"But 2025 countered the narrative that the medium is somehow no longer interested in audio-with a slew of ambitious productions that emphasized podcasting, not just as a vehicle for comedy or the news, but as an art form in itself. These works aren't the result of people simply talking into a microphone; they reflect deep thinking about how to blend sound design and scripting into a deft aural affair."
"Fear No Man, which chronicles the life and legacy of the Afrobeat pioneer and political activist Fela Kuti,easily exceeds them. Across a dozen episodes, the series contextualizes Kuti's importance in post-colonial Nigeria-and beyond-without slipping into hagiography. Abumrad and his team manage to encompass the full spectrum of Kuti's music-its blending of sonic traditions and narrative lyricism-through expressive sound design. At a moment when ambitious podcasts are hard to come by, the zealous fluidity of Fear No Man stands out."
Podcasting faced layoffs, AI-produced low-quality content, and a shift toward video platforms in recent years. In 2025, ambitious audio productions reasserted podcasting as an art form, blending intricate sound design and scripted storytelling. Standout works recreated Antarctic expedition sounds, chronicled an Afrobeat legend with musical cadence, and offered archival deep dives into old Hollywood. Jad Abumrad's Fear No Man chronicles Fela Kuti across a dozen episodes, contextualizing his importance without hagiography and using expressive sound design. Cramped examines debilitating period pain with humor, education, and anger, hosted by Kate Helen Downey, who suffers crippling period pain.
Read at The Atlantic
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