u/Fair_Musician_7273

This is a podcast emergency.
Without a deeply engaging podcast, I slowly descend into an anhedonic state where the world feels dull, lifeless, without meaning and my desk work becomes psychologically impossible. That’s a little dramatic…but just a little.

So I’m looking for podcasts that are:

• fascinating
• emotionally intense
• psychologically weird
• ethically messy
• existentially haunting
• shocking enough that I stare at the wall after an episode questioning humanity

I love real stories. Documentary, investigative journalism, true crime with an actual twist or unusual angle, cults, strange internet communities, bizarre medical stories, social phenomena, philosophical undertones, etc.

What I don’t want:
“Someone was murdered and now we slowly retrace the timeline for 11 episodes.”

I need a hook. A weird human element. A wtf is happening here moment. Something morally complicated or psychologically wild.

Some favourites in no particular order:
• Hunting Warhead
• This Is Actually Happening
• MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries
• The Telepathy Tapes
• Noble
• The Banned Teacher
• Hysterical
• Dolly Parton’s America
• The Apology Line
• The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby
• Missing Richard Simmons
• Serial (S1 & S2)
• Love Trapped
• Dr. Death
• Philosophize This!
• Ghost Story
• S-Town
• Dirty John
• Heavyweight (some episodes hooked me, some lost me completely)
• Bear Brook
• Beautiful/Anonymous
• Dying for Sex
• Sweet Bobby
• Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera
• Someone Knows Something
• Incels
• BBC Witch
• Infamous
• The Retrievals
• The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
• The Shrink Next Door
• Twin Flames

I also like some self-improvement/health podcasts if they aren’t super preachy, bro-y, or spiritually intense. I like hearing about newer research and interesting experts.

• Diary of a CEO
• Huberman Lab

Things I generally don’t enjoy:
• fiction podcasts
• excessive banter/chit chat (respectfully, I cannot handle it)

I’ve also tried stuff like This American Life, Radiolab, Reply All, and The Moth and couldn’t fully get hooked, BUT maybe I just started with the wrong episodes, so feel free to tell me where to start.

Please send me your most unforgettable podcasts. The ones that disturbed you, obsessed you, made you question people, or had you sitting in silence after an episode.

TL;DR: I want podcasts that are psychologically fascinating, emotionally intense, philosophically weird, ethically messy, or deeply shocking. Minimal banter. No boring basic murder timelines. I want stories that linger in your brain for days.

Hello everyone.

I’m looking for help understanding my issues and potentially getting some support.

I had asked u/tawinn for advice and they told me to create post with this info. I am using a different usernames as I like to seprerate my hobbies account from my health account now. I am a 44 year old women.

Symptoms:

Severe fatigue (not just tired, full-body exhaustion and sometimes weakness.

(Particularly bad during luteal phase and period)

When the fatigue is very bad I get ‘air hunger’ where I feel like I need to take very deep breaths all the time.

Brain fog, poor focus, memory issues, very low motivation (ADHD but worse lately)

Depression / very low mood, emotional flatness, no motivation for even the things I used to enjoy

Anxiety (especially with stimulants)

Sleep issues (trouble falling asleep. non-restorative sleep, trouble waking in the morning)

Hormonal issues (worsening symptoms around cycle)

Possible histamine issues (nausea, congestion, after eating and rashes on face, arms, chest)

Itchiness without rash at times

Digestive issues (bloating, nausea, SIBO history, constipation)

Chronic migraines/headaches but could be related to neck issues

These issues have become so severe that I may need to go on disability when I once was a teacher and getting my phD. My quality of life is poor.

Genetic Info:

I am unsure if I have slow or fast COMT as I have symptoms of both and because I have so many issues it is hard to tell what is helping.

See attached. I don’t have a strategenereport because of the cost but can get one if it will be very helpful.

Context:

I’ve tried a number of supplements and medications with limited success. A lot of the recommended supplements seem to make me agitated or anxious.

Stimulants either cause anxiety or do very little

I’m trying to understand if methylation, COMT, or related pathways could explain this

I’d really appreciate any guidance on:

What stands out

Whether I should be cautious with methyl donors

A starting supplement stack

Any other advice you may have

So grateful for any advice you or anyone else might have. Thank you!

The situation is dire. Please help with suggestions.