The Smallville star who joined a sex cult: best podcasts of the week

Smallville star Allison Mack, fresh out of a prison sentence for racketeering, has landed on several podcasts that tackle the complexities of her involvement with the NXIVM sex cult. CBC's Natalie Robehmed-hosted series delves into whether Mack was a victim, perpetrator, or somewhere in between.

In another podcast, Hat Trick host Dr Rachel Varnam recounts her experiences as a doctor in Antarctica during the pandemic, including an offbeat encounter with bioluminescent algae that disrupted a pub quiz. The episodes offer a mix of fascinating stories and insights into the challenges faced by medical professionals.

Meanwhile, Apple's latest original podcast blends documentary and drama to tell the bizarre true story of the Robertson family, who sold their farm and set sail for the sea in 1971. Mark Bonnar and Anne-Marie Duff bring parents Dougal and Lyn to life as they face a series of horrific events at sea.

Comedian Mary Houlihan is also making waves with her new podcast, tackling topics like the growing number of young men turning conservative and comedians who 'punch down' on their audiences. Her disarmingly excellent show has left critics impressed.

Finally, The Conversation's Jane Austen's Paper Trail series explores a lesser-known aspect of the writer's personality: her love of gossip. Arts and culture editor Anna Walker travels to Bath and Lyme Regis to speak with experts about Austen's life, including her taste for curry.
 
I'm not sure how I feel about Allison Mack coming out of prison yet... 🤔 She was part of NXIVM but now she's on podcasts talking about it, is she gonna be okay? 🤗
 
🤔 So these podcasts are all over the place right now... One day I'm listening to Allison Mack try to justify her involvement with NXIVM and the next I'm on a wild goose chase of bioluminescent algae in Antarctica 🦠. What's the common thread here? Are we just really bored or is there something more going on? Also, isn't it weird that all these podcasts are coming out at the same time? Is this some kind of coordinated effort to fill up our ears? 📻
 
so many podcasts out now, but what's really interesting is that some are tackling real-life issues like NXIVM... ppl need to hear these stories so they can form their own opinions 💭 not just regurgitate the latest fad podcast 📺 and btw, I'm loving Mary Houlihan's new show, she's got a point about comedians punching down 👊 but can we talk about how most of these podcasts are just a bunch of people talking... where's the substance? 🤔
 
🎙️ Podcasts are where it's at! I just binge-listened to them all over the weekend 🤯. The Robertson family podcast is wild 🌊, and Mary Houlihan's show is so real 💁‍♀️. I'm loving the diversity of topics - from sex cults to comedians 😂. And Jane Austen's Paper Trail? Game changer 📚.
 
just heard about Allison Mack getting outta prison and I'm kinda shocked she's already jumping back into the public eye on podcasts. feels like a bit of a PR stunt to me 🤔. hope these podcast series can shed some light on what really went down with NXIVM tho, we need more stories from people in that situation 😕
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the NXIVM situation... I mean Allison Mack is out of prison now but it's just so confusing - was she a victim or did she actively participate? 🤔 Her story on these podcasts is really interesting and it's crazy how complex it gets. But what really got me thinking is how this whole thing highlights how vulnerable young people can be when they're drawn to charismatic leaders. As a parent, it's terrifying to think about the ways we can inadvertently groom our own kids for these kinds of situations... 🤯
 
I'm so obsessed with these podcasts! 🤯 I mean, Allison Mack's story is still so mind-blowing and I love how the CBC series is breaking it down - #ComplexitiesOfMack - you can't help but feel for her situation, but at the same time, you want to know more about what really went on. 🤔 Meanwhile, I'm just over here trying to imagine bioluminescent algae disrupting a pub quiz in Antarctica... 🌊👀 And have you heard of The Robertson family's story? #TrueCrime - it's like, wow, who does that?! 🌊😲
 
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