Evelyn Hill from the Lower Street team has gathered a recommended listening list of eleven podcasts that take on the issues of sustainability, our well-being in a changing world, and climate change. Each show offers unique insights and actionable ideas, empowering listeners to engage with the challenges we face and explore solutions. From discussions on renewable energy to the crimes of Big Oil, and to the intricacies of climate policy or feminism in climate change, these podcasts serve as vital resources for anyone looking to take their understanding a step further this Climate Week.

Here’s what we recommend tuning into:

50 Shades of Green

The podcast of New York Climate Week 2024, presented by the Climate Group. While the Group has always been green, they believe it is time to explore every shade – from business to government and the social sectors. This podcast explores the ways green action shows up across all sectors, keeping listeners in the know of what organisations are doing for a better future.

Every episode features discussions with experts, activists, and business leaders about innovative solutions and strategies to combat climate change. 50 Shades of Green aims to inspire listeners to engage with environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. Listen here >>

Healthy Spaces

When we heard that the theme of this year’s Climate Week is “Health” Healthy Spaces was our first thought. A podcast presented by Trane Technologies, Healthy Spaces explores how climate technology and sustainable innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, and play.

While not focused on health in a medical sense, Healthy Spaces considers the health and well-being of our environment and us as individuals, how they are intricately connected, and how we cannot focus on one without the other.

Co-hosted by the team of Dominique Silva, Scott Tew, and Oakley Roberts – each episode features conversations with sustainability leaders, startups, and scientists on what’s next and how their work positively impacts people and the planet. Listen here >>

Climate Clinic

When it comes to the climate and our medical health, there is no better podcast to tune into than Climate Clinic. The Climate Clinic Podcast is an initiative by the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) that focuses on climate change and its effects on human health. Episodes feature four distinct segments: “Be the Expert,” which covers recent research; “Code Red,” offering in-depth discussions with experts; “Be the Change,” highlighting innovative solutions in healthcare; and “Code Green,” a student-led segment addressing climate health issues.

The podcast aims to empower listeners to understand and address the climate health crisis effectively. Listen here >>

We the Children

We the Children is a podcast for all ages but especially aims to inspire young minds and educators to take action for a sustainable future. This is a show for kids to learn more about the climate crisis, and the environment, but have some fun along the way, too. Young Zach wants to learn as much as he can about climate change science, stories, and solutions, and share with his peers. Each episode includes interviews with experts and activists, breaking down complex topics to be understood by all. Listen here >>

Navigating Zero

Whether or not we realize it, shipping and global trade affect us all – it’s how we access the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the items we use every day. Yet, shipping can also have a major impact on the climate. But ZeroNorth is working to provide insights to help global shipping optimize voyages, reduce carbon emissions, and improve commercial performance while leading the green transition.

Navigating Zero explores this industry’s transformation to a greener future. While the first series aimed to give listeners a better idea of how the shipping industry functions, this year Navigating Zero looked at how regulations, business, and policy are all taking steps towards zero emissions in global trade. Listen here >>

Climate Vision 2050

Take a step into the future where the world has successfully navigated the climate crisis with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Hosted by journalist Georgie Frost, the podcast explores innovative solutions and collaborative efforts among governments, businesses, and even us as individuals to achieve sustainability and drastically reduce carbon emissions by 2050.

Each episode presents a narrative that combines storytelling with scientific insights, creating a hopeful vision for the future of our planet.

The podcast has been recognized for its excellence, notably receiving in 2023 a W3 Gold award for Best Branded Podcast, Individual Episodes & Specials-Corporate Communications, and a Silver award for Podcasts Best Innovation & Creativity, Individual Episodes in Environmental & Sustainability and the Best Use of Writing. The show also received a nomination for a Webby Award in the Sustainability & Environment category in 2023, as well as an Honoree for Original Music Score / Best Sound Design in 2024. All this recognition highlights its impactful approach to discussing climate change and sustainability issues. Listen here >>

Drilled

The popular True Crime genre meets Climate Change and our environment. Drilled is an award-winning podcast hosted by investigative journalist Amy Westervelt that explores climate change through the lens of crime.

Launched in 2018, it discusses the history and impact of fossil fuel companies, focusing on their continued role in spreading climate denial and misinformation.

Each season addresses different climate issues, such as legal battles against Big Oil, the industry’s public relations strategies, and the influence of corporate free speech on climate action. The podcast was originally a limited series but it has evolved into an ongoing investigative project, making it one of the most listened-to climate podcasts available today. Listen here >>

SystemShift

Greenpeace has released a number of important podcasts that are worth a listen, but a favourite of ours is SystemShift. This podcast focuses on the urgent need for a transition to sustainable and equitable economic systems.

It looks at our future and the climate from an economic standpoint and explores what a well-being economy could look like and how to achieve it. The show addresses the concerns and anxieties of us individuals while sharing knowledge about the current economic realities and potential solutions.

Episodes feature discussions that connect environmental issues with social and economic transformations. Listen here >>

Zero

Bloomberg Green’s podcast Zero explores innovative solutions to achieve net-zero emissions. Hosted by Akshat Rathi, the podcast features discussions with experts, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, highlighting groundbreaking ideas and technologies aimed at combating climate issues. Each episode delves into specific sectors, such as energy and manufacturing, showcasing how various industries can transition to sustainable practices. The podcast aims to inform and inspire listeners about the possibilities of a greener future while addressing the complexities involved in this global effort. Listen here >>

Mothers of Invention

What do feminism and climate change have to do with each other? More than you think, and Mothers of Invention is here to tell us all about it. Hosted by former Irish President Mary Robinson, comedian Maeve Higgins, and producer Thimali Kodikara, they focus on the intersection of climate change and feminism.

The podcast explores the idea that climate change is a man-made problem with a feminist solution. The podcast features guests from around the world who are fighting for climate justice, including activists, scientists, and politicians. It aims to raise awareness about climate change and highlight the work of women, particularly those from the global south, who are leading the movement for climate justice. Listen here >>

AND is the Future

Hosted by Ilham Kadri, CEO of Solvay, AND is the Future dives into the intersection of business, sustainability, and technology. Kadri brings her wealth of experience in driving sustainability within one of the world’s leading chemical companies to the podcast, interviewing global thought leaders and innovators. Each episode explores how businesses are evolving to address climate challenges through collaboration, innovation, and bold, long-term strategies, delivering insights that inspire actionable change. Listen here >>

Final Thoughts

While we admit there are many more podcasts addressing climate change, sustainable action, and the journey to a green future, this list includes our favourites and go-to recommendations for anyone interested in learning more. There’s something for everyone and we hope you find one you enjoy.

Think we missed a great one? We’d love to add it to our listening queue, so let us know.

In the meantime, enjoy New York Climate Week, and happy listening.

This article was provided by Lower Street as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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Luckily, podcasts and audio geekiness go hand in hand of course – and so there’s a plethora of brilliant shows out there about sound. Here are five podcasts that will make you listen to the world differently.

Reasonably Sound

Reasonably Sound is a show that’s unapologetic about getting into the nitty gritty of all things sound. It’s presented by Mike Rugnetta, a writer, sound designer and audio engineer. Each episode zeroes in on a very specific theme – the one I listened to most recently is called ‘The Braaam’, and traces the history and science behind a very specific sound that seems to feature in every action movie trailer.

Mike delves deep into the detail, all the while peppering each episode with casual, tongue-in-cheek humour and weird and wonderful sound effects. He’s got a nice, approachable style – like a friend who’s excitedly sharing their favourite subject with you. Listen here >>

The Sound Detectives

Ostensibly a kids’ show, The Sound Detectives follows Detective Hunch and his new sidekick Audie the Ear – literally an ear – as they track down sounds that have mysteriously gone missing. LeVar Burton is involved too, playing the founder of the new Museum Of Sound. The podcast takes you along on the detectives’ hunt for missing sounds – like the barking of dogs, or the banging of fireworks.

What I love about The Sound Detectives is that it caters to kids and adults alike. There’s clearly an educational element – the first episode features Beth Taylor, Yellowstone Youth Education Program Manager, playing herself, celebrating the return of a mud pot sound and teaching us about her National Park in the process. As well as clever cameos like this, there’s an interactive side to it, too – kids (and maybe adults) get the opportunity to ‘guess the mystery sound’ at the end of each episode.

But also, it’s genuinely funny – whatever your age. The humour is very dry and I feel like Vinny Thomas (Hunch) and Jess McKenna (Audie) are riffing and improv’ing together quite a lot. The result is really nice – you follow the pair into some quirky conversations that you don’t really want to end. It’s not the type of humour I’d expect in a children’s show – offbeat in a really charming way. Listen here >>

99% Invisible

99% Invisible covers all sorts. They’re a podcast about ‘all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about’ – mostly, all things design and architecture. While the whole podcast isn’t about sound, the specific episode ‘The Sound Of Sports’ has to be included in this article.

This episode really took me aback with how much it taught me about how sound is used in sports programming. Among other things, the episode covers the imaginative ways microphones are used to capture sounds in live play, the way pre-recorded samples can be used when the ‘real’ sounds aren’t available, and even how sounds are used in video games like FIFA, and how that in turn then inspires the audio production for live sports games.

‘The Sound Of Sports’ is a wonderfully thorough episode. In one hour the team delves into an eclectic mix of sports, sounds and production techniques. They get a great range of guests, and these guests’ passion for such a niche subject shines through in a brilliant way. Listen here >>

Twenty Thousand Hertz

Another podcast that offers listeners an unprecedented level of access is Twenty Thousand Hertz, a show that reveals the stories behind the world’s most recognisable and interesting sounds. They’ve explored everything from Minecraft to our ‘inner voices’.

The episode I listened to most recently was called ‘TikTok’s Boom-Bling’, and it featured interviews with the production team behind TikTok’s sonic branding – that small noise that ends every one of their videos.

This was a fascinating listen because of how open the team was. They play a selection of old demos for the TikTok sound, and even share a story about a small mistake that was deliberately left in the finished product. That small mistake made a huge difference – and the fact that the Twenty Thousand Hertz team understands that, shows that they truly get sound. Listen here >>

Song Exploder

Whilst more specifically about music than sound as a whole, this one has a lot for the audio-nerd to appreciate. Produced and edited by host and creator Hrishikesh Hirway, Song Exploder describes itself as a show where ‘musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made’. It’s this ‘piece by piece’ element that places Song Exploder on my list today.

