I have recently stumbled across a few really good podcasts, which fall under a new category that someone explained to me was now called “dramatic storytelling”. Like Serial. Or any of This American Life.
The first is Caliphate, I think recommended to me here, which is a sort of glancing look at the mess that is/was ISIS.
The second is The Drop Out, which is engrossing – about the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, who founded the BioTech company Theranos. You may remember it being in the news (I don’t). There is a book called Bad Blood, which covers the same subject.
I so enjoyed those that I have been searching for others – but without much luck. My god there are some shit podcasts out there. I don’t really want to listen to the Maddie one for obvious reasons.
Every so often I come across a really brilliant episode of This American Life, such as 419: Petty Tyrant, 317: Unconditional Love, 661: But That’s What Happened – and I have to make do with that.
I am, as I’m sure you are, very fond of Jonathan Van Ness, who is one of the Queer Eye consultants. He has a podcast called “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness”, which addresses serious subjects, (Trump’s Wall, Toxic Stress, How do you know if your bae is still the one?), in his trademark style of utter shrieking hysteria and calling everything “she”.
It’s a really good concept and almost worth listening to for how he delivers his sponsorship declarations alone: “ADT! She means real protection for Y.O.U., honey…”
But – I occasionally worry that the guests are completely blindsided by Van Ness, who is a pretty rare force of nature, and don’t quite manage to get on board with what the F is going on until some way towards the end of the recording.
Though, his episode with Jameela Jamil, who entirely gets the entire thing, was great – I’m thinking particularly of the fifteen minutes when they both recall separate incidences where they crapped their pants in public. It’s incredibly funny. Look, I never said I was sophisticated.
I have also started listening to The Daily, which covers topical issues, broadcast by The New York Times.
How about you? Which interesting podcasts have you found interesting recently? Feel free to identify particular episodes.
Desert Island Discs- George Michael is wonderful
Table Manners is hilarious
The Kitchen Cabinet
The Adam Buxton podcast is my absolute fave. Peppered with his own musical jingles and a different guest, I just flip through until I see a ‘sleb’ is like to hear him interview, the Kathy Burke one was excellent.
Also RuPaul and Michelle Visage, similar thing, different guests each episode, funny.
Lastly the Elis James and John Robbins podcast of their Radio X show is unmissable in our house. The way they address toxic masculinity and body issues and life in general is so inspiring, mixed with comedy nonsense moments too. They have (sort of accidentally) built up a community of PCD’s, Podcast Devotees and they have a group on Facebook offering support and advice and all nice feels to other listeners and it’s the ONLY reason I still have an active Facebook account.
Another vote for Adam Buxton. Smart, funny and interesting. I especially love the episodes with his old friends Garth jennings and Joe Cornish.
I also love Bang On from Double J. 2 Australian women (music and broadcast journalists) talk about current events in a hilarious smart, aware way! Their farshion updates actually make me laugh out loud.
For something more soothing, I love Wonderful from Rachel and Griffin McElroy. They find something they love and tell you about it! Not selling anything, just something interesting that they want to share with the world.
Oh yes Adam Buxton. You’ve just reminded me I used to listen to My Brother, My Brother and Me, which is an eccentric comedy advice podcast, often hilarious and I think that is Griffin McIlroy and his brothers McIlroy.
Yes! They are legion. Sawbones is a Sydney and Travis McElroy podcast and another treat for the ears.
I will look that up, and try and get their name right! X
PCD and retro oner here. Elis James and John Robins are also the only reason I’m on FB too!
“Slow Burn”.
S1 – Watergate. S2 – Clinton.
Production is great and learnt loads.
Yes to this!
Yes! Slow Burn is incredibly compelling.
I am a massive Serial and This American Life fan, and LOVED S-Town which is another of their creations. You may have already come across it, but if not I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
I really loved podcasts when my son was a bit smaller but now he’s 2.5yrs I struggle to fit them in around him, he’s such a little sponge I wouldn’t want to risk listening to anything too heavy/sweary/graphic around him. When does everyone with preschool age kids listen to them?! I don’t have the brain power at the moment to figure this one out.
