Chronicle Books The Podcast Pantheon (3, 2025) | Sean Malin

Spanning the most popular podcast genres—true crime, comedy, sports, relationships, and more—culture critic and Vulture ‘s Start Here columnist Sean Malin introduces the first comprehensive canon in podcast history. Featuring a foreword by award-winning actor and producer Jon Hamm. The Golden Age of podcasts is upon us. With over fifty official podcast networks, more than three million programs of every imaginable category available for download, and tens of millions of unique listens and views every week in the US alone—plus, our favorites being adapted into dozens of beloved films, TV series, and books—podcasts are now part of the fabric that makes up our everyday global media. Finally, here is an exclusive insider’s perspective told through 101 different shows across dozens of genres. The Podcast Pantheon is the first book of its kind: A resource for discovering podcasts and learning more about how this multibillion-dollar industry came into being from the geniuses who created it. Delving into genres of all kinds—including fashion, food, health, sex, tech, and more—Malin profiles all the top podcasts, from Serial to Comedy Bang! Bang! , guiding fans to: Find out more about their favorite shows and how they got started. Learn about each podcast’s influences and impact on culture, history, future shows, and the industry at large. Hear exclusive stories and enjoy never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos from favorite hosts. Discover hidden gems, whether an entirely new podcast, a new-to-you genre, or something reminiscent of an old favorite. Readers will find podcasts worth listening to and get expert advice on the best episodes to start with, solving one of the biggest and most intimidating hurdles when trying to dive into a longstanding show. Malin’s easy-to-read profiling and titillating exploration of 101 podcasts offers something for everybody, whether you’ve been listening to podcasts for years, are new to them, or are looking to start your own.