Spain is one of the markets where podcasts have grown the most in recent years. According to one of the latest Statista studies, the proportion of the population listening to online audio in the country was 61% in 2023. Latin America has been one of its world powers since the format began. A selection of Spanish audio content creators and managers, from iVoox to Emisorpodcasting, Spotify and Podium Podcast, present their favorite titles of 2023, including The Country of Demons and The Retrievals (in English) as featured productions.
Gabriel Polgati R, Managing Director RDF Media / Emisorpodcasting
'Out of control. The universe of Javier Milei' (Anfibia Podcast and Prisa Audio)
If you thought you'd heard everything about one of the loudest, loudest political figures in recent years, this audio documentary seems to be telling you, “Listen again.” Possibly the most timely journalistic podcast of the year.
“Case 63 enigma” (Emisorpodcasting for Spotify)
That's close, but this spin-off of the Case 63 trilogy confirms three things: that good stories always offer a new opportunity; that science fiction (of anticipation) is actually cinema for the ears; and that Julio Rojas is a screenwriter who seems to have no end.
“FOOM” (Emisorpodcasting, Sonoro, El Extraordinario, Anfibia Podcast and non-fiction)
A kind of stylistic project carried out by five Ibero-American platforms. A true (and friendly) milestone, through a story about what seems to be the end of the world (Julio Rojas again), this time courtesy of the AI. An exercise that considers the power and scope of audio, format and our language.
“Sonar File” (Sonar Podcast)
For music lovers in general and especially for the nineties generation: a series of archives to explore the corners and underground of our favorite bands and artists. Alfredo Lewin as a perfect host (often direct witness) and a sound design that, if we consider this podcast as a rock group, would play the bass.
Ana Ribera García-Rubio, Editor-in-Chief of Podium Podcast
“Demonland” (Spotify and True Story)
With this series, Álvaro de Cózar manages to show that the fact that a story is known should not be a reason to discard it when it is told in audio. It takes us back to Commissioner Villarejo's operations, discovered in 2017, when thousands of tapes recording politicians, businessmen, judges and journalists came to light; Discovery that exposed a disgusting and horrific network of corruption. The script is brilliant and the narration is excellent, accompanying the listener through the network of names and shenanigans. Prosecutor Ignacio Stampa is the character every podcast dreams of: he conveys solvency, clarity and emotion when necessary. Special mention for the cover with a painting by Juan Genovés from 1976, Court of Public Order: another great success.
“The Enemy: the Crime of the CAM Widow” (El País Audio)
“But something is happening to you. It's just that you're innocent. Then you come and say, “Why the hell do I have to hide?” Because? Run away. No, I'm not running away. Miguel López, known as “the son-in-law of the CAM widow”, is the undisputed protagonist of this podcast based on the almost obsessive investigation of Braulio García Jaén. Together with Bárbara Ayuso, he reconstructs this crime by visiting the scene where it happened, the farm where the entire family lived, and interviewing many of those involved in front of and behind the microphone. A thriller that doesn't try to find out whether López is guilty or not, but only presents the facts in a way that confronts the listener with their own prejudices and doubts.
“DMG: The Ant's Dream” (Spotify and La Non Ficción)
Many years have passed since Juan Serrano, the soul and creator of La No Ficción, acted as one man and was responsible for absolutely everything in the production of his podcasts. DMG: The Dream of La Hormiga represents the consolidation of the Colombian production company among the big ones. The journalist Félix de Bedout reconstructs for the listener the history of the DMG company, a large-scale pyramid scheme that left Colombia in turmoil at the end of the first decade of this century offset. We have all heard, read or know stories about pyramid scams; But that of the company DMG, which takes its name from the initials of its creator David Murcia Guzmán, is another level. Its dissolution forced the government of Rafael Uribe to declare a state of emergency in the country to confront the thousands of people who opposed the closure of their activities.