*side note – said it before I’ll say it again – there needs to be an On The Spike podcast!*
I’m also finding Caliphate v interesting if chilling in places. I though In the Dark’s second series was outstanding – miscarriage of justice case which is still being played out 20+ years and 6 trials after the event. What makes it standout is the (female) reporter’s thorough investigation and thoughtful style. First series also vg but not palatable for folk with sm children.
Joan and Jericha is so funny but not for the faint hearted
Oh my days how could I have forgotten about Joan and Jericha?????? Side splittingly funny and pure FILTH
Total FILTH!
Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History” is very good in a “This American Life” way and has been the source of anything I say when Ive pretended to sound intelligent recently. But my real winner is “My Favourite Murder” – two female stand ups from LA discussing serial killers. It’s the damn best.
Griefcast is my 100% favourite. It sounds miserable but it really isn’t. Pretty much everyone can find an episode to resonate with. For me, episode 2 (Jayde Adams) is a stand out as it deals with the death of her sister – something I’m familiar with. But there are episodes covering parents, babies, wives, husbands and a dog. (I had huge reservations about the dog episode, but sobbed on the bus listening to it)
Other favourites in my library are The West Wing Weekly – an episode for every episode of The West Wing hosted by Josh Malina (Will Bailey on the show) and Hrishy Hirway who is a WW devotee. Interviews include Allison Janney, Martin Sheen and other cast members as well as political players who reflect on how the WW shaped various political stories in the years since it finished. In this era of Trump (ai ai ai) it’s nice to sink into a more utopian political world.
And of course, no recommendation for podcasts is complete without My Dad Wrote a Porno. Utter nonsense, but so enthralling. You will sob with laughter every time Rocky reaches for a metaphor to discuss the female anatomy and wince when a character grabs a cervix….
So pleased to see this blog post- I am always looking for new podcasts.
This episode of the Toure Show with Zadie Smith is completely brilliant https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/cadence13/toure-show/e/53184632 If you like ZS, you will absolutely love it.
Both the TLS and LRB (and LRB Bookshop) do really excellent podcasts on a range of (mainly but not always literary) issues. I love this talk by Anne Enright on Adam and Eve https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/london-review-podcasts/id510327102?mt=2&i=1000404190315
Neither of those recs are v new, sorry, but they are good.
I can’t be doing with any of the true crime ones. I feel they blur the line between information and entertainment and it makes me really uncomfortable.
There are some amazing podcasts out there atm. Makes my commute bearable! Check out Teacher’s Pet, an excellent one from the Australian. It’s a cold case re-investigation (not gory at all) but an unbelievable story now having it’s day in court.
I have become very ‘into’ podcasts over the last six months so this piece was perfectly timed for me. I like to listen to them while running if I am lacking motivation and need a distraction from the internal monologue which is saying ‘I hate this, this sucks, hate my life’ etc. I quite like the SheerLuxe ones which are mainly shallow, and about skincare and fashion, but to be honest that suits me down to the ground – because I AM actually pretty shallow, and I am more than fine with that.
The Goop one is great for listening in the bath as Gwyneth’s ‘podcast voice’ has meditation qualities, and it features interviews with people like Oprah and Erin Brockovich. I can’t afford the Goop products that get continually plugged though so that is mildly depressing.
I love the Backlisted podcast and I’m almost never without something to read because of it. They talk about a different book each time, one that maybe has been forgotten, or something by a prolific author they think deserves a revisit, or an author that was once popular and has sunk out of public consciousness a bit. They cover a wide range of books and I have discovered lots of interesting stuff through it. They also do a bit of book chat at the start where they talk about current things they’re reading and have great guests on and it’s all just really funny and informative and unpretentious. They had a Jilly Cooper one recently that was really entertaining, an interesting one on Hilary Mantel’s Beyond Black, and a funny Martin Amis one with John Niven (which might depend on how funny you find Martin Amis and John Niven) Also Lissa Evans, whose books were recommended on here, has been a guest a few times, the one I recall offhand being for A Month in the Country and she is great. David Tennant has a podcast and I’ve listened to a couple of those where it’s a kind of relaxed chat show with other actors he knows, like Olivia Coleman and Jennifer Garner all quite friendly and charming. A good one for kids is (I know no one asked) Smash Boom Best, where they have two people have a debate on a subject like “What’s better, owls or bats? Quicksand or lava? Books or movies?” And they have a kid on to decide the winner. My kids love it while they’re drawing at the table, they get more absorbed in what they’re doing for longer I find, it gives a structure to their arguments at least, and they have learned a lot about quicksand they wouldn’t have otherwise. (And what is it with the Maddie one? I saw it on the chart and couldn’t believe it, what on earth do they think they are they doing there? I don’t want to know. I listened to that Jameela Jamil one and… my god.)
