AI is everywhere, in every industry you can imagine. There’s plenty of articles about how AI can help us with writing or research, with graphics and data. These are ways it makes our lives easier in the present, but how can AI help us prepare for the future? I want to share with you a few episodes exploring where AI is today, where it is headed, and how it can help us in the days to come.

Imagine This…

Preparing for an Uncertain Future…in the Future

AI forecasting won’t eliminate the need for a well-thought-out strategy, it’ll mean we need it more than ever. By 2035, AI will revolutionize forecasting, offering more accurate predictions for everything from stock markets to consumer trends. Meteorologists already use AI to enhance hurricane landfall predictions, but BCG’s Alan Iny emphasizes that strategic planning is here to stay. Predictions are never perfect, and various tools are widely accessible, which means leaders must still plan for multiple scenarios. AI will refine, not replace, the art of planning. Listen here >>

Superhuman AI: Decoding the Future

Is Artificial Intelligence a Threat to Humanity? Judd Rosenblatt Discuss AI Safety and Alignment

Something we have all wondered at some point. Superhuman hosts Zain and Hassan take a real look at the potential risks AI poses to humanity with Judd Rosenblatt, an AI researcher known for his work on AI safety and alignment. The conversation goes into why many top AI experts are concerned about AI disempowering humanity and examines various approaches to solving AI alignment issues. Listen here >>

School’s In

AI in the classroom: Equity, creativity, and teaching

How do we prepare students to take on a world where AI plays such a central role? Schools In hosts Dan Schwartz and Denise Pope sit down with Associate Professor Victor Lee to chat about the rise of AI in education, and what that means for both how we learn and teach. He shares both sides of the coin: how AI could potentially enhance and complicate our learning processes. Listen here >>

Grit & Growth

Navigating the AI Revolution: Practical Insights for Entrepreneurs

If you are hesitant about using AI in your business strategy, then listen up. Wharton professor Ethan Mollick and entrepreneur Arun Jagannathan explore why it should be. Mollick provides practical tools and key questions to help businesses integrate AI creatively and strategically. Jagannathan shares how he’s adapting his startups, CrackVerbal and Yzerly, to leverage AI for growth. Together, they highlight the power of AI to democratize innovation while emphasizing the need to keep humans in the loop. Listen here >>

Technology Now

The AI Skills Gap… Are We Prepared?

This episode of Technology Now explores how generative AI is transforming the workforce across all sectors – not just tech. As organizations and governments rush to adopt AI, questions arise about how managers, non-IT teams, education systems, and individuals can adapt to this seismic shift. It really makes us think about the future of our workplaces, and if we are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Listen here >>

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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We all hit slumps from time to time – stuck in the grind of our routines, we can start to feel a bit too comfortable, and maybe even a little stuck in life. But deep down, who doesn’t crave more? A better mindset, a fresh perspective, and continuous growth.

Learning is a lifelong process, and there is always room for personal growth. While books, courses, and articles offer guidance, I’ve found that listening is my favourite way to learn. Podcasts give me a chance to wind down, reflect on what’s happening in and around my life, and absorb new ideas at my own pace.

Self-improvement podcasts, in particular, provide fresh insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories that help lift us up. So if you are also looking to shake yourself out of the routine, and strive for personal growth, here are some of my favourite self-development podcasts to tune into.

The Breakout – Unleashing Personal Growth

“Get out of the box and into your life” That’s the tagline of The Breakout, hosted by talent and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. Every week they themselves learn from individuals who have gone through incredible change, sharing how you can access personal growth, increase your confidence, and make major moves in your life.

It’s an inspiring podcast that shows me change can come in dramatic shifts, or quiet steps, either way, good things happen when we push our limits.

If you prefer to read rather than listen, Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther have just published a new book as well: Whatever the Hell You Want: An Escape Plan to Break Out of Life’s Little Boxes and Live Free from Expectations. Listen here >>

On the Table with Ashley

The best lessons come from when we push our boundaries and listen to new perspectives. Often we may feel stuck in our lives because we have only ever looked at things in one way, a way shaped by our own experiences and values. We may be scared to open up and talk about difficult things, this blocks our path to living to our highest potential.

On the Table with Ashley invites us to all sit down at a table and re-learn how to honour our differences, through compassion, and an open mind. Every episode brings a difficult topic to the forefront and brings on guests to discuss it from varying perspectives.

Re-learning what our minds have been stuck in is so important to our personal growth, and this podcast pushes us to change our minds and our hearts.

This season is focused on Death & Dying, a universal experience yet an often unspoken topic. Ashley’s guests discuss preparing for, talking about, and supporting others through end-of-life moments. It’s a heavy one, but a discussion I think we all need at some point in our lives. Listen here >>

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

If you’ve been around the self-improvement space already, you’ve probably heard the name Jay Shetty. A former monk turned bestselling author and life coach, he brings wisdom and purpose to every episode of On Purpose.

Each week, Jay interviews experts and celebrities who share their personal stories and strategies for living with intention, finding inner peace, and cultivating meaningful relationships.

The podcast reminds me that growth is a daily practice, and Jay’s soothing voice and thoughtful approach make complex ideas feel approachable. Listen here >>

The Art of Listening

We learn through connection, and the best way to connect is to listen and hold space for one another. Eileen Dunn’s podcast The Art of Listening reminds us of this week after week. Her interviews with experts in therapy give us a new perspective on the relations between people and the lessons we can learn through talk therapy. This is a great listen to learn more about human connection. Listen here >>

Sisters in Sobriety

At its core Sisters in Sobriety is a raw, honest look at life beyond alcohol. After both embracing sobriety, they share their personal journeys of recovery, exploring the ups and downs of life without drinking.

Well you may not consider yourself in need of a sobriety podcast, I promise there’s something in this show for everyone. No matter your relationship with alcohol currently, sisters-in-law Sonia Kahlon and Kathleen Killen, bring new and interesting takes that make us reflect, and be honest about how we face struggles in our lives. At the same time, they share fun and relatable conversations.

Each episode gets into topics like emotional sobriety, mindful living, and navigating social life alcohol-free, offering listeners a blend of support, inspiration, and humor.

Their candid conversations remind us that sobriety is not just about quitting alcohol, but about embracing a more mindful, empowered lifestyle. Listen here >>

Blue Sky

Hosted by Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute, Blue Sky brings a great dose of inspiration and optimism to the week. In a world of constant bad news, Blue Sky shares the stories of leaders and big thinkers with a contagious sense of optimism.

