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THE POD REPORT #12345_20261005
FOR RELEASE OCT. 5, 2026
BYLINE: By Dana Block 
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"One of the greatest advantages of podcasting is that listening is passive -- we can listen while we do other things." -- Jaimi Ryan
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:
History: "Yasha" -- This new podcast is based on the true story of an 11-year-old boy who fled his home in Belarus with his family, as the Nazis invaded it during World War II. Live through his harrowing story, which was composed of a six-year journey across thousands of miles. He was caught between Hitler's advancing forces, lived in an abandoned circus, and later did hard labor during a harsh winter. These stories and more were relayed decades later to Yasha's grandson, who saved the audio recordings of his grandpa's story, which led to this incredible podcast. (YashaShow.com)
Music Commentary: "Light Box" -- Mark Henry Phillips is a well-known composer who wrote the score for the groundbreaking podcast "Serial" and many others. One night, however, he realized that he could type "a few words into an AI music generator, and it did his job better than he ever could." In the second episode, Phillips goes inside the world of songwriting camps, meets hitmakers Mickey Shiloh and David Phelan, and asks why these successful songwriters need to use AI -- and admit it? (LightBoxPodcast.com)
Documentary: "Unquiet Realities" -- This four-part limited series arrives just in time for spooky season. Hosted by a cool, unaffected dude who goes by the name of Winchester, this podcast guides you through creepy tales, including a lake in Mississippi with "a shape under the water you can't quite track," lights in the sky that "don't behave like they're supposed to," and footprints that "don't belong to anything you were taught to believe in." (RedCircle.com)
True Crime: "Not Just A Terrible Story" -- It seems like every week, there's a story on the news about a teacher who's being accused of having an improper relationship with a student. This podcast tells the story from one student's perspective -- Stacie Love -- who ended up marrying the "cool" teacher from her school just five years after her sophomore year. In 2005, a knock on the door would change everything. But it'd take two decades before Stacie gained the healthy perspective she has now to recognize the grooming that some educators use to snare their prey. (TerribleStory.Substack.com)
Comedy: "OMG Obsessed" -- Actress Zosia Mamet ("Girls") invites guests on her new podcast to share their unapologetic hyperfixations, with everything from the flavor of Ben & Jerry's ice cream they can't stop ingesting to their favorite television show. Learn how Karan Soni ("Deadpool") was so obsessed with the teen-drama series "The OC" that he "moved across the world to California" and made his mother call him "Seth," who was the character played by actor Adam Brody on the show. Now that's obsessed! (LemonadaMedia.com)
(c) 2026 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
