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Podcasts, aka every Angeleno’s highway travel buddy, have been around for over a decade, but they have exploded in popularity in the last two years (thanks in large part to Serial, which in the fall of 2014 became the fastest podcast to reach 5 million streams or downloads in iTunes history). This weekend, celebrate the medium at the fourth annual Los Angeles Podcast Festival at the Sofitel Hotel. Jam-packed with many of the most popular podcasters—Marc Maron, Todd Glass, Leonard Maltin, Aisha Tyler— the festival, presented by Audible, has something for every comedy nerd. The weekend also features events for aspiring podcasters, including a panel on crowdfunding (Saturday) and the Squarespace Podcast Lab, where you can record your own podcast live from the Fest (BYO recording gear). If you can’t make it to Beverly Hills this weekend, you can buy a $25 ticket to watch a video live stream. Here are five podcasts not to miss at this year’s Fest (in order of appearance):
Doug Loves Movies
September 18, Beverly Ballroom, 7p.m. – 9 p.m.
Comedian and weed-enthusiast Doug Benson (Super High Me, Getting Doug With High) kicks off the Fest with his celluloid podcast. Expect lively comedian guests playing film-related games.
The Indoor Kids
September 19, Hollywood & Sunset, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Hilarious husband-and-wife duo Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon discuss all things video game-related (and more). When not podcasting, they can be found at Meltdown Comics running the show The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail.
WTF with Marc Maron
September 19, Beverly Ballroom, 7p.m. – 9 p.m.
No list of podcasts is complete without comedian Marc Maron’s legendary show, usually hosted from the garage of his house in Highland Park. Past guests have included Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, Adam Carolla, and President Barack Obama.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour
September 19, Beverly III, 9p.m. – 11 p.m.
Comedian Paul Gilmarten talks openly with guests about a range of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The weekly show, which has received numerous accolades, is one of the top-rated self-help podcasts on iTunes.
Girl on Guy with Aisha Tyler
September 20, Beverly III, 2p.m. – 4 p.m.
Host Aisha Tyler (The Talk, Archer, Talk Soup) conducts fun and thoughtful interviews with a range of actors, comedians, writers and musicians.
