I'm Natalie Moore. I fell in love with soap operas when I was just five years old, and I still

watch them. Their television's longest scripted series and have zero reruns. Now let me tell you,

soap operas aren't just some silly art form. They are significant. In this season of making,

Stories Without End from WB EZ Chicago.

Join me as I share how the genre began, their social impact, and why these stories endure.

Listen wherever you get your podcast.

From WBEZ Chicago, this is Nerdette. I'm Greta Johnson. We did it. We made it to another weekend and the end of 2023, no less, which means we figure it is the perfect time to sit back, relax, and reflect on some of our favorite stuff that came out this year. We have already talked about the best books and cookbooks. Next week,

we are talking about the best TV of the year. And today, we are unpacking this very medium,

the podcast. I am super excited to introduce you to our experts for this one. We have Leah Simone

Bowen, the host of podcast playlist from the CBC, a show that helps you find the best

podcasts out there.

Leo, welcome to the show.

Thank you so much for having me.

Also here is Nick Kwa, who's a podcast critic for Vulture.

Nick, welcome back.

Hello, hello.

So before we dive in to your actual list, I would love to know from each of you what you're looking for

when it comes to a year-end best-of list. Leah, what are your kind of criteria that you're working with?

You know, I look at, did I want to keep listening? Because I listen to so many podcasts, and I usually,

especially when they're new to each year, I definitely listen to the first one.

And then I kind of see, did it hook me enough to keep going?

And all the ones on my list hooked me enough.

...