This podcast invites us to lift our heads above the clouds and see the possibilities, even when things feel overwhelming. Bill’s conversations are often with individuals taking on challenges much bigger than the ones I face in my day-to-day, but they leave me reflecting on how a positive mindset can shape the way we tackle our own struggles, no matter how big or small. Listen here >>

The Whole Damn Pie!

If you’re feeling tired of settling for just a slice of life, listen in to The Whole Damn Pie hosted by Amalia Martino, founder of The Vida Agency. Amalia leads conversations that challenge us to think about what “the whole pie” even means – whether it’s health, success, personal growth, or leaving a lasting legacy. The podcast brings a lot of clarity: whether it’s finding balance and the fun in life, redefining our relationship with money, or even addressing equity and social justice. With Amalia’s relatable, down-to-earth approach, she shares her personal and professional experiences while learning from her guests along the way. Listen here >>

The Happiness Lab

If you’ve been living your life chasing the next big thing, thinking it will bring you happiness, you’re doing it all wrong. What does make us happy? Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos started The Happiness Lab to tell us. She’s spent years studying the science of happiness, only to realize most of us aren’t seeking happiness in the best way. Through The Happiness Lab, Dr. Santos shares the latest scientific research and inspiring (and surprising!) stories that will change the way you think about happiness. Listen here >>

Life Kit

Need some practical advice to help you face this challenge of being human? Listen to LifeKit (and check out their entire archive). LifeKit by NPR is hosted by Marielle Segarra, and covers everything from sleep strategies and budgeting tips to parenting hacks and beyond. Episodes are only 20 minutes or shorter, so easily fit into your day. They feature conversations with experts who share clear tips to help you tackle life’s hurdles with confidence. Listen here >>

Talks with Dr Shafer

What I love most about Talks with Dr. Shafer is her incredibly soothing voice. It reels me in and lets me relax alongside the show. Her thoughtful approach makes each episode feel like a meaningful conversation with a wise friend.

Talks with Dr. Shafer invites us all to reclaim our stories and envision a brighter future. Hosted by Dr. Shafer Stedron, MD, this show blends her expertise as a physician, life coach, and author to create a truly calming and insightful experience. Each week we hear the personal journey of a guest, and learn from their experience of overcoming obstacles and striving for a fulfilling life. From addressing mental and emotional well-being to exploring the intersection of health and personal growth, this podcast offers a safe space for reflection and connection. Listen here >>

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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The UK’s political landscape can be confusing at the best of times. We continue to gain and lose party leaders quicker than it takes a lettuce to wilt, and when it comes to election season, UK politics can be downright impenetrable. Trying to keep up with local elections, general elections, by-elections and party-internal-elections, it can be easy to be overwhelmed, angered or downright bored by what’s happening in the news.

Luckily, there are podcasters out there doing the good work of picking apart just what is happening. From roaring entertainment to shows that carry out important reporting, these podcasts can help you unpack what’s really happening in politics and current affairs.

The Bugle
Recommended by Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Launched in 2007 by Andy Zaltzman (Radio 4’s The News Quiz) and John Oliver, who co-hosted until 2015, when Oliver sadly disappeared from public life. The podcast was originally on Times Online, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News International, but the podcast has never been afraid to bite the hand that feeds it, particularly during the 2011 News International phone hacking scandal. The Times dropped The Bugle at the end of that year for completely unrelated reasons… Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell could never. It’s proudly left-wing, bitingly satirical and filled with inventive cricket-related imagery: the perfect politics podcast. Listen here >>

Trendy
Recommend by Tom Nicholson

It can often feel like politics and the idea of ‘what people are really talking about’ is just something to be booted around by pundits, but if you’re a bit sick of the Westminster machine Trendy plants itself sturdily on facts and evidence rather than personality and narrative. Each time a big topic in British or international politics – social mobility, populism, net zero – is examined through polls and data. It could be a bit wonkish and dry, but the nation’s favourite pollster Sir John Curtice and former Downing Street advisor Rachel Wolff keep things moving smoothly. Listen here >>

The Bunker
Recommended by Zainab Amer

Finding a politics podcast disseminating news away from the mainstream is tricky. Thankfully, I stumbled across The Bunker. This podcast delivers daily reporting alongside a weekly round-up of hot topics. The mix of bite-sized episodes and under-reported stories offers a unique perspective on traditional political discourse. Hosted by a diverse array of commentators, from comedians to academics, The Bunker explores fascinating topics from across the globe. Standout episodes include expert analysis of illegal mining in South Africa and the proliferation of digital nomadism, including its connection to racism. While some reporting indeed toes political lines, it provides fresh outlooks on others. Listen here >>

Oh God, What Now?
Recommended by Katie Stokes

When keeping up with British politics, I find myself using the title phrase of this podcast more and more frequently. Oh God, What Now?, formerly known as Remainiacs, is a bi-weekly panel show making politics entertaining and bearable. If you hadn’t guessed from the former name, the show is left-leaning so don’t expect impartial views. But the chemistry of the panel is fun and they have great segments including ‘Stories under the radar’ and ‘Heroes and villains of the week’ alongside their central question and commentary on the latest developments in UK politics. An engaging and digestible listen! Listen here >>

Paper Cuts
Recommended by Francesca Turauskis

I find it really difficult to read newspapers – not just because of the space it takes to sit down with them (mental space, time space, and physical space if we’re talking about broadsheets…) but also because I can’t help but see the agenda of the various papers, rather than the stories. If you’re the same, Paper Cuts is the perfect podcast to help – I find the tagline “we read the newspapers so you don’t have to” very accurate. A mixed panel of writers, political commentators and comedians riffle through the headlines of the British Press every week day, explaining, analysing and applauding the wit of the best headlines. It’s very entertaining, with just enough information. (Ed. note – I’m realising as I upload that this makes a Podmasters triple for this list, alongside The Bunker and Oh God, What Now?) Listen here >>

Recommendations from our Newsletter:

The Trouble with Politics – Marverine Cole explores the state of the UK’s political system with a focus on “perspectives often skimmed over on mainstream news programmes”. This gives a much-needed discussion on the racist comments made about Diane Abbott by a Tory donor, and Marverine unashamedly promotes the need to vote, with one of her television friends announcing this at the end of episodes. Listen here >>

Media Storm – Media Storm is a news podcast that starts with the people who are usually asked last. “Migrants”, “criminals” and “sex workers” are some of the biggest stars in the headlines, yet we rarely actually hear from them. This show hands them the mic. Listen now >>

Pod Save The UK – Our cover stars from Issue #027 have remained chart-topping since it launched a year ago. As host Coco Khan explained best, Pod Save The UK is 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.” Listen now >>

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PB: TELL US ABOUT POD SAVE THE UK! WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PODCAST ELEVATOR PITCH?

