This was the first podcast I ever listened to. It has stuck with me all these years, for reasons that have continued to surprise me. Amazing work, set the bar so high for everything that came after. The story is one of a kind and made me cheer, laugh and cry the saddest tears for people I didn’t know. It is always on my recommendation list.

Truly remarkable. Has yet to be topped.

I don't know really how to express how much I've enjoyed this series. Not only for the story, but for the way it's told. It's expertly composed into a compelling ride through the life of people living in a world so different from my own. Yet still captures an authentic slice of the human experience. A different team with the same recordings couldn't have created S-Town as the Serial have. Though not the happiest of stories, I feel like my views have been widened and my empathy for other humans deepened for having listened to this series. And for the bad reviews because you have to subscribe to NYT to listen to the whole series, know that it's worth every penny and you're supporting truly talented journalists.

You can only listen to the first 2 episodes then you’re forced to subscribe to the New York Times. Don’t waste your time.

I was told by my aunt to listen to this podcast, so I decided to. The premise of the podcast is a little misleading; at least at the time I listened to it. The first 2-2.5 episodes are so intriguing and good! The remaining episodes just become boring, dumb, and just takes it in a vastly different direction than the precedent that was previously set. It’s really not that good, I couldn’t recommend this to a single person on the planet.

I allowed Brian Reed’s superb podcast to wash over me for a week, chapter by chapter, descending deeper and deeper into the fascinating, tragic, and paradoxical world of John B. By the last chapter, I was profoundly moved, a feeling half ill and sad for a man not known to me personally, and yet his brilliance, profanity, atheism, sexual conflict, and rage against the horrors of modern man imbued his chapter with greatness and one never better portrayed in the contemporary American novel. Like life’s work as a horologist, time ticked by loudly, cruelly, and joyfully for John B. Despite the wrenching emotional pain under wish he labored he delivered a salient message: to cherish the days we have and not to waste them. This was a beautifully crafted tale, delivered with strong emotional heft. Rest in peace, John B.

Still reeling, my heart is both heavy and full of wonder. I want a hug. Mostly tho, I am compelled to drive thousands of miles to deliver them ala “Free Mom Hugs” style to the many beautifully complex individuals in this story. I also want to stand in those woods, see that creek, witness the majesty so artfully described by the focus of this pod. Brian and the Pod Team need to know this is a masterpiece of dichotomies.

Before the monetization changes, I was a huge fan of this podcast. I understand why the changes needed to happen, and why they came in this format. However, it feels super scummy to take episodes that were free before and lock them behind a payout. Bryan Reeds’ podcasts are fantastic, but this retroactive change made me unfollow every feed of them. Episode 6 of this podcast was literally a comfort zone for me. An episode I could listen and relate to that made things better. Until this model changes, to at least unblock previously free content, I will never support a Serial podcast again. I’m just one voice, but I just want to communicate my feelings on the matter.

Something about this podcast left me feeling so sad for someone feeling so utterly alone. He obviously had gifted so many on earth in his lifetime and now with his passing was gifting us all. I will hold myself back from speaking of social ills that plagued our dear friend as not to spoil the story, though many of his friends illuminations of them broke my heart. To want closeness and connection with other human beings and love and being afraid of vulnerability can be one’s downfall.

“Life is tedious and brief.” 🥺 One of the best podcasts I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to, and one that I have listened to over & over again. It’s cup-filling and wholesome, but also one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever heard. I find myself coming back to this one in times when I need to know that there are/were other people out there who care about the world and the environment, or who just keep up with ALL the world events. A brilliant man who should have had a lot better life but stuck around bc he bore the responsibility of everything around him! I sure do wish that I could have had the pleasure of meeting John B. Macklemore, and sit down with him and listen to him talk for hours. His life was definitely not in vain, and ever since listening to this for the very first time, I have a piece of John B. with me everywhere I go. Thank you for this production, but I hate that it’s subscriber only now. I wish that wasn’t the case

