Serious Trouble - Podcast Rankings and reviews

Admittedly, Serious Trouble is the podcast I look forward to the most and am most visibly happy about when I see a new episode up. Have enjoyed Josh’s humor, insight, and the way he leads conversation for many many years and Ken is so incredibly funny and smart as well. Both have a keen ability to explain complicated legal stuff in a way that I understand, actually retain, and really love listening to. Thank you guys for such a quality podcast!!!

There’s no one else like these guys - intellectual, witty, very much on top of legal developments, prescient - though only out once a week. I learn things here that the pundits miss or leave out.

This podcast is fantastic. Legal issues related to politics is a bit niche, but if you follow politics enough to listen to The Daily, you will enjoy this content and be able to easily follow it. The hosts do a great job of providing ample context for you to understand the legal commentary. It provides an interesting and balanced exploration of issues from all angles. For new listeners, there are some small inside jokes (RICO hotline, Senate Twink Award for Belatedly Good Judgement) that might through you off during a first listen, but you will catch on quick and love the reoccurrence of these jokes as you get acquainted. Please give it a listen. You won’t regret it.

In the 50+ years of my life, there has been little to no indication that I’ve ever had an interest in legal affairs, legal theory or in-the-weeds legal analysis. Yet somehow, of the 300+ podcasts I have subscribed to in the last 15 years, this is the one I rearrange my day around when a new episode drops. It’s a truth I have to come to terms with, that the way breaking news and current affairs appear through a legal lens is somehow more interesting to me, and that the dynamic between Josh and Ken is the perfect combination of funny and compelling. This is my favorite podcast. I have listened to every second of every episode just as I did “All the Presidents Lawyers” before it.

I enjoy the content and insight, but I can’t afford to subscribe to every podcast, and this one has really made mincemeat out of its free tier to the extent that it’s not really worth following. I don’t begrudge people needing to make a buck, but this is a Patreon feed in disguise at this point, and ATPL fans who can’t pay up are likely to be disappointed by the sporadic, cut down drops.

I don’t need ten minutes of Josh Barrow begging for money. It’s weird. Lots of podcasts have figured out how to monetize. Some with ads. Some with subscriptions. None of them take this route of annoying and shaming listeners. Respect your audience. This tells me you don’t.