Coco: 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.

CAN A PODCAST ACTUALLY SAVE THE UK?

Nish: Probably not, but we’ll give it a damn good go. I’m hoping that by asking experts questions about the things that really matter to a lot of us, we can start trying to find solutions to some of the problems facing the country. But look, at the end of the day it’s probably not going to be a podcast that saves us, but the studios are booked so we should realistically press on with it.

HOW SIMILAR TO POD SAVE AMERICA WILL THE NEW SHOW BE?

Nish: Definitely different by virtue that John, John and Tommy actually have worked in politics and can explain how the sausage is made. Coco and I are more firmly on the side of the sausage consumers (this metaphor has got away from me), so unlike the founders of the company we aren’t experts and won’t be pretending to be.

Coco: We’d love to emulate the rapport between the hosts and the no-bullshit approach you can only really get between actual friends, rather than professionals shoved together for the sake of a podcast.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF MAKING THE SHOW SO FAR?

Nish: Working with Coco has been an absolute dream. We’ve been friends for a long time and I am delighted to have contractually obligated her to hang out with me every week. I look forward to a day when I can force all my friends to spend time with me by paying them money.

WHAT KIND OF DYNAMIC CAN LISTENERS EXPECT FROM YOU AS CO-HOSTS?

Coco: We’re great believers in the power of humour to cut through the nonsense, and being relentless optimists we genuinely believe change is possible. We’re outside the Westminster bubble ourselves and want to represent that position – we want to represent the listener. If you ever find yourself watching politics on TV and feel frustrated that everyone seems like they are on another planet, this is the podcast for you. Plus, there’s a lot of jokes.

COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE GUESTS YOU ARE LIKELY TO HAVE ON THE PODCAST?

Coco: We want to pass the mic to people out there doing good work to make Britain a more equitable place. This is people from inside and outside Westminster -from activists to political scientists, authors and artists.

WHO’S YOUR DREAM GUEST FOR POD SAVE THE UK?

Nish: Marcus Rashford, both for his good work and also so I could meet Marcus Rashford.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE  POLITICAL PODCAST?

Nish: Obviously the Crooked Media output, but I also really loved being a small part of About Race – a series Reni Eddo Lodge did a few years ago. It was really excellent and is available to download still. Slow Burn is also always great, whether it’s political or about Biggie and Tupac.

WHICH PODCASTS AWAY FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

Coco: I listen to every Guardian Long Read – I love the depth and breadth of it – and I am partial to a true crime series. Naturally, Serial excel at the narrative series but I also love a self-contained case explored in a single episode, like with Casefile with its almost deadpan, factual approach. And for warm, genuine rapport, the pop culture series, How Did It Get Made cannot be beat.

Nish: I think people would be surprised by the number of football pods I listen to, including Stadio and Guardian Football Weekly.

FINALLY, IN THREE WORDS, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE SUBSCRIBE?

Nish: I am nice.

Listen to Pod Save The UK now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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Technology has recently been dominating the headlines. Elon Musk mentioned, “I think we really are on the edge of probably the biggest technology revolution that has ever existed,” – a bold statement, but fair.

From travel to medical, cyber security to everyday activities, the technological landscape is wonderful and terrifying in equal measure, and also vast. We’re careering headfirst into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which for many is a recipe for tech confusion.

Without a doubt, technology has improved our lives. However, with the quick development of tools like ChatGPT, worries about cyber security, bots, unchecked misinformation, and data security breaches, it raises important questions about what role technology plays—or will play—in our lives.

Terrifying? Yes. Should we panic? Probably not, because there is help at hand.

Podcasts offer a Smörgåsbord of up-to-date information that could keep us all ahead of the technological curve. However, much like the above mentioned technical landscape, the tech podcast category is vast and forever growing. So, in order to help you better understand this wild, wild west, here are five very different, but valuable technology podcasts.

GenAI on GenAI
E1 – ‘Introduction: Meet GENE’

Business leaders are in a bit of a quandary, how do you incorporate GenAI? Generative AI is slated to be the most significant change to business. So, what if there was a GenAI podcast co-host who was ready, willing and beyond able to help advise us all on the impact of GenAI is having on business and the workforce?

GenAI on GenAi is a four part series created by the highly knowledgeable team at BCG (Boston Consulting Group). Led by Paul Michelman, BCG’s editor-in-chief, cohost GENE, the world’s first business AI podcaster, GenAI on GenAI  helps leaders to understand the state of AI in business today; how it’ll reshape industries in the future; and how companies can use AI responsibly.

As far as synthetic entities go, GENE is intelligent, considerate, and wittier than people like me could ever hope to be. A tech podcast must-listen for all who are trying to future-proof themselves and their businesses. Listen now >>

Tech Matters
‘Defending Indigenous Rights with Data, with Emily Jacobi of Digital Democracy’

With Who Trolled Amber released last month, the Tech Matters podcast couldn’t be more timely! The emergence of generative AI, bots, and deepfakes has distorted online information, with some instances even influencing election results and trial outcomes. The digital landscape and our future is looking pretty bleak.

But there are those who are trying to rewrite the narrative by using their skills to build a better world and drive positive social change. Tech Matters is a series on how we can use tech for good. Tech Matters is hosted by the charismatic Jim Fruchterman, CEO of Tech Matters and Tech for Good entrepreneur.

Technology is a formidable force that we often take for granted. However, we must not forget that its immense power can sometimes result in unpredictable outcomes. Tech Matters explores how Digital Democracy is empowering marginalized communities, taking down corruption, and using data for good. Listen now >>

Whiskey, Web and Whatnot: Web Development, Neat
‘Hot Takes, Web Technologies and Learning to Code with Ken Wheeler.’

Casual chats, great guests and belly laughs. Whiskey, Web and Whatnot is the refreshingly, oaky flavoured show that breaks through the industry jargon and humanizes the world of web development, all while sipping the best whiskey.

Hosted by veteran web developers RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III, these guys interview top industry professionals, diving deep into their stories while gathering advice for aspiring web developers. Topics touch on everything from web development, JavaScript, TypeScript, EmberJS to React to Astro, SolidJS, CSS, HTML, Web3, and so much more.

Breaking away from the constant AI talks of other shows, their goal is to focus on the more human side of developers. So, grab a glass tumbler, your best bottle of whiskey, and kick back by the fireside with the WWW guys. Listen now >>

HPE’s Technology Untangled

Hewlett Packard may conjure up images of quality printers and scanners, but HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise) is all about edge-to-cloud, enterprise computer IT, data, and security solutions, and Tech Untangled is a tech must listen.

