It's been a long year and I've listened to a lot of podcast episodes (sadly, mostly the same over and over again). It's a short list, but I think it's a good one. Fair warning, most of them involve my pretend boyfriend Paul F. Tompkins.

1. The Dead Authors Podcast

This podcast features Paul F. Tompkins as H.G Wells who uses his time machine to interview now dead authors in front of a live audience. It's an amazingly funny show, even if you don't know or haven't read any of the authors. There are plenty of funny guest stars, and if you look up pictures you can see that the actors are in full costume. The sad part is, this podcast ended a little while ago. But there are 50 full episodes as well as some bonus episodes to spend your day listening to! I would recommend starting with the authors that you do know, then try out some others. But if you want a taste, I would definitely start with the L. Ron Hubbard episodes (there are two parts); they are amazing and horrifyingly in character.

2. Welcome to Night Vale

What podcast list is complete without Welcome to Night Vale? I've listened to this show since it first came out and I love it. It draws you in quickly to it's story and it's just spooky enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. As the show continues on, more and more guest stars get some time to shine. It's one of those stories that just has so much woven into it, you should keep a notebook full of conspiracies and intersecting storylines. It's like a serial book series that you never want to stop coming.

3. Astonishing Legends

Speaking of spooky, you can't have a frail heart for this one. This is one of the most recent ones that I started and I am into it. Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess dive deep into urban legends, classic ghost stories, and the all around spooky. I'm not the biggest believer in a lot of this stuff but I may have to convert after listening to this podcast. They check out every theory and excuse in the book, then leave it up to you to decide how much to believe. I'd definitely recommend the Mothman episodes, I listened to them first and I got hooked!

4. Spontaneanation

Another Paul F. Tompkins podcast. This one is I think my favorite. PFT brings on a bunch of his friends to interview a special guest, then they create an improvised story based on the conversations earlier on. It's spot on and almost always leaves me stifling laughter in the middle of the night. As you listen, you'll start to find that you have favorite guest improvisors and that makes new episodes all the more exciting when you see their name pop up on the guest list. I can't pick just one episode to recommend, so here are a few: "Dracula's Bedroom," "Superyacht," "Malibu," and "A Dinner Theater."

Podcasts arethe perfect thing to do to just chill out and have some me time. I have many more in my subscribed list that I need to work on, but for now I'll just listen to my favorites for the tenth time in a row.