Marc Maron
I'm going to put my conclusion at the beginning: I highly recommend Marc Maron's podcast WTF with Marc Maron. So there.
But do take note: if you become aghast and agog at hearing naughty words, be aware that WTF stands for "What The Fuck," and that kind of sets the language tone of the show.
I knew a woman who (seriously!) claimed she would avoid reading naughty words by skipping over them as she came to them. So if you hear a word you don't like in these podcasts, just do that.
WTF is routinely one of the top rated podcasts on iTunes. With good reason, the content is always engaging and compelling. And real.
It's very personal and chronicles the evolution of Marc Maron. If you go back and listen to them from the beginning, you'll witness him genuinely becoming a better person. It's a remarkably difficult thing to make a real change for the better. But Marc did it, and is still doing it.
Maron's guests are mainly comedians, though he also has musicians, authors and other guests. The conversations are deeper and more real (and satisfying) than the more common happy-talk you may be used to. Sometimes Marc and his guests seem to forget they are speaking into microphones. That's when it gets really interesting.
Okay. This next part is personal, so unless you're Marc, do that "I'll-read-over-the-part-I-want-to-skip-so-I-don't-see-it" thing. Starting.....NOW.
Marc, I am so glad you do your podcast. Without knowing it, I was ossifying into a state of emotional numbness. My wife and I began listening to your podcasts on our very long drive to and from work, and each time we laughed I felt my burdens lighten, if only for a moment. Then I began to change. At first I didn't know what was going on, but because you are so open-hearted in your podcast my own heart got jump-started. I began to open up, and found myself capable of taking more LIFE into my life. As my numbness left, I began loving my wife even more than before, more and more every day. And for that I am grateful to you beyond my ability to express. This is inadequate, and I am sorry for that, but I want to say thanks. Thank you very much.
Okay, everybody back? Just one more thing. Don't skip the hors d'oeuvres, meaning don't skip the beginning segment of the podcast. Some people do, and I'm baffled by that. If you're listening to a Marc Maron podcast, and you like Marc Maron's interviews and stand-up, why would you skip the part where Marc Maron talks? Sometimes you get insights into the development of his stage act, other times you get insights into Marc himself. Often both. And sometimes it's just plain funny. So listen to the whole thing. Or you won't get any dessert.