Technology Untangled simply asks, why isn’t talking about tech simple? Technology Untangled’s 30 minute episodes, guided by host Michael Bird, is ideal for keeping you on track through a series of interviews, stories, and analyses with some of the industry’s brightest brains. Listen now >>

LinkedIn’s Big Technology Podcast:

“Entertaining and Informative,” those two words don’t often go hand in hand when talking about the indepth world of tech. But, the Big Technology Podcast from LinkedIn is just that. Alex Kantrowitz, a Silicon Valley journalist, keeps these longform episodes moving at a great pace.

From Elon Musk suing OpenAi to Foursquare’s founder making the internet fun again, tech chat has never been so beguiling. No empty fluff, just smart commentary that offers honest and nuanced perspectives through interviews with quality guests.

The title says it all really – It’s big, it’s about tech, and it’s a podcast. What more can I say? It’s a strong fan favourite, and I’m sure you’ll love it too. Listen now >>

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This article was provided by Lower Street.

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Some of our writers have recommended their favourite new shows – all of the released in the past four months. And of course, we catch-up on some of the shows we’ve been recommending weekly in our newsletter…

Self Help by Scottee
Recommended by Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Multi-hyphenate writer and performer Scottee has made a podcast about mental health, which feels like a series of deeply intimate voice notes from your mate who’s just had an epiphany they had to share. As Scottee strode through the rain, I trudged through the drizzle, and listened to him laying out the podcast’s mission statement: “What happens when I’m left alone with the voices in my head, something doctors are always trying to stop me from doing.” Spending time alone with Scottee’s voice in your head is alternately painful and uplifting, illuminating and righteous-anger-provoking. His words will stay with you. Listen now >>

Things Fell Apart – Series 2
Recommended by Tom Nicholson

Jon Ronson’s excellent culture wars pod returns for a second series picking away at the wrong presumptions and half-truths which spawned some of the most insidious wedge issues in British and American politics. This time the conspiracy theory which says 15-minute cities are a Big Government plot is traced back to a meeting at Chipping Norton Town Hall, the death of George Floyd is connected to a spurious mental health diagnosis in the eighties, and lockdown laws in Michigan get a young man mixed up in a terrible crime. Level-headed, humane and meticulous. Listen now >>

The Gatekeepers
Recommended by Zainab Amer

In this eight-part series, author and journalist Jamie Bartlett journeys into Big Tech’s dominance over information. The first episode transports us back to the Capitol riots in 2021 and Trump’s subsequent Twitter suspension. Marking a pivotal moment, Jamie traces social media’s roots back to the 1960s counterculture and a Bill passed by Clinton. Featuring compelling interviews with early tech pioneers, we are left pondering: where do we go from here? The Gatekeepers offers us a fly-on-the-wall experience for anyone interested in how a handful of companies have come to dictate not just what we see, but even what we think. Listen now >>

Never Post
Recommended by Katie Stokes

I love listening to commentary about the internet on the internet. It’s a uniquely meta experience, one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed on the newly released Never Post. The first few episodes are loaded with questions about life online – what is Posting Disease? Why does “influencer voice” exist? When did metrics replace community? And who better qualified to host than Mike Rugnetta, veteran internet dweller and creator who adds this to his array of podcast and video content. Mike shares recent news about the web and story segments with guests, with playful interludes throughout. If the first few episodes are indicative of what’s to come, we can expect curated and creative observations from unexpected pockets of the internet. Listen now >>

GASBAGS
Recommended by Francesca Turauskis

If you’re after a masterclass in how to do a buddy podcast to a professional standard, give GASBAGS a go. Given that the show is run by audio-producers, Anna Perrott and Sophie Little, it’s no surprise that this podcast sounds great, and part of the draw for me was the meta-audio concept. Anna and Sophie speak to us from their non-profit podcast studio SOUNDYARD, and offer much-needed transparency to the ups and downs of running a small business as women (with questionable maths skills). This show could have been dry… but the friendship chat is wholesome without being bloated, and the solid structure keeps episodes under half an hour. As a bonus for audio fans, every episode has podcast recommendations and a ‘found sound’ of the week to keep your ears attuned. I am slightly obsessed. Listen now >>

The Plug Podcast
Recommended by Takudzwa Mudiwa

The Plug Podcast connects content creators of colour to creative opportunities. Host Simone Pennant lets us into the conversations her community are having about TV (for example, the response to Jeremy Hunt’s comments comparing British TV to “Hollywood” even though it is facing a major economic downturn) and just four episodes in, there is already a never-ending list of names providing a mix of concrete advice and words of encouragement. This is a thoughtful podcast for creatives of colour and is very informative for anyone who is just interested in TV. The name ‘The Plug’ comes from the idea that someone provides you with valuable resources and information and that is exactly what this podcast does. Listen now >>

Recommendations from our newsletter:

Camlann – one for fiction fans, this podcast is inspired by Arthurian legends but set in a post-apocalyptic Wales. The music and voice acting are both very moving. Listen now >>

Weird Transfers – A series to add to your list of football podcasts, this well-thought-out mini series comes from Sumit Sharma of Breaking Atoms: The Hip Hop Podcasts. It looks into weird football transfers and ran during this season’s transfer window. Listen now >> 

Serial: Series Four – It needs a recommendation as Serial has once again made it to the top of the charts, but the new looks into the truth of Guantánamo in the way only Serial can. Listen now >>

The 3 Body Podcast – Obsessed with the Netflix new series? Did you know there is a companion podcast? There’s a lot to unpack in the 3 Body Problem, and the podcast goes deeper into aspects that are difficult to address in the sci-fi format. Listen now >>

Dead River – Dead River is the story of Brazil’s worst environmental disaster — the Mariana dam collapse — that claimed the lives of 19 people. This isn’t just a tale about the tragedy itself though, but rather a look at the relationship with nature, pursuit of happiness, the impact of greed, and the overnight disappearance of centuries-old traditions. Listen now >>

Oceans: Life Under Water – A collaboration between Crowd Network and Greenpeace UK, this podcast aims to connect people to the world we don’t often see under water. Each episode brings us a couple of interviews and some watery sound design as wildlife filmmaker and broadcaster Hannah Stitfall meets freedivers, whale experts, and much more. Listen now >>

Untold: The Retreat – A fascinating first story for the new investigative series from the Financial Times. Untold: The Retreat examines a group that promotes the intensive meditation known as Vipassana. Thousands of people go on Goenka retreats every year to practise Vispassana, but some participants feel a deep sense of terror, and even a break with reality after such deep meditation. Listen now >> 

Want weekly recommendations for new podcasts? Make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter to find out about our favourite new shows as they are released! Do you have a new podcast you want us to know about? Get in touch here.