Each episode sees a producer or artist unpack the creation of a song, to a really granular level of detail. Their stories are accentuated by different solo instrument stems, or old song demos; (which, if you’re a music geek like me, are wonderful things to hear). It gets you thinking about all the different sounds that go together to make a song. I want to mention the back catalogue, too. A hugely varied list of artists is featured: from Hans Zimmer, to alt-J, to KT Tunstall. Listen here >>

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Diane Morgan may be best known as the queen of deadpan Philomena Cunk or for her roles as Liz in Motherland and Cath in Afterlife, but it’s easy to forget how entertaining and interesting a person she is in her own right. Luckily for us, podcasts provide the perfect platform for personalities to shine through. Here’s a selection of our favourite podcast episodes featuring Diane…

AS YET UNTITLED
#ThatlsALie // Feb 2015

There’s been a lot of podcasts inspired by TV shows… but this was one of the first TV shows that felt like it was inspired by podcasts. So naturally, it was also released as a podcast (once upon a time). Four guests join Alan Davies for a round table chat where they take it in turns to share anecdotes. Diane’s choice to discuss the noticeable drop in flashers from when she was young to now is as you’d expect, hilarious. Listen now >>

BRIAN GITTINS AND FRIENDS
Episode 29 /| Diane Morgan // Dec 2017

Brian Gittins and Friends remains a hidden jewel in the archives of podcasts now longer with us, and Diane is the perfect guest for it. Each week Brian Gittins & David Edwards invite a guest on an imaginary adventure (in this. instance a zombie apocalypse)… along with their robot friend Charles. Diane’s willingness to improvise whilst maintaining her deadpan lack of enthusiasm is the perfect recipe. Listen now >>

WALKING THE DOG W/ EMILY DEAN
Episode 46 // Diane Morgan // Aug 2019

Walking The Dog is exactly what it sounds like (unless you’re a yo-yo fan). Each week Emily Dean takes a guest & a dog for a walk. As someone who’s always wanted a dog Diane is audibly delighted to be walking two (celebrity) pugs. As with a lot of the best podcasts, the format is the perfect relaxant for the conversation to flow deeper than a regular interview. Listen now >>

GREAT LIVES
Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding // Dec 2020

Great Lives is a biographical series in which guests discuss an inspirational figure from history. This episode sees Diane step away from the comical approach heard in the episodes above to celebrate a man she learnt about in a book she read during the first lockdown. Diane’s respect is clear as she discusses the Dowding legacy with his own stepson as well as historian Victoria Taylor. Fascinating! Listen now >>

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We hope you enjoy these Diane Morgan podcasts. Read more Podcast Prophet articles in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop.

The post Top Podcast Guest Appearances – Diane Morgan appeared first on POD BIBLE.

We’re a very podcast-savvy nation now. More than 70% of the UK population are familiar with podcasts, and fewer people are asking “what’s a podcast?” these days. But it can still be hard to know where to start, and easy to be overwhelmed by how many podcasts there are out there.

But don’t worry – Pod Bible is here to help you narrow it down. In fact, that’s what we’ve been about for half a decade now. Our introduction to some of the best podcasts for beginners has been pulled from our magazine archive. These are some of the biggest podcasts around and we’ve laid out who the hosts are, how many episodes there are and why we think you might like these shows if you’ve never listened to a podcast before. Plus, the hosts share their own elevator pitch.

We’re updating this list all the time, so if you’re still dipping your toe in, why not bookmark this page as a cheat-sheet? It could help you sound like the biggest podcast fan in the UK!

1. The Adam Buxton Podcast (Issue #001)

Host: Adam Buxton
Category: General Interviews
Number of episodes: Nearly 200
Listen if you like: Adam Buxton! and other celebrities

The host says: “Three of my favourites, which I’ve listened back to and felt really happy with were Romesh Ranganathan (EP.61) Tash Demetriou (EP. 32 & EP.82) and Tim Key (EP.77). Yes, I know that’s four.”

We say: Where better to start than with the Pod Bible-award-winning, listener favourite, Adam Buxton. His show is a simple format well-executed. His chats with comedians, writers and musicians often only briefly touch on their work, but The Adam Buxton Podcast has been the gold standard of interview podcasts for a little while now. Although technically our first cover-star, Adam only actually made it onto the cover last year. Listen here >>

2. Off Menu (Issue #015)

Host: James Acast and Ed Gamble
Category: Comedy, Arts
Number of episodes: More than 150
Listen if you: enjoy eating food, and watching comedy panel shows

The host says: “Ed Gamble and I invite a guest into the dream restaurant and ask them their favourite ever starter, main course, side dish, drink and dessert. Also, I am a genie.”

We say: Off Menu once nearly crashed our website because the article was so popular. But when Ed Gamble and James Acaster started the show in 2018, they expected to make no more than 10 episodes. Three years and nearly 200 episodes later they’ve heard about some truly delicious menus and some wonderfully bizarre requests. A highlight was the 100th episode, where we finally got to hear the hosts’ own dream menus. Listen here >> 

3. The Guilty Feminist (Issue #013)

Host: Deborah Francis-White
Category: Society & Culture, Comedy
Number of episodes: Over 300
Listen if you: have ever felt like you should be better at feminism…

The host says: “The Guilty Feminist is a podcast about our noble goals as 21st century feminists and our hypocrisies and insecurities, which undermine those goals.”

We say: The Guilty Feminist has grown into a podcasting juggernaut, producing engaging episodes week in, week out while building a loyal live audience. Whilst some podcasts have made the jump to the stage from recording in bedrooms, TGF was always a stage-show, giving it a different energy (and sound) to some shows. Episodes start with a reassuring “I’m a feminist but…” segment that always gets the crowd cheering. Listen here >> 

4. Films To Be Buried With (Issue #023)

Host: Brett Goldstein
Category: Film
Number of episodes: More than 200
Listen if you like: Ted Lasso, the guy who plays Hercules in Marvel…

The host says: “A guest comes on, I tell them they’ve died, then we discuss their life through the films that meant the most to them. What film scared them the most, made them cry the most etc. At the end they pick the film to go in their coffin and take to heaven. Life, death, movies.”

We say: He might be an Emmy-winning actor, writer and comedian. And sure, he is now literally a demi-god in the Marvel franchise. But he will always be a podcaster to us. Considering how busy he is, we’ve been worried he would put his passion project on hold. But not Brett – he hardly takes a week off of this show! Listen here >>

5. The Receipts (Issue #010)

Host: Audrey & Tolly T
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: More than 150
Listen if you: want to hear real conversations

The hosts say: “The show is made up of our lived experiences and no topic is off limits.”

We say: A bit like jumping into a group chat, The Receipts grew a cult following due to their open and unfiltered approach, where no subject was off limits. This was the type of show that is all about the hosts – alas one third of The Receipts, Milena, left in autumn 2023 – but their relationship with listeners was a massive part of the show too – and the ‘Your Receipts’ feature still gives their community a part to play.

6. Kermode & Mayo’s Take (Issue #022)

Hosts: Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo
Category: Film and TV
Number of episodes: < 50
Listen if you: read Rolling Stone or Empire magazines

The hosts say: “…we are still just chatting about films, life, getting distracted by avocados and elementary physics etc. But delivering a number of pods a week has obviously modernised what we do, breaking it down into more digestible chunks. So hopefully the heritage listeners feel well served, and the new listeners feel fabulously welcome.”

We say: Kermode & Mayo’s Take is technically a new show, but it is also an evolution from the pairs’ Film Review that ran on BBC Radio 5 live. Kermode gets excited about films, Mayo drily undercuts him and there’s a lot of chatter about stuff that has nothing to do with anything. Listen here >>

7. Sh**ged, Married, Annoyed (Issue #004)

Hosts: Chris and Rosie Ramsey
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: More than 150
Listen if you: like to eavesdrop on couple’s private lives

The hosts say: “[we get] to be funny together as a couple, on our own terms. We can literally say anything we want, and if we are happy to put it out, then out it goes! We record it in our kitchen in our own time and often have to stop recording because someone in the street is mowing their lawn or the fridge is humming. It’s so low rent, but it’s getting a lot of love, so we’re doing something right.”

We say: Chris and Rosie were fun separately, but getting them together on microphone is a real treat for fans. Since we spoke to the couple in August 2019, they’ve gone on to do a live tour and write a book based on this podcast, so we certainly agree that they are doing something right! Listen here >> 

8. No Such Thing As A Fish (Issue #018)

Hosts: James Harkin, Anna Ptaszynski, Andrew Murray and Dan Schreiber
Category: Comedy, History, Science
Number of episodes: More than 450
Listen if you: want to be the type of person who knows the answers on QI

The hosts say: “The first elevator shaft was built four years before the elevator was invented. If that intrigues you, then you’ll like our show. (You’ll like it even more if the mere mention of the word ‘shaft’ made you giggle).”

We say: This award-winning podcast from the QI offices is quite interesting in and of itself. It’s an example of how podcasts can cross genres, giving us some facts and figures, as well as some silliness too. Listen here >>

9. Soundtracking (Issue #003)

Host: Edith Bowman
Category: Music, Film
Number of episodes: More than 300
Listen if you: think the soundtracks are the best part of the film

The host says: “The episode we recorded with Jon Favreau was our first ever and I am forever in his debt for being so enthusiastic and willing to jump on board with us. And then our very first episode with Ben Wheatley, he’s such a great supporter of the podcast, we appreciate his love so much. He’s been on three times now!”

We say: With an outstanding broadcasting career behind her, Edith Bowman knows a thing or two about creating engaging audio. In Soundtracking, she has conversations with film directors, actors, producers and composers to shine a spotlight on how music is used in film. We’re surprised there aren’t more radio shows dedicated to movie soundtracks, because the stories that come from the creators on this show are fascinating. Listen here >>

10. Stephen Fry’s 7 Deadly Sins (Issue #009)

Host: Stephen Fry
Category: Society & Culture
Number of episodes: 9
Listen if you: want an in-depth exploration of the human heart

The host says: “I think it offers a different way of looking at the problems of the world without recourse to the usual blandishments of echo chamber politics and culture on the one hand or endless reiterations of neoBuddhist mindfulness on the other. With all due respect to both brands of podcast.”

We say: Best known for his acting and presenting (as well as being a bonafide National Treasure) Stephen Fry released his first ‘Podgram’ way back in 2008! 7 Deadly Sins was only a short-run series, but the combination of music, Stephen’s wonderful narration and the deep research on each of the sins make this a great starting point for new podcast listeners. Listen here >>

11. The Kurupt FM Podkast (Issue #012)

Host: Beats, Chabuddy G, Grindah, Steves
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: 13
Listen if you like: Mockumentaries, strong language and dangerously high level lyrical content.

The hosts say: “First of all I would never pitch anything in an elevator. We’re way above that now. I’d probably get the Best Podcast award that we won out of my bag and just hold it out in front of me and then when the other people in the lift ask “why have you got that award?” I’d explain; We do an award winning podcast called The Kurupt FM Podkast where we talk about different topics and help you to understand them. The best way to describe it is probably it’s like injecting pure knowledge directly into your brain using headphones.”

We say: Audible may be best known for audio books, but it was natural for them to step into podcasts with Audible Originals. This mocumentary follows on from the BBC TV show People Just Do Nothing. After the world’s biggest pirate radio station, Kurupt FM, shut down, the team rose from the ashes as a podcast – this podcast. Only available on Audible >>

12. Table Manners (Issue #011)

Host: Jessie and Lennie Ware
Category: Comedy, Arts (food)
Number of episodes: Over 200
Listen if you: want to hear the real version of ‘the dream dinner party’

The hosts say: “Our podcast elevator pitch is a mother and daughter duo invite a guest round to their house for a ‘friday night dinner’. Friday night dinner was always a big thing in our house. I’d have friends over for dinner and mum would cook, but she couldn’t resist joining in the conversations we’d have and the podcast basically became a continuation of that. We’ve been lucky to have some really amazing and fascinating guests round to mums for dinner – it’s great fun – a great meal and a chat!”

