S-Town - Podcast Rankings and reviews

This is both a love letter and indictment of small rural southern s-towns that beautifully sum up the complicated feelings of growing up in them and loving/hating them. This is the podcast I recommend to everyone- people who hate the south, who love the south, who feel like misfits, who struggle with mental health, who have complicated familial relationships, anyone and everyone can find a relatable piece of this story or learn something from it. I listen to this at least every other year since it came out, it rewards multiple listens. The storytelling is phenomenal. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry and you’ll feel totally satiated by the end.

Every aspect of this podcast – from the narration, characters, music/scoring, poignancy – is just an absolute storytelling masterpiece. I listen to it at least once a year I would say, and I am never less than fully compelled and moved. It is something that Brian Reed and all the team should be very proud of. It is a gem and privilege that we were introduced not only to the person that was John B McLemore, but also horology and so much more.
I can’t believe I randomly was going through my podcasts (I never read podcast reviews??) only to be alerted to the fact that Tyler Goodson was killed by cops from another reviewer! I just read several news articles and …how horribly sad. I do wonder if the family will allow a follow up podcast about the years since, though with the legal issues it may not be feasible.
Either way, I have recommended this podcast to many people and it has never disappointed. I will continue to listen to it and be moved.
It’s later than you think.

Update: shocked by the reviewers complaining about a paywall. Journalism IS NOT FREE, especially good journalism. Instead of complaining you once got it for free and now don’t, consider it a one-time gift. That’s what it was. Journalists have to be paid for their work. The way a company can continue to do that is via subscriptions. We get so much from them, as a society. Everyone should pick their favorite outlet/s and pay a subscription to support them.

“Life is tedious and brief.” 🥺

One of the best podcasts I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to, and one that I have listened to over & over again. It’s cup-filling and wholesome, but also one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever heard. I find myself coming back to this one in times when I need to know that there are/were other people out there who care about the world and the environment, or who just keep up with ALL the world events. A brilliant man who should have had a lot better life but stuck around bc he bore the responsibility of everything around him! I sure do wish that I could have had the pleasure of meeting John B. Macklemore, and sit down with him and listen to him talk for hours. His life was definitely not in vain, and ever since listening to this for the very first time, I have a piece of John B. with me everywhere I go. Thank you for this production, but I hate that it’s subscriber only now. I wish that wasn’t the case

5 years later and it’s still the best podcast I’ve ever listened to. The one to which I judge ALL other podcasts against!

S-Town is one of my absolute favorite Podcasts, I’ve listened to it several times over and recommended it countless times… However now that it’s behind a paywall I will definitely be rethinking recommending this.

Blocking episodes that have been out and free for years behind a new paywall is absolutely insane. I 100% get paying to listen to episodes early, but this is *not* it. Shame on whomever approved this decision!