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But it’s not just a case of looking for the nearest set of oddballs in robes and pointing a microphone at them. Invariably the podcasts about cults which work best, and which make the best use of podcasting as a medium, don’t really look like cult stories at all. They’re about the ways in which a whole array of difficulties can combine to lead a person to look for meaning in places where most of us never go.

Cult stories aren’t really about cults; they’re about the gaps in society which people can fall through, and where they end up when they feel they’ve nowhere left to go. Here are nine of the best podcasts about cults.

Sounds Like a Cult

If you’ve been thinking of cults purely in terms of very spindly blokes with beards and sandals promising good vibes to anyone committed enough to hand over their Monzo card, you’ve had it all wrong. Amanda Montell and Isa Medina are joined by a new guest each episode to pick apart how the mechanics of cults are at play in all sorts of places: K-pop fandom, corporate America, Coachella, Peloton, the Boy Scouts, Apple, diet culture. Honestly, you’ll be amazed if it turns out you’ve not been in a cult all this time. Listen now >>

A Very British Cult

For Jeff, Lighthouse seemed to be exactly what its name promised: a beacon of hope and guidance during a difficult time in his life. The life-coaching company said it could set him straight and put him on a path to abundance and freedom. But his sister Dawn saw that it was leaching him of his self-confidence and his cash – to the tune of £100,000. This investigation from some of the team behind The Missing Cryptoqueen is often difficult to listen to as Jeff is crushed and trapped, but it’s compulsive too. Listen now >>

Escaping NXIVM

The luridness of what used to go on at NXIVM – grooming, sexual abuse, branding rituals with hot irons – made it a huge news story in 2018, and as soon as you thought you’d hit the most bizarre revelation another would pop up. Hang on: Allison Mack from Smallville’s involved? But focusing on just those lurid aspects ignores the wreckage which NXIVM strewed through its victims’ lives. CBC’s seven-part examination came out just after the ringleaders were arrested in 2018, and is as thorough and sober a telling as you’ll find. Listen now >>

The Orgasm Cult

There’s been a libel case hanging over this one for a couple of years, as the founder and former exec of OneTaste – a “sexuality-focused wellness education” organisation – attack the BBC over its accusations of manipulation and extortionate prices for enlightenment. OneTaste offered classes in “orgasmic meditation”, which is roughly what it sounds like, but this podcast suggests it was exploiting the women who came to it hoping for answers. It’s not a pure wibbly-woo cult story; there is a hard edge here, and is as much a business investigation as anything else. Listen now >>

The New Gurus

Now that cults and how they work are fairly well-trodden ground, you’d assume that most smart, level-headed people would be able to spot the red flags and skip on by. But as Helen Lewis points out, the methods which were once used to flog mysticism and self-knowledge are still around – they’re just being wrapped up in all sorts of new guises. While not strictly about cults, Lewis shows how techno-utopians promising the earth are speaking to people anxious about what’s to come, and the scions of, say, pick-up artistry, certainly have big cult vibes. Listen now >>

Trust Me

Most cult-concerned podcasts are limited, bingeable series, but this is an always-on one dedicated to talking to survivors of cults about how their particular sect worked, how they got out, and how they managed to readjust to mainstream life afterwards. Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth are the perfect hosts: both are cult survivors themselves, and can probe in a way that doesn’t feel exploitative or judgemental. Recent guests have included Crystal Hefner on the Playboy Mansion and Jenna Miscavige Hill on getting out of Scientology. Listen now >>

The Coming Storm

When the Capitol building was stormed on 6 January 2021, the world suddenly woke up to the very real danger which the QAnon conspiracy posed to sanity and democracy. To show how a niche subculture on the 4Chan imageboard gestated, warped and metastasised to take over people’s entire lives and a frightening chunk of the Republican party, BBC reporter Gabriel Gatehouse goes all the way back to the very beginning, and the discovery of a dead body in a park. Listen now >>

Filthy Ritual

Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala from true crime podcast RedHanded tell the story of how a North London neighbourhood became the playground of a shamanic healer who convinced her clients to hand over hundreds of thousands of pounds. Maguire and Bala are engagingly wry hosts who nonetheless get over the strange hold which Juliet d’Souza had over otherwise rational, reasonable people. Listen now >>

Plus one from our Digital Editor:

The Commune
Recommended by Francesca Turauskis

“I couldn’t let this article go out without adding my own recommendation for The Commune, which won the ‘Podcast of the Year’ at the New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2022. For New Zealanders, Centrepoint is notorious – as was it’s Founder, Herbert “Bert” Potter. Started in 1977 just outside the town of Albany, it positioned itself as an alternative lifestyle. In reality, it was abusive and psychological manipulative, with unmonitored forms of group therapy and widely reported sexual abuse, drug use, and local corruption. The Commune features interviews with previous Centrepoint residents (some of whom look back on Centrepoint fondly) and people who lived near by, and ultimately tries to figure out, how did it happen.” Listen now >>

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Three Bean Salad is a phenomenon. At last year’s London Podcast Festival, they put on three live shows over two days, all of which sold out the huge Hall One. Their other live shows sell out to their Patreons before the non-paying public even get a chance. Fans line up to have their photos taken with them. There’s a very active subreddit, and (paying the podcast one of the highest compliments the internet can offer) there’s a full-on Wiki – not just a page, but a whole network of sites trying to capture every detail of this comedy podcast. There’s even a TVTropes page, somehow, and at the top, it features an exchange that really sums up the pod:

Ben (reading an email from listener Ross): Your podcast primarily relies on in-jokes, previously established jingles, and meandering lukewarm banter about an email you received several episodes ago.

Henry: Okay, I think there’s a little bit more than that going on.

— Slippers

If you’re not a part of that community yet, you might need an introduction to the heroes of the show. The Three Beans are: Mike Wozniak (you probably recognise him from Taskmaster), Benjamin Partridge (who makes the very funny podcast The Beef & Dairy Network) and Henry Paker (how to begin describing him? Also, he’s an illustrator who does the cute artwork for each episode). Mike is The Dad, Benjamin is The Son (and has an evil alter-ego / doppelganger, Bonjamin), while Henry is The Wildcard. Each episode, they chat generally, then attempt to talk about a subject thrown up at random by the Bean Machine.

Episode subjects have included Disguises, Purple and Going To Disney World And Not Wanting To Be Dressed Up As A Ruffian. There are lots of jingles / full-on songs breaking the episodes up into segments, including Provincial Dad Chat, where Mike embraces his own non-London Dadness; Digestive Tract Talk, which is exactly what it sounds like; and the America jingle (“burgers!”).