We say: Jessie Ware is perhaps still most famous as a singer, but Lennie Ware is certainly most famous for this podcast. A great example of authentic conversations caught on microphone. Get the table ready, pick your favourite guest and join in. Listen here >> 

13. Hip Hop Saved My Life (Issue #006)

Host: Romesh Ranganathan and RuMaj
Category: Music
Number of episodes: 135
Listen if you like: Hip hop or Romesh Ranganathan or RuMaj.

The hosts say: “we had Afrika Baby Bam from the Jungle Brothers on the podcast [that] was when I first realised that this thing that started off as a hobby had somehow enabled me to be in the same room as legends who had shaped my life, and people who I admire so much.”

We say: Romesh Ranganathan may be one of the busiest men in show business, but that didn’t stop him from starting a podcast about one of his biggest passions in life – hip hop. Romesh of course brings his comedy credentials into this show, but the music and artists are the focus here. Listen here >> 

14. Drunk Women Solving Crime (Issue #008)

Host: Hannah George, Catie Wilkins and Taylor Glenn
Category: True Crime, Comedy
Number of episodes: More than 200
Listen if you: fancy yourself as a Sherlock Holmes – booze and all

The hosts say: “Drunk Women is the most fun I’ve ever had at work. Only a podcast could allow for this kind of format, and we are in charge of our content completely. That’s what’s exhilarating about podcasts vs other mediums.”

We say: Our favourite slightly-sozzled super-sleuths, each episode of Drunk Women Solving Crime tackles true crime in a slightly different way. Rather than gruesome, the crimes chosen are personal, petty and – sometimes – pointless. It makes for a far more relaxed atmosphere, and the drunkenness fits perfectly. Listen here >> 

15. Say Your Mind (Issue #017)

Host: Kelechi Okafour
Category: Society & Culture, Current Affairs
Number of episodes: More than 250
Listen if you: Want a rallying call from Kelechi Okafour

The host says: “Say Your Mind is the current affairs podcast that you might not want to listen to on loudspeaker at work, but you definitely want to listen to regardless. The podcast expertly combines tarot, current affairs and pop culture into one expletive filled fun time and is delivered to you from the perspective of a Nigerian-British Baby Girl. I am the Baby Girl FYI.”

We say: As the media is starting to realise, actress, director and public speaker Kelechi Okafor is one of the most powerful and important voices around at the moment. Kelechi Okafor wears many hats and as her podcast has grown she has built herself the perfect platform to show each one off in all its glory – though its 280th and final episode went out in late January 2024. Say Your Mind will be missed. Listen here >>

16. Happy Place (Issue #007)

Host: Fearne Cotton
Category: Society & Culture
Number of episodes: Nearly 200
Listen if you like: Insights to celebrities’ lives

The host says: “Often we think of people in the public eye, revered characters or academics as above us but when they let loose and allow us to delve beneath the surface we can all experience a deeper level of connection.”

We say: Broadcaster and positivity pioneer Fearne Cotton transitioned brilliantly from the regimented format of TV and radio to the flexibility of podcasting. These aren’t interviews, but rather a conversation that’s relaxed and really gives us a sense of the real people behind some of the most famous names in showbiz. Listen here >>

17. My Dad Wrote A Porno (Issue #014)

Hosts: Jamie Morton, James Cooper and Alice Levine
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: 168
Listen if you: Like rude, crude and incredibly lewd shows!

The hosts say: “Do you like porn? Do you like laughing? Then you’ll love My Dad Wrote A Porno.”

We say: One of the most recommended podcasts, My Dad Wrote a Porno have been downloaded more than 430m downloads globally since its launch in 2015, as well as selling out two world tours of the live show. Celebrity guests have included Hamilton’s Lin Manuel Miranda and Dame Emma Thompson. MDWAP has now sadly ended, so if you’re overwhelmed with the weekly aspect of some podcasts, this will give you a chance to catch-up. Listen here >>

18. Wrighty’s House (Issue #019)

Hosts: Ian Wright
Category: Sport
Number of episodes: 100 +
Listen if you like: Football punditry with the social commentary

The host says: “Wrighty’s House is a safe place where a group of friends come together and talk about football in a very inclusive and positive way. It’s my yard! It’s the place where the WhatsApp group comes to life.”

We say: This podcast allows listeners access to a national legend without the filter of traditional broadcasting. It’s no exaggeration to say that having Wrighty as a Pod Bile coverstar was a highlight. His infectious enthusiasm and unapologetic honesty make this a must listen, but the way he elevates and learns from each of his co-hosts is also a joy to behold. A Pod Bible favourite. Listen here >>

19. The Blindboy Podcast (Issue #017)

Host: Blindboy
Category: Comedy, Solo
Number of episodes: More than 260
Listen if you: want to hear a real-life Krapp’s Last Tape every single week

The host says: “My podcasts are monologue essays on whatever topic I’m genuinely passionate about at that moment. I’d consider them to be pieces of writing, because I approach a podcast like I would a piece of writing. I try to bring the structure, prose and storytelling of fiction, to subject matter that is factual.”

We say: Who is Blindboy? A storyteller? A poet? A journalist? A historian? A musician? If you listen to the Blindboy podcast, you’ll find out that he’s all of the above and more… Listen here >> 

20. RedHanded (Issue #021)

Hosts: Hannah Maguire & Suruthi Bala
Category: True crime
Number of episodes: Nearly 350
Listen if you: want a good example of a True Crime podcast

The hosts say: “RedHanded is the ultimate true crime podcast for people who want more than crime. We aim to cover all sorts of cases, the obvious ones like Chris Watts and Casey Anthony to ones that other true crime podcasts don’t – like the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khasgohhi and the evolution of the satanic panic into modern day QAnon. RedHanded is for people who want all the facts, along with thoughtful analysis, but delivered like they are just down the pub with their mates.”

We say: What started as a passion project between friends quickly became one of the most successful true crime podcasts around. The show hits differently than popular US-counterparts – Hannah and Suruthi cover crimes from both sides of the Atalantic, and they can give UK-listeners context that American shows might assume people know. Listen here >>

21. Football Ramble (Issue #005)

Hosts: Marcus Speller, Jules Breach, Luke Aaron Moore, Andy Brassell, Pete Donaldson, Vithushan Ehantharajah, Jim Campbell, Kate Mason, Dotun Adebayo
Category: Sport
Number of episodes: 1729 and counting!
Listen if you: Love football (or know someone who does and want to impress them)

The hosts say: “Taking a show that a number of years ago only used to release one knockabout podcast a fortnight and getting it to a stage where it puts out six vastly different types of show every week was and is a huge undertaking. It’s been a real team effort and we’re very proud of it.”

We say: Football Ramble has changed quite a bit since it started in 2007, but one thing that’s been a mainstay is the level of entertainment. The Ramble gang consistently tackle each aspect of the game with a nuanced and thoughtful approach, whilst not losing the best level of silliness. It’s also worth checking out the offshoot podcast, Upfront. Listen here >> 

22. WTF with Marc Maron (issue #024)

Host: Marc Maron, obviously
Category: Interviews, Arts
Number of episodes: More than 1500. Yep – one thousand five hundred and sixteen, and no sign of slowing down.
Listen if you: What to hear an OG podcaster, and why every interview podcast that follows owes Maron a pint.

The host says: “The secret of being a good podcaster? Being interested and listening and having a good producer.”

We say: Probably the podcast which deserves the title of ‘podcast which made podcasts podcasts’ more than any other podcast. Maron’s laidback style and feel for the flow of a conversation is balanced by his deeply engaged and well prepped questioning convinced a general public who had yet to see the point of this weird radio-but-not-radio thing of its benefits. Namely: you can go deep and long with conversations in a way that live production just won’t allow. Normally you’d say Maron walked so Adam Buxton and the like could run, but Maron was sprinting pretty much out of the gate. Listen here >>

23. RHLSTP with Richard Herring (Issue #002)

Hosts: Richard Herring
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: If including bonuses and re-runs, over 550
Listen if you: Like stand-up comedy, and especially if you miss live shows

The host says: “[listen to] the episode of Collings and Herrin where I called Andrew’s mum “a fucking idiot” as it was a real moment of surprise and risk, which opened up a whole new door as to what was possible in this medium. Could have ended it all there and then, but luckily we held on for a few more years!”

We say: The Guardian calls him “The Podfather” and Richard has a huge amount of podcast credits, but the RHLSTP is the one to start with. We remember when this was called ‘Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast’ but at some point in the last 400 episodes the venue changed and the name was shortened. Check out the back-catalogue for episodes with Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard, Dawn French, David Mitchell, Katherine Ryan and Brian Blessed and many more. Listen here >> 

24. Feel Better, Live More (issue #026)

Host: Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Category: Health
Number of episodes: More than 350
Listen if you like: Simple, straight-talking advice to make every day healthier.

The host says: “My podcast is about empowering every single listener to be the architect of their own health and happiness. Health is so much more than just our food choices and our exercise habits. It is about our relationships, our mindset, the way we approach conflict and the way we manage stress. The key message behind my show is that all of us can feel better than we currently do, and that it is not as hard as you might think.”

We say: The conflicting messages we get all the time about what we should and shouldn’t be doing with our bodies can be deeply confusing, but Rangan Chatterjee’s clear, waffle-free interviews with experts and holistic approach makes it all feel a lot more achievable. Listen here >>

25. Off Air with Jane and Fi (issue #025)

Hosts: Jane Garvey and Fi Glover.
Category: Arts, Comedy
Number of episodes: 135 and counting
Listen if you: Like BBC Radio Four, The Times or unencumbered chat between women…

The host says: “Women of a certain age have their sentences finished by other women of a certain age,” says Jane. Fi adds: “And sometimes it’s funny.”

We say: More than sometimes, Fi. Some broadcasters have the ability to make you feel like you’re listening to a friend you’ve known for a very long time; it’s even more rare to find a duo who both have that, and can make you feel like you’re a part of their gang. Jane and Fi are one of those duos. Whether they’re interviewing novelists or arguing over what makes the perfect hot cross bun, they’re always excellent company. Listen here >>

26. Wolf & Owl (Issue #020)

Hosts: Tom Davis (The Wolf) and Romesh Ranganathan (The Owl)
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: Over 100
Listen if you: want an entertaining waste of time

The hosts say: “Two buddies chatting nonsense for an hour each week, join us, you might just learn something about the World and maybe, about yourself.”

