the memory palace - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I cannot listen to The Memory Palace without tears in my eyes - it is my favorite podcast. Nick has an amazing voice, and his stories, varied and lovely and haunting, will not leave your heart.
I listen to other podcasts frequently, but this one, this podcast is one that I save. I see it pop up in my list and I wait. I listen only when I can really listen. It’s my cactus flower - exquisitely beautiful - it blooms, and then it’s over, but what a blossom.

Nate Dimeo’s beautiful poetic prose will walk you gently down a path through the almost forgotten memories of the world. Without fail the tiny pinprick of light that he shines into some minutia of the past explodes out of the darkness into a vivid story that will touch your heart and overwhelm you with imagery. Nate’s delivery is perfect and I really appreciate the extra moment of silence at the end of the story before moving to closing announcements. It allows you to linger just a bit longer in that ephemeral state that has just been created. Start on any episode and you won’t regret it! I just preordered the book and can’t wait to linger with it.

I’ve just finished a full listen through from the beginning, wrapping up with The Great Gatsby. Somehow that book fits so perfectly in with the stories. I understand some people have issues with the volume and ads, but I can’t see docking a star for it myself. There’s a quirky perspective and way of telling tales, many of which I’ve heard before, that gives them a new perspective here. Bite size nuggets, you never know what you’re going to get- laugh, cry, be amazed. It’s magic, and my only complaint is now I have to wait for new episodes!

Recent podcasts have had more commercials than actual stories (Commercial products, book and network promos, etc.) I recently listened for 18 minutes to hear a pleasant, but too short, 7.5 minute story. The story leaves you with time for thought but the promos follow for another 4+ minutes. Not sure if this is the author’s fault or just a reflection of the over commercialization of podcast industry. A better balance of content to commercial messaging may be more effective.

Look, I get there’s a premium ad free option. I also know that requires a subscription. It’s a shame, because this is a great podcast. Super interesting and well researched. However, having a 15 minute episode with 5 minutes of ad on either side is ridiculous. How many ads do you need to have to fund this thing??

This used to be a good podcast but Nate’s preambles and introductions are getting so tedious, self-involved, and long that the storytelling seems to be getting lost. I hate to say it, but this podcast is getting seriously boring the more Nate focuses on his own perspectives and introspection and less on storytelling. Hope it improves because I used to really like it.