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Artwork for The Atlas Obscura Podcast

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura
Astrophysics
Arecibo Observatory
Milky Way
The Arecibo Message
Abandoned Places
History
Puerto Rico
Astronomy
Civic Engagement
Urban Exploration
Escapism
Fayerweather Island Lighthouse
Goblin Valley State Park
Puerto Rican Identity
Extraterrestrial Life
Giant African Land Snails
Mental Health
Nature
Sobriety
Kate Moore

An audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a new wonder every day, Monday through Thursday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Our theme and end credit music is composed by Sam Tyndall.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1250Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Latest Episodes

Have you heard of the Painted Lady butterfly? 

Scientists say this small speckled beauty – no more than 6 cm across – endures the longest migration path of its species. 

Photographer Lucas Fogalia dared to follow the path of this butterfly in his p... more

Listeners share their travel resolutions for 2026. 

Plus, we want to hear stories about interesting or unusual places where you’ve stayed the night. How did you find it? Who did you go with? What made the experience of staying there good… or bad? Gi... more

We’re taking the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But in the meantime, we want to hear from you. Tell us about the wonders in your backyard. Is there a strange, unusual or surprising place in your city or town? What makes this place special to... more

Spring is a popular time to visit Colonial Williamsburg, not least because it’s “lambing season,” the time of year when baby lambs are born and take their first steps (which is obviously very, very cute). But small as they are, these lambs have a big... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Will Carey
Listener sharing travel resolutions including engaging in music
Episode: Your New Year’s Travel Resolutions
Melaku Belay
Founder of Fendika Cultural Center
Fendika Cultural Center
Episode: Fendika Cultural Center (Classic)
Caroline Mazel-Carlton
Advocate for suicide prevention, explorer of unusual places
Wildflower Alliance
Episode: 1000 Places with Caroline Mazel-Carlton
Megan McCrea
Editor at The New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: 100 Years of Motels
Clark Ward
Ph.D. student at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Episode: The Pompeii of Nebraska
John Higgins
Co-owner of the Lodi Pencil sculpture and participant in the sharpening ceremonies.
Episode: Minneapolis’s Giant Pencil
Amy Higgins
Co-owner of the Lodi Pencil sculpture and organizer of the sharpening ceremonies.
Episode: Minneapolis’s Giant Pencil
Curtis Ingolstadt
Chainsaw sculptor responsible for creating the Lodi Pencil.
Episode: Minneapolis’s Giant Pencil
Richard Parsons
Author of 'Wood Island Lighthouse, Stories from the Edge of the Sea'
Episode: Maine Week: All Lighthouses Have Ghosts (Classic)

Hosts

Kelly McEvers
Dylan Thuras
Co-founder of Atlas Obscura, involved in exploration and storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Please please stop vocal fry. In fact- outlaw it!;)

    I really really really like the show. It brings unusual and interesting things, but I have to tell you that the show I heard today 100 years of motels. I had to turn it off the two podcasters need to stop with tje vocal fry and that totally fake obnoxious way of speaking it was so ridiculous. Sounding that as much as I love the topic I can’t listen to them. I may be the only person in the world complaining about that. And that’s OK with me

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jadee613
    United States15 days ago
  • Kinda like one other podcast

    I love this it is just available for everyone and it is something that is just.. I have no words for it, it is just that amazing but it is kinda like one other podcast it is criminal I don’t even like criminal but I watched it and there was a whole bunch of bad stuff in it that is why I love atlas obscura…..

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    😽🫶🏻😽I love cats meow uwu
    United States2 months ago
  • Podcast for everything!

    I’ve been waiting for a podcast like this. It sheds light on the strange or unexplainable with nuance and care, along with history, interviews, and gorgeous theme music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Curioser411
    United States2 months ago
  • Great show about the curious things in life

    Atlas Obscura takes us to unusual places or to meet unusual people. It’s always interesting and I look forward to it showing up in Apple podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ldevereaux
    United States3 months ago
  • Great pod

    Great podcast, really enjoy the regular episodes about interesting places and especially the international ones.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    carcha582
    Australia3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the unique and strange stories shared, often expressing how the podcast broadens their perspective on culture and history.
Many reviews highlight the engaging and entertaining storytelling style which combines humor and depth, making each episode enjoyable.
Some feedback suggests a desire for less forced humor, indicating that while many love the lightheartedness, others prefer a more straightforward narrative approach.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

1000 Places with Caroline Mazel-Carlton
Q: What's next for you after surpassing your 1,000 places goal?
Caroline mentioned that Atlas Obscura always presents more opportunities for exploration and she encourages others to contribute to the atlas.
1000 Places with Caroline Mazel-Carlton
Q: Why did you set the goal of visiting 1,000 sites?
Caroline explained that amidst struggles with suicidal thoughts, she saw visiting these places as a way to transform her life and find purpose.
1000 Places with Caroline Mazel-Carlton
Q: What was your first visit to an Atlas Obscura place?
Caroline shared about her visit to Lizzie Borden's house for a romantic getaway, highlighting the unique Victorian setting and its dark history.
Retracing A Grandfather’s Footsteps
Q: Can you just tell us about that person and how they met?
My grandfather heard about this really powerful sheikh in the area named Sheikh Hamoud Oglah and approached him, hiding his identity as an Armenian.
Retracing A Grandfather’s Footsteps
Q: What did your mother think about that trip?
She did not want me to go. She wanted me to tell her father's story, but no, no, don't go.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Atlas Obscura Podcast

What is The Atlas Obscura Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

An engaging exploration of the world's most curious and extraordinary places, featuring stories that capture the essence of strange and fascinating cultures. Each episode presents a unique subject—from historic events and cultural traditions to bizarre local legends—allowing listeners to discover wonders often overlooked. The format lies in its succinct narratives that blend history and personal anecdotes, creating a sense of adventure and exploration. While emphasizing the diversity of global culture, this production brings humor and light-heartedness, striking a balance between education and entertainment.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

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How many listeners does The Atlas Obscura Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Atlas Obscura Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Atlas Obscura Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Atlas Obscura Podcast:

1. Sidedoor
2. 99% Invisible
3. Radiolab
4. the memory palace
5. This American Life

How many episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast are there?

The Atlas Obscura Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1250 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

Recent guests on The Atlas Obscura Podcast include:

1. Will Carey
2. Melaku Belay
3. Caroline Mazel-Carlton
4. Megan McCrea
5. Clark Ward
6. John Higgins
7. Amy Higgins
8. Curtis Ingolstadt

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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