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The Philadelphia Podcast Festival returns for its fifth edition today, giving longtime listeners the chance to see their favorite podcasts recorded live, and helping newbies form local listening habits. Tapings will take place at a handful of venues around the city over the next two weekends, including the Trocadero, Amalgam Comics, Tattooed Mom and PhilaMOCA.
Philly lowkey has a lot of podcasts, and this event will feature more than 45 local series. An additional seven podcast teams will travel to Philly from all over the country for the event. The vast majority of the live recordings are free.
Feeling overwhelmed? Billy Penn has selected five podcasts that you might not know about, but are made in Philly, and certainly worth a listen.
Stark Raven Mad
Yes, there is a Philly-based “Game of Thrones” podcast. With local improv comedian Mike Marbach at the helm, a group of Philly comedians nerd out on the HBO smash-hit series and the endless fan theories that it inspires. Need a refresher before the seventh season premieres this Sunday? Have a listen to Stark Raven Mad’s Season 6 recap.
Tuesday, July 18 at 10 pm; Philadelphia Improv Theater at the The Adrienne; 2030 Sansom St., 2nd Floor; $5
Twisted Philly
If you enjoy crime and mysteries, Twisted Philly proves that a lot of seriously odd and eerie cases have happened in this town. Host Deana Marie shares the stories of serial killers like Harrison Graham, the North Philadelphian who was discovered with seven female corpses in his apartment. You’ll also here tales of places like the historic, and some say haunted, General Wayne Inn in Montgomery County.
Saturday, July 22 at 7 pm, Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street, free
Black Tribbles
Unapologetically black, unapologetically geeky, this prolific podcast looks at sci-fi, comics, TV and more. Tribbles are those extraterrestrial furball creatures that give Captain Kirk trouble on “Star Trek.” But you don’t have to get the reference to enjoy this series. The Tribbles crew delves into hot topics like misogyny among women, and brings on an interesting selection of guests, like Susan Eisenberg, the voice actress behind Wonder Woman on several animated series; and Simone Missick, a lead actress the Netflix show Luke Cage.
Saturday, July 22 at 3 pm, PhillyCAM, 699 Ranstead St. Suite No. 1, free
Mouthful
It starts with a monologue. Philadelphia youths pen each one, then actors perform them. Host Yvonne Latty, noted journalist and NYU professor, interviews the young writers on what inspired them, and speaks with experts who lend insights on the issues at play. Produced by Latty and the Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Mouthful hits on topics from virginity, grief, family illness and diversity. It’s touching and, at times, gut-wrenching. This will be the podcast’s first live recording.
Sunday, July 23 at 6 pm, Kitchen Table Gallery, 1853 N. Howard St., free
Comic Book Junto
Hosts Octavius Newman and Adam Teterus first bonded as friends over comics while working together at the Apple Store about seven years ago. Fast forward to today— Newman runs the local lifestyle brand B3AR FRUIT, Teterus is one of the guys who keeps co-working space Indy Hall buzzing, and their podcast Comic Book Junto is a weekly celebration of popular (geek) culture. On the show, listeners can hear the duo analyze the latest superhero movie trailers, but the hosts also share reactions to the Formation Tour (yep, they totally went to go see Beyonce.) Notably, Teterus donated Newman a kidney, an experience they opened up about at Ignite Philly this year.
Saturday, July 15 at 1 pm, Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse, 2578 Frankford Ave., free
