10 Very Good Podcasts About Very Bad People
From notorious tyrants to modern media monsters, these podcasts explore some of the most confusing, menacing, and sometimes misunderstood figures in history. Whether you’re into true crime, pop culture, philosophy, or political intrigue, here are 10 outstanding podcasts that dive deep into the dark side.
For the bastards
Hosted by Robert Evans (not the film director, journalist and former war correspondent) , Behind the Bastards is a deep dive into the lives of some of the worst people in history, from brutal dictators to modern-day scammers and cult leaders. The episodes are long and very deep. Evans often films multiple episodes to cover one topic. (As is his Vince McMahon series, which is incredible and a good start.) In each episode, he and a guest combine incisive historical research with sharp humor and a bit of righteous fury. It’s dark, funny and educational.
Behind the uprisings
A spin-off of Behind the Bastards (also hosted by Robert Evans), Behind the Uprisings is a limited series that examines the history of attempted (and successful) uprisings around the world. (There’s also some fun information about anti-fascists in history.) Along with his friend and co-host “Propaganda” (from Hood Politics ), Evans uses his trademark wit and insight to draw chilling parallels between past uprisings and modern-day threats to democracy that feel both illuminating and terrifying. It’s amazing how familiar this all sounds. Start at the beginning with Mussolini’s March on Rome: The First Fascist Revolt.
Strange little guys
In Weird Little Guys, Molly Conger draws on her niche experiences: terrible people who, deep down, are really just confused weirdos. In each episode, she profiles shady characters from history, media, and myth that you may or may not have heard of. I love that even if the subject matter is heavy or depressing, listening to this show is like hearing gossip from your smart, well-read friend. If you can’t do anything about skinheads, then the least you can do is understand how they turned out to be such losers. It’s catharsis.
This guy sucks
Historian Claire Aubin is the host of This Guy Sucks , an academic expose of terrible people in history, culture and current events, from Voltaire to mid-century liberals. Claire ups the ante with historians and professors for conversations that are equal parts funny and smart. This is a history podcast with a great host who does more than just read Wikipedia articles – she sparks interesting conversations and teaches you about some of the things you learned wrong the first time.
Bad gays
Bad Gays , hosted by Hugh Lemmy and Ben Miller, shines a light on villainous figures, but only the weird ones. Each episode is filled with great storytelling, plenty of jokes, and academic rigor. It challenges simplistic narratives and asks important questions about power, identity and complicity that anyone on the gender spectrum can fall prey to. Start with “J. J. Edgar Hoover,” an episode about the iconic bad gay man, handled with nuance and wit.
Real dictators
Real Dictators is a compelling history podcast that explores the lives of some of the world’s most notorious authoritarian rulers. Hosted by Paul McGann (with a dramatic, cinematic tone), the show combines historical facts with gripping storytelling, dramatic narration, beautiful sound design and a thrilling pace that will make you feel like you’re in a movie. Each season or multi-part episode focuses on a different dictator—think Stalin, Mao, Saddam Hussein—and traces their rise to power, ideologies and brutal regimes.
The villain was right
The Villain Was Right is a fun, re-watchable podcast that defends famous movie villains and asks, “Were they really that wrong?” Comedians Craig Fay and Rebecca Reeds come up with clever, irreverent and surprisingly compelling episodes. You’ll never look at The Devil Wears Prada the same way again. We’re not talking about Stalin and Hitler, we’re talking about the Wet Bandits in Home Alone . (Actually, this is a fun place to start.)
Land of shame
In Disgraceland, Jake Brennan combines true crime stories and the world of music to tell the stories of musicians who got away with murder, if not literally, then figuratively. The production level is high, Jake has an unforgettable voice that brings drama to every story, and the series is endlessly binge-watching. Think about the music behind bars.
Evil Genius with Russell Kane
You’ll love the Evil Genius debate, where host and comedian Russell Kane (and his guests) debate whether controversial historical figures were truly evil or just complicated. This is both a story and a game! Russell is a comedian, so this is for people who like a story with a dash of comedy. The episodes are fast-paced and touch on moral gray areas without becoming preachy. Start with Walt Disney, a guy we all love but who really needs a few minutes under the microscope.
Very bad wizards
In Very Bad Wizards , a philosopher (Tamler Sommers) and a psychologist (David Pizarro) talk about the morality of bad behavior in pop culture, movies, and real life. It’s both interesting and will send you down a philosophical rabbit hole. You’ll love it because it’s both academic and educational, yet casual and fun. Sommers brings fiery, controversial philosophical energy, and Pizarro offers thoughtful, data-driven perspectives. They have great chemistry and aren’t afraid to roast each other.