Podcasts By Joseph Fink For Long Bus Rides

Cool Podcasts
Photo by Siddharth Bhogra on Unsplash

Bus rides can be a kind of meditation. Unlike on a plane, it’s hard to get work done. And unlike driving, you don’t need to pay attention or do anything active. So it’s a great chance to sit back and listen to something you enjoy, such as a podcast. One very talented podcast creator is Joseph Fink, who has written and produced a number of thoughtful, narrative, and nonfiction podcasts that are totally binge-worthy, perfect for a long ride while looking out the window. Here are a few.

Welcome to Night Vale

As the first and most well-known podcast from Fink’s studio, Night Vale Presents, Welcome to Night Vale is a horror/fantasy/sci-fi story about a town in an alternate reality where things aren’t always as they seem. It’s told through fictional radio updates and features queer characters and relationships, voice actors, and original music.

I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats

In this conversational podcast, Fink collaborates with the creative force behind the indie rock/folk band The Mountain Goats, John Darnielle. In each episode they focus on a different song. They talk about the symbolism and driving force behind the music, what it’s meant to them and to others, and why this band has touched so many hearts. Each episode features an original cover of its song by a different artist.

Alice Isn’t Dead

Alice Isn’t Dead is told through the radio log of a trucker driving through the vast expanse of Middle America, searching for her missing wife. It’s another horror/fantasy/alternate future story, with a story as terrifying as it is addictive. It’s especially good for a long bus ride because the story imagery focuses a lot on what it feels like to be on the road.