We say: Romesh is the only podcaster who’s made it onto our cover more than once! Two men having a chat is hardly a new trend in the world of podcasting, but when the men involved share humour, vulnerability and an undying love for each other then you’re probably on to a winner. Listen here >> 

27. Pod Save The UK  (Issue #027)

Hosts: Nish Kumar and Coco Khan
Category: Politics/Comedy
Number of episodes: 25
Listen if you: Need a fun way of knowing what’s going on in the UK

The hosts say: “A progressive politics podcast from an outsider’s perspective, where the listener isn’t talked down to and instead lifted up and encouraged to engage in politics – all through the prism of hope and humour.”

We say: A podcast probably can’t save the UK, but it can certainly save you some time by explaining what’s actually going on in UK politics. With only a small back-catalogue, episodes that are timely, and hosts you likely know from elsewhere, this is a great podcast to start with if you get overwhelmed by the always-on nature of some podcasts. Listen here >>

28. Closet Confessions (Issue #028)

Hosts: Candice Brathwaite and Coco Sarel
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: Over 70
Listen if you: Want TikTok levels of truth in a longer form

The hosts say: “Closet Confessions is recorded in an actual working closet (so we’re surrounded by a lot of pretty shoes). Myself and Sarel kick off with a confession each, then we take a pop culture moment and expand on it like a spider diagram. And the last segment, we call the Closet Cousins, we go to a listener’s confession, chop it up, and try to help. It’s sisterhood and community based. It’s extremely funny. Someone said ‘spiritual’.”

We say: Candice and Sarel have managed to build a community of listeners that span generations, but who are all in on their inside jokes. The podcast feels like a safe space for everyone who shares their own confessions. If you value sisterhood – or want an insight to it – this podcast is for you!  Listen here >>

29. Dish (Issue #028)

Hosts: Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett
Category: Food and Drink
Number of Episodes: 70
Listen if you: Are a foodie who wants dinner chats about the food

The hosts say: “Dish is a podcast about food and entertaining, I do it with Nick Grimshaw, obviously, who’s just incredible. We interview guests as if they’re coming to our house for dinner and it’s literally set up like that, you know. People come and they have a great dinner!”

We say: A simple yet nourishing recipe for one of the best new podcasts of recent years. We caught up with Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett to discuss their appetising show, dish…

Listen here >>

30. Cuddle Club (Issue #030)

Host: Lou Sanders
Category: Comedy
Number of episodes: More than 140
Listen if you: Short celeb conversations that feel like a hug

The host says: “Woman asks nosy questions to comedians and strangers. No, it’s really a way into relationships. I’m fascinated by what makes people who they are. Was your mum an asshole? Do you have commitment issues? And what gives you a drive? It’s that kind of thing, but funnier.”

We say: A podcast about cuddling? Sign us up! But there’s a lot more to it than that…

Want more podcast recommendations? Check out the back catalogue of Pod Bible magazine, or search our website for more reviews, interviews and podcast recommendations. 

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You can see why: people still love true crime, scammers and freaky horror-thrillers about creepy people, and it’s very handy for TV producers and commissioners that podcasters have done some of the legwork for them. But there’s something about the intimacy of podcasting as a medium that can make the whole thing more satisfying to listen to. Often, interviewees on podcasts are talking about their experiences publicly for the first time, and there’s an immediacy and vulnerability to that, which makes it compelling listening. Podcasters get all the time they need to luxuriate in nuance and detail, and give the story they’re telling the space it needs to be told. So, we’ve pulled together seven of the best podcasts that have been adapted for TV right here.

Limetown

This scripted fiction pod was made into a show starring Stanley Tucci and Jessica Biel, which was perhaps unfairly cancelled after a single season, so if you want the full, creepy, atmospheric story of what’s going on at a neuroscience research centre in Tennessee. A 911 call draws police to the gates, but the facility stays locked – until three days later, when a pyre and a dead body are found, and 300 people are missing. Investigative reporter Lia Haddock goes on the hunt for clues. Listen now >>

Dr Death

The first series of this one was a proper blockbuster that told the story of Christopher Duntsch, a doctor who presented himself as a wunderkind of neurosurgery but who injured 31 people and killed two with his procedures. Later series looked at a chemotherapy-mad oncologist and a fraudulent thoracic surgeon who kept experimenting with synthetic tracheas. It’s properly nightmarish stuff, explored with a level of creeping dread and alarm which will stay with you. Listen now >>

Dirty John

If Dr Death was a blockbuster, the LA Times’ Dirty John was the Star Wars to its Jaws, the Avengers: Endgame to its Titanic. Debra Newell met John Michael Meehan on an online dating website, and he seemed like a catch: charming, good looking, had his life together. But Meehan was not the man he appeared to be. To say too much would ruin the whole thing, but it’s a twisty, deeply unpredictable story which reaches a wild climax which, depending on your view, will feel either like just desserts or a frustrating chance at justice missed. Listen now >>

Song Exploder

For a podcast that felt like the kind of thing only podcasting could do justice to – musicians breaking down the process of writing and recording their biggest hits, stripping down a song to its bare bones before putting it back together again – the TV version that turned up on Netflix did it great justice. Whereas the Netflix series has two seasons, pretty much everyone’s been on the podcast over more than 250 podcast episodes, from Foo Fighters to Sampha and Paramore to New Order. Listen now >>

Lore

Another one that tickles whatever part of your brain it is that likes sitting around a campfire listening to spooky stories, Lore tells true tales which lean toward the unsettling, the inexplicable and the mordaunt. There’s a delicacy and strange power to host Aaron Mahnke’s coolly underplayed narration, which makes the stranger-than-fiction stories all the more bone-chilling. The Amazon Prime series based on it looked at lobotomies, werewolves and haunted houses. Listen now >>

The Shrink Next Door

Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Kathryn Hahn all starred in the Apple TV+ adaptation of this psychological thriller of a true story about a psychiatrist who manages to inveigle his way into his clients’ lives and help himself to anything he likes. The tone isn’t quite true crime; it’s more like a relationship drama, with celebrity shrink ‘Ike’ Herschkopf and his biddable subject Marty Markowitz becoming bound tighter and tighter together over years of manipulation. Listen now >>

Can I Tell You a Secret?

Netflix has just announced an adaptation of Sirin Kale’s investigation into a mystery that gripped Northwich in the mid-noughties. Over a decade, dozens of apparently random women were sent the same message: “can I tell you a secret?” This mysterious person would then spread rumours of infidelities, which spiralled into real life fights and fall-outs. Kale tries to find the cyberstalker at the centre of it all, and speaks to the women whose lives he made a misery. In the end, things are far more complicated than they seem. Listen now >>

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Ever since Mel Gibson as William Wallace riled up his army of blue-faced Highlanders by shouting “freedom!”, the world has been infatuated with Scotland. It’s OK – you can admit that you liked the movie (even if it was mostly filmed in Ireland).

Since then – in what’s known as the ‘Braveheart Effect’ – the film has inspired people around the world to visit Scotland. And many others have joined its ranks – Outlander, The Outlaw King, Harry Potter and even Trainspotting to some extent.

Scotland is rife with stories, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of podcasts about Scotland too. From shows that focus on Scottish history, to gruesome or legendary tales set in the landscape, and travel tips for planning a visit. Here are some of the best Scottish podcasts – you might even find some episodes about Outlander or Braveheart in there…

Whisky Sisters Podcast

Liquid gold, water of life, single malt whisky – there are many names for the Scottish national drink. In Whisky Sisters Podcast, hosts Inka Larissa and Jennifer Rose share a dram or two and dive into the fascinating world of whisky from Scotland and beyond. In each episode they discover new drams and distilleries, speak with expert guests and uncover the mysteries of distilling. If you’re not a whisky connoisseur already, you may want to ease yourself in with this episode about whisky cocktails. Listen now >>

Stories of Scotland

Learn about Scotland’s mythical creatures and gruesome history – but make it fun! Stories of Scotland is an award-winning podcast that explores the rich tapestry of Scottish culture, nature and heritage. Hosts Annie and Jenny come together to blether about the past, try their tongues at historical accents and tell often forgotten or misrepresented stories. A great one to start is their 3-part series ‘Queer as Folktales’. Listen now >>

Atlantic: A Scottish Story

Atlantic: A Scottish Story is a captivating 8-part drama about life on the edge of the world. We follow the story of Evie and Quinn, two young islanders from St Kilda whose lives are entwined even when an ocean comes between them. The cast includes Kirsty Findlay, Kate Dickie and Richard Rankin (of Outlander fame) and original music by Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie. Since this is an audio drama, you better start at the beginning – ‘Episode 1: A New Arrival’. Listen now >>

Wild for Scotland

Close your eyes while you listen and you could think you’re there. Wild for Scotland is an immersive storytelling podcast for anyone who dreams of being in Scotland or is looking for travel inspiration. The first-person narratives are enriched with captivating soundscapes and contextualised by interviews with locals to learn more about life in the landscapes featured. This is, in fact, my podcast! And you might not be surprised if I tell you that ‘The Key – An Outlander Road Trip from Edinburgh’ is a listener favourite. But if you love puffins as much as I do, you’ll love this episode from my trip to the Isle of Canna. Listen now >>

What We Do In The Winter

Have you ever wondered what life is like on Scottish isles during the winter? What We Do In The Winter is a community led show that answers just that question. Produced by Alasdair and Georgia Satchel it features conversations with locals from the isles of Mull, Iona, Ulva and Gometra and gives insights into the lives of locals out of season. Why not start with this episode featuring Catriona MacLeod, a singer, cabaret artist and Mull-native. Listen now >>

Creative Me Podcast

What makes an artist tick? And how do they get their creative juices flowing? These are just some of the questions posed by Ice Headlam on the Creative Me Podcast. Every episode Ica quizzes another creative from the north east of Scotland about their practice and process with the aim to foster creativity among others and amplify BIPOC voices in Scotland’s creative industries. A great episode to start with is this conversation about the Scottish music scene with Matt Hickman aka. Brown Bear. Listen now >>

Love Scotland

Love Scotland gives listeners an insight into the conservation work by the National Trust for Scotland. Hosted by former BBC Reporting Scotland anchor Jackie Bird, each episode dives into the history of another NTS location from grand castles and museums to some of Scotland’s most beautiful glens and mountains. Along the way, Jackie interviews researchers and conservation experts who shine a light on what happens behind the scenes. If you’re an Outlander fan, you may enjoy this episode about the beauty of Glencoe with Outlander’s Sam Heughan. Listen now >>

Kathi Kamleitner is a Glasgow-based author, podcaster and travel expert. Originally from Austria, she moved to Scotland for her studies, fell in love with the country and never looked back. She shares immersive travel stories on her podcast Wild for Scotland and practical travel guides and tips on her blog Watch Me See. Kathi’s first book “Glücksorte in Glasgow” was published by Droste Verlag (Germany) in March 2022. Photo by Roxanna Barry.

Did you listen to a podcast on this list? Have we missed your favourite Scottish podcast? Let us know in the comments below!

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It’s cold and flu season, so let’s reach for the best medicine… laughter! Comedy podcasts are thriving: they are providing a welcome relief to the commute, they can help you get through the most mundane of chores, and they can also create conversations in the workplace and at home.

