I first listened when it originally aired and thought it superb, like the best literature. It was even better this time. A rare jewel of the best storytelling.

This is one of the if not THE MOST compelling stories I’ve ever had the pleasure and at times the pain , and sadness to experience. Thanks to all , but esp Mr John B and company from Bibb . From a small town girl , with more nihilistic tendencies than not - I get each and every one of these folks . Blessings .

This podcast came out when people were still a little hesitant about listening. This is by far my favorite podcast that I have EVER listened to. I find myself often thinking about this story. Please re-air with updates!!!

I don’t get the love for this one. There a ton of ramblings and such about these people but not much point to it. I feel like my time was wasted on nonsense.

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.

I found this to be a very interesting story, but yet wild as well. I would also enjoy other listeners, to listen to In The Red Clay. A true story about Georgias deadliest man, and he was also the ring leader of Ga Dixie Mafia.

Incredible storytelling. I was riveted.

I first listened in 2018 when I first fell in love with podcasts. I’m now listening again almost 6 years later. It’s just as good if not better!

Being from Alabama I had to listen to this and my husband is from that area close by but one of my best friends is from there. Anyway it is emotional interesting crazy how it played out. Definitely done well and I really loved listening to it and have recommended it. Small towns are hard

This podcast is really tragically emotional, but not strictly sad. It shows the reality of life, the complications of people and interpersonal relationships, and history in a small town. Brian Reed covers this story in such a raw manner and really brings the listeners along in what was his real-time experience. Feels like a good classic piece of art; something you can go back to over and over again and always find something new and further to explore.

Well told tale about an obscure genius.

I can understand not liking the town you’re stuck in. I don’t think this reflects badly on the town. It’s just life for some of us. This pod could be a movie. I like the way we get to hear from so many people’s perspectives. No one is a clear-cut hero or villain. Right & wrong isn’t clear cut. Even the issue of mercury poisoning isn’t definitive. So many twists & turns of intrigue. The way Tyler’s uncle would holler out in the background was amazing because he was always so on point, distilling the essence. Also John B in general makes for such a multi-faceted character. What a sad end result with him. A unique free thinker as well as a genius. Condolences to all who knew John B & also Tyler. RIP 🙏🙏

Excellent listen!

This was such a compelling story….I couldn’t stop listening.

Best Podcast! So well told! Bravo!

Did y’all see Tyler Goodson was killed by Woodstock police? He was shot last month. I was listening to s town again for probably the 5th time and then saw on YouTube that Tyler was killed last month. I hope Brian does a follow up with this story and maybe telling the full story of Tyler.

I live a few miles from here, know most of players. It’s a great story. Shows how money sometimes controls the lives of others. It’s not about a criminal act as much wealth vers lower to middle income. The main character is so unbelievably smart. I makes you want to listen. Great job.

This is not a true crime podcast. No murder. No crime to investigate. Its a story about a complicated man and an excuse for the narrator to paint small town Alabama people all with the same brush. Pretty much as waste of time if you are looking for true crime. But if you wanna hear a story about a gay clock fixer in the south, this is for you. I give it an extra star because John B. was definitely an interesting crazy person.

I thought I was getting into to true crime. Soon I realized it’s a love story. Not love between two people but love for humanity. The center of the story loved humanity so much he was tortured by it. Our narrator fell in love with this person’s humanity. And I’m so thankful for you sharing this story and for my running across it.

One of, if not the, best podcasts I’ve listened to. I kept passing it over for years thinking I’d listened already! I’m so glad I just hit play! I was looking for bingeable true crime and what I got was a masterpiece in Americana. Beautifully documented, told, funny, heartbreaking.

Such a great podcast. I found it on a whim and loved it. It’s lovely how John B. talked about wanting to be a citizen of the world and now so many people all over the world know his story. Worth a listen!

Absolute masterpiece simply put thank you , this has inspired me to learn much more about all sorts of things.

Sad how I heard about this podcast. I read a news clip that the Tyler Goodson person in here got gunned down by the police 2 days ago. My condolences to the family and the author of this podcast. Sad story. So I listened to this podcast and it had me binging. Great work. Hope to hear an update on your take about Tyler Goodson.

