Podcasting is at the that beautifully awkward stage where it’s it’s at just the right minimal level of popularity to be fondly looked at by the Australian masses and hipsters simultaneously. Through the foundational work of comedians and radio duo Hamish and Andy, the open and wide-reaching format of podcasting has allowed Australian radio, TV, film, youtube and comedy personalities to personalize their own podcasts that not only satisfy current fans, but also act as a “showreel” to gain new ones.

Here are 3 podcasts that I personally love, and the best bit, they are all free!

1. Hamish & Andy

Ok, I know this is an easy one, but it’s hard to deny the hilarity of Hamish Blake and Andy Lee’s work. What, in my opinion, makes the podcast so much better than their radio show, is the fact that it combines the best bit of the show, and removes all commercial influence such as the music and ads. It’s hard not to love Hamish and Andy, their chemistry is so brilliant it’s almost tangible, and their segments are original, funny and delightfully stupid. They discuss the news without presenting a self-indulgent opinion, and reflect Australian culture without appearing overtly nationalist.

2. I Love Green Guide Letters with Steele Saunders

One thing that makes podcasting such a great form of new media is the fact that so many niche markets that people never knew existed are met. I Love Green Guide Letters satisfies a comedic need that you never really knew you wanted. Steele Saunders reading through the petty and nitpicking letters to The Age television and radio lift-out The Green Guide in his hilariously high-pitched second-voice is effective in not just its hilarity, but also in the way he allows his media personality guests to present their own side of how it feels to be complained about, and gives them a chance to hit back. Making fun of the retiree-majority grouping who write in the letters may seem cruel, yet only in hearing the letters read out on the podcast do you truly understand how much they deserve it.

 

3. TOFOP

There is no show more irreverent than this one, and thats what makes it so great, and my personal favourite. Wil Anderson has been a beloved Australian comedian for over 15 years now, and when you hear him talk about whatever comes up in conversation with his guests, you understand why. The podcast has 2 different styles of episodes, TOFOP with Home and Away actor and Wil’s long-time-friend Charlie Clausen, and FOFOP, including frequent guest comedian Dave Anthony and a variety of other comedy guests. Each episode is different, one may be entirely about Wil and Charlie’s thoughts on modern religion, whereas another may be entirely dedicated to a hilariously-uneducated discussion on pony fetishes. The fact that you never know what you are going to expect, yet it’s always consistently hilarious and interesting, is what makes this podcast so great.