S-town Serial Productions | 7 episodes

Spoken audio content has been around for decades, with audio books widely distributed from the early 1970s, and then later on CD. Today, through advances in digital technology, we can access a mind-boggling amount of audio content, including in the form of a podcast (the word was coined in 1994 as a portmanteau of “ipod” and “broadcast”) – a series of episodes downloaded or streamed via computer or smart phone.

Sitting at the top of the podcast charts since its release in March is S-town, by the creators of Serial and This American Life. There was a lot of hype surrounding the release; it’s been downloaded more than 10 million times, and reported on extensively. S-town tells the true story of what happens after investigative journalist Brian Reed receives an email from Alabama local John B Mclemore, alleging a murder has taken place in his small hometown.

An eccentric horologist (clock maker) with a huge intellect, Mclemore is the central character whose life and experiences are at the heart of the story. Mclemore is a natural born storyteller with an eclectic mix of friends and family, and it falls to Reed to untangle the truth from the hyperbole. Reed is pivotal, both in his tireless reporting, which brings the story to life, and the way he presents the events to the listener.

A warning: there’s some strong Alabaman language and adult themes in this one – definitely not suitable for young ears! S-town is an example of the power and versatility of the podcast as a story-telling medium – the rich audio adds a dimension not possible in the written word, and transports the listener to rural Alabama in an instant. stownpodcast.org

How to find podcasts: On an iphone, click the Podcast app. Find the title you are looking for and click “Subscribe”. The “Top Charts” list will differ, depending on what country your itunes account is registered to.