“This is (not) talked about” (They are talking about productions)
The long-awaited return of the podcast by Isabel Cadenas Cañón and her team has not disappointed either its loyal community or the listeners who have now discovered it. Nine episodes that tell three different stories about silence and things that aren't told. The last five episodes, produced together with Producciones del KO and adapted from the book Lunatica by Andrea Momoitio, deserve special mention. With the very careful account of the house, the listener accompanies Érica Santillán in search of information about her grandmother Loli, who left her daughter Conchi (Érica's mother) to work in Bilbao, where Érica will try to trace his life to understand.
Camila Scher, Podcast Director, Amazon Music
“Anguita and Julio” (Cordópolis and elDiario.es)
A sound documentary about the universe by Julio Anguita. The narrative – which includes more than 40 interviews – is well articulated in the title, juxtaposing the public and the private, a remarkable figure and an ordinary man. A choral story that not only invites us to get to know the complexity of this figure, but also invites us to understand and rethink contemporary politics.
“Delusions of Spain” (panel podcast)
Because the taste of this country is found not only in its gastronomy, but also in the stories that make up its pop memory. Each episode commemorates the moment when some of the most famous people of the past few decades were catapulted to fame with the help of mass media. Ideal for die-hard nostalgics, but especially for fans of the bizarre.
“Mexican Scandal” (Wondery)
Building on the success of “American Scandal” and “British Scandal,” Wondery brought the franchise to Spanish for the first time with its Mexican version. Journalist Carlos Puig explores the dirtiest stories in politics, entertainment, business, culture and sports in contemporary Mexico.
“Kings of the Palique” (in-house production)
In my opinion, one of the most loyal conversations currently in the local scene. The originality and diversity of the guests (artists, influencers and celebrities) that Fizpireta and ¡Y Albert! Invited to the set every week creates a dynamic that makes this podcast very attractive content for new generations.
Juan Ignacio Solera, founder of iVoox
“Hidden Planet” (Podimo)
Scientific dissemination is not always attractive, let alone accessible, to the general public. The podcast of Mar Gómez, PhD in physics and head of meteorology at eltiempo.es, has managed to captivate the audience. Mar is a great communicator and quickly conveys deep concepts in a way that is understandable to any listener, without losing interest in exploring current, sometimes historical, issues and even mysteries of the universe.
“The Guerrilla” (Yes, we cast)
Spanish journalist and correspondent Almudena Ariza tells the incredible story of Víctor El Chino Díaz, the television cameraman who tried to assassinate Pinochet. This is an essential journalistic work to learn the history of secret movements in the country and the military coup 50 years later. This podcast deals with a Latin American reality, told by a political refugee living in Chile. The editing is also of excellent quality, which led to it winning the Reveal Podcast award at the iVoox 2023 Awards.
“It’s not the end of the world” (The World Order)
The essential podcast to understand what is happening in the world through entertaining, concrete and entertaining episodes in which the listener finds the context and geopolitical keys necessary to understand international reality.
“Medieval Episodes” (In-house production)
Podcast led by a historian specializing in medieval history. In contrast to the other medieval podcasts, this is about everyday life and not about the great deeds of relevant historical figures or feudal lords. In addition, even though it was newly created, the response from the audience was positive in a very short time.
Isabel Salazar, Country Manager Podimo Spain
“The Secret Life of Mothers” (Podimo)
A podcast about motherhood from a different perspective. By Andrea Ros, actress and perinatal communicator, and Paola Roig, perinatal psychologist. Through this show you will get a unique insight into what lies behind motherhood: exhaustion, stress, mental health, sexuality, unconditional love and much more. As a mother, I discovered a new perspective on motherhood in an original and entertaining way.
“The Secret Life of Mothers,” in Podimo
“Criminopathy” (panel podcast)
A podcast that talks about true stories about crime and criminals. Written and presented by Clara Tiscar. Clara's voice seems super enveloping to me and her sound production is very successful.