For instance, I would not be allowed to write about comedy podcasts without mentioning Chris and Rosie Ramsey’s Shag Married Annoyed. This podcast, as well as its BBC1 spin-off, has led my partner and I to consistently spill each other’s ‘beef’ with each other. “I have another Chris and Rosie for you” we would say as I relay the fact that my partner doesn’t know how to use household bins – and yes, I am bringing our personal troubles to print. Chris and Rosie have become the arbiters of our domestic quarrels.

As this goes to show, comedy can be so personal, and what is funny for one person may not be for others. So I’ve asked for some help in pulling together the best comedy podcasts. Some other Pod Bible writers have of course given us their favourite funny shows. But which podcasts are the comedians listening to and making them laugh? Don’t worry – we’ve asked some of them too! Let’s take a look…

The writers’ choices:

I, Jason Reed, recommend:
Call Jonathan Pie

I also have to give a significant hat tip to Call Jonathan Pie, a wonderfully crafted podcast which combines satire and parody. Jonathan, the frenetic news presenter, hosts a radio call-in show on the hot button topics such as Brexit, comedy, drugs, the environment, and many more issues that invariably end up becoming polarised shouting matches in conventional media. Pie plays the devil’s advocate superbly, often becoming the butt of the joke and constructed bigotry. There’s also some wonderful subtle jokes, such as the fact that Jonathan, of course, is a Ribena drinker and a Curly Wurly fan. Listen here >>

Katie Stokes recommends:
The Inspired Unemployed

“If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast with your best friend (and I know you have), use The Inspired Unemployed as your blueprint. Matt and Jack are high school besties poking fun at life in Australia, social media, and, best of all, themselves. Diving into old Instagram posts, exposing their search history, calling up friends in baby talk – the cringe is palpable. And if the embarrassing stories aren’t enough to captivate you, the infectious laughter and sweet nuggets of vulnerability they share should be enough to win your heart. An easy, relaxing listen – the epitome of no thoughts, just vibes”. Listen here >>

Laviea Thomas recommends:
The Gossip Gays

“The Gossip Gays is a Weekly LGBTQ+ podcast co-hosted by season 4 UK Drag Race queen (and winner), Danny Beard and Sea DJ Billy Andrew. Over the last few months, I’ve fallen in love with this show, purely for its completely candid storytelling. The podcast covers a range of topics but is mostly based on the prefix of gay culture, lifestyle, sex and embarrassing stories, often told through text submissions by their listeners. Whether you tune in on Spotify, or you catch a glimpse of their 60-second Instagram reels, you’re bound to find yourself belly-laughing at some of the content”. Listen here  >>

Rosie Wilby, Pod Bible writer and host of The Breakup Monologues recommends:
The Way They Were

“In this charming and well-researched show, Gráinne Maguire and Chantal Feduchin-Pate reminisce with a guest about the celebrity couplings that didn’t quite make it. From Tom and Nicole, Britney and Justin to the mother of all breakups – Charles and Diana. There’s a great dynamic between the two hosts and an obvious shared passion for nostalgic pop culture. Chantal has to guess each week’s celebrity pairing from a few clues. And after dissecting the ups and downs of the relationship in forensic (some might say obsessive) detail, votes are cast as to who ‘won’ the breakup. I can’t wait for things to get meta and for one of the guests to become a subject of the show.” Listen here >>

Tom Nicholson recommends:
Paper Cuts

“In the year that the political insider podcast started eating itself, Paper Cuts has been a breath of fresh air. The idea of a newspaper review show being the great leap forward of 2023 is a little unexpected, but given how irreverent – like, genuinely irreverent, not Radio 4 panel show irreverent – Miranda Sawyer’s weekday look at the legacy media headlines is, it’s a wonder nobody’s done it before. Or, at least, done it this well and with such well-picked pundits and non-pundits from new media. It’s a very giggly, very withering, very non-earnest pricking of old media’s most pompous excesses, as well as a fond look at its foibles.”  Listen here >>

The Comedian’s Choices:

Tiernan Douieb, host of the award-winning Bust or Trust podcast, recommends:
Only Wrong Answers

“I was already a fan of Australian double act the two Kates (Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney) from their incredibly funny Katering Show, Get Krackin and recent crime comedy Deadloch. But Only Wrong Answers is a proper delight. Kate and Kate have the sort of enviable relationship that means they bounce off each others’ comments with such perfect silliness and acerbic wit that only good friends can have, and getting to listen in is a treat. Every episode so far has had me corpsing with laughter, often in public. Who knew that what I needed was an advice podcast where the hosts give zero advice and mostly tell everyone who’s written in to f*ck off? Despite a three-year hiatus, it seems this show is now nearly, almost, weekly and I’m so very, very pleased. Just brilliant.” Listen here >>

Pope Lonergan, comedian and author:
Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast

“There’s an embarrassing trend in comedy podcasting (best encapsulated by Jimmy Carr’s cringey appearance on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’) where comedians lapse into a disquisition on the nature of comedy and over-inflate their societal importance. As Stavros Halkias (at his hyper-aware, self-deprecating best) said to Burt Kreischer (at his most self-indulgent and Rogan-sphere worst) “We’re not in the armed forces. Let’s fucking relax”.

Anyway, US comics like Stavros or Matt McCusker & Shane Gillis (the Matt & Shane in Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast) are the antithesis of this development. And the episode they did with Danny McBride (especially the part about getting horny over ‘Easter pastels’) was one of the few times I’ve belly-laughed while listening to a podcast in public.

Sidenote: I’ve DEFINITELY been guilty of ‘comedy pontificating’. Which is why I hate every interview I’ve ever done.” Listen here >>

Josie Long of Book Shambles, Short Cuts and Josie & Jonny Are Having a Baby:
The Beef and Dairy Network

“I just can’t recommend this show enough, I never, ever get bored of it. It’s the comic invention of brilliant producer Benjamin Partridge. Ostensibly an industry podcast about farming, it is the most inventive, silly, wild and exciting show. It’s been going now for a decade and I recommend enjoying every episode. The most impressive thing is the amount of lore it’s built up. The universe of the show is as rich as the finest rich beef sausages. Its recurring characters and themes only get more exciting, and Ben never fails to bring in new ideas, performers and sound textures to the show!” Listen here >>

Rufus Hound, actor, comedian and presenter, too champions:
The Beef and Dairy Network (when Rufus and Josie both recommend the same show, you can’t ignore it.)

“Many of the things I’ve loved most create whole other worlds for me to step into. Dungeons and Dragons. Doctor Who. The Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett. Add to this list The Beef and Dairy Network Podcast. What started as a whimsical take on a podcast for those involved – or just interested – in the production of beef animals and dairy herds has, now with over 100 episodes, become an entire universe populated with disreputable vets, horrifying product sponsorships, surreal ad breaks, alternative Yuletide folklore and customs… it’s dizzying.

Is it funny though? Yes. It is. If, like me, you grew up watching Vic and Bob, The Boosh, Ianucci, Paul Foot, Emo Philips… my gosh, yes it is. Thanks to the surrealist Benjamin Partridge’s exquisite palate and his cast of brilliant regulars, skilfully improvising it’s about as funny a thing as you can sling in your ears. Listen here >>

Three Bean Salad is Benjamin with Henry Parker and Mike Wozniak and has me regularly laughing inappropriately on public transport, so I’d recommend that too.” Listen here >>

Matt Hoss, host of Castival and Matt Hoss Talks to People He Likes:
Pappy’s Flatshare

“Pappy’s Flatshare is my favourite podcast of all time. One of the consistently funny podcasts featuring Matthew, Tom, Ben and producer Emma. Their podcast has several formats: solving beefs, chatting as an ensemble and a live panel show with guests (Plus their community-focussed patreon episodes). All of them include their sharp wit, kind hearts and big laughs. This is the kind of podcast that will make you laugh on public transport, every week. Having Pappy’s in my ear-canal is always one of my highlights of my week, I love them so much.” Listen here >>

Rich Wilson, Insane in the Men Brain and Insane in the Fem Brain:
From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast

“I’d drifted away from Alan Partridge for whatever reason but was dragged back into his sports coat clad arms by my excellent friend and comedian Angela Barnes when she insisted we listen to his From The Oasthouse podcast on our long journeys when I supported her on tour – and it swiftly became one of my all time favourites. I love how unconventional it is, like when Partridge is shouting instructions off mic to his cleaner who is downstairs and it goes on for just that little too long, which is hilarious! Excellent work once again from Coogan!” Listen on Audible >>

Esther Manito, co-host Ghastly Women:
Watch What Crappens

“I love The Real Housewives – like totally obsessed. It’s my escapism, but what has made me even more in love with the franchise is a podcast called Watch What Crappens. Its hosts, Ronnie Karem and Ben Mandelker deconstruct every episode with hilarious impressions of every character. It makes me watch more real housewives episodes then I would normally just so I can listen to their take.” Listen here >>

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Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry’s Definitive Collection

As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops. Come, brave listener, pull up a chair, and spend some time with master storyteller Stephen Fry, as he tells us some of his favourite ghost stories of all time, in truly terrifying spatial audio. From the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow, to the tortured spirits of M.R. James, from Edgar Allan Poe’s terrifying tale of a doppelganger to Charlotte Riddell’s Open Door that should definitely stay shut. Join Stephen as he tells you some truly terrifying tales of ghosts and ghouls, spirits and phantasms, spectres and apparitions. Listener discretion advised. Listen now >>

“Hauntingly great”
– Mary Yelland

“Utterly superb”
– Mr R

French & Sanders Titting About (Series 4)

The legends of comedy are back. Dawn and Jennifer once more settle in behind the mic to bring you the fourth series of their smash hit podcast Titting About, armed with a fresh stack of shiny new topics to tit about. From ghost hunting to grooming rituals, from unwatchable box sets to unlistenable bird noise, from franglais to faff, Dawn and Jennifer once again leave no stone unturned, and no corner of their lives un-poked, in their quest to ensure they are comprehensively titting about for your listening pleasure. Listen now >>

“I absolutely love this podcast”
– DMG

“Good for the soul!”
– Anon

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story

Original cast members from the beloved TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, reunite for an all-new adventure about connections that never die – even if you bury them. A decade has passed since the epic final battle that concluded Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV). The game-changing spell that gave power to all potential Slayers persists. With new Slayers constantly emerging, things are looking grim for the bad guys. Rebellious vampire Spike (James Marsters) Is working undercover in Los Angeles with his old pal Clem (James Charles Leary) when he meets feisty, rookie Slayer, Indira (Laya DeLeon Hayes), who wants Spike to be her mentor. Stakes intensify as Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) emerges from an alternate reality where she alone is the Slayer, and Buffy Summers doesn’t exist. Cordelia enlists Spike’s help with a classic big bad terrorising her world… his ex, Drusilla (Jullet Landau). Giles (Anthony Head), Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford), Jonathan (Danny Strong), and Tara (Amber Benson) also return, but through the years and the vastness of the multiverse, not everyone is who they used to be. Listen now >>

