Podcast roundup: From Everything is Alive to Bodega Boys and Bon Appétit Foodcast, our pick of the best this week

Podcasts have seen a rapid upsurge in popularity in recent years. From true crime to design, popular culture and modern relationships, fiction to in-depth reportage, podcasts have proliferated to the point where no matter how esoteric the subject, there’s bound to be a show that deals with it. Amid this cornucopia of audio delights, however, how do you pick the podcast that’s most worth your while? This is where our weekly curated playlist steps in; it’s a lowdown on the best episodes from a selection of podcasts that deserve a listen. Ready to tune in? *** —  Everything is Alive Sean, Subway Seat About the podcast: The show describes itself is as “an unscripted interview show in which all the subjects are inanimate objects. In each episode, a different thing tells us its life story — and everything it says is true.” What it is, is hilarious, heartfelt and often weird bi-weekly conversations between host  Ian Chillag and objects you interact with almost every day. Well written and beautifully executed, the relatively new podcast holds great potential for the future. About the episode: This week we hear from a subway seat (played by Peter Grosz). Its companionship with fellow seats, how it likes people sitting on it, human relationships, and its’s many other thoughts and observations. Runtime: 21 minutes Listen to the episode here.

—  Bodega Boys Ep 135: 4011 for Freedom About the podcast: Desus Nice and THE KID MERO aka the Bodega Boys give you their irreverent yet hilarious takes on all things pop culture. Just sit back and let the duo take you on an aimless trip. The brand is indeed strong! Warning: The podcast contains strong language. Listener discretion adviced.  About the episode: This week on the show — Thanksgiving, 6ix9ine, Showtime, Pusha T, Rico, stealing from Target, and much more. Runtime: 84 minutes Listen to the episode here.

—  Bon Appétit Foodcast Episode 193: Bottom of the Pot About the podcast: Featuring interviews with chefs, writers, editors and, anyone who has something cool to say about food, the Bon Appétit Foodcast covers it all. About the episode: Senior food editor Andy Baraghani talks to Naz Deravian about growing up with her parents’ Persian cooking, how she decided to start a cooking blog, and how that blog turned into her first cookbook, Bottom of the Pot. Runtime: 41 minutes Listen to the episode here.

—  Anna Faris Is Unqualified Ep 150: Bill Hader About the podcast: “Not-so-great-relationship advice from completely unqualified Hollywood types,” is one way to put it. Anna Faris hosts freewheeling interviews (and games) with actors, directors, comedians (your Hollywood types), discussing their works, relationships and everyday life. Funny, with a hint of awkward, the show boasts a great line up of guests. About the episode: Actor and comedian Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live, Barry, The Skeleton Twins) laughs (hard) and chats with Faris and Sim Sarna about SNL, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, anxiety, and comic con and much more. Runtime: 75 minutes Listen to the episode here.

—  It Seemed Smart Tour de France is the pinnacle of cheating (Part 1 and 2) About the podcast: Enter the amusing, diabolical, and entertaining world of sports trickery and mayhem. SB Nation’s Editor-at-Large  Spencer Hall shares the absurd stories of stolen bats, pirated play calls, renegade cross-country road racers, and fantasy football’s own insider trading scandal. About the episodes: Tour de France — an event so rife with cheating that riders taking rat poison, nitroglycerine, and chloroform was considered normal as far back as 1924. Part 1 looks at the event’s first winner, Maurice Garin, who established a tradition of ruthlessness from the race’s inception. Part 2 looks at doping, and what happened when it all finally went too far — even for the Tour de France. Runtime: 23 minutes (part 1) and 29 minutes (part 2) Listen to part 1 here and part 2 here.