“Stories of the Night” (Spotify)
In the tradition of radio classics, the stories, sagas and legends that populate the streets of Mexico and Latin America are told here. A podcast with high sound quality that tells legends from Latin America in a very attractive and captivating way.
“Cinema in the SER” (SER Podcast)
Presented by Pepa Blanes. A podcast that keeps me up to date with new releases, interviews with the best experts in the field and entertaining coverage of the most important events around the world. A way to stay up to date and informed about the film world.
Eduardo Alonso, Head of Podcasts for Southern and Eastern Europe at Spotify
“The Land of Demons” (Spotify and True Story)
For telling like no other the chronology of Commissioner Villarejo through the personal story of prosecutor Ignacio Stampa. After everything that has already been said about these cases, it is not easy to continue to impress, but Álvaro de Cózar manages once again to deliver unknown aspects.
“Titania” (panel podcast)
To turn a sound fiction into the best branded content. It succeeds in inspiring, creating excitement and making the brand present but not intrusive. Directed by Manuel Bartual, it confirms that he understands the format, the listeners and the advertisers like no one else.
“La Pija y la Quinqui” (Spotify)
I already included it in my TOP 5 last year, but this time I'm doing it for a specific episode, namely Mr. Handsome with Pedro Sánchez. Highlight how this podcast became a cross-generational gathering place and part of a primary election strategy that was far from accidental.
“The Marian Rojas Estapé Podcast” (Spotify)
It was the year of mental health and the year of Marian Rojas Estapé. It has held the top spot in the rankings for countless weeks and in many countries.
And the best in English
“Witch” (BBC Radio 4) / Selected by Camila Scher
One of BBC Radio 4's best production and script work this year. Journalist and documentary filmmaker India Rakusen embarks on a journey as figurative as it is literal as she attempts to deconstruct the word 'witch': a polysemic concept that has existed for centuries is present in our collective imagination and has undergone mutations over time. A podcast that invites us to believe in magic, to learn and to re-evaluate our sometimes seemingly lost connection to nature.
“Who Killed JFK?” (iHeart Podcasts) / Selected by Gabriel Polgati
Possibly only for addicts of this political/police milestone. However, this story is so cinematic that it passes as a current storyline (even though 2023 is 60 years old). The participation of filmmaker Rob Reiner, who is well versed in the craft of storytelling, is interesting.
“The Retrievals” (Serial Productions and The New York Times) / Selected by Juan Ignacio Solera and Ana Ribera
A five-episode podcast exploring the infamous story of the nurse who replaced Yale Fertility Clinic's fentanyl with saline, causing patients excruciating pain during egg retrieval. It's a painful vision of the opioid addiction crisis in the United States, private healthcare, and the way we judge women's pain. (JI Ortega)
If you only hear one thing in English this year, it's this one. In 2019 and 2020, a nurse at a Yale University fertility clinic stole more than 175 bottles of fentanyl, to which she was addicted, and replaced them with serum. These manipulated vials were used in egg retrieval procedures for women who wanted to become mothers. Susan Burton hosts this five-part podcast, which consists of the stories of those women who faced unbearable pain and didn't dare complain for fear they would be accused of complaining or exaggerating. This is not just an examination of a case of contempt for female pain or a denunciation of the utter irresponsibility of an institution like Yale in such a case: it is a masterpiece of audio storytelling. Nothing is left to chance: the narrative, the sound design, the music, the art, the chaining of testimonials, the script… everything is adjusted to the millimeter so that it works perfectly. (Ana Ribera)
“Killing Victoria” (BBC) / Selected by Isabel Salazar
I really enjoy content about historical figures. During Queen Victoria's 63-year reign, seven men made the fateful decision to kill her. The seven men almost changed history: any one of them could have ended the Victorian era prematurely, but all were forgotten. This new podcast series, hosted by Dr. Bob Nicholson, will attempt to answer the question of what led these men to kill the most famous and influential woman in the world.
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