“Obsessed”
– Beth

“Thumbs up all round”
– JT

Derren Brown’s Boot Camp For Emotion

Our emotions play a powerful role in everything we think, everything we say and everything we do. In this series of Boot Camp, Derren Brown is joined by top behavioural scientists and diverse experts to reveal how we can control these powerful and mysterious forces, which often hijack our rational thinking and lead us seriously astray. By increasing our emotional intelligence we can improve our lives in every conceivable way. Listen now >>

“Entertaining and informative”
Amazon Customer

“Loved everything about this”
Helen Richardson

Username: Resurgent

Set in the world of Joe Sugg’s bestselling Username comic books, Audible Originals presents Username: Resurgent. Sixteen year old Serena Hall’s big brother Silas walked into the woods on his twentieth birthday and never came back. When local police call off the search, Serena takes it on herself to investigate. Starting her own true-crime podcast, she delves into a world she never knew her brother inhabited, one of supernatural urban legends and global internet mythology that seems to centre on a malevolent digital entity known as The Angel of E.Scape. Listen now >>

“Hooked. Couldn’t stop”
– Anon

“Gripping intrigue”
Anela Anne

—

Every month, Audible members get one credit to use on any audiobook regardless of price or length, plus unlimited access to Audible Original Podcasts at no extra cost. Subscription required. Find out more >>

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At the end of the day, all I can offer to readers are my favourite shows – and those aren’t necessarily going to appeal to all listeners. I was lucky enough to have the space to recommend a WIDE range of podcasts in my guest issue of Pod Bible magazine, and was absolutely thrilled to have Closet Confessions as our cover stars for that issue. As a team, we offer listeners The Pod Bible Polls to highlight some of the podcasts we’ve featured over the past year in the magazine and online. But we’ve no doubt missed podcasts that deserve to be in there!

So in an attempt to share as wide a range of podcasts as possible, and get a group consensus on some shows worth checking out, I’ve once again asked our team and contributors to give you their recommendations.

I’ve asked them to recommend the new show they think stands out, and the podcast that has been their personal favourite in 2023. This is the Pod Bible ESSENTIAL guide to some of the best podcasts in 2023…

Katie Stokes

New pod of the year: Ghost story

Ghost stories are usually too spooky for me, but throw in some family drama and true crime? I’m hooked. Ghost Story is Tristan Redman’s investigation into the haunting from his childhood, a murder in the house next door and a hunt for answers beyond the veil. This series keeps humanity at the centre of the eerie by questioning: who is the teller of our stories? And what, or who, lingers? A thrilling and hearty story to round off 2023. Listen here >>

Pod of the year: Lights Out

One of the superpowers of podcasting is the ability to create intimacy between creator and listener. Lights Out does this beautifully. This anthology documentary series curates deeply personal stories, some of loss, hope or belonging, and each with a reminder: there is more that brings us together than divides us. The show will no longer be broadcast by BBC Radio 4 but I hope they find a new home in 2024 to continue their refreshing work. Listen here >>

Tom Nicholson

Best new podcast: Where Are You Going?

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones. Host Catherine Carr has quick chats with passersby all over the world – dog-walkers in Ely, God-botherers in New York City, sightseers in Amsterdam – which open with the titular question. Where they go from there is always surprising, and Carr is excellent at gently and non-judgmentally probing to find the amazing stories and people walking past all of us every day. In a year when more I’ve been narked than ever by pods spinning out thin stories over too many episodes, each 10- or 15-minute pod is exactly the size and shape its stories need it to be. It’s a really beautiful thing. Listen here >>

Favourite podcast of the year: Believe in Magic

The scam-artist exposé is still massive, but none have managed to perform such a thorough and unexpected turnaround in my sympathies. Megan Bhari became a huge star within child cancer fundraising circles, managing to work wonders while fighting her own brain tumour. Then parents of other children with cancer started to suspect something was off, and went to war with Megan and her mum Jean. The story is gripping enough through its first four episodes, but soon Megan is in real danger and something altogether darker, and more distressing colours the final eps. A report into Megan and Jean and their relationship provided a chilling coda. Listen here >>

Takudzwa Mudiwa

Best new podcast: The Girlfriends

Novel’s The Girlfriends tells the story of doctor Bob Bierenbaum through the perspective of his ex-girlfriends, led by Carole Fisher, what was first mindless gossip and jovial investigation between friends, about the enigmatic local eligible bachelor became something more sinister. The highlight for me is Alayne, the sister of one of Bob’s ex’s Gail Katz. With haunting sound design the story of Gail is the main thread and her sister tells it with such admirable strength. Listen now >>

Favourite podcast of the year: Love, Janessa

Janessa Brazil actress/model image alone has been used by many scammers to lure men into online relationships and give up thousands in cash – there tends to be scepticism when it comes to catfish scammers especially toward the victim. BBC World Service and CBC’s Love, Janessa handles it with sensitivity and thorough research, Host Hannah Ajala unravels a story of the business of a catfishing and the emotional weight it can have on a victim but also it asks the question who is the person behind the image? Listen now >>

Laviea Thomas

Best new podcast: Springleaf

James Acaster has one of those personalities that makes him the perfect storyteller. His tongue-in-cheek one-liners, iconic comedic timing and sharp wit are all loveable aspects of his work and his delivery. Springleaf is up there as my top pick for the Best New Show for 2023 because of its great storytelling and unexpected plot twists. It perfectly bridges the gap between humour and knowledge and is jam-packed with an incredible bunch of comedians, and guests. Listen now >>

Favourite podcast of the year: Redhanded

I’m a serious lover of all things true crime, and I love that Redhanded covers a range of it from a-list celebrities to horrifying small-town investigations, family secrets and more. The show is carried by Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, who bring to life trauma, gruesome horror and more in short but engaging episodes. I love that the show provides a multitude of facts, whilst touching upon popular conspiracies. Listen now >>

Adam Richardson

Best new podcast: Where Are You Going?

The audio equivalent of people watching, Where Are You Going? has been a revelation for me this year. As someone who works from home for most of the week I’ve really missed the mini interactions that a commute or a visit to the shops during your lunch break would create. With WAYG? Catherine Carr asks strangers in the street one simple question – where are you going? – and the answers are always hard to predict. With episodes recorded across the country and beyond, there’s a rich variety of voices to be heard from and stories that have me laughing in one moment then shedding a tear in the next. My only gripe is that the episodes aren’t longer. Listen here >>

Favourite podcast of the year: Sliced Bread

An older podcast but one I only got into this year is the BBC show Sliced Bread, a series hosted by Science presenter Greg Foot (who helped get me and my daughter through lockdown with his daily live YouTube shows) that investigates the latest hyped up products or fads to see if they really are the “best thing since sliced bread”. Topics such as personalised vitamin subscriptions, manuka honey and ice baths have been looked into, and while your preconceptions may often be correct before listening, there’s always an abundance of fascinating facts and take-aways to help inform future purchasing decisions. Listen here >>

Mimi Jones

Best new podcast: A Little Queer Podcast

Queer role models are far easier to discover these days, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone just explain everything for you, and A Little Queer Podcast does that perfectly. Capri Campeau and Ashley Whitfield are beautifully honest about their experience about their queer journey, queer identity in tv and film, your first queer relationship and so much more. They are eccentric and loud, and discuss so many areas of the queer experience in such a casual and accessible way. The perfect podcast for baby gay’s or people looking to understand queer culture. Listen here >>

Favourite podcast of the year: Welcome To Nightvale

Anyone that ventured into Tumblr back in its golden age will have heard of this show. It’s weird (like weird weird) but if you’re into fiction, the supernatural, and conspiracy then you’ll love it. I’ve stumbled across it before but have loved bingeing it properly this winter while wrapped up warm. For those few who aren’t familiar with the show, Welcome To Nightvale is a twice monthly radio show from the fictional town of Nightvale, where every conspiracy theory is true. Tune in for ‘The Weather’ which consists of jazzy beats, listen in to local gossip about the lurker in the lake, and enjoy the smooth voice of your host across some 200+ episodes. I also love the fact there is so much fan content for this show to consume across every platform you could think of – even a novelisation of the show! Listen here >>

Jason Reed

Best new podcast: Oh What A Time

The podcast cover looks as beautiful as a Pod Bible Magazine cover and that’s because our illustrator Dan Draws actually created this podcast cover!. Oh What a Time mixes history and comedy, forging discussions around bizarre laws to more weightier discussions such as healthcare through the ages and The Great Depression. The presenters, Elis James, Tom Craine, and Chris Scull, all bring knowledge and laughs as well as knowing when to sit back and play the ignorant layman when required. To say it’s easy listening almost implies an insult, but it’s actually testament to the relaxed and skilled conversations. And you will end up googling to double check some facts. Listen now >>

Favourite podcast of the year: Pod Save the UK

If you need satire in your life, then this is it, but it’s more than that… The Mash Report’s Nish Kumar is able to provide some laughter to the weekly news, but he also has an obvious need for activism, looking to solve issues with the show’s expert guests, and Coco Khan uses her background in journalism to bring the best out of the guests and topics. The big news stories are covered in ways conversational media isn’t able – if you want information and inspiration, then this is the weekly podcast for you. Listen now >>

Zainab Amer

Best new podcast AND Favourite podcast of the year: The Retrievals

Susan Burton narrates a five-part journey into Yale Fertility Clinic, unveiling a nurse’s conviction for tampering with fentanyl vials during egg retrievals. Susan remains objective as she rotates between the women and unfolding events, exploring the complexity of determining the ‘right’ outcome. It feels like the first time the women collectively and publicly process their dismissed pain by Yale. The collision of motherhood, female pain, and the law during sentencing, coupled with the judge’s reconciliation, is gripping. A compelling listen. Listen now >>

Diana Safieh

Favourite podcast of the year: #DEAD2ME: The Interviews

The supporting podcast to the Crime+Investigation show #Dead2Me, this show goes deeper into the harrowing experiences of those close to victims of crimes stemming from digital-age dating. Each episode, hosted by criminologist Dr Honor Doro Townshend, features heart-wrenching testimonies from families and experts, exploring the warning signs of domestic abuse and digital dangers. Listen now >>

Francesca Turauskis

Best new podcast: Bitter/Sweet

In a year where we’ve continued to see a lot of new podcasts, and a lot of high-budget investigations, Bitter/Sweet has offered a palate cleanser for me. The show is not unique in its focus on memorable meals, but it delivers these stories in such a special way. We hear guests’ stories through gentle nudges from host Natasha Miller asking them to explain atmosphere, smells, and more. But these are sandwiched between Natasha’s own story unpacking grief for her mother twinned into her own meals. Natasha has a lovely voice for the storytelling – she won the Bronze ‘Best Narrator’ at the Audio Production Awards – and the emotional vulnerability adds so much. Plus, episodes are not bloated, fitting under twenty minutes. Listen now >>

Favourite podcast of the year: Sherlock & Co

According to my podcast app, I’ve listened to over 500 different shows this year, and Sherlock & Co. is the one I am most excited to see pop into the top of my queue. I’m a bit of a sucker for a Sherlock Holmes retelling in films and television, but I generally don’t listen to fiction podcasts. I think this gets past my barrier because it feels like a documentary recorded in real time. We even interviewed John and Sherlock earlier in the year, and pulled them up on a few of the ethical questions around true crime podcasting. Fittingly for a Sherlock retelling, this show feels really clever – the production is really smooth, yet through little audio-in-jokes we still get the impression that John is a bad producer. I love the reference to Sherlock’s hobby with the dramatic violin-based music, and even though I know the stories, these versions are different enough to be interesting all over again. But my favourite aspect of Sherlock & Co. is how surprisingly funny it is. I laugh out loud at John far too much, and I’ve needed that from my podcasts this year. Listen now >>

The post The best podcasts of 2023: The ESSENTIAL list! appeared first on POD BIBLE.

