10. The Walk - A thriller in which you, the listener, are the hero. The Walk begins in Scotland, and through a case of mistaken identity, you are given a vital package that must be couriered to Edinburgh.



You are the main character in this spy-thriller adventure, delivering a mysterious package to Edinburgh, all the while avoiding terrorists, explosions, and bullets. I've never seen this gimmick (making the listener the main character) pulled off nearly as well and for as long as The Walk. The acting is generally upstanding and it allows you to guess who you can trust, who might be a double (or even triple) agent, and who might be working for the terrorists. While the story meanders some toward the middle of the season, its best moments are interspersed throughout, and the series finishes strong. My favorite episodes are 'Seeing Things', 'Jumping at Shadows', 'Wolves', and the opening episode. For sound design, the show also starts off strong but oddly enough declines in quality as the series continues, suffering from a few low points toward the middle and end of the story, specifically as it pertains to how it communicates the action segments. This is also partly an issue with writing, but generally speaking, the dialogue is strong, regardless of your opinions on the overall plot. Even with these comments it remains one of my favorite shows of 2018 with it's unique charm and characters you can really love (and love to hate). The Walk will always stand out as a show that was different, bold, and quirky.











9. 2298 - Years after an invasion nearly destroys Earth, a new society has coalesced around the only thing left: the internet. The Network makes sure Profiles eat right & stay focused but no. 24, thanks to the sudden appearance of a mysterious bird, is finding that difficult.





While I did not initially think much of the semi-abstract, single-voiced 7 minute episodes that were released on a weekly(!) basis, a larger picture slowly began to connect the dots that comprise this story, and it's the show in 2018 that had the biggest rewards for a careful listener. Right from the first episode, 2298 starts off with quality sound design and voice acting, and these elements are maintained all the way through the nail-biting intensity of the final episodes. This podcast contains a great story, partly hidden within mysteries that I personally feel I would have had a better grasp on if I'd been able to hear the entire show in a single sitting... Speaking of which: Listen to the super cut titled 'All Entries' as you can now enjoy the entire story in a single sitting, ad free. 2298 does so many things right that I can't explain in detail for fear of ruining the story elements I enjoyed. Finally, it's worth noting is that the brief nature of this podcast (just under 2 hours for the entire series) also makes it an easy commitment.











8. Girl in Space - The podcast about a girl in space, doing science stuff while her space ship slowly degrades around her. Then everything changes...



I was initially skeptical and even a bit underwhelmed by the first few episodes of Girl in Space. It suffered from some of the shortcomings of a new audio drama creator, with minimal sound design and a likable lead but secondary characters that were stiff. However, like its protagonist, Girl in Space has grown with each episode, the sound design getting more technical, the actors greatly improving, and the story going in directions I could have never predicted. Its sound design might not be as intense as shows like The Walk but the execution of the sounds it includes are functional, clear, and help to tell the story. Basically this is the purpose of sound design in a nutshell. The lead is a strong actress, and the story is solid. By the start of 2018 I found myself eagerly looking forward to its introduction theme as new episodes popped onto my feed. You might feel the same way, so don't judge this podcast by its first few episodes. Also, this is one of the only kid-friendly shows on my list.







The Big Loop - Distinct stories highlighting the strange, wonderful, and often harrowing experiences of those living on the outer edges of the known world.



As an anthology series, The Big Loop will give you a different experience with each episode, telling a unique story with at least one twist. While not every story is a masterpiece, the majority will keep you on the edge of your seat, achieving the NPR trademark experience where you don't want to leave your car or stop listening until the story concludes. I personally enjoyed the vast majority of what's been released, my favorite story being 'Goodbye Mr. Adams' in season 1. The biggest detractor on the Big Loop, at least in the initial episodes, is the audio quality, especially during FML (which is an otherwise great storytelling experience). Initially I thought that this was because all of the stories were nonfiction (the acting and stories are that good), but I've since learned that it had more to do with the learning curve of being a new production. It's worth mentioning that the sound quality continues to improve and that the show makes uses of little-to-no sound design beyond (very good) music, so it's more an issue of recording technique as opposed to poor sound design that damages the story. The Big Loop plays to its strengths well and regularly achieves a level of enthralling storytelling without the need for a large cast or sound effects. It tells stories that feel so real and that is why it's frequently discussed as a great bridge between fiction and non-fiction podcasting, and a wonderful entry point for listeners who are new to audio drama. 7.As an anthology series, The Big Loop will give you a different experience with each episode, telling a unique story with at least one twist. While not every story is a masterpiece, the majority will keep you on the edge of your seat, achieving the NPR trademark experience where you don't want to leave your car or stop listening until the story concludes. I personally enjoyed the vast majority of what's been released, my favorite story being 'Goodbye Mr. Adams' in season 1. The biggest detractor on the Big Loop, at least in the initial episodes, is the audio quality, especially during FML (which is an otherwise great storytelling experience). Initially I thought that this was because all of the stories were nonfiction (the acting and stories aregood), but I've since learned that it had more to do with the learning curve of being a new production. It's worth mentioning that the sound quality continues to improve and that the show makes uses of little-to-no sound design beyond (very good) music, so it's more an issue of recording technique as opposed to poor sound design that damages the story. The Big Loop plays to its strengths well and regularly achieves a level of enthralling storytelling without the need for a large cast or sound effects. It tells stories that feel so real and that is why it's frequently discussed as a great bridge between fiction and non-fiction podcasting, and a wonderful entry point for listeners who are new to audio drama.











The Phenomenon - When a supernatural threat drives mankind to the point of extinction, survivors around the globe struggle to endure in a world with just three rules: Do not look outside. Do not look at the sky. Do not make noise.



The Phenomenon will fill you with nervous tension and clutch the darkest parts of your imagination in its first episode. Where many stories lose their luster after the mystique of the initial shock value subsides, the team behind this story do a fantastic job of keeping each new episode as entertaining as the previous one. Based on a book, the core plot itself has a very powerful progression and execution, the dialogue and shifting perspectives are phenomenally pulled off (serious kudos for having such a large and talented international cast!), and the sound design is easily some of the best out there. Where many horror podcasts this year have been criticized for overstaying their welcome and either perpetuating a story for too long or shifting gears in an extreme way, the Phenomenon continues to evolve and tell a very coherent story at the same time without feeling convoluted. It's very easy to get pulled into this podcast, and once you're there you won't want to leave until you've heard the end of season 3... Which they're working on for 2019. 6.The Phenomenon will fill you with nervous tension and clutch the darkest parts of your imagination in its first episode. Where many stories lose their luster after the mystique of the initial shock value subsides, the team behind this story do a fantastic job of keeping each new episode as entertaining as the previous one. Based on a book, the core plot itself has a very powerful progression and execution, the dialogue and shifting perspectives are phenomenally pulled off (serious kudos for having such a large and talented international cast!), and the sound design is easily some of the best out there. Where many horror podcasts this year have been criticized for overstaying their welcome and either perpetuating a story for too long or shifting gears in an extreme way, the Phenomenon continues to evolve and tell a very coherent story at the same time without feeling convoluted. It's very easy to get pulled into this podcast, and once you're there you won't want to leave until you've heard the end of season 3... Which they're working on for 2019.