During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “You’re Wrong About” podcast emerged as a beacon for listeners who crave an insightful dive into popular misconceptions, events, and figures. Hosted by journalists who brilliantly dissect misunderstood and misreported historical events and cultural phenomena, it offers both enlightening commentary and a dose of witty banter.
If you’re hooked on its captivating blend of education and entertainment and are hungry for more, you’re in luck. I’ve curated a list of podcasts that echo the spirit and substance of “You’re Wrong About,” ensuring you’ll never run out of engaging ear candy.
Maintenance Phase
Hosted by Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes (previously of “You’re Wrong About”,) “Maintenance Phase” is a podcast that debunks myths and misconceptions surrounding health, wellness, and weight. Taking on diet fads, wellness culture, and the historic pseudoscience surrounding the “obesity epidemic,” the podcast offers a refreshing and evidence-based perspective.
My Year in Mensa
Jamie Loftus invites you on a journey through her whimsical year amidst the high-IQ elite of Mensa. What began as a jest of taking the test morphed into a memorable Fourth of July alongside 2000 fervent Mensans in Phoenix. It’s a wild ride of pandemonium, but one that scores impressively on the chaos chart.
Decoder Ring
Decoder Ring is a podcast that investigates the cultural puzzles of modern society. Hosted by Willa Paskin, each episode dissects a specific cultural question, trend, or phenomenon, examining its origin, impact, and significance in our everyday lives. From the evolution of certain slang words to the background of famous (and infamous) pop culture moments, “Decoder Ring” illuminates the hidden stories and unexpected histories behind the facets of our shared cultural fabric.
Blocked and Reported
Listen to Blocked and Reported
Journalists Katie Herzog and Jesse Singal dive deep into the web’s most bizarre, outlandish, and unhinged content. Their relentless and somewhat misguided quest is driven by a desire to unearth moments of significance and human connection amidst the ceaseless infernos of digital chaos.
American Hysteria
American Hysteria is a podcast about the whimsical undercurrents that have sculpted our societal narrative – from moral frenzies and urban myths to hoaxes, widespread obsessions, unconventional convictions, and collective misconceptions. Chelsey Weber-Smith, a poet who transitioned to podcasting, narrates America’s most peculiar tales and probes the dynamics that mold our collective truths, and occasionally, the perceptions that diverge.
If Books Could Kill
Also hosted by Michael Hobbes, this podcast is a running conversation between Michael and co-host Peter Shamshiri in which they examine bestselling books you might find at the airport and why so many of them have been filled with terrible, no-good, crappy ideas.
Oh No, Ross and Carrie
Listen to Oh No, Ross and Carrie
Dive into “Oh No, Ross and Carrie,” the podcast that doesn’t just narrate tales of fringe science, spirituality, and supernatural assertions – we immerse ourselves in them. Journey with us as we delve into diverse religions, experience unconventional remedies, chase after the otherworldly, and uncover the comedic layers in life’s profound enigmas.
Search Engine
Every query welcomed, from monumental to minuscule. “Search Engine,” hosted by PJ Vogt, is your companion in those restless, late-night hours when intriguing questions find their way into your thoughts. Vogt tackles questions that echo the curious whispers of a sleepless mind, offering answers with a mix of depth and whimsy.
Science Vs
In a world teeming with trends, blogs, and loud viewpoints, SCIENCE stands tall. “Science Vs” from Gimlet delves deep to discern what’s truly factual, what’s fiction, and the intriguing gray areas in between. We meticulously navigate the scientific realm for you, addressing topics as diverse as 5G, pandemics, vaping, and fasting diets. We distill the complexities, so you can enjoy clarity.
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
Listen to Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
We share dark fairy tales with kids to impart crucial morals, but “Cautionary Tales” are tailored for adult ears—and they resonate with truth. Tim Harford, acclaimed for his work with the Financial Times, BBC, and as the author of “The Data Detective,” narrates tales of grave human misjudgments, heart-wrenching disasters, and comical blunders.
Just the Gist
From high-profile scandals and true crime to celebrity escapades, conspiracy speculations, political intrigues, and remarkable historical figures — if it’s a tale worth telling, comedic hosts Rosie Waterland and Jacob Stanley are on it. Sidestepping the mundane, they deliver the most tantalizing, riveting details — the ones that’ll make you the star conversationalist at any social gathering.
What Really Happened?
Listen to What Really Happened?
In today’s rapid-paced news cycle, headlines flash before us, often leaving us with only a superficial understanding before the next big story sweeps in. In Season 3, celebrated documentarian Andrew Jenks dives deeper, leveraging the art of narrative to navigate us through some of the most sensational scandals making recent headlines.
Our Fake History
A podcast that dives into the blurred lines between myths believed to be historical truths and potential historical secrets lurking within myths! Dive into captivating tales that could have (perhaps) unfolded in reality!
Do Go On
A comedy podcast rooted in facts. Every week, Melbourne’s comedic trio – Matt Stewart, Jess Perkins, and Dave Warneke – rotate responsibilities to dive into a topic and share their findings with their eager listeners.
Meet Your Heroes
Defying the age-old advice of never meeting your heroes, this exploration unveils the obscured narratives and actual misdeeds of some of history’s most renowned and cherished figures.
Throughline
History constantly echoes in the present. Behind every headline lies a tale from yesteryears. Embark on a weekly journey with us, retracing steps to decode today’s narratives. Experience stories that evoke emotions and visualize sounds from pivotal moments that crafted our world.
Spectacular Failures
Listen to Spectacular Failures
From corporate misdeeds and familial disputes to comically ill-advised choices, host Lauren Ober delves into the most memorable blunders in business history, dissecting potential preventive measures. These tales range from the startling and amusing to the downright melancholic. Yet, every account offers a fresh lens through which to view the vast worlds of enterprise and monumental missteps.
One Year
Individuals and battles that reshaped America, viewed year by year. In every episode, host Josh Levin revisits a tale that might have slipped your memory or introduces you to a completely new narrative. Which instances redefined politics, culture, science, and faith? And how do the echoes from America’s history influence today’s landscape?
The Constant
Were you aware that once upon a time, Europeans believed Mongolian trees sprouted sheep? Or the tale of the 1960s’ mistaken discovery of a unique water form that triggered a cold war rivalry? And what about that radiant Las Vegas hotel inadvertently beaming heat rays onto its sunbathing guests? “The Constant” is a sonic chronicle of historical missteps.
Citation Needed
Sink your teeth into this podcast where the hosts select a topic, skim a Wikipedia page, and then pose as connoisseurs on the matter. After all, in the digital age, that’s the newfound way to mastery, isn’t it?
Preconceived
“Preconceived” delves into the presuppositions that mold our perception of the world, pushing the boundaries of the frameworks guiding our existence. Steering the conversation is ophthalmologist Zale Mednick.
Read our review of the You’re Wrong About podcast
Discover the best episodes of You’re Wrong About