Every aspect of this podcast – from the narration, characters, music/scoring, poignancy – is just an absolute storytelling masterpiece. I listen to it at least once a year I would say, and I am never less than fully compelled and moved. It is something that Brian Reed and all the team should be very proud of. It is a gem and privilege that we were introduced not only to the person that was John B McLemore, but also horology and so much more. I can’t believe I randomly was going through my podcasts (I never read podcast reviews??) only to be alerted to the fact that Tyler Goodson was killed by cops from another reviewer! I just read several news articles and …how horribly sad. I do wonder if the family will allow a follow up podcast about the years since, though with the legal issues it may not be feasible. Either way, I have recommended this podcast to many people and it has never disappointed. I will continue to listen to it and be moved. It’s later than you think. Update: shocked by the reviewers complaining about a paywall. Journalism IS NOT FREE, especially good journalism. Instead of complaining you once got it for free and now don’t, consider it a one-time gift. That’s what it was. Journalists have to be paid for their work. The way a company can continue to do that is via subscriptions. We get so much from them, as a society. Everyone should pick their favorite outlet/s and pay a subscription to support them.

I think this was my favorite serial podcast ever. Beautiful story. Beautifully told. I would make a sweet movie.

S-Town is one of my absolute favorite Podcasts, I’ve listened to it several times over and recommended it countless times… However now that it’s behind a paywall I will definitely be rethinking recommending this. Blocking episodes that have been out and free for years behind a new paywall is absolutely insane. I 100% get paying to listen to episodes early, but this is *not* it. Shame on whomever approved this decision!

This season was an absolute roller coaster. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, a bomb was dropped that changed the direction completely. LOVED IT!!

I’ve listened to S-Town 2x already (years ago for free) and wanted to listen to it again recently. I was so disappointed to see that my favorite pod is behind a paywall now.

This is both a love letter and indictment of small rural southern s-towns that beautifully sum up the complicated feelings of growing up in them and loving/hating them. This is the podcast I recommend to everyone- people who hate the south, who love the south, who feel like misfits, who struggle with mental health, who have complicated familial relationships, anyone and everyone can find a relatable piece of this story or learn something from it. I listen to this at least every other year since it came out, it rewards multiple listens. The storytelling is phenomenal. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry and you’ll feel totally satiated by the end.

Subscription was worth it. One of my favorite podcasts.

I would give it 5 stars, but the addition of the paywall makes this podcast deserve negative stars

A pay wall is not. You have a right to be paid for your work, but stories that have been out for years don’t need to be subjected to a delayed pay wall because you want to make some money off of them. I’m glad that my household has heard this story many times and that we can still hear bits of John B Macklemore’s voice in the first two episodes. But hiding the rest of this story Is really irresponsible. This story is about loneliness and paranoia. It’s about intense emotions and how it feels up be misunderstood. It’s about suicide and deep depression. It’s about all the imperfection of humanity and it’s brilliant. Depriving the world of just getting to listen to this is such a disappointing move. Y’all being greedy and I hope that in repayment, future stories flee from you.

Thankfully I already listened to the full podcast when it came out. However I still followed so I got the alert 3 hrs ago that to hear the last 2 chapters you have to subscribe. That’s horrible. Y’all get advertising money, current subs if they choose to support all your Ny times(serial etc) but that’s not enough? I think it’s just a really crappy thing to do, force people to pay for the ending after they are invested. So hopefully newcomers that read reviews before hitting play will see this. It is a good podcast but not good enough to be forced to hear the ending. Shame on whoever is letting greed make really terrible decisions.

Booooo, one star. I used to listen to S Town annually. Great podcast, but I’m exhausted with subscriptions everywhere. I’d rather go without it.

Imagine paying for a podcast. 😂

A story that highlights how everyone in this man’s life failed to get him medical help, including the journalist.

