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This post is sponsored by the podcasts Civilized and Playable Characters, and may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.
Looking for something new and different to listen to? Here are two independent podcast recommendations to add to your list, just in time for summer. They're both funny, which is perfect for road trips or the beach!
This month, I'm launching a new monthly feature to highlight independent podcasts.
If you're new to the podcast scene, or you just don't keep up with the lingo, independent (or "indie) podcasts are shows that do not belong to a podcast network.
They're podcasts that are produced and hosted by passionate and creative podcasters, most of whom do not have a lot of support or funding.
The big networks (like Wondery, Gimlet, and Radiotopia) have the reach and opportunity to promote their shows on other hit podcasts.
Indie podcasters have to work much harder to be discovered by new listeners. They're hustling, y'all.
Being independent doesn't mean lesser quality. A lot of indie podcasts have huge followings and fantastic content and hosts.
My regular podcast recommendation posts usually feature independent podcasts, but this new monthly initiative will mean one dedicated post per month that features only indies.
Truth be told: I could feature multiple indie podcasts each day and still not have enough days in the year to cover them all!
So, let's get the ball rolling! Here are two funny podcasts (one is brand new!) to check out this month!
June's Indie Podcast Recommendations
Civilized
Launch date: June 28 (subscribe now and listen to the teaser episode!)
Civilized is an improvised dark comedy sci-fi podcast recorded in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It’s a full-cast audio fiction series with 12 episodes planned per season. Each episode will be approximately 12-15 minutes in duration.
When I listened to the teaser episode, it reminded me of the game Space Team (if you don't know what that is, go download it now and play with your friends).
The teaser was good, but take my word for it when I say that episode 1 was great (I got a sneak peek/advanced listen).
The opening segment of episode 1 had really good sound mixing, and I wouldn't have known that it was improvised.
There were only four characters introduced in the episode, which I liked; I find it confusing when a fictional podcast intros too many characters all at once. The character named Beatrix is my fave (so far); she's spunky, sarcastic, and optimistic to a fault.
I don't want to give any spoilers about Civilized, but I think episode 1 is a pretty solid setup to whatever the story is that comes next.
Check out Civilized's cool podcast website and listen to the teaser episode now.
Civilized is listener-funded via Patreon. When you support the Civilized podcast on Patreon, you'll get early access to new episodes, and exclusive access to bonus episodes.
Playable Characters
Playable Characters is hosted by comedians Brian McGuinness and Calvin Cato. In each episode, they welcome a different comedian or improv actor who plays a video game character.
Brian and Calvin "interview" the character, which is totally unscripted, so it makes for some funny revelations and backstories to the fictional characters we all know and love.
This podcast has over 100 episodes, and they even title them "levels", just to keep with the video game theme. I absolutely love the cover art!
To be honest, I have limited video game experience. I was worried that this podcast wouldn't be relevant to me, or that I wouldn't get the jokes. I was totally wrong.
I've listened to Level 1 (King Bowser, with a uncanny Donald Trump impersonation); Level 81 (the dog from Duck Hunt); Level 94 (Stella, the Angry Bird); and Level 112 (Mavis Beacon). I liked the Angry Bird episode the best, even though I've never, ever played the game!
Each episode features funny pop culture references, jokes that are specific to the game and character, and tons of improv that had me rolling with laughter.
And that's high praise, because a lot of the jokes seem like they'd be appreciated more by guys. But ladies: I found them funny!
Episodes of Playable Characters come out every Monday. Go check out this podcast; you are sure to find an episode with a character you recognize.
Note: There's a decent amount of language and some adult content in some of the episodes of Playable Character, so maybe screen them before listening with kids around.
Do you have an awesome indie podcast recommendation? Drop it in the comments below to share with other podcast fans!
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