That’s why we’ve once again asked some of our writers to recommend the shows they think you should check out, before sharing some of the shows we’ve recommended in our newsletter…

Why?
Recommended by Tom Nicholson

I have a soft spot for podcasts which get academics on to talk at length about their extremely specific niche, and another soft spot for podcasts which talk about big, wobbly ideas which make me feel a bit freaked out. In the middle of this Venn soft spot is Why?, which has asked a series of cosmically huge, reality-shaking questions in an accessible, approachable way. Is time real? Why do we remember things that never happened? What will humans look like in a million years? Why? has such an easy-going, brain-expanding feel to it that it’s hard not to be charmed. Listen now >>

No Worries If Not
Recommended by Katie Stokes

Feminist writer and cartoonist Lily O’Farrell (aka @VulgaDrawings) has a gift for on-the-nose commentary about internet culture and how it affects women. Luckily, she’s brought these observations to podcast form. If you’ve personally been the victim of an ‘almond mum’, worry about the effects of digital domesticity, or have been on the receiving end of an ‘alpha male’ monologue, you may find solace in this show. Relevancy on the internet is fickle, yet this podcast manages to live in the present – a show about right now, for right now. Give it a listen to stay up to date, but of course…no worries if not! Listen now >>

What Now? With Trevor Noah
Recommended by Mimi Jones

South African comedian and political commentator Trevor Noah has taken the dive into podcasts with “What Now? With Trevor Noah” and we’re loving it. It is a witty, pleasing on the ears show, following conversations with various celebrities exploring their views on anything and everything. The point isn’t to change your mind on them, or their subjects they discuss, but, in Trevor’s words, purely to walk away saying ‘Huh, that gave me something to think about’. The conversations are dynamic, deeply personal, political without being too heavy, and with Trevor’s classic comedic flair. Listen now >>

28 Dates Later
Recommended by Laviea Thomas

28 Dates Later is the *perfect* podcast to tune into if you’re a single woman in your early 20s. More specifically, if you’ve ever been, or currently are trapped in the hell hole that is dating apps. This podcast officially launched Monday 6th November and has been a hot topic for me every week since. It’s the perfect giggle and makes you feel better about your own dating life, whilst simultaneously giving you a sense of reassurance. It’s a confidence boost to remind yourself to not put all your worth in the hands of the people you date. Listen now >>

Stories from the Village of Nothing Much
Recommended by Takudzwa Mudiwa

iHeartPodcasts’ Stories from the Village of Nothing Much podcast is warm and present. Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai takes us through a fictional village where she points out the simple pleasures of life; twinkling of stars and snowflakes falling. She explains that the stories are from her previous podcast Nothing Much Happens: those bedtime stories intended for the listener to fall asleep have been altered in this new show for general relaxation. First episode we hear “Bustle in the City” – it is holiday themed and we are let into the protagonist’s personal traditions with friends and playful disputes with family. With atmospheric sound design; a quiet drum roll here and the opening of a local gift shop there paired with gentle narration this is perfect to wind down. I’m excited about what other stories they have. Listen now >>

The Rest Is Entertainment
Recommended by Jason Reed

Sometimes you get a combination of people who are startling close to your fantasy dinner party – we all have those, right?! For me journalist Marina Hyde, and all-round great TV bloke Richard Osman, could quite possibly be on my invite list. Individually they are sublime communicators, the type of people who make any conversation amusing and interesting, and together their chemistry makes you listen with a comfy ease. The podcast is ultimately a showbiz review column… which sounds like my personal idea of hell, but they make the concept work. Whether reviewing the latest documentaries, or giving a quasi obituary to Henry Kissinger, the show is about as eclectic as it gets. You either passively converse along with the presenters on the topics you’re familiar with, or you begin to seek out the ones that you’re not. It’s quite lovely! Listen now >>

Other recommendations:

Carrie Jade Does Not Exist

A six-part series hosted by Sue Perkins and journalist Katherine Denkinson, Carrie Jade Does Not Exist is the story of how one woman, who took on over six different identities, infiltrated the lives of vulnerable people, and lied her way into gaining their trust. Based on an expose article written by Denkinson in 2022, this show mostly takes the form of Denkinson telling the story – with a little help from actors reading quotes from the victims – whilst Sue Perkins asks questions and makes comments. This might fill the gap for listeners needing a catfish-controversy. Listen now >>

Unlawful Killing

Every year, hundreds of people die at the hands of the very institutions that are meant to keep us safe – police, prisons, and mental health services. Bereaved families are left fighting for answers, demanding justice, and campaigning for change. This podcast from the charity INQUEST is hosted by Lucy Brisbane and Lee Lawrence, and shines a light on state violence, death, grief and resistance. Listen now >>

Springleaf

Congratulations to one of our former cover stars (issue #015), James Acaster on the launch of his new podcast. Springleaf! is based on James Acaster’s undercover cop alter-ego Pat Springleaf. Well. Pat was under cover under recently, but now he’s sharing his wire recordings from the drug-smuggling operation he’s been trying to take down since 2013. Or, is Springleaf is a new comedy crime podcast written by and starring James Acaster? With jokes, sound effects and original music by (American-Nigerian multi-instrumentalist) NNAMDÏ, Springleaf is a true(ish) crime podcast, created with the support of crowdfunding, and the Wall of Thanks lists the names of all the backers. Listen now >>

Heirs of Enslavement

Heirs of Enslavement explores the Transatlantic slave trade, but at it’s core, it is telling the story of two individuals – Clive Lewis MP, a descendent of the enslaved, and Laura Trevelyan, a descendent of the enslaver. In the spirit of bringing different perspectives, we’ve shared two reviews on the podcast: One from a writer that can relate to Clive, and one from a writer that can relate to Laura… Listen now >>

Legacy

Legacy is a new history podcast, produced between Wondery and Goalhanger Podcasts. Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan tell the wild stories of some of the most extraordinary men and women ever to have lived – and ask whether they have the rep they deserve. Starting with the very topical Napoleon, they ask whether the man was a hero or a tyrant – or both? (And, while we’re at it, was he even short?) Listen now >>

Climate Decoded

With multiple hosts and a diverse array of guests Climate Decoded strives to make climate science and policy accessible and engaging for everyone. The first episode on the IPCC in particular gives a fascinating insight to the processes, limitations and biases behind reporting climate science. Listen now >>

The post The best new pods of WINTER 2023 appeared first on POD BIBLE.

The Intelligence

My favourite way to stay up to date with world news. The features are balanced both in terms of perspective and spread across the world and I like the format: two news stories plus a slightly alternative feature. Listen now >>

The Moth

The Moth is about keeping the curture or storytelling alive, Everyone today talks about storytelling and getting the narrative right, from company values, to personal branding and marketing. The only way to become a better storyteller is by listening to amazing storytellers. Listen now >>

Ted Talks Daily

I love being exposed to new ideas and new ways of thinking. And the best part about Ted Talks Daily is the variety of lengths, from 5 min to 20 min. I feel so much better spending a coffee break recharging with a Ted Talk rather than mindlessly scrolling social media. Listen now >>

Who Hurt You? (Previously known as Made Of Human)

First reason to listen: Sofie is hilarious. The second reason is that everyone at some point asks the question “How do I do life well?”. I love the variety of perspectives and issues she highlights, as well as the feeling that I’m listening to an intimate conversation between friends Listen now >>

Desert Island Disks

Amazing guests lead to amazing content but you also finish with a sense of familiarity after learning about the person’s music choices, favourite book and comfort items. It’s a sense of knowing a person you could never capture just by reading an article about them. Listen now >>

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This year was a real testament to the ‘international’ aspect of the awards: entries were received from 27 countries and people were attending from France, New York, China and more. The shortlists reflected this, with more international shows – and the USA in particular – picking up awards and nominations. On the one hand, it seems a shame to me that less British shows are being highlighted compared to previous years. But I think it’s also important to note that the UK-based awards are attracting such attention. It has long been said that the US is ahead of the UK when it comes to podcasting, and this is a sign that we are catching up.

Another sign of the success of the IWPAs is that this year saw nominations and winners from large production companies and media, including iHeart Podcasts, BBC, Wondery and The Telegraph.

We also saw successes from some shows made by independent production companies –  Peanut & Crumb’s Get Birding continues to collect awards with it’s third series. Some individuals and small teams also made an appearance, including the UK-based Single Sounds, as well as Celebrity Catch-up and Bitter/Sweet, both of which we’ve featured in the Pod Bible magazine and on the website.

The third International Women’s Podcast Awards event was another evening of great atmosphere, supportive podcasters and celebrations. Well done to all the winners and nominees, and well done to Everybody Media for a lovely evening.

The Winners

Here are the list of winners and runner-up podcasts for the International Women’s Podcast Awards 2023. All quotes are taken from the description of the categories on the Everybody Media media

Moment of Behind-the-Scenes Brilliance

“…audio that showcases the writers, producers, editors and podcast professionals out there.”

Winner – Spygate

Runner-up – Freeway Phantom

Moment of Comedy Gold

“Make us laugh. That is all.”

Winner – Sanctum Unmasked

Runner-up – Single Sounds

Moment of Compelling Storytelling

“…so much of what we love about podcasting is woven around our love of hearing and telling stories.”

Winner – Unreformed: The Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children

Runner-up – Discovery: In Search of Stardust

Moment of Dramatic Tension

“Dramatic tension can be leaving your listener on a cliffhanger, or it can be subtle and carefully built.”

Winner – How To Become a Dictator

Runner-up – British Scandal

Moment of Entrepreneurial Inspiration

“This category is for moments from the world of business, startups and entrepreneurship.” 

Winner – The Black Kitchen Series: Innovators

Runner-up – Modern Persian Food

Moment of Insight From a Role Model

“the moment from your podcast that you’d choose to play to a class full of young people.“

Winner – Feminist Files

Runner-up – Threshold

Runner-up: Celebrity Catch-up: Life After That Thing I Did

Moment of Podcasting Panache in a Language Other Than English

“We’re opening a category for podcasts in languages other than English.”

Winner – Costa Nostra

Runner-up – Réparations

Moment of Raw Emotion

“We’re after incredible audio moments of emotion reflecting the human experience of emotion”

Winner – Linda Marigliano’s Tough Love

Runner-up – 2 Lives

Runner-up – Nobody should believe me

Moment of Touching Honesty

“This category is for those intimate, touching audio moments of searing truth”

Winner – Get Birding

Runner-up – Bitter/Sweet

Moment of Visionary Leadership

“We want to hear about the women and folk of diverse genders on your podcast who’ve shown outstanding leadership and shared their secrets about it.”