Blacklisted in excellent. I’ve found out about of loads of new writers from them (new as in, new to me). The Patrick Modiano and Ann Quinn episodes were a revelation.
laughed when I read your description of Jonathan – he is great but one has to take a deep breath and one may not catch up with him for a bit
– these are a bit sensible But !!!!
Fortunately – jane Garvey (Womans Hour) and Fi Glover (Radio 4) – half an hour of irreverent BBC smart chat – you’d like to have dinner with them
Wellness – Liz Earle – fount of health info – gentle and very informative
Desert Island dishes – Margie Nomura interviews people for their 7 fave foodie dishes – lovely voice – very light and interesting food choices
David Tennant is very good, Olivia Coleman was a joy with him though I found Jennifer Garner REALLY irritating to listen to- she just repeats every question as an answer; Madeleine Spencer’s Beauty Full Lives, especially the beauty experts’ slot; Dolly Alderton, though The Hi-Low with Pandora Sykes less so; Bryony Gordon on mental health is great but occasionally harrowing. Few of these are sponge-eared-child friendly though!
I tried JVN but found him completely impenetrable, unfortunately, as I like nothing more than inappropriate poo anecdotes.
I absolutely love The HighLow with Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes – it’s like listening to a couple of friends chatting about what they have watched, listened to and read every week. It’s led me to countless brilliant pod casts, books, films and articles. They also discuss high and low brow issues in the news – it’s a great listen.
I love love Dolly’s Love Stories too. Compulsive listening..the Emma Freud, Ruth Jones and Maryann Keyes one to name but a few.
I’m also really enjoy Beyond Today, one issue discussed in depth every day. Really accessible and well put together.
The High Low
Fourtunatly with Fi and Jane
Guardian Long reads
Beyond Today
Ramblings
The Allusionist
How to Fail
Joan and Jerica
Enjoy! X
Podcasts (and Bose wireless headphones) have totally transformed my commute! And I’m putting off actually starting work now I’m here, so I’ve written an essay
Current favourites
– Today in Focus by the Guardian is often excellent and gives really good insight into current issues. Today’s on a youth club in Acton and inequality is exceptionally good.
– Reasons to be Cheerful (Ed Miliband and Geoff Lloyd) looks at political / social / business innovations and why they suggest that the world is not on an inevitable downward trajectory. I particularly enjoyed the one on Gang Violence (No. 50)
– Ear Hustle. Nice short episodes about life in San Quentin prison. Totally fascinating.
– Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin. He is a surprisingly good interviewer and gets excellent subjects. Weirdly fascinating is the one about rubbish and sewage in New York (9 Jan 2018) and nuclear safety (2 Aug 2016). More obviously appealing – Grace Coddington on 6 March 2017 and Bryan Stevenson (he is so amazing) on 16 Feb 2015
– The podcast of Why I’m not Talking to White People about Race by Remi Edo Lodge brings her book to the present day and is excellent
I’m excited about Intrigue: The Ratline presented by Philippe Sands about Nazis escaping after the 2nd WW but haven’t started listening yet.
– Where Should we Begin with Esther Perel – incredible American psychiatrist allowing you to sit in on her counselling sessions focussing on sex and relationships. Fascinating.
– The “Pod” series – Pod save America / Pod save the World by a bunch of ex-Obama staffers are very good but super topical so only interesting to listen to within the month (and VERY echo chamber)
– Mothers of Invention – Mary Robinson (former Irish president) and a comedian called Maeve Higgins interviewing women who are taking pro-active stances against climate change. Really interesting and often unexpected.
And finally – you probably already know about Love Stories with Dolly Alderton, but it is great. I especially liked Afua Hirsch.