If you’re a new listener, where do you even start? The Beans have just finished their 11th season, so there are plenty to choose from. It is a podcast dense with running jokes, call-backs and invented characters. However, Three Bean Salad isn’t a narrative podcast; it’s improvised, not scripted, so you don’t have to start at Season 1 Episode 1. In fact, the first episode, ‘Posters’, has few of the ongoing, in-jokey features that make the pod so enjoyable. it definitely has the feel of a pilot and it’s not really representative of what the podcast has become.

I’m going to suggest that you don’t start there and give you four of my favourite alternatives.

Season 1 Episode 2: Lizards

It’s only the second episode, but the podcast already feels much more lived-in here, compared to the first one. The Beans invent a film (one of their favourite kinds of chat), in this instance for the BBC’s Emily Maitlis as an assassin. This is the origin of some of Ben’s best jingles: there’s a lot of Royal talk, which later becomes The Regal Zone jingle; it’s the first time we hear that all creatures are on an evolutionary arc towards becoming crabs – the foundations for a Crab Bell introduced later on.

Of course, this is the episode that legendary podcast enemy and all-round passive-aggressive supervillain Sperbs makes his first appearance via listener email, thus setting up the Three Bean Salad Extended Universe. Reading out his missive also shows how devoted the Beans are to interacting with listener correspondence from the start, even when that listener powerfully manipulates them psychologically…

Season 1 Episode 3: Rome

Okay, okay, so far I’ve basically recommended skipping the first episode but the third episode, ‘Rome’ is a great follow-on. It’s a very meta episode, and if there’s one thing the Beans care about, it’s being endearingly transparent about how the podcast sausage is made. From opening with a discussion of “should we have an opening chat vs the fade in?” to Henry’s suggestion of a jingle whenever they discuss the workings of the podcast on the actual pod.

Part of the pod’s charm is how much the Beans think/worry about the listener’s experience and we see this when a listener asks for the ending of Henry’s beans story from Episode 1: Posters (giving you a good reason to return to that at some point). Episode 3 is a fun behind-the-scenes look at how the Beans make the pod.

Season 1 Episode 7: Sleep

There’s an ongoing thread that people keep telling the Beans that it’s a very easy podcast to fall asleep to, thanks to their soothing voices (yes it is true, and no, it’s not that much of an insult). Their chat about sleep definitely helps us to learn some oddly personal things about them, but this episode is mostly notable for an absolutely corking listener emails section. Their archenemy Sperbs resurfaces to suggest that the pod could become “an hour of contextless jingles,” before suggesting the topics of “yams, dog racing, staplers, barns, dog fighting, paganism, assassination of William McKinley, concept of self, dogs, Falklands, Scientology, animal testing, and dogs,”. Plus there is the horrifying suggestion that Sperbs could actually be one of the Beans.

This episode’s email segment is rich in origin story for the episodes to come. Also, if you have a dog – just quickly check on it?

Season 3 Episode 1: Exercise

Yes, this is a big leap forward, but it’s where the Patreon begins, so it’s actually a Bean-approved starting point. They start by talking about how the pod would work as Two Bean Salad in the three different pairings: a great intro to their personalities and relationship dynamics. They outline the kinds of bollockings they will take from listeners, no longer willing to crumble under any old criticism. There’s also the first appearance of the episode editor (in this case Ben) interrupting the episode with a phone call to another Bean to comment on what we’re listening to: meta upon meta, but in the service of being as correct as possible.

This is also the episode where the pod really goes professional: there’s now the Patreon and a website and the Bean Machine has gone fully digital. What more could you ask for when trying out a new podcast?

The music is a big part of Three Bean Salad. In fact, the podcast’s enemy Sperbs once suggested that the pod was in danger of becoming “​​an hour of contextless jingles” – a comment that cut the Beans deep. For you, the new listener, this might seem fair though, so in an attempt to provide some context for you, we asked Benjamin Partridge – maker of the jingles – to talk us through his Top 5 Jingles, and why.

Benjamin Partridge’s Top 5 Three Bean Salad jingles

5. Flightless Bird Zone

This plays every time flightless birds are mentioned. An important jingle for any podcast. Most of the big podcasts have one, but they usually haven’t had occasion to use it yet. For this one I was challenged to blend bossa nova and Bob Dylan style folk, and I think I pulled it off.

4. Provincial Dad Chat

This one mixes hard rock, Def Leppard style backing vocals and accordion folk. It really makes me laugh when Mike, in full provincial dad mode, says “who’s hidden my bloody walking boots?”

3. Neil

This came about because we were chatting about a very minor character called Neil who I played in the BBC Three sitcom Josh and we imagined what a spinoff sitcom would be like. So I made it as a proposed theme tune for the imagined sitcom. But now it plays every time someone called Neil is mentioned. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it’s a special moment.

2. The Regal Zone

This is played any time the royal family is mentioned. Which is more than you might imagine. Usually Prince, now King, Charles. He seems to come up a lot. This jingle makes good use of a horse sound effect. A horse sound effect can really bring a jingle together and make it something quite cohesive. I think if you were a dancing person you could actually dance to this one. I would love to play it over a huge sound system in front of 500,000 at a huge outdoor gig in São Paulo.

1. Bluebell

This plays every time Henry’s cat Bluebell is mentioned. I don’t think it can truly be described as a jingle. It’s too long. It’s a song. Featuring Henry describing his cat as having “sturdy paws and silky thighs”. Usually I fade it out after 30 seconds or so but sometimes I hold my nerve and play the whole thing, completely torpedoing the flow of the podcast.

Listen to Three Bean Salad on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast apps >>

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Ki & Dee: The Podcast

How would you describe your show?

Not for the faint hearted!

What’s been the game-changer moment for you?

We got our first feature in a printed publication at the end of last year; we were on Hello Magazine’s women to watch list for 2023. We of course went round to every WHSmith and bought every copy.

What episodes should we watch out for?

We’ve had a lot of amazing guests but to be honest, our favourite episodes are our Agony Aunts, which is just us two giving terrible advice (like ‘Got a problem with your ex? Move city or jump in the Thames.) We think it’s just part of our charm.

We just taped one where we give someone advice on an upcoming foursome – there are no boundaries on the pod.

What do the next 12 months hold?

We’re planning a live show in London next year and a small UK tour. Doing live shows is a big part of how we started and we love singing our silly little songs and interacting with the crowd. And of course…season 4!