I just found this podcast today (December 5 2023) through a news article about Tyler being gunned down by police and listening to this is really sad since John committed suicide it really shows how this country is failing the citizens with help for mental health both deaths could’ve been prevented if they had the help they needed rest in peace Tyler rest in peace John

Great podcast! I’m from Alabama. Joseph Tyler Goodson was killed during a police stand off this Sunday,December 3rd 2023. Will you be doing an update??

One of -if not the best -podcasts I've ever heard. I binged it back in 2019 and might've written a review (can't remember) but I just finished it again and must say that 4+years and hundreds of podcasts later, S -Town remains singular 💖

This is one of the best podcasts I have listened too. I love how you let everyone be themselves without judgement! What a interesting person John was! So much to learn from him!

but for number of reasons, I can’t put my finger on, I continued to listen, and in another way, that I can’t really bring words to bear about, I listened to the entire podcast and it’s one of those that will probably stick with me forever. Humans are so complicated and this was especially illuminating in this case my fondest hope is that Rita, Charlie, and Tyler will listen to this and realize exactly what was intended and try to honor it. Things got so messed up, but I can certainly see how it happened. It’s not too late to fix it.

I enjoyed this podcast.

I listen to podcasts daily. All kinds, true crime, self help, mysteries, and just books on audible. This one, however , is the best one I’ve heard ever. Felt like I had been friends with John B McLemore for years and his fate broke my heart. Genius minds always seem to be tortured. Rest easy. I’d like to know what finally was resolved with Tyler in the courts snd between John ’s family. Is their any information or continuation regarding his fate ?

This is an amazing story that needed to be told. A MUST listen.

It did a really good job of building suspense. Maybe next episode something good will happen but it never did. Both my husband and I felt underwhelmed. Was expecting a lot more from the reviews.

I’m an avid podcast listener - listen ever day. And this is one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to. I cried, laughed, and was simply enthralled. Amazing job.

This is truly one of the best ever.

For my taste S-Town is one of the greatest non fiction podcasts of all time. The structure of the story, the editing, the twists and surprises make this an incredibly satisfying listen. I return time and again, just as I do a great book.

Horrible

I was so sad at the end of episode 2. This was an incredible story that had me laughing at the beginning and furious and sad towards the middle. I wish I would’ve had the pleasure of knowing John B. What an amazing unique individual. Thank you for to Mr. Reed and the producers of this podcast.

Amazing podcast- great music, cadence and storytelling. Love it so much- one of the few podcasts I go back and listen to again and again

This was my first podcast. Well, the first one I stuck thru listening to the entire story. It was smart, captivating and took turns around every corner. I have tried to find something comparable, but haven’t had any success.

I heard this podcast as part of a school assignment, but I quickly became intrigued. This is an great podcast, and I relate to it🩵

During the first wave of the pandemic, my roommate and I started a sort of book club, except for podcasts, as we spent most of our days out of our house running or walking in the mountains around our home town. This was the first podcast we listened to, and I have revisited it ever since. In the winter of 2023 I took a road trip to the south for the first time in my life, and coincidently, I drove right past Woodstock on the way to Birmingham. I cried, thinking of how everything I have listened to over and over happened in the woods that I was now seeing from the car. I had found the maze on google earth when I first listened to S-Town, and only noticed where we were because it was saved on my map. May John and Mary Grace rest easy, and thank you to this American life and serial prod. for their incredible reporting and storytelling. Life may be tedious and brief, but that’s the point, isn’t it?

This was the first podcast I listened to and it definitely set the standard of all my podcast. I share it with all my friends. I'm like you have got to listen to this! Love love love

I can say it was sort of a rillarcoaster ride and I never thought it’d turn out the way it did for John.

The original mystery plot fades away quickly to reveal a wildly endearing closeted clockmaking climate change crusader’s life in rural Alabama. Storytelling that hands you the simple plights of everyday people and leaves you no easy answers or delineation between the “baddies and goodies”.

This is the first actual podcast I ever listened to, this was yearsssss ago. Honestly; this one set my standards very high because I loved it. I couldn’t stop listening. And I still quote it to this day. My favorite will always be “MONEY. Yesuhhhhhh.”

A masterpiece

This is one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to! I wish there were somehow more seasons of this show.

Love love

This is truly the best podcast I’ve ever listened to. I laughed, I cried I got angry and I felt sad. I felt like John B and Tyler became part of my family. I was devastated when I learned John B died. So truly amazing. Thank you Brian for bringing this to us.

Couldn't stop listening once I started! Edit: Still talk about it years later and always recommend it.