swap_horiz Longreads Alternatives

1

Ken Burns Documentaries

Ken Burns documentaries utilize extended timelines and evocative imagery to explore significant moments in history. Thes...

History Long Form Pbs Nonfiction

9.3 Excellent

2

S-Town

S-Town is a compelling narrative podcast examining the life of John B. McLemore, an Alabama resident known for his unusu...

Podcast Long Form Nonfiction Biography

9.2 Excellent

3

Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle is a critically acclaimed podcast originating from within San Quentin State Prison. It provides unique nonfic...

Podcast Social Justice Nonfiction Prison

9.0 Excellent

4

Slow Burn

Slow Burn is a Slate narrative podcast exploring significant moments in American history through detailed investigation...

Podcast History Political Nonfiction

9.0 Excellent

5

Dolly Parton's America

“Dolly Parton’s America” is a WNYC podcast exploring themes of American culture through the life and work of country mus...

Podcast Music Culture Nonfiction

9.0 Excellent

6

Heavyweight

The Heavyweight podcast explores deeply personal stories of regret, missed opportunities, and unresolved situations. Hos...

Podcast Comedy Nonfiction Personal Narrative

8.9 Great

7

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

Esther Perel’s “Where Should We Begin?” presents recorded psychotherapy sessions with couples seeking guidance. The podc...

Podcast Therapy Nonfiction Relationships

8.8 Great

8

American Experience

American Experience is a PBS series offering extensive explorations of American history through long-form documentary fi...

History Long Form Pbs Nonfiction

8.8 Great

9

Bear Brook

Bear Brook is a New Hampshire Public Radio investigative podcast exploring the unsettling case of unidentified bodies fo...

Podcast True Crime Investigative Nonfiction

8.8 Great

10

The Atavist Magazine

The Atavist Magazine is a digital publication founded in 2011 by Evan Ratliff, notable for pioneering long-form, immersi...

Long Form Platform Literary Digital

8.5 Great

11

TED Talks

TED Talks is a global media organization that posts free online presentations of expert speakers discussing technology,...

Education Live Event Platform Nonfiction

8.5 Great

12

Pushkin Industries

Pushkin Industries is an audio production company co-founded by author Malcolm Gladwell in 2018, recognized for creating...

Platform Network Nonfiction Podcasts

8.4 Great

13

Gimlet Media

Gimlet Media is a podcast network founded in 2014 by Alex Blumberg and Matthew Lieb, notable for pioneering narrative-dr...

Fiction Platform Network Nonfiction

8.3 Great

14

PRX

PRX is a non-profit public media company based in the United States that distributes and produces radio programs, includ...

Nonprofit Platform Network Nonfiction

8.1 Great

15

Embedded

NPR narrative podcast hosted by Kelly McEvers, launched in 2015, dedicating each season to an immersive deep-dive into a...

Podcast Long Form Investigative Nonfiction

8.0 Great

16

American RadioWorks

American RadioWorks was a prominent documentary journalism production group from American Public Media that produced in-...

Podcast Long Form Documentary Nonfiction

8.0 Great

17

Narratively

Narratively is a digital media outlet founded in 2012 that publishes long-form, immersive journalism focused on ordinary...

Long Form Platform Journalism Literary

7.8 Good

18

Wondery

Wondery is a major podcast publisher founded in 2016 by Hernan Lopez, recognized for its immersive, story-driven series...

Platform Network True Crime Nonfiction

7.5 Good

19

Audible Originals

Audible Originals is a line of exclusive audio content produced by Amazon's Audible, featuring unique scripted series, a...

Amazon Audio Fiction Platform

7.0 Good

20

TEDx

TEDx is a program created in 2009 that allows independent organizers worldwide to host local, licensed events featuring...

Community Education Platform Nonfiction

6.5 Fair