A few weeks ago I asked people to nominate their favorite stories from our first year in existence so I could put together an end-of-the-year "best-of" podcast episode. As you might imagine, I have quite a few favorites myself, and since I run the show, I thought I would put out a whole episode chosen by me as well. That's what you're looking at now: 2012's "Producer's Picks." These were stories that, for one reason or another, stayed with me throughout the year. In addition to rereleasing them here, I've also recorded new intros for each story so you can hear me say nice things about the people who told them! This episode, refresh yourself or enjoy for the first time:

• Dwight & Eric: Friends in Low Places
• Bobby, Eric & The Cor-Res Chorus: Re: Your Brains
• Charlie Madsen: Fantasy Madden
• Jon Lester: Drunk Gaming
• Andrew Bentley: A Love Letter to Power Metal
• Maura Foley: The Smell of Home
• Shawn Patrick Boyle: The Next Technological Breakthrough Will Be Therapeutic A.I.
• Chris Geiger: It Gets Better
• Claire & Eric: Challengers
• Dwight & Eric: The World is Falling

Check back next week to hear other people say nice things about some stories!