Nerdette

Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen believe that everyone is nerdy about something. Geek out with the likes of Stephen King and Tig Notaro on everything from garden gnomes to celebrity crushes.

The Axe Files

Did you know that as a kid in Queens Eric Holder hung out with Cassius Clay and Malcolm X? Get the juicy details on America’s biggest politicians in this show from Obama’s former senior adviser.

The Feed

Chicago dining kings Rick Bayless and Steve Dolinsky take listeners into their test kitchen for ingredient challenges (preserved lemon and Swiss chard, for example) and shoptalk with fellow foodies.

Open Ended

Two best friends discuss tech and culture with a side of sass. This indie gem is a member of Postloudness, a collective of shows hosted by women, people of color, and queer individuals.

Poetry Magazine

Think of it as a literary salon in your headphones: new work from top-tier contemporary poets and unique insights from one of the oldest and most respected poetry journals in the world.

Plus two big events this month

November 10:Radio Cinema Spectacular
Presented by Third Coast International Audio Festival, this one-night affair features shadow-puppetry collective Manual Cinema bringing to life short audio documentaries, including “I Dream of Rattlesnakes,” a 12-year-old boy’s ode to the once-common reptile. $18. Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., thirdcoastfestival.org

November 17 to 19:Chicago Podcast Festival
Conceived by Jonathan Pitts, founder of the Chicago Improv Festival, this inaugural event will feature more than 30 story and comedy ’casts from across the country, including a live taping from the land of Foon (i.e., the fever-dream favorite Hello from the Magic Tavern). $20 to $35. Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., chicagopodcastfestival.org