Thank you so much for the details on the Here’s The Thing – I listened to Grace Coddington last night on my dog walk and it was great!
Believed – by NPT with Michigan Radio. Its a 6 episode podcast about Larry Nassar, the USA Gymnastics Doctor. Well made, and I insightful as a parent of a little girl who is doing gymnastics!
I liked it as much as Bad Blood, BUT it did get me off watching the Michael Jackson documentary because I don’t think I want to listen to anything addressing a similar topic.
If you like JVN (and I love him also) then Alec Baldwin ‘Here’s the Thing’ is also terrific as he interviews one person on a specific theme per episode and is so obviously interested in what they have to say that you get pulled in too. Amy Schumer talking about growing up on Long Island is particularly terrific. I also like Table Manners with Jessie Ware and her mother cooking for, and interrogating, some great guests.
The Ratline – true story investigation of a Nazi war criminal, featuring Stephen Fry
David Tennant does a podcast (Olivia Coleman one worth a listen)
The Horror of Dolores Roach -creepy but addictive
Heavyweight – some charming true stories
S Town – true and entertaining
Teachers Pet – Australian murder investigation
Sorry, me again! Just remembered The Dream which is a series about Pyramid Selling and is a complete eye opener
I love Table Manners although Ive rarely heard of any of the guests its still entertaining and the Grace Dent one on Radio 4 is good and has a really interesting (and sad) one about homelessness. I think thats a podcast but not completely sure of the definition! Haven’t listened to it for ages so this has prompted me! Have they made one about Maddie McCan? I know Netflix have brought out a documentary that my two teenage daughters have been talking about all weekend. Im not sure I could face this either.
West Cork is another one that would fall under dramatic storytelling category. So absorbing, I really enjoyed it. S-Town, think is the best I’ve listened to. The High Low.
Ditto to S-Town (couldn’t remember name of it when I was posting below) and West Cork. Will try The High Low now…
Last year was very much the year of the podcast for me. I binge-listened to whole series of them over the summer (I do a lot of driving for work and they brightened up many a long car journey) and I’ve been hooked on them ever since. Car journeys on Wednesdays and Fridays are now particular bright spots in the week (I know, what a saddo).
Wednesday’s gifts:
Elizabeth Day’s superb ‘How To Fail’ – I just love everything about the premise of this podcast, the guests are great and it’s a real tonic to start the day:
https://howtofail.podbean.com/
Cariad Lloyd’s wonderfully funny, tender, uplifting ‘Griefcast’. I echo what Morven says above – it really isn’t miserable at all, it finds beauty and humour in grief and loss, and some of the episodes really have some joyous, laugh-out-loud moments. Particular favourites for me were the interviews with Gemma Whelan, Robert Popper, Ed Morrish, David Baddiel, Robert Webb and Anneka Rice – the early guests were principally comedians/actors but more recently there have been writers, journalists etc:
https://play.acast.com/s/griefcast
Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie’s quirky ‘Table Manners’ – it’s funny, warm, and just like being a very welcome fourth guest around the table having a natter with one of a wide range of celebrity guests. I think the general piss-taking and good-humoured squabbling between mother and daughter is what makes it for me – it all just feels quite natural:
https://play.acast.com/s/tablemanners
Friday’s offerings:
Loves Stories with Dolly Alderton – it’s a tie in with her book ‘Everything I Know About Love’ and has had some really lovely interviews with various guests talking about love and relationships in their broadest sense. Dolly is refreshingly open and honest – the recent episode with Matt Haig was unexpectedly moving (unless you’re someone who can’t stand Matt Haig, obvs):
https://soundcloud.com/user-892136004
Fortunately with Fi and Jane – if you like Fi Glover and Jane Garvey (which I do, very much) then this podcast is just hilarious. It’s just the pair of them mucking about outside Broadcasting House and generally just being funny. In the early days the format seemed to be vaguely based on discussing news items, podcasts, TV and radio tit-bits they’d listened to and found interesting, more recently they have a good old natter before interviewing a guest. I love the rambling informality of it:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04x5pd7/episodes/downloads
Couple of other good ones:
Unfiltered with James O’Brien – I was really late to the party on this one because it launched in October 2017 and concluded in September last year, but the interviews are all still well worth a listen. Particular stand-out episodes for me were Gina Miller, Mark Steel (absolutely hilarious), Caitlin Moran (fuck me, she talks faster than I do), Jamie Oliver, Robert Webb, David Baddiel (again!), Nick Clegg and Armando Iannucci. James O’Brien himself being interviewed by Fi Glover right at the end of the series was also rather good:
https://soundcloud.com/user-957591628
The High Low with Pandora Sykes and Dolly Alderton – I’m never quite sure how long the episodes are supposed to be – some are a bit of a marathon listen, but a generally interesting roundup of various news/pop culture items from the week. It’s a bit like being back at all-girls’ school but I’ve warmed to them as I’ve been listening:
https://play.acast.com/s/thehighlowshow
Will give Caliphate and The Drop Out a listen – always on the look out for more good recommendations. Thanks Esther! 🙂
James O’Brien has a new one called Full Disclosure I just listened to Ricky Gervais one of the other day, seems pretty similar to Unfiltered.
