I want to preface this recommendation that I haven’t followed any podcasts until now. Welcome to Night Vale was introduced to me as a radio show from the place of Courage the Cowardly Dog. The twice-monthly podcast describes itself as “community updates for the small desert town of Night Vale, featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff’s Secret Police, mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events.”
The show is clever, dark, and witty such as this moment from the first podcast:
“Hello listeners. To start things off I’ve been asked to read this brief notice: the city council announces the opening of a new dog park at the corner of Earl and Summerset near the Ralph’s. They would like to remind everyone that dogs are not allowed in the dog park. People are not allowed in the dog park. It is possible you will see hooded figures in the dog park. Do not approach them. Do not approach the dog park. The fence is electrified and highly dangerous. Try not to look at the dog park, and especially do not look for any period of time at the hooded figures. The dog park will not harm you.”
Welcome to Night Vale is wonderfully written and narrated show that gets my recommendation.