Best podcasts of the week: a deep dive into the disappearance of Austin Tice
The Guardian has rounded up this week's top podcast picks, led by an investigative series into the disappearance of journalist Austin Tice in Syria. The list also includes a drama, a literary adaptation, a war-crimes investigation and a comedy show.
The Guardian's culture desk has published its weekly roundup of recommended podcasts, curated by its writers.
Top pick
This week's standout recommendation is "I'm Not a Monster Presents: Where Is Austin Tice?", a series examining the fate of a former US marine turned journalist who vanished in Syria. Tice disappeared 14 years ago, and although the country has changed dramatically since then — including the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime — his whereabouts remain unknown. Hosts Josh Baker and Sara Obeidat have uncovered significant new evidence during their investigation, some of which has already made headlines.
Other recommendations
Also featured is "Drive Thru Magic", a new queer indie drama set at a takeaway restaurant that touches on themes such as grief and dementia. The roundup includes a second season of a Jane Austen podcast, this time covering the novel "Emma", narrated by actress Julie Andrews.
Another pick is "Fault Line: Haditha", in which film-maker Michael Epstein investigates the 2005 Haditha massacre in Iraq, when US marines killed 24 unarmed civilians. Rounding out the list is the comedy show "End of the World", where hosts and guest comedians discuss survival strategies for a hypothetical zombie apocalypse.