Ooooh good knowledge – thanks Cindy!
Teachers Pet 👌
Slow Burn from Slate was brilliant – very thought provoking and completely gripping
The Week Unwrapped with Olly Mann is always interesting and a little bit quirky
TBD with Tina Brown is strangely compelling – she is awful and excellent at the same time
Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin (for the voice – also usually interesting)
Armchair expert with Dax shepherd
The Atlantic and the Monocle podcasts are really good quality and have some great stuff
Fresh Air from PBS
At the kitchen table with Diana Henry is really good
Sandra with Kristen Wiiig
Simple Pleasures with Yotam Ottolenghi
My Life in Books from the Daily Telegraph – Ruth Jones and Marian Keyes episodes
Ah there are too many!
Talking Politics, hosted by Prof David Runciman of Cambridge with regular collaborator Helen Thompson. Serious about all sorts of politics (strong UK focus, but European & American special guests) and more broadly about social trends. Brilliant untangling Brexit. Love the voice. Love the brain <3
https://www.talkingpoliticspodcast.com/
‘Homecoming’ is great; really loved it – by Gimlet productions if you liked ‘Serial’.
My favourites are ‘Fortunately’ with Fi Glover and Jane Garvey…. and
‘The Garden Log’ which is a gentle chat about gardening with Ben Dark who is clever and is brilliant with words.
…..me again. Joan and Jericha with the excellent Julia Davies!
Wanted to like the Midult’s ‘I’m absolutely fine’ but their voices drive me mad; their shrieking and they’re too close to the mic, so I have to turn the volume down. Really annoying.
Ear Hustle is extraordinary.
Broadcast from inside San Quintin jail in California. A fascinating insight into life in prison, presented by inmates and the artist who set up the programme. Funny, heartbreaking, shocking and heart warming.
Listen from the beginning.
Thanks for this – I find it compelling / disturbing / interesting – thank u xxx
For a recent ‘event’: I thought Oprah’s episode on Leaving Neverland was very good (it’s on her SuperSoul Conversations podcast).
There is an excellent BBC podcast called The Adoption. Fascinating and tear jerking.
I also love the HighLow, and I dip into the Sheerluxe one occasionally.
The Dream and Believed
Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed. With Chris & Rosie
I can’t wait to trawl all these recommendations.
You Must Remember This (especially the Manson’s Hollywood ones)
Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin?
The Dirty John podcast was brilliant, believe it’s now been made into a Netflix series. It actually gave me an incentive to run as I mostly listen when in motion.
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd is my current fave, v in-depth interviews with various slebs, lots of really interesting ones and lots of laughs. They’re a long listen but when I’m listening I don’t want the interviews to end. Heavily peppered with explicit language though so not one to listen with little sponges around, haha! Particular recommendations for Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Johnny Knoxville and Kristen Bell eps and all the Experts on Expert specials:)
So, I’m new to podcasts. Only got on board earlier this year. Other than Seriel of course.
Some I’ve really enjoyed:
– The Teachers Pet (Australian True Crime) is fascinating
– I’m enjoying the Deliciously Ella podcasts for health, wellness & lifestyle (the episode on food waste and climate change from 18 Sept was mind blowing!)
