Need to Know: Invisibilia Podcast

Busy parents Need to Know, so every week we highlight one album, book, app, movie or show that's about blow up. More. Perhaps you’ve already heard about Invisibilia, the latest blockbuster podcast from NPR. Filling a void left by Serial (and driven by NPR’s marketing), Invisibilia is already the #1 podcast on iTunes. It probably won’t get a brilliant SNL spoof, but it will spark a million dinner party conversations, Twitter posts, and Facebook updates. It's already trending on both platforms (that's partly how we choose our "Need to Know" subjects.) People enjoy pop entertainment, but we’re most engaged by information and facts. Discussing “the latest research" is our modern conversation crutch. “Backed by Science” will make anything sell. We’re drawn to stories woven together by data and real-world information, especially as they relate to the mystery of human behavior. The producers of Invisibilia understand this perfectly. They say the show “interweaves narrative storytelling with fascinating new psychological and brain science. Listen and research will come to life in a way that will make you see your own life differently.” With a description like that, it’s no wonder the show is trending. It will get bigger as new episodes come out and people begin discussing them over meals, at parties, and on social media all spring and this summer. This season of Invisibilia promises extra juciness. It will “dig deep into our innermost minds — examining our dark, disturbing thoughts” and how they shape our identity and emotions. The show's production is as compelling as its subject. Co-hosts Alix Spiegel and Lulu Miller (from Radiolab and This American Life) balance facts, anecdotes, story, and conversation to keep the show flowing. Do yourself a favor and listen to the first episode. At least you'll be able to say "yeah, I listened to the first episode" when everyone is talking about it. It's a bonus if you get hooked and keep listening week after week. Learn more and listen to Invisiblia online. Here's how to listen to a podcast on a Mac, iPhone or Android devices. Follow the show on Twitter . You can also follow co-host Alix Spiegel on Twitter Download the podcast on iTunes Read more about it in the New Yorker and on the Daily Beast.