Top 10 'Unfiltered-and-Unplugged' Live Podcast Shows to attend with friends for an epic group outing - Goh Ling Yong
Tired of the same old "dinner and a movie" routine with your friends? Are you scrolling through the group chat, trying to find an activity that’s more engaging than another night at the pub? In an age of endless digital content, there’s a powerful, raw energy in a live performance that simply can't be replicated through your earbuds. It's time to take your podcast obsession from a solo commute activity to an unforgettable group experience.
Live podcast shows are the perfect answer. They blend the intimacy of your favorite hosts' voices with the electric atmosphere of a comedy club or a rock concert. It’s a chance to see the faces behind the mics, share inside jokes with a room full of fellow fans, and witness the kind of spontaneous, unedited moments that make for legendary stories. This isn't just listening; it's participating in a cultural event, a shared moment of laughter, shock, or pure intellectual delight.
So, gather your crew, sync your calendars, and get ready to book some tickets. We’ve curated the ultimate list of the top 10 ‘unfiltered-and-unplugged’ live podcast shows that are guaranteed to make for an epic group outing. From side-splitting comedy to spine-chilling true crime, there’s something here for every kind of friend group.
1. My Favorite Murder
If your group chat’s motto is "Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered," then a live My Favorite Murder show is a non-negotiable pilgrimage. Hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark have cultivated a massive, passionate community (dubbed "Murderinos") who flock to their live shows for a unique blend of true crime, dark humor, and heartfelt vulnerability. It’s less a morbid lecture and more a massive therapy session with thousands of your closest, equally macabre friends.
The live shows are a spectacle. Karen and Georgia typically cover a hometown murder from the city they're visiting, giving the event a special, localized feel. The real magic, however, is in their unscripted banter, their hilarious tangents, and the palpable energy of the crowd. You’re not just watching a show; you’re part of a movement that finds light in the darkness and community in shared anxieties.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Make a night of it! Plan a pre-show dinner to speculate on which local case they’ll cover. The shared experience of shouting "Elvis, you want a cookie?" or hearing a collective gasp from the audience is a bonding moment you'll be talking about for weeks. Check their website frequently, as tickets sell out at lightning speed.
2. How Did This Get Made?
Is your friend group’s love language quoting lines from terrible movies? How Did This Get Made? is your holy grail. Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dissect and mock some of the most bafflingly bad films ever created, and their live shows are pure, chaotic joy. The energy is infectious, turning a theater into a massive living room where everyone is in on the joke.
The format is perfect for a group outing. Before the show, your mission is to watch the designated terrible movie together. This pre-game activity is half the fun, as you'll arrive at the theater armed with your own questions and observations. The live show features audience Q&As, wild fan theories, and a sing-along "Second Opinions" theme song. Seeing Jason Mantzoukas's unhinged energy in person is worth the ticket price alone.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Go all in! Dress up as characters from the movie being discussed. You'll fit right in with the dedicated fanbase and might even get a shout-out from the stage. Be prepared for some wild audience participation—the crazier the question, the better.
3. SmartLess
For the crew that appreciates A-list talent and razor-sharp wit, SmartLess is the hottest ticket in town. Hosted by the powerhouse trio of Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, this podcast's simple premise—where one host brings a mystery guest that the other two know nothing about—explodes into something spectacular on stage. The chemistry between the three hosts is electric, and their genuine friendship shines through in every roast and riff.
A SmartLess live show feels like a premium, big-budget event. The production value is high, and the mystery guests are always major stars from entertainment, sports, or politics. It’s the kind of show that appeals to everyone, from your pop-culture-obsessed bestie to your friend who only knows the hosts from Arrested Development or Ozark. It’s a guaranteed good time filled with unpredictable conversations and huge laughs.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Splurge a little on good seats if you can. Part of the fun is seeing the hosts' and the guest's real-time reactions. The show is largely unscripted, so every performance is a completely unique experience you'll only share with the people in that room.
4. The Dollop
Got friends who love history, comedy, and a healthy dose of righteous indignation? The Dollop is the show for you. Comedian Dave Anthony reads a bizarre, often disturbing, story from American history to his friend, Gareth Reynolds, who has no idea what the topic is about. The result is an explosive mix of historical deep-diving and hilarious, off-the-cuff reactions.
Live, the show is even more dynamic. Dave and Gareth feed off the audience's energy, making each performance a raucous, community event. It's the perfect outlet for friends who are tired of the current political climate and want to laugh (and yell) about how wild history has always been. You’ll leave not only with aching sides from laughing but also with a truly unbelievable story to retell.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Read up on a few past episodes to get a feel for the dynamic, but don't spoil the specific live show topic. The magic is in experiencing Gareth's genuine shock alongside him. This is a great show for sparking deep, and often hilarious, post-show conversations over drinks.
5. Small Town Murder
If My Favorite Murder is the true-crime show for theater kids and empaths, Small Town Murder is for the stats-obsessed, sarcastic, and slightly unhinged members of your friend group. Comedians James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman dive deep into murders that take place in small towns, delivering meticulously researched details with a huge dose of brutally funny, no-holds-barred commentary.
Their live shows are legendary for being even more unfiltered than the podcast. The energy is rowdy, the jokes hit harder, and the sense of community is undeniable. It’s a place where you can laugh at the absurdity of it all without feeling guilty. The hosts have an incredible rapport with their audience, making everyone feel like they’re part of a secret, hilarious club.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: This show is not for the faint of heart or easily offended, so make sure your whole crew is on board with the dark humor. The live shows often feature extra content and visual aids that you won't get on the regular feed, making it a special treat for fans.