– another health one, is Feel Better, Live More with Dr Chaterjee;
– and last but definitely not least, Shameless which is a by 2 young Australian journalist who have very interesting discussion around pop culture topics. Their tag line is “The pop culture podcast for intelligent women who love dumb stuff” – really interesting discussions & I’m addicted!
I’m a massive fan of “Reply All”, which started about a podcast about the internet, but turned into so much more. They really go deep, but in a funny, yet insightful way. I have a lot more podcasts that I like, but if I had to chose one (that’s not Serial, or This American Life) it would be this. Also S-Town is great. And “Invisibilia”, and “Heavyweight” (they all come from the This American Life school of podcasts).
I second “Heavyweight”, also “Radiolab”, and “Without Fail”, all American, and mostly by “This American Life” alumni.
The Guardian Today In Focus v good short, one topic daily news analysis. Casefile for true crime. Dirty John, same. Teachers Pet, same. Ottalinghi one where he talks to people and cooks, interesting one with Lin-Manuel Miranda. David Tennant does a podcast – not sure we really find out anything about him but – that voice. Start Up (first one by Gimlet Media, guy leaves This American Life (I think!) to start his own podcast company – Gimlet – now worth millions, story from the very beginning, he’s very easy to listen to).
I also love the JVN and Adam Buxton podcasts. Others I enjoy which I don’t think have been mentioned yet – Evil genius with Russell Kane (discussing the dark side of people like Ghandi and Charles Dickens) and My Dad wrote a porno with Alice Levine and others, v funny.
Absolute favourite is In Our Time – history and literature episodes e.g., Jane Eyre or the Battle of Bannockburn if listening to academics getting excited about their subject is your thing (it’s mine).
– Fortunately but start with the most recent episodes and work backwards, early episodes had a different format that didn’t work as well – now its mainly just listening to two old friends natter on while their guests try and get a word in edgeways (Tracey Thorn episode is a good place to start).
– the High-Low – agree it can feel a bit like being back in my all-girls’ college and listening in on the alpha girls’ chat but I rate their genuine high-low mix and their book / film / article recommendations are always worth following up on.
– the Boring Talks – people present subjects they love that most would class as dull e.g., how the Amazon algorithm works, Asterix puns, yellow lines etc. Fascinating!
– How to fail – don’t love ED as an interviewer but her subjects are great and the conversation wide-ranging.
Lots of my favourites have been mentioned already (Fortunately is so good, Love Stories, How to Fail). But some others I like are: Homo Sapiens, which is Will Young and his best friend Chris Sweeney chatting and interviewing guests. The Cut on Tuesdays by New York Magazine, which covers a different issue, broadly relating to women, each episode. The Times Red Box, mainly about Brexit if you can bear it, but Matt Chorley is good. BBC Seriously, a documentary series, each one very different, the Chris Mason one on politicians’ accents was interesting. Dear Sugars, an agony aunt podcast with Cheryl Strayed, the woman Reese Witherspoon plays in Wild. And I like nursing and Cursing, which is an American podcast where five close friends talk about parenting, but some people might find the accents annoying. Oh and I’ve just started with Literary Friction which interviews authors and discusses books. Thanks for this post, so good to have more recommendations.
Can’t cope with the hi-low personally… But: Talking Politics, Guardian longreads, the New Statesman and the Chatham House podcast for news/int affairs; Griefcast, How to Fail, David Tennant and Desert Island Dishes for nice interviews with famous people; and Slow Burn if you liked The Drop Out.
OMG THIS IS MY PODCAST (the chatham house one) THANK YOU!
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!?!?
Das war der tag.
News and current affairs but in German. Because I’m fed-up of the BBC and their coverage of everything.
Just an opinion but for me greatest podcast of all time is You Must Remember This. A podcast about Hollywood’s first century. If you love scandal and fascinating stories this is the shit.
99% Invisible – about design, some really great episodes. I love this one about a woman who does graphic design for films https://overcast.fm/+DBU65RI Also The Tip Off – behind the scenes of investigative journalism, covering the story of a different scoop each week.
