TOP OF THE PODS: The Auditory Discourse team count down their favourite podcast episodes of 2015.

It wouldn't be New Year's Eve without a good old fashioned 'Best Of' list, and the team at Auditory Discourse are not ones to stray from tradition. We've each shared our top 10 moments in podcasting this year, which you can check out below (and don't forget to share yours in the comments).
It's been a huge year for this medium, with even US President Barack Obama jumping on board for his appearance on Marc Maron's WTF. Everyone seems to be getting on the podcast train, and we can promise bigger and better things from our camp in 2016 too. Enjoy your celebrations and we'll catch you next year!

TOP 10 PODCASTS OF 2015

CAM

10. The Dollop ep 105 'Spiderman of Denver'

Dave and Gareth check out the guy who lived within the walls of an old mansion in Denver. Yes people were living there, and no they did not know he was in the walls... Awesome stuff of nightmares right there!

9. The Osher Gunsberg Podcast ep 75 with Jesse Israel

Osher asks Jesse how he found himself discovering and managing a globally successful band (MGMT) and starting his own record label all while still in College. Jesse then gives it all up to become a disruptive start-up consultant and do heaps of not for profit work. A fascinating insight into an amazing person.

8. Probably Science ep 154 with Brooks Wheelan

Andy Wood, Matt Kirshen and Jesse Case welcome back one the the original hosts of Probably Science to talk about Brooks getting hired by, working on and his subsequent firing from Saturday Night Live. They also delve into his brief work on 'Girls', his terrible RHCP tattoo, Juggalos and tattoo removal. Brooks is always a great guest and back with the old team the chemistry is there and hilarity ensues.
*ep 158 with Caitlin Doughty from 'Ask a Mortician' fame is another fascinating listen.

7. The Little Dum Dum Club ep 239 with Bart Freebairn and Demi Lardner

The damn hilarious Litttle Dum Dum Club hits new levels of vulgarity and absurdity when Bart and Demi talk Yummy Karl, Demi's forthcoming Little Dum Dum Club tattoo and Bart enjoying the glory of the new McDonalds 'make your own' menu...

6. I Love Green Guide Letters LIVE at LA Podfest : Gareth Reynolds, Karl Woodberry and Nick Cody.

This is one of those moments captured in time that no-one can explain why or how it works, but it sure did! Steele lets go of any semblance of the control he once had while Karl fills everyone in about his upcoming midnight bus to Vegas, the Tinder date who is dropping him at the bus station and a bedroom incident with her dog. Gareth and Cody, while incredulous, still hit him with questions and the chaos that follows is glorious!
*ep185 with Ash Williams and Luis (From Lessons with Luis) is an insanely fun listen. The beginnings of the 'Dozen Eggs in a Show' are here along with all of Ash's upcoming 'business opportunities' and the Logie bet.

5. The Dollop ep 124 Live from the Sydney Comedy Store w/ Wil Anderson 'The Fine Cotton Scandal'

Dave and Gareth are joined by Wil for an in depth and hilarious examination of one of the biggest scandals to ever hit Australian Horse Racing. The ineptitude of the parties involved and the way it all panned out is beyond incredible and stupidly funny. The puns flow almost as freely as the beers.

4. TOFOP with Wil Anderson and Charlie Clausen ep 113 'Everyone RelaXmas'

Wil and Charlie go through a list of the most bizarre Christmas traditions from all over the World. They work there way from the Icelandic Yule Cat that eats people with shabby clothes to the Catalonian pooping Nativity scene guy.

3. Something for the Drive Home with Nick Cody and Bart Freebairn ep 200 'The Final Podtown, Luv you, miss you, byebyebye'
Nick and Bart bring this absurd and vulgar Podcast to its inevitable end with a live 200th show. They let rip on Yoga and Gluten intolerance, talk of glorious rainbow Ninjas and Thickshakes. This has been one of my favourite poddogs of ALL TIME!!

2. Walking the Room ep 206 'The Final Episode of Walking the Room' with Dave Anthony and Greg Behrendt.

In this very special MICF appearance (Live Cuddle), Greg and Dave are joined by Jen Kirkman and Wyatt Cenac. I was lucky enough to be in the room for this live recording, not only was it emotional it was also beyond hilarious! I have never seen a room erupt as massively as it did when Wyatt finally says something. The chemistry and brutality that Dave and Greg have with each other is something to behold. Clown from the Neck Down and Cuddlah for Life #C4L

1. TOFOP- Superpod 2: This Time It's Recorded' Live from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Wil and Charlie are joined by Dave Anthony and Greg Behrendt for this live roller-coaster of stupidity. I am an unashamed 'Tea Bagger' and being in the crowd for this was one of the greatest nights I have ever had, even if I did have Steele Saunders laughing directly into my ear from behind ;)

LAURA

10. The Dollop: Lobster Boy Grady Stiles.
Of all the insane stories The Dollop has brought us, this Smollop, focusing on a deformed, violent alcoholic and his many adventures, stuck with me for reasons I cannot explain.
NB: this is from Dec 31, 2014, but I reckon it gets in under the line if we work on Australian time, i guess?

