Best podcasts of 2016

Our staff selects their favourites this year, from uncovering a controversial cold case to uncovering the death of disco. This episode is all about the best of 2016.

CBC Radio · Posted: Dec 29, 2016 8:00 PM EST | Last Updated: December 30, 2016

Six of the best podcast episodes this year.

Click here for the full Canadian broadcast version:

1. The Truth

"A really fun short piece of radio fiction." — Host Lindsay Michael

"It's kind of excruciating." — Host Matt Galloway

"Gimlet's fall season is incredible. They released a bunch of new podcasts that are all phenomenal. My fave, though, is Undone. In each episode they take a look at an iconic event in history with the fresh eyes of the present. In 'Disco Demolition Night' they look back on the problematic night disco died." — Producer Kate Evans

3. Missing and Murdered: Who Killed Alberta Williams?

"Great investigative reporting. Great storytelling. Connie Walker just does an amazing job of investigating this one case but also connecting it to the larger issue... an issue that's been in the minds of all Canadians for the past few years." — Host Lindsay Michael

4. Us & Them

"We listen mostly to ourselves... it's an echo chamber. And there's a danger to that because you end up not paying attention to what other people are thinking. That in many ways is the idea behind what to me was one of the most interesting podcasts all year." — Host Matt Galloway

PLUS an exclusive interview with Us & Them host and producer Trey Kay.

5. Death, Sex and Money

"One of my favourite podcasts since it started, thanks to host Anna Sale's compassionate yet incisive interviews. When she went on maternity leave, rather than going on hiatus, the podcast invited former guests to sit in for Anna and interview a guest of their choice. One of those guest hosts was Ellen Burstyn, and her conversation with Gloria Steinem was one of the most moving and inspiring things I listened to all year." — Producer Alison Broverman

6. WTF with Marc Maron

"When I heard this podcast with Ali Wong, a woman who is so boisterous, and raw, and disgusting, and filthy. I thought, finally, this is a person I could get behind." — Producer Philip Leung

What new podcasts should we recommend? Send us an e-mail, tweet us @PodcastPlaylist, or find us on Facebook.

For more great podcasts, check out CBC's podcast portal or subscribe in iTunes.