Listen to Fi & Dee: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

The Roster:

Four more of our podcasters tell us why you should check out their shows…

Go Love Yourself

We grew up during a time when Bridget Jones was the poster fat girl, so now we’re having to unlearn everything we’ve been taught about our bodies. And this podcast takes you along for the ride. Listen here >>

Hypnosos

Stressed, tired, or just plain fed-up? In just under 15 minutes this supercharged hypnosis audio will help you to sleep better, make better decisions, and generally get your mojo back. Listen here >>

The Upshot

From David Beckham’s “stag do of the millennium” to an episode on Tiger Woods which is genuinely titled “get in the hole”. The Upshot is a weekly guide to sport’s most scandalous characters that you can’t miss. Listen here >>

Two New Mums

Two New Mums follows our (Amy & Jennie) live journey through two very different pregnancies, births and beyond. With expert guests along the way to help navigate and educate, from midwives, sleep consultants to celebrity parents. Listen here >>

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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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In the spirit of bringing together different perspectives, we thought it would be good to try and get two reviews: One from a writer that can relate to Clive, and one from a writer that can relate to Laura.

Read on to find out what Laviea Thomas and Mimi Jones thought of the Heirs of Enslavement podcast…

“A sentimental and riveting listen with honest story-telling.”

Heirs of Enslavement tells the story of the bloodline of the oppressed via Labour MP Clive Lewis, and the bloodline of the oppressors, via British-American journalist Laura Trevelyan.

It’s a burningly honest and surreal conversation that gives an insight into the story of Grenadian slaves from all angles, with facts and statistics provided by Grenadian historian and author, Nicole Phillip Dowe.

For Black people tuning in, especially those of West Indian descent, Clive’s perspective is an open book that allows you to feel like your voices have been heard. When discussing the importance of this conversation, Nicole emphasises that: “It’s history that has to be talked about, history that has to be spoken about, history that has to be discussed.” This is a really remarkable and important statement to hold onto, as it acknowledges the fact these stories are retold not to imprison ourselves in the trauma of our ancestral history, but to stay knowing.

Clive’s return to his home town to reconnect with his roots and his father, Tony Lewis, “a famed trade unionist,” is a powerful moment. You can feel the overwhelming sensation of emotions from the audio. Having spent a long period away from his ancestral home, Clive’s return is a cathartic moment that a lot of Black people and people of colour can relate to.

It’s important to see a British member of parliament be involved in something like this. Especially following King Charles’ recent half-empty ‘apology,’ to Kenya after they asked for an ‘unequivocal apology‘ from the British monarchy in relation to years of colonialism and enslavement. As a representative member of British politics, Clive’s involvement in this podcast is something that could, arguably, cost him his job. Nevertheless, this level of honesty across British media is not only refreshing to see, but is an essential for those who can relate to Clive.

In just the first episode this podcast offers Black listeners a space to feel emotions they might have pushed aside. It’s often for us to subside our emotions, in fear of the reactions of our white peers. More often than not, we aren’t allowed to feel emotions of deep sadness, or anger about our historical timeline. Heirs of Enslavement allows you to tap into those without second-guessing how it may affect others.

A brilliant and insightful first episode, to say the least.

Laviea Thomas is an experienced freelance music and culture journalist and creative copywriter based in north London. With a knack for writing, Laviea’s journalism can be seen across print and digital publications with current bylines spread across Metal Hammer, NME, Skiddle, WhyNow, Rock Sound, The Forty-Five, The Quietus and Overblown.

“Heirs of Enslavement is not an easy listen, but I am certain it will help”

Slavery remains an awkward subject for many British people. Even without knowing our full family histories, if we are white it’s likely at least one ancestor participated in trades connected to slavery.

That truth is uncomfortable. I get it.

Yet the open dialogue in Heirs of Enslavement demonstrates why we must reckon with slavery’s enduring impact.

Like many Northern Irish Christians, my great-grandparents devoted themselves to spreading the gospel. Most of their missionary work occurred in Africa’s British occupied colonies.

Only after both great-grandparents died did I grasp the missionaries’ reality. Sorting through their belongings, my grandfather casually mentioned the “help” in his childhood home- the cleaning woman, the cooks and so on. When pressed on whether the workers were paid, he muttered about his mother helping with their schooling – and that was all we ever discussed on the matter.

My grandfather seemed oblivious to our shock over this revelation. Perhaps it’s not surprising given the way we’ve whitewashed our history. It’s unfortunate but a single Heirs of Enslavement episode taught me more about slavery’s legacy than any textbook or family conversation ever has.

This invitation to address the trauma that the slave trade has left, and the shame many British people have, let’s us hear Laura and Clive discuss incredibly important aspects of our past, and answer questions we may not have known we had.

Within only the first episode, this show gives us such a diverse range of experiences within Grenada’s history. With Clive Lewis MP whose family were enslaved on the island; Laura Trevelyan whose family owned around six plantations; Clive’s dad, Tony Lewis, and teacher/historian Niccole Phillip-Dowe who helped Laura with her family’s public apology, they bring personal stories of the real impact slavery had.

Amongst discussing the Trevelyan’s reparations, they suggest the possibility of the British Government finally apologising and paying our own reparations. It was particularly interesting to hear the joy from Niccole and Tony if such a thing could happen. What seems like an obvious gesture to many would mean funding for hospitals, schools, books, and finally making a change for the better after our centuries of horrific treatment to people across the globe.

Our families and country are more complicit in slavery’s history than we like to believe. Confronting that truth may be the only way to mend its persisting wounds. Heirs of Enslavement is not an easy listen, but I am certain it will help us start addressing the atrocities our ancestors committed.

Mimi Jones is a poet and playwright, exploring autism, queerness and disability through their work. They run QueerOutLoud, the South Wests Queer Creatives Network, and have spent 2023 as Young City Laureate, helping nurture the diverse voices in Plymouth’s poetry scene. Follow them on socials @MimiJMedia and @QueerOutLoud.

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The second episode of Heirs of Enslavement, ‘Our Shared Legacy’ was released on 17th November. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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The OYNB Podcast is the show created to inspire you to take the steps needed to Finally Transform Your Relationship With Alcohol.

How would you describe your show?

Empowering, proof-driven, inspiring, game-changing and informative.

What’s been your game-changer moment?

Deciding to change my relationship with alcohol to be a better version of myself; not just for my own wellbeing, bust also for my little girls. It was a real eye-opener, making me acutely aware of how alcohol had a profound impact on various aspects of my life.

Which episode should we watch out for?

‘How OYNB was created’. This helps understand the mission and vision of OYNB, and the path I went through before starting this company.

What do the next 12 months hold?

