Joe Skinner of "American Masters: Creative Spark's" Most Anticipated Podcasts of 2023
By: Joe Skinner
When EarBuds asked me to put together a short list, I realized I had a challenge. As I looked ahead at the many podcasts coming out this year, it was hard to winnow it down to just five.
In my role in public media, I'm privileged enough to see so much of the best and most exciting work that goes on in audio. When I got to thinking, I realized that this year is going to be all about fundamentals for me. In the arts, I think this means taking a really close look at the creative process and the context around a work of art. Only through understanding how people work, do we really start to understand their deeper motivations and meanings.
So, here’s where I landed…
Joe Skinner
American Masters: Creative Spark: Is it cheating to list my own show? I’m thrilled to share a year’s worth of conversations with creative inspirations like actor John David Washington, director John Waters, and Pulitzer-winning novelist Jennifer Egan. We also recently ran a special episode with Indigenous icon Buffy Sainte-Marie in November. In each episode, our guest breaks down their creative process behind a single work of art.
It’s Lit! [Unabridged]: This is the 10-episode podcast spinoff of the popular PBS YouTube series called It’s Lit! In each episode, they get into deep conversations with authors about their work and the important issues surrounding the world of literature.
Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: Our colleagues here at The WNET Group created an incredible show that dives deep into the process of wildlife conservationists. It is rare to find a podcast that teaches about a field that is totally new to me while still being a completely immersive wildlife experience. The folks at Nature have definitely achieved that balance!
Blank Check with Griffin & David: Smart and fun conversations that go extremely deep into the filmographies of Hollywood auteurs. This show is like catnip for my own personal interests. I guarantee you’ll have a good time if you give it a listen on your next road trip or long flight.
The Statue: Another public radio pick, this show from our friends over at WHYY (home to Fresh Air with Terry Gross). This new series explores the story of the real-life monument dedicated to a fictional character. What does the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art say about the city, its culture, and our collective imagination?
This list, of course, only scratches at the surface of the podcasting world. As the world we live in gets more complicated with an array of nonlinear messaging and increasingly noisy signals, more and more people seek to understand not just how artists work but also how the world works. There are many shows beyond this list that endeavor to do just that, and I’m proud to be a part of that effort.
