This book was an excellent compendium of the defining podcasts of the early era, with some recent additions. It really demonstrated how the medium covered a wide breadth of content and format. There were some heavy hitters that I think it missed, but it definitely captured an important range. As the podcast field continues to shift, it will remain a vital reference of the history of the form.

I requested Sean Malin’s ‘The Podcast Pantheon: 101 Podcasts That Changed How We Listen’ purely to see if my favorite podcast made the list (it did!) and was pleasantly surprised at how much more this book offers.

What this book is: A coffee table reference of 101 vetted, quality podcasts broken into (rough) genre categories. The 2-page spreads provide a super-brief profile of each pod, usually peppered with interview sound bites from the creators, as well as a ‘Sean’s Pick’ episode new listeners could start with. A center section of photos and title art add to the book’s appeal as a casual, ‘pick up and flip around’ read.

What this book isn’t: A history of the podcasting form, or an exploration of how it functions in modern (American) society. In the introduction, Malin emphasizes “the pantheon that I propose here intentionally excludes any podcasts that do more harm than good to the world” which, frankly, excludes many of today’s most popular podcasts. The book is a more useful and enjoyable reference because of this omission, but readers expecting more history or context on the form should manage expectations accordingly.

5*. Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing this e-arc.

The Podcast Pantheon is like an encyclopedia of influential and well-known podcasts, spanning everything from news to comedy to music—and just about anything else you can imagine. It features 100 podcasts, each with a solid page or two describing the show, its origins, and its history.

One of the neat features is that each entry ends with a set of quick-reference bullet points. So if you don’t want to read the full write-up, you can easily find details like where the podcast is available (Patreon, Apple Podcasts, etc.) and who the creators are.

I especially appreciated seeing several of my personal favorites included among the 100. For new podcast listeners, this book is a treasure trove of discovery—you’ll almost certainly find something that piques your interest. For longtime listeners, you may recognize familiar shows, but the background information and breadth still make it a fascinating read.

I absolutely love podcasts! This was a great way to learn about new ones and reminisce about previous favorites.

For those who frequently travel for work or anyone looking for new podcasts, discovering engaging content can be challenging.

The Podcast Pantheon offers a comprehensive overview of podcasts across various genres. This book provides a one-page summary of each podcast, complete with a detailed description and a recommended favorite episode. This format is ideal for those looking to quickly understand the content of a podcast to determine if it aligns with the listener's personal interests.

As someone who listens to podcasts and audiobooks religiously, I was immediately drawn to this one ☝️ and it totally delivered.

The Podcast Pantheon is like a love letter to the medium. It’s packed with fascinating backstories, behind-the-scenes moments, and deep dives into 100+ standout shows across every genre imaginable: true crime, comedy, relationships, pop culture, and beyond. Whether you’re already obsessed with podcasts like My Favorite Murder, Office Ladies, or Stuff You Should Know (or you’re hunting for your next go-to listen) 👂🏻 this book is a goldmine of recommendations and insights. 🎧✨

I really appreciated how accessible it was. It doesn’t just celebrate the heavy-hitters, but also highlights hidden gems and under-the-radar voices. You get to peek behind the mic and learn what inspires the creators, how shows came to life, and why certain episodes still stick with fans years later. 🙌🏽

So honestly, I'm inexperienced when it comes to podcasts and read this as a way of learning more. I'm not sure if these were really the best or most important podcasts to know about but I enjoyed the variety and the stories about them. I especially got a kick out of how Marc Maron decided to really do his own thing and made a ton of money almost by accident. This is a fun, short read.

I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in reading about podcasts as a media form. Experienced podcast listeners will likely already be familiar with the recommendations in this book, but it gives interesting background on the podcasts and hosts. I thought it was interesting to read about how some of the podcasts originated.

This was a quick read that I really appreciated. A bunch of the podcasts I had never even heard of so it was nice to learn about them instead of searching through endless podcasts. I also liked the descriptions about each of them. It felt like a deeper glimpse into each of the podcasts and exactly why I should check it out. It was a solid read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

This is such a cool concept but it really feels like the author just picked his favorite podcasts rather than trying to select and position ones that actually made an impact on culture. It’s striking that some of the most popular podcasts from the last 10 years are not mentioned - Call her Daddy, Armchair Expert, etc.

*The Podcast Pantheon: 101 Podcasts That Changed How We Listen—From WTF to Serial* by Sean Malin is a fantastic resource for both seasoned podcast listeners and newcomers alike. As a huge podcast fan myself, averaging at least two hours per day, I was already familiar with some of the shows included, such as *Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend*, *Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me*, *Radiolab*, and *This American Life*. However, there were plenty of podcasts I had heard of but never listened to, and this book introduced me to several new gems.

The book begins with a short foreword and introduction about the history and evolution of podcasting. Each podcast featured in the list includes a detailed essay covering the show’s format, content, hosts, genre, first air date, how to listen, and a recommended episode from the author. The list spans a variety of genres, including money, entertainment, politics, relationships, and health and wellness, making it a comprehensive guide to the podcasting world. This makes it a great guide for someone already deep into podcasting, but also an excellent starting point for those who are just beginning their listening journey and want to dive into the best of the best.

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone interested in podcasting, whether you're an experienced listener or just getting started. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Chronicle Books.