The Good Whale - Podcast Rankings and reviews

This is by far one of the best podcasts I have ever heard from Serial (and that’s saying a lot b/c Serial puts out amazing content). It is beautiful, raw, thoughtful and expansive as it tells a powerful and important story about the complexity of the natural world, our hubris and so much more. Daniel Alarcon is a force and has created a beautiful work of art - I hope many more people hear this podcast. I found it moved me, challenged me and changed me all at once.

P.S. The musical episode should win an award all on its own - INCREDIBLE.

This story made me laugh, cry and feel just about every other emotion in between. Everyone should hear Keiko’s story. The writing in this series is beautiful and a perfect concoction of the science and the humanity involved in freeing Keiko.

I have never written a review before but I wanted to stop by and say that as someone who grew up watching Free Willy and supporting the Free the Whales movement and following Keiko's journey, this podcast just filled my heart with love and hope and respect for these incredible creatures. In this modern world that often feels so bleak and mean, it is journalism like this that reminds me that there are incredible people and animals doing great things every day. I am so happy that Keiko was able to make his own choice in the end, possibly the only choice he ever made for himself ❤️ beautiful work, thank you!

I loved this series. Binged it. The patience of the scientists, the human-whale bond, the vividness of feeling the presence of Kieko in the water and that winter in Norway. The ultimate question should we be capturing wild animals and putting them in amusement parks. The use of musical theater to imagine Kieko’s 100 mile trip was quite a surprise and well done. Bravo to all. This is a very moving story and leaves you with many concerns and questions.

I really wanted to like this story. I live in the PWN and love Orcas. This was an interesting story but could have been done in less episodes. The host spends too much time personifying Keiko. It also felt like they were reaching for something important to say or express about conservation and our obsession with capturing animals but it never really got there. In my opinion not worth listening to all 6 episodes.

I am struggling to stay interested. Great sounds, nice interviews but I am finding it difficult to keep listening/coming back to this series. Radiolab would have dedicated just an episode, it feels dragged out.