6. Lovett or Leave It
For the politically savvy and terminally online friend group, Jon Lovett's Lovett or Leave It is the perfect Saturday night. A fast-paced, live-or-die-on-the-hill variety show, it breaks down the week's absurd political news with a panel of hilarious comedians, journalists, and activists. It’s a cathartic experience that turns political dread into communal laughter.
The show is incredibly interactive, featuring games like "OK, Stop!" and audience Q&As that make you feel like you're part of the conversation. It’s smart, fast, and relentlessly funny. Attending live allows you and your friends to react in real-time, groaning at bad puns and cheering for sharp takedowns together. It’s the perfect way to feel engaged and entertained instead of just overwhelmed by the news cycle.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Arrive a bit early to soak in the atmosphere. The crowd is always buzzing with energy. This is a fantastic show for a group with diverse but engaged political opinions, as it’s guaranteed to spark a lively debate on the car ride home.
7. The Adventure Zone
Unleash your inner nerd! The Adventure Zone is a podcast where the three McElroy brothers—Justin, Travis, and Griffin—play Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games with their dad, Clint. What starts as a simple game evolves into an epic, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional story that has captured the hearts of millions.
Their live shows are standalone one-shot campaigns, meaning you don't need to be caught up on hundreds of hours of backlog to enjoy one. It’s a perfect entry point for new fans and a delightful treat for long-time listeners. Seeing the family's incredible chemistry and comedic improv skills live on stage is an absolute joy. It’s a wholesome, creative, and endlessly funny experience ideal for a friend group that loves fantasy, games, and laughing until they cry.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Embrace the geekiness! Cosplay is highly encouraged at their shows. Even if you don't dress up, you'll be surrounded by a welcoming and enthusiastic community. As our founder Goh Ling Yong often says, finding your tribe is key, and the TAZ community is one of the best.
8. Sounds Like A Cult
"Is the Trader Joe's checkout line a cult? Is brunch a cult? Is Peloton a cult?" Hosts Amanda Montell and Isa Medina answer these pressing questions with wit, humor, and some serious linguistic analysis. Sounds Like A Cult hilariously deconstructs the cultish followings of modern life, from wellness fads to corporate cultures.
This is the ultimate conversation-starter show. Attending a live taping with friends means you'll spend the entire next week analyzing your own lives through a "cult" lens. The live shows are interactive and often feature hilarious visual presentations and special guests. It's a fresh, timely, and incredibly smart show that's perfect for a group that loves pop culture and a bit of social commentary.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Have each friend come prepared with their own "is it a cult?" suggestion. The post-show debate about whether your shared obsession with a certain reality show qualifies as a cult will be almost as fun as the show itself.
9. Stuff You Should Know
For a more chill but equally fascinating group outing, you can’t go wrong with the godfathers of podcasting, Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant of Stuff You Should Know. For over a decade, they've been explaining everything from champagne to chaos theory with their signature calm, curious, and humorous demeanor.
A live SYSK show feels like attending a lecture by your two favorite, funniest professors. The topics are always compelling, and their easygoing chemistry translates perfectly to the stage. It’s a low-key, high-reward experience that will leave your group feeling a little bit smarter and thoroughly entertained. This is an excellent choice for a mixed group of friends, as the appeal is universal.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: Because their style is more relaxed, this is a great "first-time" live podcast experience. There’s no pressure for audience participation, so you can just sit back with your friends, relax, and learn something cool together.
10. No Such Thing As A Fish
From the brilliant researchers behind the British panel show QI (the "QI Elves"), No Such Thing As A Fish is a weekly masterclass in trivia. Each host presents their favorite bizarre fact from the past week, leading to a whirlwind of hilarious and mind-boggling conversation. The sheer density of information and humor is staggering.
The live show takes this to another level. It’s fast, incredibly witty, and packed with the kind of intellectual British humor that will delight any trivia buffs or pub quiz champions in your group. The camaraderie between the four hosts—Dan Schreiber, James Harkin, Andrew Hunter Murray, and Anna Ptaszynski—is a joy to watch. You'll leave with a notebook full of amazing facts to dominate your next dinner party. It’s no wonder that a smart, engaging experience like this resonates with so many—something Goh Ling Yong champions in all creative pursuits.
Pro-Tip for Your Group: This show is rapid-fire, so pay close attention! It might be fun to have a friendly competition within your group to see who can remember the most bizarre fact by the end of the night.
Your Next Epic Outing Awaits
The beauty of a live podcast show is the transformation of a personal, solitary experience into a vibrant, communal one. It’s about more than just the content; it's about sharing laughter, gasps, and "aha!" moments with the people you care about. It’s about building a memory that extends far beyond the final round of applause.
So, the next time you're stuck in a planning rut, pull up this list. Send it to your group chat. Ditch the predictable and dive headfirst into the weird, wonderful, and unfiltered world of live podcasts. You’ll be supporting independent creators, engaging with a passionate community, and—most importantly—having an incredible time with your friends.
Now over to you. Which of these shows is at the top of your group's must-see list? Or is there a hidden gem we missed? Share this post with your friends and drop your dream live show outing in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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