Normal Gossip

Normal Gossip scratches an itch you might not have known you had: hearing juicy, low-stakes drama about complete strangers. The concept is simple and addictive. Host Rachelle Hampton (who took over from creator Kelsey McKinney) sits down with a rotating guest, usually a comedian, writer, or internet personality, and reads them an anonymized gossip story submitted by a real listener. The guest reacts in real time, speculates about motivations, picks sides, and generally does exactly what you'd do if your friend told you this story over drinks. Episodes run 45 to 60 minutes and the stories are wonderfully mundane. We're talking neighborhood feuds, workplace tension, wedding drama, friendship betrayals over borrowed camping gear. Nobody famous, nothing criminal, just the messy, hilarious reality of human social dynamics. Hampton brings natural storytelling instincts from her background in internet culture journalism at Slate, and she has a talent for pacing the reveals so each story builds to a satisfying climax. The guest chemistry varies, but the best episodes feel like eavesdropping on the most entertaining conversation at a party. Part of the Radiotopia network and originally launched by Defector, the show has built a passionate community. Listeners submit stories by email or voicemail, and the pipeline of gossip seems endless. For car rides, Normal Gossip is fantastic because every episode is self-contained and the vibe is light. You'll find yourself debating the stories with whoever's in the car with you long after the episode ends. It carries a 4.6-star rating from over 5,700 reviews.