9. Wilosophy with Greg Behrendt
We had tickets to see Greg's MICF show the night he had to fly home to the US due to a mystery illness. Turns out he had stomach cancer. In this chat with Wil Anderson he talks about his diagnosis and recovery. We're thrilled he's doing well.

8. The Little Dum Dum Club LIVE at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival: Nick Cody, Dave Thornton, Dave O'Neill and Dave Hughes.
I attended this live show on the day of the worst hangover of my life and it made me laugh so hard I nearly vomited. Dum Dum Club owned the Comedy Festival, simple as that.

7. Women of the Hour Episode 2: Body.
Women of the Hour had a short run towards the end of 2015 and delved into women's issues the way only "A Voice of A Generation" Lena Dunham can. This frank edition of the podcast focusing on the relationships different women have with their bodies was an insightful reminder to love ourselves as we are.

6. The Worst Idea of All Time S2 E29: Altitude
I love this podcast. Mad geniuses Tim and Guy recorded this episode on the plane heading to the LA Podfest this year, midway into their insane quest to watch Sex and the City 2 fifty-two times. I worry for their sanity but God do they make me laugh.

5. I Love Green Guide Letters LIVE at LA Podfest : Gareth Reynolds, Karl Woodberry and Nick Cody.
I don't know what I love more about this: Karl's stories about his trainwreck of a life in LA, or hearing Steele completely lose control of the show and descend into a fit of giggles. Magic.

4. That's Aweson episode 36: Eileen Clausen
Host Charlie Clausen interviews his mother for the second time on the show. A much-loved member of the TOFOP universe, Eileen passed away from Breast Cancer late this year. Here she talks about her amazing life, chemotherapy and acceptance.

3. FOFOP FONUS with Tom Ballard: Roasting Jimmy Carr
Wil helps Tom prepare for an 8-Mile style comedy battle against giant Jimmy Carr. A really interesting peek behind the curtain. If you're the kind of person who thinks of comebacks way later than you need them, this'll make you very jealous.

2. The Little Dum Dum Club: Fiona O'Loughlin and Lawrence Mooney (1 of 3).
Sometimes the only way to tackle a hard subject is to laugh about it. This suicide-heavy conversation gets real dark (suicide by shower curtain railing, anyone?), and was one of their most downloaded episodes of the year. You absolutely have to listen to it if you haven't already, but perhaps check out a couple of other Dum Dum episodes first to ease yourself into their universe. This episode cemented Karl and Tommy as the unlikely kings of Australian podcasting, and though the show has definitely become meaner in 2015 they show no sign of slowing down.

1. TOFOP Live at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival: Superpod #2
It's no secret that we are giant TOFOP fans, which is why each Easter Saturday we venture to the Melbourne Town Hall to take part in their live episode. This surprise Walking the Room crossover episode was a wonderful and chaotic joy-fest and the cause of the giant hangover I mentioned earlier. The recording is just as great and features another classic Charlie Clausen stand-up routine and the unexpectedly brilliant comic timing of Mr John Deeks.

KATHERINE

10. The Worst Idea of All Time Episode 41: Five Hour Energy

Tim and Guy are sweet, but Michael and Patrick King - co-directors of the masterful Sex and the City 2- are the best.

9. You Must Remember This: Charles Manson's Hollywood Episode 3

This whole series is incredible but this episode in particular was fascinating. Manson's control over Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson is more telling of his unique brand of evil than any doco or article I've ever seen. I've never really understood the cultural obsession with Manson, but this episode got me a little closer.

8. The Little Dum Dum Club Episode 271 w/ Tom Ballard and Rhys Nicholson

This podcast kept me company while I travelled through Europe solo so there's no way I can pick one definitive episode, but this one made me laugh so much I had to get off a tram and walk Sums up the entire show.

7. TOFOP Superpod #2 This Time It's Recorded.

No explanation necessary. One of the greatest nights of my life.

6. FOFOP Episode 210 Part 1&2 w/ Sam Simmons

The reigning kings of Aus comedy proving that success hasn't gone to their heads, but that their heads are just a little bit strange.

5. WTF Episode 653 w/ Lorne Michaels

Obama? Pfffft. Lorne Michaels is god damn royalty.

4. WTF Episode 622 w/ Wyatt Cenac

Everyone has a boss that broke their heart. Not everyone goes on a podcast to air their grievances. This took balls. I like balls.

3. WTF Episode 643 w/ Michaela Watkins

My favourite WTF of all time is the episode where Jenny Slate talks about getting fired from SNL. It's as funny as it is heartbreaking. So is this episode. Maron should start a side podcast where he just talks to fired SNL cast members. It's fascinating stuff.

2. Women of the Hour Episode 3: Love & Sex

Say what you want about Lena Dunham but she is a wonderfully talented writer who deserves to be successful. Her letter at the end of this podcast broke my heart.

1. I Love Green Guide Letters Episode 180 w/ Dave Thornton, Anne Edmonds and Ash Williams

The funniest podcast episode of the year. Dave Thornton's utter bewilderment of Ash Williams' decision to hire a rental car and just not take it back is all of us. I could re-listen to this forever and still laugh.