Winner –  The Ten News

Runner-up – The Negotiators

Award For Changing The World One Moment At A Time

“We believe that podcasts have the power to create change in the world”

Winner – The TMI Project Story Hour

Runner-up – Wander

The post The International Women’s Podcast Awards 2023 – The Winners appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Ki and Dee

With Songs, stories and good old fashioned gossip to make you smile, Ki and Dee are the two pod besties you wish you had. Both fantastic artists in their own right, if you missed THAT viral Love Island song, then where have you been? Join the ladies as they chat to like minded guests about everything from dating to Cuban heels and everything in between, oh and there is usually a super catchy self-penned song thrown in for good measure as well. Listen now >>

NonCensored

It’s news but not as you know it. Join comedian Roise Holt as she plays the despicable Harriet Langley-Swindon, a radio journalist with lots of un-fact checked opinions on Brexit, immigration and the horrifying “tofu eating wokerati”. Joined weekly by producer Martin and resident comedian Eshaan Akbar for the hilarious Hot and Spicy Take of the Week. It’s podcast satire at its best. Listen now >>

The Upshot

If you were just as obsessed with the Beckham documentary as everyone else and need more salacious gossip to fill the Beckham shaped void now the series has finished then The Upshot might just be for you. Weekly topics include drunken antics, dressing room squabbles and the simmering sexual tension of the French football team(seriously!) and yes there is a Beckham episode. Go check it out but don’t say you weren’t warned. Listen now >>

Answer Me This

Okay don’t get too excited, this podcasting behemoth and huge series isn’t back for new series (sorry) but it is still a massively listened to series with an evergreen back catalogue that fans just love diving into again again. Considering Olly and Helen were 400+ episodes deep there really is something for everyone and let’s be honest when the present and future seem a bit grim, there is nothing better than a good old trip down podcast memory/episodes lane. Listen now >>

HypnoSOS

Created during the pandemic to give key workers a tool to help them manage their stress, Ursula James’ HypnoSOS podcast now has 10,000’s of listeners a month using her 15 min episodes to help them relax and de-stress. From letting go of frustrations to boosting motivation, there is an episode for everyone and every emotion you might be feeling. So dive in when you have a spare 15 mins and give your brain a well deserved break from the chaos of the day. Listen now >>

Auddy is inspiring and engaging audiences through audio. Supporting creators, creating branded content and private podcasts.

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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From The Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast (Series 3)

Alan returns to the bloated whale that is the modern podcasting industry (come on though, it clearly is) for series three of From The Oasthouse, offering a glimpse into his personal life so intimate it is unlikely he would ever have done so were it not a contractual obligation. Join him as he toasts the arrival of a new grandchild, navigates relationship issues with his girlfriend neighbour, and attempts to track down a former soldier from Newcastle, a man he once knew, a man by the name of Michael. Listen now >>

“Comedy Genius”
– Mr Corten

“Great Alan Partridge addition.”
– Audible User

Mo Gilligan’s Spotlight

Mo Gilligan’s Spotlight is a brand new live stand-up comedy series hosted by the triple-BAFTA-winning comedian himself and featuring some the UK’s most exciting comedic voices. Recorded at iconic South London venue, Up the Creek Comedy Club, this six-episode series has been specially hand-curated by Mo to showcase the best new names in comedy. Mo has scoured the stand-up scene to bring you his favourite acts, including the rising stars you need to know. Listen now >>

“Good for the soul”
– Amazon User

“Hillarious”
– Anon

Lolly Adefope: Fanmail

Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, Shrill, This Time with Alan Partridge) is regularly inundated by Fanmail. So what better way to reply, than via a podcast? Over the series she’ll be reading out fan letters, solving fan problems, interviewing fans and celebrity fans alike – and asking important questions like ‘why do you love me so much?’ and ‘what is it about me that you love so much?’ Lolly Adefope’s Fanmail guest-stars Aidy Bryant, Steve Buscemi, Steve Coogan, Brett Goldstein, Mae Martin, Diane Morgan, Charlotte Ritchie, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Katy Wix and many more. Listen now >>

“Absolutely LOVED this!”
– Ms Huthings

“One word: Wowzers trousers!”
– Amanzon user

The World According To Grandpa

What are stars? Who invented dogs? Why is chocolate so tasty? Join Grandpa and his grand-kids on a joyful audio adventure as he “answers” their curious questions with fantastical tales… more or less. Luckily his friend Halifax the rabbit is also on hand to help with the answers. The World According to Grandpa audio series features the wonderfully unique audio from the much-loved TV show, developed into an entertaining spatial audio production. Listen now >>

“Fantastic educational audiobook”
Anon

“Great”
Amazon user

And if your like the sound of these, why not try this Audible Original…

Told You So

Lucie Redway knows one thing for certain: her best friend will have the most perfect destination wedding. She may not know if she’ll still have her agony aunt column next month, or if her love life will ever be more exciting than a midnight swipe right, but Lucie would rather exhaust herself than let Stacey down on her Big Day. Not even Charlie, the insufferably attractive and hateful best man, can get in her way. Before the flight touches down in Spain, Lucie is hit with a curveball. Sat next to world-famous psychic Miranda Bloom, she’s told she’ll leave the wedding with the love of her life. Lucie’s not sure she believes in fate, but is the one really somewhere on the seating chart? As the days are counting down to ‘I do’. Will she recognise The One before time runs out? Listen now >>

“A great and easy listen”
Kindle user

“Another book devoured in less than 24hrs”
Ms Croft

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Every month, Audible members get one credit to use on any audiobook regardless of price or length, plus unlimited access to Audible Original Podcasts at no extra cost. From £7.99 / month after 30 days. Renews automatically. Find out more >>

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Deciding what counts as a ‘best’ podcast is always tricky. A tried-and-tested format taking on a new subject will always be appealing; an in-depth investigation of a scandal will keep us glued to headphones; a favourite comedian talking about something that resonates is sure to entertain.

Once again, we’ve asked some of our writers to help us whittle down some new shows, and help us decide – what are the best new podcasts of Autumn 2023? Read on to see if you agree!

The Missing Madonna
Recommended by Tom Nicholson

A good art heist is always podcasting gold dust, and when Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Yarnwinder was snatched from Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway in 2003, it looked like an exceptionally good art heist. Until, that is, details started to emerge: the thieves had dressed up as tourists and simply walked out with the painting, put in their VW Golf and made off with it. The police were on the trail quickly, and all sorts of capers ensue: ransom money, missed drop-offs, and a temperamental Jaguar. Host Olivia Graham’s dad was one of the cops involved, and adds layers of peppy personal detail. Listen now on your podcast app >>

If This Food Could Talk
Recommended by Zainab Amer

Claudia Hanna – lifestyle expert – serves up her debut podcast. Each episode uncovers a common food and why it remains popular today. Claudia and guests traverse histories and empires to discover why. The ice-cream episode is a must-listen, brimming with historical facts that go unrecognised. Learn how slavery innovated and brought famous dishes to the masses. Why did the US Navy ransom ice-cream in rescuing soldiers during WW2? The inaugural launch is packed with stories, recipes, and tips. Claudia is a natural. A refreshing and uplifting take on our most favoured foods. Listen now on your podcast app >>

Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club
Recommended by Catherine Renton

If you want to join a book club but don’t like wine, nibbles or other people, Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd’s podcast is just what you need. The hosts bring their own brand of humour to the podcast, which features writers and comedians talking about zeitgeisty books like Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey and Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater. Pascoe, Lloyd and their guests have great insights into their book choices, often picking out themes or discussions you may not have thought of. The opening episode featuring Nish Kumar, who brings I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel, features great conversations about Instagram, ‘wet’ boyfriends and race issues. Listen now on your podcast app >>

Your Mama’s Kitchen
Recommended by Katie Stokes

Michele Norris presents a menu of celebrity guests across entertainment, sports and culinary arts, opening with none other than Michelle Obama. They welcome you into the kitchens across their lives and send you home with a recipe close to their hearts. The show traces the habits, lessons, and beliefs of some of the most successful people on the planet back to the heart of the home. Considering the conversations are centred around the power of maternal and community influence, at points, the interviews lacked the perspective and contribution of the people being discussed. Nevertheless, ‘Your Mama’s Kitchen’ delivers a sweet, hearty, and nourishing take on the places and people that shape us. Listen now on your podcast app >>

Eerie
Recommended by Francesca Turauskis

One that I found via our magazine, this is the perfect show for the spookiest month. Eerie is a series of original audio horror stories, and whilst it’s hosted and produced by Anna Bogutskaya – of The Final Girls – each episode is written by someone different. I love anthology shows like this, each providing a little something different. The acting and production of the second episode in particular hits enough realistic touch-points through the ‘found-footage’ (or ‘found-audio’?) to make me marginally terrified to listen to voicenotes from now on… Listen now on your podcast app >>

Other recommendations:

Hooked On Freddie

Podcasts based on scandals are commonplace, but Wondery have really found one with a unique hook – the true story of a dolphin sex scandal set in a sleepy English town in the late 1980s. It’s a ridiculous story that you wouldn’t imagine having lifetime consequences, but the ripple effects add a layer of tragedy. The episodes may have a heavy subject matter but feature real moments of genuine levity to break the tension. Read our full review here or listen now on your podcast app >>

The Rest Is Football

Goalhanger Podcasts – the company behind The Rest Is History, The Rest is Politics and the also new The Rest Is Money – have added another show to their winning-format. Gary Lineker (one of Goalhanger founders) is joined by Micah Richards and Alan Shearer to bring opinions and inside knowledge on the world of football, both past and present. We highlighted an episode in Issue #029 and like many listeners, we’re glad to hear Gary himself on one of the Goalhanger podcasts – and of course it was going to be a football one! Listen now on your podcast app >>

Noted

A new entry to the news podcast genre, Noted is aimed at a younger audience. Mary Mandefield helps listeners make sense of the biggest talking points, and meets the people who really know their stuff and the ones who have lived it too.. with a Whatsapp for listener questions and feedback, this should grow a community following quickly. Listen now on your podcast app >>

Wrestling Is Too Much Fun

A new fighter has entered the ring – this new show is all about the love of professional wrestling. Created by AJ Thee Visionary it is the first UK-based wrestling podcast created by Black women, so there is of course lots of unique perspectives, laugh-out-loud humour, pop culture references and random banter. Listen now on your podcast app >>

Uncharted with Hannah Fry

Behind every line on a graph, there lies an extraordinary human story. Mathematician Hannah Fry is here to tell us ten of them. The first episode explores the idea of the ‘returning soldier effect’ where more boys tend to be born after periods of war. The fact that the effect is real is interesting, and the reasons behind it are well worth a listen. Listen now on your podcast app >>

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The post The best new pods of AUTUMN 2023 appeared first on POD BIBLE.