Podcast Categories: Society & Culture

The dumbest genre in entertainment, or the one that tells us the most about ourselves? Since its conception, reality TV has divided its viewers.

Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV is a 10-part audio documentary written and presented by journalists Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale. They’ve been fans of reality TV since they first watched Big Brother as pre-teens and they’ve spent a fair amount of time defending reality TV when people are snobby about it, or dismiss its importance in our wider culture. But they’ve also been troubled by what they’ve seen in the genre: the exploitation; the lack of aftercare; the impacts of sudden fame.

Using interviews with the creators, producers and stars of some of the most iconic reality shows of the last two decades, and leading cultural critics of today, Unreal explores how reality TV has shaped entertainment, fashion, beauty, celebrity and even politics – and some of the ethical issues raised by the format.

Producer: Hannah Hufford
Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes
Executive Editor: James Cook
Content Producer: Hannah Robins
Technical Producer: Giles Aspen

The Blaire White Project hosted by Blaire White is a place for real conversations pertaining to politics, gender, sexuality, world events, and comedy. Guests will include politicians, social media influencers, artists, scientists, and media personalities. Everyone who stops by the show will have one thing in common- the ability to be unfiltered.

White, a Youtuber deemed “The Queen of Controversy” by Penthouse Magazine, makes the leap into podcasting after appearing on other top podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience, Timcast IRL, and countless others. Her videos, having amassed hundreds of millions of clicks, have never shied away from any topic. Her life as a trans woman, LGBT issues, and her personal life will be consistent themes on The Blaire White Project.

If you’re a fan of longform conversations without corporate media soundbite quotas, this is the show for you!

The After Zarty isn’t just a podcast—it’s a space for real, unfiltered conversations that go beyond the surface. From navigating relationships and self-growth to tough truths and viral moments, nothing is off-limits. Whether we’re unpacking personal stories, debating hot topics, or having the uncomfortable conversations most people avoid, we keep it raw, honest, and thought-provoking.

Hosted by Zion, The After Zarty brings together guests from all walks of life to dive into the realities of love, success, struggles, and personal evolution—always with a mix of humor, depth, and a little bit of edge. If you’re here for deep convos, real perspectives, and unfiltered truth, you’re in the right place.

🎙️ New episodes every week. Let’s talk about it. #TheAfterZarty

Dancing With the Stars’ Cheryl Burke knows that a misstep in dancing means shaking it off, getting up on your feet and back onto the dance floor because each struggle is a stepping block to reach your true potential. The same goes for Cheryl in her personal life too. That’s why on her 38th Birthday, she’s getting Burke in the Game. 

Cheryl, newly divorced, is getting Burke in the Game as she is ready to face her fears, learn about how to truly love herself, and hopefully in turn, be ready to Rumba again. Burke in the Game is a podcast designed to help guide Cheryl to get back on track. However this time around, she’s surrendering the lead…to YOU!

What type of a guy is she most compatible with? Where did she go wrong in the past? Will she let her inner demons get in the way of her dating again? Does she need to freeze her eggs? And so much more as there’s so many questions to be answered that all of YOU will decide for her. 

Because one thing is for sure, Cheryl is not going through it alone this time. She’ll talk with sex therapists, relationship experts, life coaches, family members, friends, and even a few of her exes, and the list goes on!

We’ll make sure that Cheryl’s next steps she decides to take…will finally land her that perfect partner that she has always dreamed of. 

Together, let’s help Cheryl Take these Burken Wings and learn to fly again! 

Burke in the Game, an iHeartRadio Podcast.

Feeling Asian is a weekly podcast hosted by Youngmi Mayer and Brian Park, two Asian Americans with plenty of feelings about sex, dating, survival, self-worth, and everything in between. Meet our fun, interesting friends along the way; past guests include Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, Stephanie Hsu, Bowen Yang, Yaeji, and more! Named a top podcast of 2021 by CNN and featured on Apple and Spotify’s homepages, Feeling Asian offers a healthy and compassionate space for Asians, Asian Americans, and Asians in America to be themselves without feeling as if their time is a fleeting moment. Check out Feeling Asian for a catharsis that is, well, pretty Asian! New episodes out every Wednesday!

Follow us on IG @itsbrianpark and @ymmayer and @feelingasianpodcast. For all inquiries please visit feelingasian.com!

[EDITOR’S NOTE]
“There was this space for a podcast like this and I was like, ‘Let’s just try it out, I think there’s going to be other Asian Americans out there that feel like we do,’” says Brian Park, co-host and co-creator of Feeling Asian. “As long as we stay irreverent and stay authentic to ourselves and lead with empathy and vulnerability, I think that this is something that could resonate with other people.” What started as an idea between two fellow stand-up comedians, Park and Youngmi Mayer, Apple Podcasts’ Spotlight show for May 2022, Feeling Asian, has made its mark amplifying Asian American voices and illuminating all facets of the Asian American diasporic experience.

After meeting at an open mic in New York City, Park and Mayer decided that podcasting was the ideal way to go in-depth about their shared experiences, and to go beyond their comfort zones as comics to speak freely and vulnerably. It’s with that very vulnerability that they’ve been able to build a devoted community of listeners and continue to grow each week. “I remember last May during AAPI [Asian American & Pacific Islander] Heritage Month, the Stop Asian Hate movement got going and I was just inundated with hundreds of DMs from people about all the racist acts that they were living through,” says Mayer. “That’s when I really realized that it’s much bigger than just a podcast. It’s like we’re giving back to this community that maybe all they really need is to hear someone that’s like-minded.”

With new episodes airing Wednesday, the weekly show focuses on their feelings (as evidenced in its title), but goes beyond the surface with a sense of openness and honesty that makes you feel like you’re in same room laughing (or crying) alongside them with guests, ranging from fellow entertainers to mental health professionals, and even their family members, Youngmi’s mom and Brian’s sister. “We’re not claiming ourselves to be experts, we’re not claiming ourselves to be journalists,” says Park. “We’re comedians by trade. We like to make people laugh and we like to inject levity. And I think it’s created this nice flavor to our podcast where we can go really deep with our guests and provide a very comfortable space for them and for ourselves and for everyone listening.”

For Mayer, the loyal and diverse following that Feeling Asian has cultivated gives a glimpse of the potential for what a successful podcast can do. “I don’t want to sound too grandiose, but a lot of people really use our podcast as something to help themselves process,” she says. “I just want to grow a community and make people feel less alone.”