.9 million shows to pick from, with an estimated 116 million Americans tuning in regularly. Monthly listeners looking to be informed, amused, and inspired surged more than 50 percent over the last few years. Overwhelmed by the choices? Here are Briefings’ fiery summer podcast picks.

BUSINESS WARS

Cutthroat rivalry

Facebook vs. Snapchat. Coke vs. Pepsi. Estée Lauder vs. L’Oréal. How businesses compete and industries shift, and most important, who came out on top and why?

THE APOLOGY LINE

Redemption

The story—and agonizing audio tapes—behind a 1980s experiment that lured New Yorkers to call an anonymous number to apologize for their darkest deeds.

THE MESSENGER

The sound of revolution

A chronicle of the 38-year-old Afropop superstar Bobi Wine, who launched a campaign to unseat Uganda’s longtime strongman president, sparking continent-wide protests.

THE RICH ROLL PODCAST

Living your best life

The ultra-endurance athlete and former entertainment lawyer talks to tech CEOs, Olympic athletes, longevity experts, and artists about optimization and purpose.

YOU’RE WRONG ABOUT

Setting the record straight

A reexamination of history’s miscast figures and moments, ranging from Yoko Ono to the Stanford Prison Experiment.

NO LIMITS WITH REBECCA JARVIS

Breaking barriers

With her signature inquiry—“What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?”—this Emmy-winning journalist talks to female titans of industry.

STILL PROCESSING

So what?

Two New York Times Magazine writers put pop culture into context, with playful yet unwincing considerations, such as the portrayal of masculinity in film and America’s relationship to Whiteness.

WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY

Bow ties, money, and murder

The rise and ’70s stardom of the exotic dance troupe Chippendales, complete with corruption, drugs, and death.

RABBIT HOLE

The making of a modern radical

A look at how social media can radicalize minds, through one man’s descent into the dark political corners of YouTube.

THE GOLFER’S JOURNAL PODCAST

Inside the ropes

The people and culture that have slowly turned golf into a modern zeitgeist, with episodes ranging from the game’s relationship to alcohol to the greatest tournaments of all time.