The Pod Report: Oct 1, Time for women to be the main characters
By Dana Block
“It’s time for women to be the main characters in their own stories, and podcasting is one way we can make that happen.” — Lea Thau
Looking for a new podcast to add to your listening library? These five shows are new and noteworthy and could be the next "Serial," the next "SmartLess," or simply your personal favorite:
Documentary: "The Speaker" -- If all you know about Nancy Pelosi is her feud with President Trump (and her tearing up his speech behind him on live television), allow this podcast to enlighten you. Hosted by KQED political correspondent Scott Shafer, "The Speaker" reflects on Pelosi's career, from serving as a local volunteer in San Francisco, to being elected to Congress, and eventually becoming the first female Speaker of the House. Pelosi will exit her political role in January 2027, but this podcast will live on as a tribute. (KQED.org)
Books: "Prose Society" -- The title of this podcast might be misleading for literature lovers, but if you're the kind of person who loves a good novel and is also a shameless consumer of reality TV, this podcast is meant for you! Content creator, New York Times bestselling author, and podcast host Eli Rallo has launched her newest show that is "part book club and part group chat ... for anyone who thinks 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Love Island' deserve the same level of discourse." (iHeart.com)
Music History: "Monday Music Club" -- This new podcast from musician Will Anderson kicked off in August with an episode devoted to "the Godmother of Rock and Roll" Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a gospel singer who knew her way around an electric guitar. Anderson also welcomed special guest Otis Williams of the Temptations in another episode about the early days of Motown. You're probably already familiar with the juicy drama that went down between the singers of Fleetwood Mac, but be sure to check out the episode titled "Silver Springs" because Stevie Nicks' revenge song never gets old! (MondayMusicClubPod.com)
TV and Film: "Fantastic Film Locations" -- In this new English version of the hit Dutch podcast "Fantastiche Filmlocaties," host Jeroen Huijsdens takes his listening audience on a tour of the real-life backdrops of classic movies. He even shares occasional stories about his own travels! Learn why Malta is considered "the Hollywood of the Mediterranean," since it's where classic and modern films like "Midnight Express," "Munich" and "Gladiator" were filmed. (FantastischeFilmlocaties.nl)
Entertainment News: "Muy Excited" -- Each week, host Maria Garcia chooses a piece of nostalgic or contemporary culture and reexamines it like a professor with a doctorate in media arts. She revisits topics that we have either forgotten or never knew existed, like the fact that superstar Shakira once had black hair before suddenly becoming a blonde in the year 2000. Garcia doesn't just explore the history of pop singers (Ricky Martin and Aaliyah are also on the syllabus), she also takes a deep dive on why Meryl Streep is considered our greatest living actress. (iHeart.com)
(c) 2026 King Features Syndicate, Inc.