Podcasts Everyone Should Be Listening To
[Photo: Getty]
Discovering the joy of podcasts is a revelation. You can trace the thread of a person’s life story, build an understanding of a new subject or take in a heated debate – all with your face pressed into a stranger’s sweaty back on the bus to work.
But where on earth to start? It’s perfectly possible to listen to strangers prattle on about pretty much any topic under the sun these days, thanks to the sheer volume of podcasts ripe for the downloading.
There are podcasts for laughing, podcasts for learning, and podcasts for no reason in particular, which are brilliant anyway.
Just to get you going we’ve picked a few of our favourites, from the serious to the frankly nutty.
No Such Thing As A Fish
Plug into this weekly trivia-fest to hear the adorably dorky QI elves discussing their favourite facts from the last seven days.
You’ll arm yourself with a bucketload of obscure general knowledge as you giggle along to their enlightening and amusing conversation. The elves may all be smartypants, but they’re certainly not above descending into fits of giggles over a well-timed poo joke.
My Dad Wrote A Porno
Think your parents are embarrassing? Well you’ve got nothing on Jamie Morton, who was dealt quite a shocking blow when he discovered his 60-year-old father was writing an erotic novel.
In this podcast Jamie and his friends read out extracts from said novel – Belinda Blinked – chiming in along the way with their thoughts and observations. The result is side-splittingly funny. In fact you might want to avoid listening this one on a busy tube.
The Adam Buxton Podcast
Comedian Adam Buxton is best known for gamboling around on our tellies in the ‘90s with buddy Joe Cornish in The Adam and Joe Show.
Now he’s turned his hand to audio. Each of his podcast consists of an interview with a famous guest, interspersed with a handful of jolly jingles and the occasional dog impression.
Don’t expect a Paxman-style interrogation, more a genial meander through a person’s thoughts – think Louis Theroux on buffet etiquette, Richard Herring on fizzy drinks and Kathy Burke on Twitter swearing.
This American Life
America’s most popular podcast is a fascinating cocktail of investigative journalism and stranger-than-fiction real-life stories.
Each week has an intriguing theme, such as ‘In Defence of Ignorance’, ‘The Incredible Rarity of Changing Your Mind’ and ‘The Seven Things Your Not Supposed To Talk About’. Presenter Ira Glass has nailed the rare combination of informative and entertaining – stick a load of episodes on you phone for your next long journey.
[Photo: Getty]
Stuff You Should Know
Yep, it’s all in the name with this one. The hosts dedicate a week to one topic, swotting up to the hilt so they can they explain it to us laymen.
Ever been curious how space stations work? Keen to know more about LSD? Overcome by a fascination with fire breathing? This, then, is the ultra-informative show for you.
Serial
Er, what do you mean you haven’t listened to it?
The first season of Serial had everyone gripped by journalist Sarah Koenig’s exploration of the murder of Hae Min Lee, for which her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed has now spent 16 years in jail. Her weekly picking apart of the story was more absorbing than most crime novels, and had many reaching for their pitchforks in indignation at Adnan’s treatment. He has since been granted a new trial.
Series two trod a similar path, following the tale of Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier held prisoner by the Taliban for five years, and accused of desertion.
Koenig’s retellings are detailed, gradual and scientific – the ideal medicine for a brain overwhelmed by tweets and clickbait and thirsty for something longform.
Guys We F***ed
The self-styled ‘anti slut-shaming podcast’ is a raucous and unabashed assessment of female sexuality, and what it’s actually, really like to be a woman in the 21st century.
Presenters Corinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson go into gory and glorious detail about their own sexual exploits, as well as conducting hilarious interviews with people they’ve slept with.
It’s a joyful riot, and listening to it is sort of like overhearing the conservations you have with your best friends after two bottles of chardonnay. (Picture: Soundcloud/Guys we f***ed)
Woman’s Hour
Radio 4 dedicates an hour daily to looking at the world from a purely female perspective in an engaging and totally non-patronising way.
The presenters discuss current affairs and issues affecting women globally, alongside interviews with some of the world’s most inspirational females.
It’s on the radio from 10-11am when you’re probs in the office, but that means you can download it when you clock off and listen on the way home, result!
[Photo: Getty]
Desert Island Discs
Every episode of Desert Island Discs, since it began way back in 1942, is available to download from the BBC in podcast form.
For those not familiar, distinguished guests choose the eight tracks, one book and one luxury item they would take with them were they to be stranded alone on a desert island forever. Their choices are woven into an interview about their life and work.
With so many shows over the years it’s impossible to find an adjective to describe them all.
But as soon as those first dreamy notes of the show’s iconic soundtrack - By the Sleepy Lagoon - start to lilt into your ears, you know you’re in for a fascinating, candid and joyful insight into the life of a person who has achieved something significant.
The Archers
Stop smirking, we’re serious OK! Your mum’s favourite spoken-word soap isn’t afraid to take on some big issues these days, alongside those gently bucolic storylines it’s known and loved for.
The recent domestic violence storyline made headlines for its unflinching look at a serious issue, and the show has garnered praise for a realistic portrayal of the harsh realities of being a dairy farmer.
