14 new podcasts to listen to in October 2021

Pod Bible aims to be the essential guide to podcasts. To keep your download list full of the best podcasts, and help you find the next podcast sensation, we’re bringing you the latest releases in our New This Month feature.

This month’s list has a big focus on aspects of modern society that are confusing, frustrating and complicated. From sexism, to cancel culture, and environmental issues told through the mouths of birds… Here are the best new podcasts to listen to right now!

New Podcasts

Women Vs Hollywood

This new film podcast is hosted by Empire journalist Helen O’Hara and discusses the challenges that women face in the film industry. Based on her critically-acclaimed non-fiction book Women Vs Hollywood: The Fall And Rise Of Women In Film. O’Hara and guests (including film critic Pamela Hutchinson and the hosts of the Best Pick podcast, Jessica Regan and Tom Salinksy) examine how far sexism in Hollywood goes – and asks how we can change the picture. The episode about the Silent Era, in particular, was a real surprise, and now I really want to watch The Hazards of Helen. Listen now on Spotify >>

Cancelled

The latest show from Broccoli Content has been getting high praise. It takes a shot at ‘cancel culture’ with some tongue-in-cheek monologues about the biggest cancellations in recent years. What is brilliant about Cancelled is that it’s looking at all aspects of culture, and across the left/right spectrum. Piers Morgan, Jameela Jamil and Nike are just some of the subjects so far. As it says in the description, the monologues hold no judgement as such – or least the words don’t but the delivery from host Cameron Bernard Jones is hilarious.  Listen now on Spotify >>

I’m Sorry

There’s apparently a public need to hear about public people’s missteps, because Lemonada’s latest podcast also looks at famous controversies. I’m Sorry is not dissimilar to Cancelled in subject, but uses a panel chat rather than a crafted monologue. It’s a weekly comedy podcast where Kiki Monique, Mohanad Elshieky, and Hoja Lopez talk about apologies and how they play out in the court of public opinion. If you’re anything like me, you’ll skip straight to ‘The Worst Apologies of All Time’.  Listen now on Spotify>>

The Way We Are with Munroe Bergdof

Spotify launched another massive celebrity podcast last month. It hardly feels like a Munroe Bergdof podcast needs promotion. But the premise of this one goes a bit beyond the regular celebrity podcast. Rather than a general ‘life story’ interview, this asks interviewees to focus on how events have shaped them into the person they are. From the dramatic and traumatic, to the smaller moments. After listening to how Jameela Jamil was ‘cancelled’, perhaps you can listen to her talk about the difference between ‘cancel culture’ and ‘accountability culture’ with Munroe. Listen now on Spotify >>

The Flock

The Flock is a new an unique audio drama funded by Arts Council England. This podcast is an environmental fable and epic adventure about the end of the world – told from the point of view of the birds. We hear from lead characters Parrot and Budgie, and political analogies abound, including ‘city versus country’ and rousing leaders speeches. With plenty of bird themed soundscapes and original songs (with perhaps a hint of Flight Of The Concords or The Mighty Boosh era TV comedy) each episode is short and sweet. Listen now on Spotify >>

First Time For Everything

Everyone remembers their first time… and there really is a first time for everything. This podcast invites guests and listeners to share a litany of first times. Whilst Scrobious Pip talks about the origins of his stage name, comedian Rich Wilson talks about what a surprise he had the first time he went on a plane. You might recognise the voices in this one – it’s the new podcast from our Editor Adam Richardson and our previous Digital Editor Jordan Rizzieri! So give it a try. After all, there’s a first time for everything… Listen now on Acast >>

Coiled

Coiled is a great example of what I love about podcasts: start with a very specific topic, and dive deep into it until it has wide appeal. Producers Leanne Ali and Sylvie Carlos explore black afro hair in society and history, framed with a personal journey as Leanne transitions back to her natural hair.  Listen now on Spotify >>

Other new podcasts for your list:

• Tingbao– This podcast comes from Dreamsailors, an international performance and design collective. Tingbao is a series of eight short episodes (less than 15 minutes each) that weaves the story of one boy’s search for a song lost in time with a musical soundscape by Richard Navarro and Paul Cheneour. The first episodes launched yesterday. Listen now >> 
• But Is It Funny? – Comedy critics in conversation about comedy. Each week, the Guardain’s Brian Logan and one of our contributors, Suchandrika Chakrabarti, talk about what’s happening in stand-up, just why exactly we find things funny. Listen now >>
• Heal With It – From barbershops in Little Rock to park benches in Zimbabwe, this podcast searches for mental health and healing in its many, and sometimes unexpected forms. I’ve listened to the first episode and I love that it’s looking at mental health globally (and the artwork is amazing!). Listen now >>
• American Vigilante – Crowd Network’s latest podcast let’s us hear from KC, an anonymous but real vigilante from America. Former BBC Journalist Sam Walker spoke to KC for months and recorded everything. “You’ll need to listen to make your own mind up, but you might never be the same again.” Listen now >>

New Podcast Seasons

Bottoming – Season 3

The LGBTQ+ mental health podcast is back for its third season, kicking off with an interview with Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and producer, MNEK. The episode touches on starting out in the music industry at an early age, how he’s learned to love his body, and his particular way of processing stress and emotion. Listen now on Acast >>

Small Town Dicks – Season 9

Small Town Dicks is back for a 9th season, and they have signed on with Acast. The show follows real-life, big-time crime happening in ‘Small Town, USA’ — the podcast name being a reference to the slang term for detectives. Rebecca Steinberg, Director of Development at Acast, gives the show big praise: “I’ve been listening since 2017 and it’s the show that prompted my career shift into podcasting,” said  Listen now on Acast>>

Wild For Scotland – Season 2

Lastly, a little bit of shameless uplifting for a small podcast I do some work on! Wild For Scotland is an immersive storytelling podcast by award-winning Scotland travel blogger Kathi Kamleitner. This is a pod born out of lockdown, when Kathi couldn’t travel around the country she loves, and she started writing and recording stories about past journeys. It was recently nominated for an International Women’s Podcast award. This series is about roadtrips! Listen on Acast now >>

—

If you listen to these podcasts, please tell us what you think! Tag us on social media @PodBible. Read more of our New This Month editorials for the newest podcasts to listen to.

Do you have a show for our new podcast list? Email  info@podbiblemag.com with the show description, release date and artwork. We will share as many launches as we can.