Magpie Journals 15: The Love of a Limited Series

There are few things I enjoy more than that which has a beginning, middle, and end. Last year I went through a long stint of reading semi-standalone novels because I didn’t have the energy to keep up with the long series of twisting world building and characters. This doesn’t mean that long fantasy series aren’t my jam, I’m currently reading through Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson and loving it. I just need things to sometimes be shorter, with an ending in sight.

In podcast-land, there are so many series that have been going for years that don’t have an end or an end in sight. Which is okay, these are a part of the ecosystem for many reasons. On the flip side, I feel like they are daunting for new podcast listeners or busy, busy people. Jumping into the newest episodes of something that has had a community building around it for years is overwhelming. There are jokes you don’t get, banter you don’t care about, and a lot of scrubbing along the feed to just find something you can start listening to. A few shows do a great job of keeping a format and style that is built for anyone, see podcasts like Lore or Stuff You Should Know. They are built in a way that is welcoming to the new and the old listener.

However, if I wanted to share the love of my podcast life, it is the limited series. The (usually) eight episode podcast arc that covers one topic. Notable podcasts like Hysterical, Scamanda, 36 Questions, and a favorite of mine, Moonrise. 

Why do I love a limited series, and why do I love recommending them to new podcast listeners? They have a planned beginning, middle, and end. They are easier for a new podcast listener to jump into because there’s an end they can see. We don’t start preparing for a marathon by running the marathon. We aim for the 5k, or the .5k. We start with a smaller, manageable thing before we go for the big one. 

Yes, they’re also easier for me to review. It’s daunting to review a podcast that has seasons of depth without a guide, and it's nearly impossible to review one that’s super niche with no introductory episode to the topic. I’m a fan of letting podcasts be what they’re going to be, but also making sure that new audiences can have at least a starting point if you can’t find an end. 

Why am I saying all of this? Well, for one I get submissions that I can’t review because I have nowhere to start, and most of the time we don’t necessarily want people to start with their episode one from five years ago. Do you want a reviewer or a listener to start with that episode one? Probably not. 

Mostly though, I think people who don’t know what podcasts to start with should maybe start with a limited series. It can be hard-hitting journalism, a good audio drama like 36 Questions can get someone curious about other fiction podcasts. If I’m going to go on a suggestion train like for my Slant Recommendation Sunday ideas, Hysterical can probably get someone to listen to a season of a podcast like This is Propaganda or pop into episodes of American Hysteria.

It’s also a place where a limited series can be a tool for cross-media promotion. Re-watch podcasts are popular, but let me introduce you to my new favorite style: nonfiction book podcasts. Kaleidoscope produced On Musk with Walter Isaacson but more recently 8th Layer Media produced a series going through FAIK by Perry Carpenter, by the name of The Faik Files.Each podcast is slightly different in style but gives insight into the book without the financial commitment. It is a beautiful opportunity with hopefully more payoff than an ad buy or two. 

On that note, a limited series can also be a good jumping-off point for a longer, ongoing, or even seasonal series about a topic. I don’t want to get into the weeds about which feed this or that should be in, but it stands to be an idea. It would give listeners a starting point for the longer project, possible context, and an exit option. 

Why give listeners an exit option? Don’t you want their everlasting love and adoration? Probably, but at the same time: It’s like the talking point of dating. You see if you like each other enough to keep going, and if you don’t the hard feelings are easier to manage. That is if you don’t agree to nuptials on the second date. The analogy might be a loose one, but that’s the idea. An off-ramp for a listener might give them a reason to say “hey this series was really good, and they have more if you want!” to a friend, and we know how effective word-of-mouth is for podcasters. 

Do you have a favorite limited series? Let me know.