This region has always been a creative hub, rich with storytellers armed with pens, paintbrushes, guitars—and increasingly, microphones. As podcasts increasingly become the medium- du jour, local artists, comedians, pundits, and regular folks are sharing their voices with their communities and the world.

As a podcaster and a writer who started my career in radio advertising, I keep discovering more and more creative communicators here who recognize the special and intimate power of audio. And they’re finding an audience as podcasting has become increasingly mainstream. Forty-two percent of Americans listened to a podcast in the last month according to Edison Research. There’s a podcast on just about any interest, and some of them are coming from closer than you think.

Here are just a few of the popular shows being recorded and produced across the region:

Matthew Zucker of "Cidiot" shows just how little infrustructure is needed to start a successful podcast.

For the uninitiated, “Cidiot: Learning to Live and Love Life in the Hudson Valley” is my Hudson-based podcast. Now in its eighth season, I started the pod to help rural-living newcomers—weekenders or full-timers—get the most out of moving from the city to the country. My goal is to help them get acclimated through the naive eyes of an eternal newbie. Start at the beginning for episodes on making friends, setting up your house and my uninitiated musings, and later shows for interviews with local businesses owners and organization leaders.

For the news junkie, “The Back Room with Andy Ostroy” is a popular show with national appeal that covers politics and pop culture every week with humor and candor, all from a closet-sized recording studio in the back of The Epicurean Market in Rhinecliff. The podcast has featured famous guests and influential political players including Chris Matthews, Michael Ian Black, Kara Swisher, and Andrew Weissman. Co-producers Matty Rosenberg and Jen Hammoud chime in to add color to the conversations. The show is hosted by radio Free Rhinecliff, which broadcasts a lineup of shows online that blur the line between Radio and digital media.

For the humorist, “How Did We Get Weird?” is a podcast produced in Williamstown and hosted by “Saturday Night Live” alum Vanessa Bayer and her brother Jonah Bayer. The siblings reminisce about their childhood. With guests such as Chelsea Handler and Jaime Moyer, each episode starts with “Remember...” From sneaking into movies and hours talking on the phone, to sleepover parties and putting chips on your sandwich. It’s a hilarious nostalgia trip.

For the well-read and culturally curious, the “Berkshire Argus Podcast” offers in-depth stories on arts, culture, and civic life, broadcast from Great Barrington. Hosted by journalist Bill Shein, the podcast features long-form interviews and audio reporting that delve into the rich tapestry of the Berkshires.

Notable episodes include a conversation with author Seth Rogovoy discussing his book Within You, Without You: Listening to George Harrison, providing insights into Harrison's musical contributions and spiritual journey.  Another episode features Matt Tannenbaum, owner of The Bookstore in Lenox and subject of the documentary Hello, Bookstore, reflecting on his decades-long career in bookselling and the challenges faced by independent bookstores. ​

The podcast also addresses pressing social issues, such as a discussion with journalist Eric Stoner on nonviolent movements amid global conflicts, and an interview with Ralph Nader exploring his advocacy work and the American Museum of Tort Law. ​

For the film buff, “Story Screen Presents,” based just outside in Hudson, brings together a group of self-identifying movie geeks who talk about film with endless exuberance. This show started as a side gig for the co-owner of independent cinema Story Screen Mike Burdge and his pals. “Film is a form of art and art is subjective, so we love having anywhere between fun and super serious and educational discussions surrounding the medium,” Burdge says. “The podcast is a way to engage further or even start those conversations from folks that listen and follow.”

For the young and curious, the “Tumble Science Podcast” for Kids offers engaging stories about scientific discoveries, aiming to foster a lifelong love of learning. Hosted by science journalist Lindsay Patterson and educator-musician Marshall Escamilla, the podcast features interviews with scientists who share their research and the processes behind their findings.

Episodes delve into intriguing questions such as "Was there ever nothing?" and "Why do animals play?" Notable episodes include explorations of the mysteries of the universe with physicist Dr. Jessica Esquivel and discussions on animal behavior with play scientists Junyi Chu and Jackson Ham. The podcast is recognized for making complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for children and families alike. Additionally, "Tumble" offers episodes in Spanish, expanding its reach.

For the crime enthusiast, there’s “True Crime BullSh**.” True crime is one of the most popular categories in the podcast genre. This entry out of North Adams is for anyone who wants a deep investigation and a challenging conversation. Produced and hosted by Studio Both/And co-owner Josh Hallmark, it’s a serialized podcast investigating the missing victims of serial killer Israel Keys.

Both/And a LGBTQ+ led studio has several shows, including “Our Americana,” which explores communities across the country and stories of how any one small thing can create grand change. The show, which has had episodes including one on Pittsfield, returns this Fall.

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Written by
Mat Zucker