What a great topic. I already subscribe to many here, and would add NPR’s Hidden Brain which lists itself as ‘A conversation about life’s unseen patterns’. ‘Never Go To Vegas’ is a good one to start on. Another NPR one that I like is How I Built This – interviews with entrepreneurs like Bobbi Brown, Chip Wilson of Lululemon and Emily Weiss of Glossier.
I also like Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History, my fave episode being ‘The King of Tears’ which I have listened to more than once, and can bore on about at will. ‘Why country music makes you cry, and rock and roll doesn’t: A musical interpretation of divided America’ – so good. In Our Time can be fascinating, but Melvyn Bragg’s voice sends me to sleep in a jiffy (though to be fair, I usually listen late at night when I’m having trouble nodding off – so I should be thanking him, really).
I also subscribe to a lot of book ones, including BBC’s Books and Authors, Backlisted, and Tea or Books?
Some podcasts I have tried have been unbearable because it can sound as if they are recording in a cave, or a tin box. Others are spoiled by giggling fits. Great that they’re enjoying themselves, but gets a bit tedious for the listener. But on the whole I am addicted and even cancelled my Audible membership as I wasn’t listening to the books I downloaded.
Thank you for the Revisionist History recommendation, the King of Tears was wonderful and felt like it had been made just for me. Though his choice of saddest ever country song (it is a great one) makes me wonder how much he’s listened to – Hank Williams as Luke the Drifter has songs about children dying in poverty, grown men saying goodbye to their mama, noble self-sacrifice for people that hate you and other heartbreakers. The one that gets me every time but perhaps it is sentimental rather than truly sad, is Here Comes that Rainbow again by Kris Kristofferson. Anyway this was right up my street, I loved the Elvis anapraxis one too, from one Cindy to another xx
Parapraxis! What a funny word to get wrong.
Buckles always…..I also have a crush on Ira Glass from This American Life. I have no idea what he looks like, he’s just brilliant And I never miss an episode.
Serial was pretty good. The Guilty Feminist is always funny and absolutely spot on.
Comedy slab made me embarrassingly guffaw on the school run.
When I say ‘Comedy Slab’ I meant Joan & Jericha.
So bad it’s good!
I loved Serial (first series), S-Town and Dirty John and ADORED Joan & Jericha (when will there be another series?!).
Regular listens: The High Low, Dolly Alderton’s Love Stories, Madeleine Spencer’s Beauty Full Lives, The Adam Buxton Podcast, How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, and Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster (who really make me laugh and have some excellent guests – Josie Long was a particular fave). Also Homecoming and The Reservoir Tapes, which are both scripted drama rather than reporting/discussion. The Reservoir Tapes form a prologue to a book which was quite an interesting concept.
Mystery Show is THE BEST and I’ve listened to a shit ton of podcasts. Suitable for anyone too. I also like You Must Remember This and Criminal.
I love What Should I Read Next? A podcast about books you can listen to without worrying what the kids might overhear. American blogger and author Anne Bogel interviews a guest each week (usually ordinary women, from quite a range of backgrounds). Asks them to talk about 3 books they love, 1 they hate, what they’re reading now, and then recommends books for them to read next. Intelligent, interesting conversation. I’ve got lots of book recommendations from it.
Dirty John for excellent true crime with a PROPER ENDING (most just end, which is obviously what happened in real life, but so unsatisfying).
Love this blog post and have just written down loads of suggestions above. I got into podcasts with Serial season 1, and I am a sad true crime junkie. So I love Casefile (I am married to an Aussie so I find the presenter’s accent comforting) and I enjoyed The Accused series 1.
Teacher’s Pet brought a man to justice but after the first few eps was incredibly repetitive. I love You Must Remember this for old Hollywood stories (The Manson stories a highlight but I also love The Dead Blondes stories). Where should we begin is fascinating as is Slow Burn (season 2).
Breakdown was enthralling (a toddler left in a car story – was it an accident or not?) and Tara Brach has the loveliest voice and suggestions on coping with life.
Finally – as I obsessed with the incredible book ‘I’ll Be Gone in the Dark’ – I loved the podcast where the late Michelle McNamara essentially hunted a serial killer from her bedroom. After 40 years – they caught the monster last year. In no small part to Michelle’s efforts… incredible!
Dolly Alderton’s Love Stories is a new fave, particularly fond of the episode with Sarah Pascoe.