Thought-provoking podcasts you may have missed this summer

Check out a true crime binger, a deep-dive into history and more

A stock photo of a microphone for podcasting.
Several podcasts will help you wind your way through the coming months
(Image credit: Stock Photo via Getty Images)

With summer coming to an end, you might be looking for that perfect podcast just in time for sweater weather. There are plenty of options you probably haven't had a chance to hear yet, including some chart-toppers.

'Criminally Listed' (self-produced)

'The Rest is History' (Goalhanger)

If you like history, this is for you. "The Rest is History" is a British-made podcast that explores history's highs and lows. This includes a variety of topics, such as the "rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Nazi conquest of Europe and Hitler's evil plan for world domination, to the French Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic, or the Norman conquest of England," said the podcast's page. The podcast is hosted by a pair of popular historians, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland. Listeners want history "brought to life by people who are genuine enthusiasts and love the past," Sandbrook told The Telegraph of the project. (Spotify, Apple Podcasts)

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'Unwind to Ocean Science' (Telos Media, Naturalworldfacts)

"Unwind to Ocean Science" is a show that provides "relaxing and immersive documentaries for those who want to learn about our oceans in scientific detail," said Podchaser. It describes oceanography from the Mariana Trench to marine gigantism, and is hosted by a pair of experts: Steve Taylor from the educational YouTube channel Kurzgesagt and marine biologist Leo Richards from the YouTube channel Natural World Facts. The podcast also includes a series of educational short films. (Spotify)

'Doctor's Orders' (Sony Entertainment, The Binge)

True crime podcasts have helped shine a light on doctors gone bad, and "Doctor's Orders" is a spine-chilling tale of fraud and death. The podcast focuses on Dr. Munir Uwaydah, who "allegedly built an empire of fraud to the tune of a quarter-billion dollars and was thought by some to be involved in a murder case, though he was never accused or charged," said Sony. The podcast delves into the murder of Juliana Redding and describes what an investigation into Uwaydah's practice finds. "Doctor's Orders" is the "enigmatic orthopedic surgeon who, prosecutors say, is the 'mastermind of fraud,'" said the podcast's press release. (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible)

'Unicorn Girl' (Seven Hills Productions)

There are few podcasts more popular than ones about white-collar crime, and "Unicorn Girl" fits the description. Hosted by Charlie Webster, the journalist behind the hit podcast "Scamanda," this new series follows Candace Rivera, who "built a flawless online brand as a divorced single mother, nurse and CEO of multimillion-dollar companies," said The Guardian. But the question remains: Was any of it real? Candace was described as a "real-life unicorn," but "one manic summer, the illusion shattered," said Apple, devolving into a "mind-bending story where nothing is quite as it seems." (Apple Podcasts)

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.