Listens We Can’t Stop Talking About

A Collection of our Tribe's Favorite Podcasts

As of January 2022, there are over 2,000,000 podcasts and over 48 million episodes. With statistics like this, it's nearly impossible to narrow it down to the best of the best. Don't fret. We've got you. We have an obsession with not only devouring podcasts and audiobooks, but then subsequently talking about them, and we've curated this collection just for you. A collection we've affectionately named "Listens We Can't Stop Talking About." Enjoy.

The Trojan Horse Affair was top on our list during our recent road trip to the Grand Canyon. From the geniuses that brought us Serial, this investigative listen was exactly what we needed to pass the time from Colorado to Arizona. This is a crazy true story from across the pond that starts with a strange letter that appears on a city councilor's desk in Birmingham, England. What we found so interesting and entertaining, was the unlikely duo who chases down the origins of this letter causing a national scandal. A scandal that involved increased graduation rates, self-preservation, a charged political environment and a doctor who quit and went back to school to be a journalist. This one will stick with you long after you listen.

What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline

Buckle up for this action-packed listen, cause it's a doozy! There's a reason why this just landed on the #2 spot of the New York Times best seller list. Within the first 25 or so pages of listening, you meet the Bennett family and after an intense car hijacking watch as their life begins to unravel. The unsettling events, set the stage for this can't-take-your-buds-off listen. If you like a fast-moving story with lots of twists and turns, then this is the listen for you. We found ourselves making excuses to continue listening - folding more laundry, doing more dishes, taking more walks. Finally, we gave in and found a comfy spot to sit and listen. Edourdo Ballerini, twice named best male narrator by the Audio Publishers Association, is the icing on the cake for this thriller.

The Light of the World by Elzabeth Alexander

This memoir tells the story of the author’s great love, her husband Ficre Ghabreyesus, who was an Eritrea, East African born artist who died suddenly at the young age of 50. We were moved by Lizzie and Ficre’s love story, the family they created and the life they lost. Unlike her earlier poetry, this memoir takes the reader through a lucid prose that is haunting in its simplicity. Narrated by the author herself, we felt so engaged in her journey to find meaning, understanding and acceptance. Fun fact, did you know Elizabeth was part of President Obama's first inauguration in 2009 with reading her poem “Praise for the Day?" We hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

We picked up this early mystery/thriller by one of our favorite authors, Harlan Cobin during a recent audible sale. This prolific writer has six consecutive instant number-one New York Times best sellers under his belt and branched out into writing scripts for Netflix, notably The Stranger and The Woods. Missing You centers around a talented but troubled female NYPD homicide detective Kat Donovan and her journey to uncovering the truth of what happened to her father. We are huge lovers of mysteries and thrillers and there is so much to love about this listen - the great character development, the plot cadence, the fact we could NOT press pause. Narrated by actress January LaVoy, she gives an excellent performance and thoughtful interpretation of each character.

Thanks Campside Media for bringing us the ridiculously entertaining Wild Boys! Just like their other shows, Hollywood Con Queen and High Rollers, this tale is a doozie. In 2003, two brothers arrive in a small Canadian town hungry and with a story that doesn't exactly add up. Honestly after 4 episodes, we thought we'd heard it all and had the mystery figured out. Boy, were we wrong. We love how host Sam Mullins takes you into the story from different viewpoints and interviews all the players. File this one under "Truth is Stranger than Fiction."

Speaking for our entire Buderfllys team, Earth Day is something we consider every day, not just on April 22nd. We often find ourselves asking, what small ways can we support a better, cleaner world? Being in Denver, we see Ridwell boxes popping up everywhere and so we needed to learn more. Sustainability is Sexy, features an interview with Sarah Boltwala-Mesina, community launcher at Ridwell. Ridwell makes hard to recycle items easy - think batteries, styrofoam, light bulbs, plastic film and clothes. They partner with local companies that use these items, keeping them out of a landfill. Brilliant! What's even cooler, is that this bright idea came from a dad, his son and a bag of batteries. Enjoy this short 20 min listen to acquaint yourself with Ridwell. Let's all do our part to save Mother Earth!

Ten Percent Happier - Humor: Serious Business

If we had a dollar for every time this podcast has been recommended to us, we'd have some serious spending cash. Now we know why. This podcast highlights the link between human flourishing and humor. That's not to say you have to be hilarious in order to be happy, but it clearly helps not to take yourself so seriously. Dan chats with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas about their Stanford graduate course, "Humor: Serious Business." This really solidified the idea that humor is a secret weapon at work, home, all aspects of life, really. Now having listened I will be signing off emails with a little more personality -- Always Listening, Buderflys.

We are not above a made-for-TV-movie that actually played out in real life. A wealthy daughter, kidnapped and then radicalized? Yes please. Chances are, you're too young to remember this story, which will make it that much more compelling. As a big fan of biographies, we had a good time with Patty Hearst. Toobin sets the perfect stage for this historical time, adds juicy details to the characters and treats Patty as a real person not just a gun slinging twenty something parody. TIP: Listen to this one at 1.25X speed as the narrator could talk a little faster on this 15-hour ride. Buckle up!

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

If you don't know by now, Stanley Tucci is a genius and so is everything he creates. Needless to say, we were chomping at the bit for the arrival of Taste - no pun intended. Narrated by the author himself, Taste takes you back in time, inside the Tucci home and shines a light on how food and life are so strongly connected. This 7-hour listen will leave you wanting to binge the French Chef with Julia Child, while making crepes with your family and devouring each bite. Bon Apetit!

This is one of our absolute favorites. Trevor's memoir retold by the author himself is a laugh out loud, at times serious but uplifting journey. Growing up in apartied South Africa, Trevor endured it all - poverty, oppression, violence all while being born a crime (kid of an inter-racial family). He is incredibly smart and his natural storytelling ability shines in this memoir. If you have not already, download this now and give your ears a treat.

Everything is Alive - Tami and Ed, Sharpie

We are beyond grateful to our friend and tribe member Emily, for turning us on to Everything is Alive. This podcast is pure genius, as host Ian Chillag from NPR fame interviews subjects that are all inanimate objects. Think a ten-dollar bill, a vending machine, a pacifier or even a pillow. What would they say if they could talk about their lives, their livelihood, their feelings? The wit of this podcast is pure joy and had us laughing at an embarrassing volume. Episode Tami and Ed, Sharpie stands at the top of our list due to its clever tone, at times suggestive and all-around good fun narrative. You won't be disappointed.

What comes to mind when you think about Catfishing? An attempt to catch an ugly fish with whiskers or a fake online persona used to scam innocent people? In Sweet Bobby which just hit the airwaves, we meet Kirat, a successful radio personality who falls prey to a catfishing hustle of epic proportions. This is one of those listens where truth is stranger than fiction. We find ourselves asking, how the h*** does an educated, successful and competent person let this happen? It's mind blowing and then, BAM, the lack of accountability and legal ramifications makes us want to take matters into our own hands. For us, this story as many in this genre bring to light the dangers of the internet and just how lucky we were to grow up in the 80's and 90's.