I don’t know about you, but I have basically an unlimited appetite for podcasts, but no podcast series is pure gold. I have chosen for you my best individual episodes from the last year or so in the hope that you will share yours with me.
Stories of our Times: Bring me home pts 1 – 4
Absolutely fascinating two-part examination of the moral, political and legal conundrum surrounding Shamima Begum, who left the UK aged 15 for Syria to become a “jihadi bride” and is now incarcerated indefinitely in the al-Roj camp. There is in-depth contribution by the Times journalist who found Shamima, Anthony Lloyd; the fall-out for him from the story is as interesting as the discussion of what to do with her – and other British nationals in al-Jol and al-Hawl – now.
The Reggie Yates podcast: With Jason Fox
You don’t need to be a Jason Fox fan to like this episode of The Reggie Yates podcast, which is like being a fly on the wall at a cute boys’ pyjama party. The story about the time they all go paintballing made me laugh until I cried.
Bit of a Stretch: The Daily Grind
This podcast is a spin-off of the brilliant book of the same name by Chris Atkins, who served out 2.5 years for fraud, mostly in Wandsworth prison. This episode looks at the day-to-day life of your average HMP inmate – the episode about the lives of prison officers is very good, too.
Heavyweight: Gregor
This podcast series is a little strange but the basic premise is broadly that it seeks to right old wrongs. In this episode Gregor tells the story of how he lent the musician Moby some CDs that he sampled in the album Play and how he tries to get them back. With an appearance by Moby.
Without Fail: the Nina Jacobson or Sophia Amoruso episode
This American Life alumnus Alex Blumberg talks to all sorts of people about their successes and failures – mostly about their failures. Nina Jacobson is a successful Hollywood screenwriter with lots of great stories of all her flops; Sophia Amoruso started the clothing brand Nasty Gal and basically then had a nervous breakdown. Totally compelling.
This American Life: The House on Loon Lake
I mean, there are a billion amazing episodes of This American Life but the one that always sticks in my mind is about a boy who keeps re-visiting a creepy old abandoned house in a place called Loon Lake. He ends up tracking down who lived there and finding out what happened to make them leave.
Reply All: Adam Pisces and the $2 Coke
Reply All examines strange things that happen on the internet – the great Momo scandal episode, which includes an exposé of Blippi is also really great. Adam Pisces and the $2 Coke takes a look at the mystery of hundreds of pizza chains receiving repeated orders for a $2 can of Coke from a customer called Adam Pisces, who never collects his drink.
How about you? Which particular podcast episodes do you recommend? Please leave a handy comment in the box below.
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Elis James and John Robins have an excellent podcast series called ‘How do you cope?’ – a recent episode with Chris Packham is particularly good.
Thank you for these recommendations, Esther. Love a podcast too! My favourite podcast is Farmerama – they currently have a series called ‘Who Feeds Us’ about the food supply chain in the UK. Fascinating and terrifying.
Well, there’s that one with the journo who talks really fast and says ‘Fuck!’ a lot, and his wife makes all the jokes, and it’s mostly about cats …
The Daily from the New York Times, consistently brilliant, makes me feel wise and informed. Michael the host is wonderful on so many levels, and has one of those voices that when you see a photo of him, is completely incongruous to what you had in mind.
I loved You’re Wrong About, the Princess Diana series of 5 episodes. It had me laughing and crying and got me through lots of household chores which is when I like to listen to podcasts. Very grateful for the conversation and hopefully some good suggestions.
The Reply All Episode #158 – The Case of the Missing Hit – just magical.
And the whole The Teacher’s Pet series if you like true crime – this is truly bonkers
Thanks for those. Just finished ‘No strings attached ‘ liked that
oh thank you for this…the only one I can ever remember is yours
Susannah Constantine’s ‘amusing My Wardrobe Malfunction’ podcast – the episode with Liz Hurley who has the most peculiar deep voice – very odd.
You’re Dead to Me – totally brilliant podcast by Greg Jenner (historian behind Horrible Histories) looking at historical stuff (not always the obvious ones) with the help of an expert and a comedian. I’ve recommended this to so many people and they have all loved it You don’t need to ‘do’ history to find them funny and also educational! And they’re the perfect length for a dog walk
Always happy to get Podcast recommendations! I enjoyed Girl Taken (BBC) It’s a true story told over several episodes so can’t pick out just one. During the summer I listened to Cautionary Tales – special mention for ep13, That turn to Pascagoula
Just discovered ‘You’re Wrong About’ its all good but the Princess Di is just brilliant. Don’t discount the jessica simpson either.
