Podcast Spotlight: We Have Concerns

We Have Concerns
Genre: Comedy/Science/News
Hosts: Anthony Carboni & Jeff Cannata
Network: Independent (Patreon Funded)

Spotlight and review by Evan Maroun

When someone asks me for a recommendation for a new podcast to jump on, I usually turn to We Have Concerns for a few reasons. However, I occasionally have an issue trying to nail down exactly what it’s about in the moment.

Is it an improvisational comedy podcast? Totally.
Is it a fascinating news podcast? Check.
Is it a social and philosophical dive into our inevitable hoverboard future? Absolutely.

…well, sometimes.

Hosted by Anthony Carboni (The Star Wars Show, Rev3Games) and Jeff Cannata (/Filmcast, The Totally Rad Show) the duo discuss a wide range of user-submitted news stories that range from crazy, yet low-key science breakthroughs, to debatable tales of human bad-assery.

A little taste of some of the stories they have discussed:

• Is smiling for no reason a sign that someone is American?
• A house that bled Spiders from its walls
• Books in Harvard’s library bound by human flesh
• A stranded man who dismantled his wrecked car and made a motorcycle

The format of the show functions is as follows: Jeff and Anthony will start talking about the topic at hand and seamlessly slip into short skits with their comical take on it. While the guys play well off of each other in the comedy department, they actually bring up great and differing points about many of the stories they cover. It gets you thinking about issues you may not normally think about and yet it still feels like you’re sitting around riffing with your friends. That may be the highest compliment I can give a podcast.

New episodes typically release 3 times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Conveniently, each one averages around 20 minutes in length so they are easy to fit into a busy schedule or even a short car ride. I know many podcasts that can go on for hours, so having one in your lineup that fits into a break at work makes it that much more digestible for those with busy lives.

If this sounds like your type of thing, fortunately, there is a New Listener’s Guide for newcomers. This contains some of their best episodes and also serves as an introduction to some of their running jokes.

The show is entirely listener supported (Patreon) and those who decide to subscribe are treated to perks. Those include early episodes, live video hangouts, and sometimes even monthly gifts sent to your door! I believe they are even looking into making animated versions after a certain goal.

If you’d like to submit a story to be talked about on the podcast, you can do so over on their subreddit or official site,

Verdict:
Listen! We Have Concerns is a funny and thought-provoking look into the strange and intriguing news articles that often times slip under the radar.

It is available for your listening pleasure on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, and other podcast services.