Benjamin Zephaniah’s top podcast appearances

Celebrating podcasters is a common occurrence, but in this modern world being a solid, grade-A guest is something that needs celebrating. Our Podcast Prophet for issue #013 of the magazine was Benjamin Zephaniah!

One of the beautiful gifts of the continued rise of podcasts has been the new voices they presents us with. But one of the less acknowledged joys is the new platform podcasts have provided to voices that had always been there, but had maybe drifted from the regular pundit or opinion piece guest list of the mainstream media.

Benjamin has been waxing poetically since the 80’s so it should come as no surprise that he steals the show on podcast after podcast. Here are just a few of our favourite episodes he’s featured on….

BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
Michaela Coel, Benjamin Zephaniah, Bez, Mike Bubbins // Jan 2019

On Blood On The Tracks, Colin Murray gathers together four music obsessives to debate their favourite tracks. The exceptional blend of guests on this episodes are asked to pick a song that gets people dancing, the best song under two minutes and modern day classic. As you’d expect from a performance poet, Benjamin’s picks captivate throughout. Listen on your podcast app >>

BUNK BED
Benjamin Zephaniah // Apr 2019

Benjamin’s dulcet tones provide perfect bedtime listening to his appearance on Bunk Bed (the BBC Radio 4 show that emulates those wondering bedtime conversations held with a sibling or friend) isa real joy. From tai chi breathing exercises to pillow positioning tips, you’d do well not to drop off before the episode’s conclusion. Listen on your podcast app >>

EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN
What Would We Do if We Didn’t Have A Prime Minister? // Dec 2019

On each episode of Everything Under The Sun, host Molly (the first ever QI elf) is joined by a guest to answer a question sent in by a curious child. The vastness of Benjamin’s career means he has different experiences to draw upon for different kinds of podcast and his time as a children’s book author comes into okay beautifully on this show. [Ed. this seems particularly topical in October 2022…] Listen on your podcast app >>

BLACK BRITANNIA
Benjamin Zephaniah // Aug 2020

Discussions about police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement featured heavily in podcast conversations in 2020, and rightfully so. In this podcast, Benjamin shares his direct experiences of police brutality, the parallels between the US nad UK and how long these issues have been ignored. Listen on your podcast app >>

DISTRACTION PIECES
Benjamin Zephaniah // Nov 2020

Scroobius Pip is as master of getting his guests to relax and open up and when it comes to telling an engaging story, Benjamin Zephaniah doesn’t need to be asked twice. The conversation flows in all kinds of directions, from coping during the pandemic to his issues with the meat industry, and his interactions with Bod Marley to being in Peaky Blinders.  Listen on your podcast app >>

Main photo credit: REX / SHUTTERSTOCK