I’ve just recommended the same one! I really enjoyed it too
wasn’t it fun. I loved them being so confused by random upper class and just british traditions and customs. ‘she plays something called netball’ ‘her dad eats in a different room’
Yes!! So pleased this podcast has been praised. The 5 Princess Diana episodes kept me riveted on my long walks – especially the American bafflement on upper crust behaviour. I bought and raced through the Tina Brown book on the strength of it being used for their research. We think we know the whole story about things …You’re Wrong About consistently proves otherwise.
Also ‘Even The Rich’ – the stonkingly wealthy and their scandals and tragedies. Just finished JFK Junior and Carolyn Bessette and about to start the Chappaquiddick 3-parter.
Podcasts (and wireless ear buds) are such a boon in these dull times.
Excited to try some of those!
I’ve just finished the ‘You’re Wrong About’ series of episodes on Princess Diana and looking for something to fill the gap.
They were great by the way, despite being made by Americans it was really well researched and a fair take on her life I thought. Here’s the link to episode 1:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-wrong-about/id1380008439?i=1000492796502
I love ‘Second Life’. Ex journo & Who What Wear co-founder, Hilary Kerr, interviews a bunch of brilliant women about how they’ve ‘pivoted’ in their careers. Gives me hope that’ll eventually find my dream vocation. I also rate Conversations of Inspiration (I highly recommend the one with founder of The Eden Project) and How I Built This (hmmm…there’s a theme emerging here). None of these are ‘business’ podcasts, just great success stories.
If you’re into beauty, Outspoken Beauty is often good. I’m also into How to Fail, You’re Booked, Adam Buxton (his interview with Michaela Cole is hilarious) and of course, Desert Island Discs (if you’re new to this DEFINITELY start in the archive. Lauren Laverne is good, but Kirsty Young is SO GOOD).
I am a massive fan of the Off Menu podcast with James Acaster and Ed Gamble. It’s funny and it makes me STARVING HUNGRY so don’t listen to it before lunch
Oh me too – the one with Thomasina Miers recently was a revelation, she’s so great and funny and the one with Joe Thomas is on repeat in our house as my teenage son cries with laughter at it.
I also love the The DropOut from ABC News who do consistently great podcasts (They also did the Truth and Lies about Jeffrey Epstein) – this one is about Elizabeth Holmes and the Theramos tech scam which is jaw dropping.
Oh YEs the dropout was fab
I loved Moby Give Me Back My CDs!
For light-hearted listening I love Off Menu – the Greg Davies episode is particularly good – and Wheel of Misfortune (the poo episode is very childish but very funny).
For intriguing I loved The Missing Crypto Queen.
And for a standalone episode that I think about regularly, the Radiolab ep Playing God. Sometimes I wish I’d never listened to it but also recommend it to anyone who will listen.
I’ve binged the BBC Lovecraft Investigation podcasts — fictional drama, but about a couple of podcasters investigating and debunking “psychic phenomena”, until they get caught up in occult stuff based on the Lovecraft universe. All the greatness of the BBC drama production standards with an excellent cast (Nicola Walker’s always amazing). Definitely worth a listen for escapism, and it’s always good to have something slightly spooky at this time of the year. You definitely have to listen in order: Charles Dexter Ward/Whisperer in darkness/Shadow over Innsmouth.
The Adam Buxton podcast is good. The ones with Joe Cornish and Louis Theroux and hilarious. One made me snort out laughing mid run, I had to stop and compose myself!
Always love podcast recommendations! I love Ear Hustle – made in a Californian prison, very interesting and the great chemistry between the cohosts make it even better.
Brilliant, thanks for all these recs. Does anyone have any for pre-teen kids, aged 10-13ish? Trying to get my kids off the damn screens all the time. Modern Love (podcast of essays which appear in the NYT) is good too, and the kids loved the one called Dusty-Danger Dog. We all cried (kids at home, me in the gym THE SHAME). So listen – to 2nd part – in private.
Ps – Should point out that Modern Love isn’t meant for kids. That particular episode was pre-teen appropriate tho.
I love the Talking Sopranos podcast. My favourite is with writer Terry Winter (episode 18), who has a totally wild story about his writing career – that is possibly one of my favourite interviews of all time.
My Favourite Murder – two Californian friends obsessed with, and very funny about, true crime
And Dear Joan and Jericha, subversive and horribly insensitive agony aunts (it’s filthy though)
And Small Town Dicks, cops in unnamed USA towns talking about crimes they’ve solved despite no manpower.
LOVE podcasts!
I LOVE podcasts so much, they make otherwise menial chores a delight
I enjoy the Endless Honeymoon. Two married comedians bouncing off one another with a side of great advice and counselling!
Schools closing—I thought of you first!
I know. What a nightmare! But I have threatened both my kids with sending them in – as journalists we can just about argue key worker status. I mean I won’t, but I COULD and I have told kids that if they don’t behave and do their online learning I will boot them back to school