Podcast Picks
Podcasts are on the rise. Of course, I’m not the first person to have realised this, podcasts have been on the rise for quite a few years now. Sorry if I’m disappointing anyone, but this is not going to be a groundbreaking piece on the healing powers of the recorded voice. That sounds like I have a rather low opinion of podcasts, I don’t, I really love them. I think they’re perfect for listening to on my walks into uni, or great to pop on as I poodle around my room tidying up. Again, this is not going to be a piece about how cool listening to podcasts is, as I think that last statement proves. I think podcasts can be thought-provoking, calming and/or side-sidesplittingly funny. So hilarious in fact that I often appear in my local Sainsburys, earphones in, grinning and laughing to myself while attracting worried looks from fellow shoppers.
If you haven’t tried them, I really recommend giving it a go. There’s a huge catalogue of podcasts waiting for you on your phone, no subscription or payment necessary. They range from ten minute briefings to hour long discussions and cover a fantastically large range of subjects, from daily news to sex advice. Actually there’s probably one that gives you the daily news and then some sex advice. If not I think I’ve just hit on something.
Below are some of my favourites, maybe something to get you started. In my experience podcasts are pretty subjective, you’ll probably know if it’s your thing within the first five minutes, but here are four that tickle my fancy.
The High-Low:
Genre: Society and Culture
Average duration: 1 hour +
Rating on Apple: ★★★★★ (4.12K ratings)
Hosted by journalists Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes, this is a weekly news and pop-culture podcast that I simply love. The podcast includes news to make you think (the high) and pop-culture tidbits to make you chuckle (the low) all within one episode. Think interesting, relevant opinions on the Me-Too movement followed by earnest and very funny conversations about, for example, crisps. The High-Low offers weekly recommendations on what to read, watch and listen to in order make you a vaguely well-informed and knowledgable person, which is handy. It’s highly entertaining and wonderfully likeable, as Dolly and Pandora take on important issues with honesty and a wicked sense of humour.
BBC Earth Podcast:
Genre: Places and Travel
Average duration: 30 minutes
Rating on Apple: ★★★★★ (125 ratings)
This is the podcast to listen to when you can’t fall asleep, it’s very relaxing whilst also being quite informative, which is a win. The whole thing kicks off with a deep-voiced man telling you to calm down, focus and breathe. This is slightly ruined when it turns out to be an ad for noise cancelling headphones but it still works for me. Simply put, this is Blue Planet in a podcast. Against the soundscapes of singing birds or splashing otters (relaxing I promise) animal experts and camera crew members from BBC’s Dynasties give insight into the incredible behaviours of the animals they’ve observed through their work. The podcast is short at approximately 30 minutes per episode, making it the perfect length to drift off to sleep to.
My Favourite Murder:
Genre: Comedy
Average duration: 1 hour + . (Minisodes: 20 minutes)
Rating on Apple: ★★★★★ (3.58K ratings)
Each week comedians and close friends Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff take it in turns to tell the story of a murder case, from lone serial killers to cult takeovers. This true crime-comedy podcast appeals to your dark side, and it’s often shocking to the extreme. However, it’s not all bad and there are lots of laughs along the way. I know this seems an odd combination, murder and comedy, but it works. It’s also hugely popular, so there’s a sense of entering into a community (the affectionately named Muderinos) when you start listening to this podcast. Karen and Georgia’s no fucks given delivery make this podcast great, catchphrases include:
‘Here’s the thing: fuck everyone.’‘Your in a cult, call your Dad.’Stay sexy and don’t get murdered. (SSDGM)’
The Adam Buxton podcast:
Genre: Comedy
Average duration: 1 hour +
Rating on Apple: ★★★★★ (8.1K ratings)
I find adverts in podcasts quite jarring, they all seem to have them and they can really throw you off. Not in The Adam Buxton Show where the comedian sings his adverts. Himself. It’s fantastic. Writing catchy short songs about mattresses and magazine subscriptions Adam Buxton’s podcast remains entertaining throughout, especially as he’s a terrible singer. Adam has a special guest on each week and he simply records their conversations, which are often very funny, moving and meaningful. Favourite episodes of mine include his conversations with director Greta Gerwig, comedy-actress Natasha Demetriou and of course his famous episodes with old friend Louis Theroux, one of which includes a live karaoke-style rendition of Baccara’s Yes Sir I Can Boogie. Louis goes high, ear-splittingly high and you will piss yourself laughing.
I will be back soon with more podcast recommendations but for now, happy listening!
Freya xxx