Best Podcast Reviews

The 10 Best Westworld Podcasts to Stir Up Your Theories

April 24, 2018 1:04 pm

Last updated on April 25th, 2018

It remains to be seen if Westworld can replicate the success of Game of Thrones. What we do know however, is the densely layered show is spawning a similar media complex with new Westworld podcasts coming out of the woodwork. Between the endless theories, Easter eggs, and purposeful mixed timelines, Westworld has become a show rich for unraveling and analyzing. A good Westworld podcast does just that.

Most TV shows with a large enough following have at least one podcast dedicated to discussing and recapping the latest episodes. Only with a select handful (Game of Thrones, Lost, Westworld), however, do we get an influx of podcasts whose sole purpose is wrapped up in the clues and theories that propel the forum community and get everyone’s detective skills piqued.

With season two of Westworld recently premiering, I thought it’s the perfect time to help curate the best Westworld podcasts out there.

1. Westworld: The Recappables

Westworld: The Recappables is new for season two of Westworld but is well worth hitting the “subscribe” button. The Ringer, who also produces some of our favorite Game of Thrones podcasts, has had a catch-all Recappables stream for awhile now discussing both Atlanta and Billions in the same feed. However, they (rightfully) made the decision to segment out Westworld into its own stream with dedicated host, David Shoemaker.

If you’re looking for a nice blend of Westworld recap podcast mixed with Westworld theory podcast, this is the one for you.

Listen: Apple Podcasts

2. Decoding Westworld

If you read our favorite Game of Thrones podcast article, you might recognize the hosts of Decoding Westworld. Joanna Robinson and David Chen also host A Cast of Kings. They clearly have the trust and respect of the nerdom, combined with excellent host rapport, both Robinson and Chen carefully analyze fan theories resulting in a fun and nerdy podcast.

Think of Decoding Westworld like a more friendly Reddit that dives into theories, exploring the evidence for and against and discussing the long-term consequences.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

3. Watching Westworld

Watching Westworld comes to us from the Bald Move team who create individual TV podcasts. They’ve also been featured in our Game of Thrones podcast round-up. The Bald Move podcasts are perennial fan favorites and their Westworld podcast is no different. Hosts, Jim and A.Ron, have a good balance of theorizing and TV criticism which makes for a great podcast. There are times when Westworld goes overboard … and Watching Westworld calls them on it.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

4. Binge Mode

Longtime readers of Discover Pods are likely familiar with Binge Mode. We interviewed producer Zach Mack last year as their Game of Thrones version of the podcast was launching. Binge Mode recapped every episode of Game of Thrones starting from the beginning with such precision and analysis that fans of the show undoubtedly learned something new. More impressive, however, is devout readers of the book — who take their fandom a bit more seriously — were won over as well. Hosts Jason Concepcion and Mallory Rubin are speaking at the diehard Game of Thrones convention, Con of Thrones, next month.

What they’re doing for Westworld (and why they appear on this list) is a bit different, however. Another Ringer podcast, Binge Mode doesn’t quite recap Westworld, but instead analyzed how the show tackled the complex topic of conscious and sentience in regards to Westworld’s robots.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

5. Westworld: The Podcast

Westworld: The Podcast is probably the most dedicated of all the Westworld podcasts out there. Instead of taking a break when the show’s not in season they continued on with cast and crew interviews combined with a full analytical rewatch of the first season.

A few of the hosts have improv backgrounds which make for an entertaining and witty podcast filled with the theorizing and Westworld analysis you’d expect.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

6. Beyond Westworld

Beyond Westworld is Golden Spiral Media’s Westworld podcast. You might be familiar with the podcast production studio as they have numerous podcasts dedicated to your favorite movies and shows.

Hosts Troy and Aaron take a longform approach to each Westworld episode, typically spending over an hour and a half analyzing an individual episode for clues and theories. The production value combined with the shear knowledge and analysis of Westworld makes this a compelling podcast.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

7. Violent Delights: A Westworld Podcast

Besides having my favorite podcast name of any listed here, Violent Delights is a tremendous podcast. Produced under the Geeks of Doom umbrella, Violents Delights has a great balance of armchair detective combined with actually critiquing the Westworld episode.

It appears they’re going all-in on season two, their recap of the premiere they were joined by one of my favorite tech writers, Devindra Hardawar.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

8. Still Watching: Westworld

Vanity Fair is one example of a publication that’s fully embraced the frenzy that accompanies a nearly-monoculture entertainment spectacle. In this case, it’s Westworld. Along with having A LOT of articles on their website dedicated to reviewing, recapping, and analyzing the show, they have a new podcast with the same goals, Still Watching: Westworld.

The aforementioned Joanna Robinson makes her second appearance on this list with this Westworld podcast. Though it has a similar theme, the Still Watching version is a much more freeform discussing with a rotating queue of guests host to discuss the show and theorize.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

9. Westworld (Coffee Klatch Crew)

The Coffee Klatch Crew is another one of these TV podcast hubs who have created several well-made podcasts focusing on individual podcasts. Their Westworld podcast follows suit and delivers a solid podcast full of fan theories and a balanced review of the episode as a whole.

I appreciate the brevity of this Westworld podcast. While most podcasts typically run from around 45 minutes to a couple hours, the Coffee Klatch podcasts specialize in short, bingeable episodes around 20 minutes.

Listen: Apple Podcasts

10. Freeze All Motor Functions: Westworld

Freeze All Motor Functions (another good podcast name) does what the others on this list do: recap and theorize along with the latest episode. What separates them apart, however, is the second episode they drop weekly where they open up their phone line and interact with other Westworld fans to get into the nitty gritty of the fan theories.

If you ever wondered what your local talk radio would sound like if they took calls from fans — and only discussed Westworld — this is the podcast for you.

Listen: Apple Podcasts