I was a little late to the podcast game, but once I started listening, I’ve never looked back. I drive around 1000 miles a week, and can really burn through some podcasts. S-town was the first podcast I ever listened to; my cousin recommended it to me. Years later, I have never heard another that even comes close to being as good as S-Town. i’m actually listening to it for the third time right now.

The greatest of all time! The one that got me hooked on serial podcasts!

5 years later and it’s still the best podcast I’ve ever listened to. The one to which I judge ALL other podcasts against!

2 episodes of a good true crime story, then 5 episodes of the narrator retroactively trying to understand the main character. Well written & interesting, but the storyline stops moving early

The first podcast that I’ve ever listened to, thanks to an old boyfriend and fan of the series who played it for me. So beautifully written and highly engaging. I literally laughed, cried and became a part of it. The big sister podcast, Serial, is unsurprisingly, just as top notch 🏆.

I’ve never felt so many emotions all at once. We’ll be able to listen to this podcast years from now and it won’t feel dated. Just great storytelling. Heartbreaking and funny all at once.

Funny, heartbreaking, quick and intriguing. I devoured this story. Told beautifully and empathetically. Worth every minute!

Yearning for an update… But maybe not!

Not what I expected but pleasantly surprised!

I love this book. I want to see these people and do a follow up. I want to see this town in person. Suspenseful, entertaining, funny , and sad at times. I enjoyed listening to this. Only took half a day. Couldn’t stop . Bring us more

I listened to this in three days amid working and sleeping. It was a heartbreaking story that I couldn’t stop listening to.

I could not stop listening. This was a very moving series.

I finally found a podcast that met the high standard that the podcast Alligator Candy set for me. Thank you for sharing a piece of the treasure that was John B.

Did Ben explain to Rita the relationship between John and Tyler? Did he or others tell her that John intended to give gold to Tyler and his brother?

My wife and I just listened for the third time. First time in maybe three or four years. This podcast is FANTASTIC!!

This podcast is the very BEST podcast I have EVER listened to date. The details are incredible and The narrator is SO Awesome and the story is filled with TONS of interesting stories that keep your mind occupied holding onto every single word. Please please do more…… and let me know when you DO. Stephanie

Wow! I hung on every word. Best podcast storytelling I’ve heard! Must listen.

Bravo. BRA. VO. 😭 Thank you for this incredible, epic opus. Unreal. Thank you. ❤️

This will always be my favorite podcast of all time. I was hooked within 30 minutes. At no point did I know where it was going and that is good storytelling.

This podcast is simply timeless! Storytelling at its finest. Like returning to a favorite book, I guess S-Town will always be a good listen in life! I just wish JBM had a chance to know how popular a podcast this would be and that he would become known and loved by so many! Tyler…what were you thinking dude? What went on there? 🥲❤️

One of the best podcasts I’ve ever heard. What an amazing story about an incredible person. Rest in peace John B. I will probably think of you every time I recycle

It’s hard to explain why this story and these people are so compelling. Human interest at its finest. Brian and the team brilliantly captured a tiny chapter of American life I would have never known otherwise.

Its not true crime. There is no mystery no suspense. just a load of garbage

I hope I’m wrong but it’s time your team posts an update and tribute to Tyler who gave this podcast and the listeners so SO much for entertainment. T and his family deserve a tribute in his honor and a a go fund me for his family. Tyler is the sad reality of generational trauma and not far off from what the clock makers biggest fears were.

What an incredible story of one man’s life. Wonderful storytelling, I laughed, I cried and this story surprised me by ending up in such a different place than it started! I will listen to this podcast over and over!! What a character John Brooks Mclemore was!!!!

Just wow. Empathetic and brilliant — both JBM and Brian Reed. Once in a lifetime storytelling, absolutely heartbreaking

I love the story, the characters, and the storytelling. I love how JBM’s life story will never die bc someone took the time to tell it. But the best parts are when you can hear Tyler’s brother-in-law(?) with the TBI yell affirmations in the background during the telling of stories. Really a great listen.