New Arrivals
Photograph courtesy of iHeart Media
King Slime: The Prosecution of Young Thug and YSL
Produced by: iHeart Media
Vibe: Juicy legal drama; hip-hop lore
For fans of: Infamous: The YNW Melly Story; Disgraceland
A sprawling organized crime, RICO charges, and Fulton County DA Fani Willis? Nope, we’re not talking about former President Trump. Amazingly, the sensational arrest and subsequent legal dramas of Jeffrey Lamar Williams—better known as the rapper Young Thug—is only the second biggest criminal trial in Atlanta right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s not wild.
In this new iHeart Media podcast, music journalist Christina Lee and crime reporter George Chidi (both Atlanta contributors) dig deep into the trial of Young Thug and 27 co-defendants from Young Slime Life who are charged with murder and robbery, among other charges. Lee and Chidi also dive into the wider history of hip-hop in Atlanta and beyond.
The Boom
Produced by: WABE
Vibe: Film industry insider intel; thoughtful conversations with creatives
For fans of: Longform; Film Riot
As Atlanta’s film industry blossoms, so too the conversations around it. If you’re hungry for stories about the local movie-making business, WABE’s new podcast, The Boom, has plenty to offer. Hosted by award-winning journalist and podcaster Jewel Wicker (another Atlanta contributor!), The Boom explores what’s happening in and around the city’s booming film industry. It features interviews with local filmmakers, cast and crew, and sheds the spotlight on the trends and dynamics impacting movie-making across the Southeast.
WABE is also unveiling two more new podcasts this year: Wake Up and Create, which will focus on Atlanta’s creative community at large, and Calls for Justice, deep diving into the state’s criminal justice system.
Updated Favorites
Photograph courtesy of the AJC
Politically Georgia
Produced by: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vibe: Deep political analysis; local news with a national context
For fans of: Politico Playbook; CNN Inside Politics
Politically Georgia, long a mainstay of Atlanta political coverage, is getting a new platform and a big new co-host. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s marquee podcast is helmed by politics reporters Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy, who take deep dives into the many trending stories in Georgia politics.
In August, the AJC announced that the show will air on WABE beginning in the fall, streaming live every weekday morning at 10 a.m. In addition to the new platform, Politically Georgia will also add two new hosts: Tia Mitchell, the AJC’s Washington correspondent, and Bill Nigut, the veteran journalist who hosted Political Rewind on Georgia Public Broadcasting for ten years before the show was canceled in June.
With four veteran journalists sharing the mic—and Atlanta making political headlines every day—Politically Georgia is a must-listen for critical coverage of the many trends shaping news across the state.
Battleground: Ballot Box
Produced by: Georgia Public Broadcasting
Vibe: Narrative-driven political coverage; deep dive into a single political story
For fans of: Slate’s Slow Burn; Trump, Inc
The third season of GPB’s popular politics podcast will closely follow the election interference investigation currently being prosecuted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Correspondents Stephen Fowler and Riley Bunch have spent years covering the many ups and downs of the investigation, which began after the 2020 presidential election and the infamous phone call between then-President Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Now that a grand jury has indicted Trump and 18 associates, there will be plenty to discuss as the proceedings make their way through court. If you’re looking for a thorough, nuanced play-by-play of the case, Battleground: Ballot Box is a great resource.
Photograph courtesy of Latisha Mariee
The 85 South Show
Produced by: iHeart Media
Vibe: Hilarious, laid-back banter from Atlanta comedians; sharp takes on culture and comedy
For fans of: 2 Dope Queens; WTF with Marc Maron
Like many Atlantans, you may already be a fan of this wildly successful comedy podcast, hosted by comedians Karlous Miller, D.C. Young Fly, and Chico Bean. But if not, this is a great time to catch up, starting with the trio’s new Netflix special, released in June. 85 South: Ghetto Legends was freestyled live on stage at College Park’s Gateway Center Arena in front of a local crowd that does not disappoint. Directed by comedy impresario Stan Lathan, it features the comedy trio at their finest, riffing on whatever catches their fancy, plus musical guests Rich Homie Quan and Goodie Mob.
Once you’ve watched that, you’ve got eight seasons worth of comedy content to indulge in, with new episodes out every week, featuring a wide range of special guests and freewheeling jokes on everything and anything. The self-styled “podcast for people who don’t know what a podcast is” will have you snorting Coca-Cola through your nose like a true Atlantan.
Photograph courtesy of Renee Montgomery
Montgomery & Co.
Find it on: WABE
Vibe: Fresh and lively sports talk; thoughtful conversation about culture, entrepreneurship, and Black women in America
For fans of: The Pick Up; Jemele Hill is Unbothered
Renee Montgomery, a legendary UConn basketball alumna, WNBA champion, former Atlanta Dream star and now part owner of the team she once played for, has been helming this successful podcast for several seasons. Now, WABE will add Montgomery & Co. to its regular broadcast: episodes will now air every Saturday at 6:00 p.m., both on 90.1 FM and on the station’s livestream.
Montgomery co-hosts the show with a powerhouse team of family members, including her mother, Bertlela Montgomery; sister, Nicole Young; and wife Sirena Grace. In addition to interviews with sports luminaries, from college ball stars to WNBA marketing gurus—Montgomery and her family go deep on culture, business, and what it means to be a Black woman in America. Montgomery brings insider knowledge and gameday-level energy to the show, making this podcast as thoughtful as it is entertaining.
