The Gray Area gives you the scoop on culture, politics, and everything in between

? EARS TO THE GROUND-

The Gray Area podcast will fill you in on culture, politics, and a bunch of other stuff. Host Sean Illing will make you think and establish a dialogue about each topic in episodes that run about an hour. He doesn’t claim to know all the answers, but he will get you to wonder about what they could be.

Not a fan of chatty podcasts? No problem, this one manages to feel welcoming without going off on too many unnecessary tangents. Instead, Illing brings on guests that can offer their expert opinion on the episode’s subject matter, who know how to talk about a topic without making it seem like they’re reading out an essay. He also sticks to an academic approach that is fueled by questions any person would probably have, avoiding pretentious jargon and buzzwords.

Two of our favorite recent episodes discuss separating the art from the artist — we’re looking at you, Kanye — and moral obligations as a parent raising a child in the midst of a climate crisis. Not afraid of nuance, the host gives a developed, philosophical take with the help of the guests he invites on, while avoiding a matter-of-factness that can leave out normal, emotional human input.

WHERE TO LISTEN: The Gray Areais available on Vox, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and Amazon Music.