Growth and transformation as we continue to be the leading podcast in the alcohol prevention space, enriching our content, delving deeper into alcohol-related topics and the science behind it all.

Why did you move to Auddy?

Auddy’s platform connects us with valuable partners who share our vision for podcast growth & success. It’s a strategic move that aligns perfectly with our goals and allows us to focus more on creating content while still reaping the benefits of a thriving podcasting ecosystem.

What are you listening to right now?

I’m a big fan of Professor David Nutt’s podcast, the Drug Science. Also, the Huberman Lab and Diary of a CEO.

—

The second podcast in the spotlight this issue was a show from Kaye Adams and Karen McKenzie of How To Be 60…

How would you describe your show?

Authentic, filter-free, funny, thought-provoking and relatable.

What’s been your game-changer moment?

Looking down the barrel of 60.

Which episode should we watch out for?

Might seem strangely out of context, but the one where my co-host Karen finally tries the vulva oil I gave her.

What do the next 12 months hold?

We have some great celebrity names lined up as well as some fascinating stories of how different people tackle the Big 6-0.

Why did you move to Auddy?

I can talk to Auddy and have a productive conversation about where we are going. Vanishingly rare these days.

What are you listening to right now?

Andi and Maquita Oliver Stirring It Up.

What’s your dream brand collaboration for the podcast?

I want to team up with brands who truly know, and understand, the 55+ demographic rather than pigeon-holing them.

—

Listen to OYNB Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Listen to How To Be 60 on Apple Podcast, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Find out more and browse the range of great shows that have chosen Auddy at auddy.com.

—

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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But The Great British Bake Off is part of the furniture now, and despite shuffling presenters and channels has retained its cosy charms, and its weekly knockout format makes it a perfect show to whip up a quality watchalong podcast for. Some are presented to the judges – that’s you, podcast fan – and quickly found to have collapsed in the oven, or gone all funny in the middle, or unaccountably have mixed some pretty inadvisable flavours together.

Not these ones though. These are the podcasting equivalents of the star bakers: the best Great British Bake Off podcasts.

Baking Bad

Comedians Ross Drummond, Harry Monaghan and North American correspondent Claire Downs chew over the events of each episode, in an enjoyably home-brewed podcast which has a lot of fun with the transatlantic appeal of Bake Off – the show is, Americans are reminded, screened on every IMAX screen on the country each week. It’s got a magnificent take on the Bake Off theme tune for its opening sting too. Listen now >>

Worth the Calories

Matthew and Cathryn Vose run the rule over the contestants and their efforts, as you’d expect, but the cherry on the extra dollop of cream on top of this cake is their enthusiastic dissection of exactly how doable any of the individual entries are for the home baker. It’s that linking of the show and the slightly frazzled would-be cream horn maker which gives Worth the Calories its charm. Plus, there are bonus recipes in the show notes each time. Listen now >>

The Bake Down

There are only a select few people around who know what it’s like to enter the tent and feel its suffocating atmosphere play merry hell with their creme pat. The Bake Down brings in expert witnesses in Bake Off alumni Jane Beedle (series 7), Howard Middleton (series 4) and Dan Beasley-Harling (series 9) to join host Sarah Taylor to talk review the action each week, and recall what it was really like baking under the steely gaze of Paul, Mary and Prue. Listen now >>

Sticky Bun Boys

This is a watchalong pod which has wandered between Bake Off and The Traitors, but is back on Bake Off for the new series. David Atherton and Michael Chakraverty are particularly keen on the innuendo – they tend to title their episodes after new entries in the canon, like “dry beaver” – and as well as going over the twists and turns of each episode, they speak to former contestants for an inside scoop. Plus: they love a bonus dating disaster story. Listen now >>

The post These are the BEST podcasts about Great British Bake Off appeared first on POD BIBLE.

The podcast waters have been especially choppy in the past couple of months. A few of the bigger ships have cut their crews in half, others appear to be sinking. But, I think bigger waves are on their way. As a freelancer, my only option is to innovate, upskill, and try to catch a tube ride. To that end, this Revelation is a reflection on all of the columns I’ve written this year and how they might help us stay afloat.

In my very first column, I advocated for a one-year moratorium on the production of true crime podcasts. I felt the genre had morphed into something slightly grotesque – trauma porn. But the genre is lucrative and companies are never going to stop making true crime shows, so for the industry to survive ethically it felt like time for a pause. A chance for storytellers to find fresh angles and narratives. I see hope in shows like Short Cuts ‘Small Victories: The Gouging’ in which a thoroughly hilarious investigation is conducted into an unforgivable crime, Please Protect Abraham which explores the flaws in Britain’s witness protection system, and I Am Not Nicholas which investigates whether a convicted sex offender had faked his own death and moved to Glasgow. Could these true crime shows attract the same budget as the more violent stories, and save podcasting? Not on their own, but it might be a step towards repairing the industry.

My second column highlighted the growing number of celebrity-fronted podcasts. Whilst some talent choices make sense, spending half the budget on a celeb host purely in the hopes that their existing following will flock to the podcast does not. Often this celeb-first-approach results in a show where the host is going to ‘talk about anything and everything with my celeb friends’ – a format that is not only lazy but also boring. The budget might be better spent on funding more development time or paying the production team better wages, resulting in more nuanced narratives and innovative formats that elevate the medium…and in turn attract more advertisers. Love + Radio and Have You George’s Podcast being perfect examples of genre-bending, innovative podcasts that are pushing and evolving the medium.

We’ve lamented this creative stagnation, but alas we were recently hit with some bad news that I fear will only send us further down this path. A few of the creative avant-garde podcasts, such as Invisibilia, have recently been axed despite their acclaim and dedicated fan base. Production company Somethin’ Else recently handed back a few BBC contracts ‘amid concerns of diminishing commercial returns’ and quietly cancelled the podcast High Low with EmRata as Sony laid off podcast staff for a third time in two years. Following the news of cuts and layoffs at WNYC, the CEO of New York Radio pointed to Edison Research’s statistics showing that AM/FM radio’s reach is three times greater than that of podcasts, and so they will be focusing less on podcasts.

That doesn’t mean that podcasts are dead. They can still be wildly successful, but I wonder if these future successes will come from independent creators. Creators who are unencumbered by bureaucracy and company politics, who have full control over creative decisions, ownership over their IP, and a genuine connection with their audience. (Just typing that sentence brought me a flutter of excitement.)

To reiterate, podcasts are here to stay. Many times they were just used incorrectly, rinsed for profit (we’ve seen it happen in many industries), and often the people in charge of making the big decisions have never made a podcast or built an audience. So, I am trying to view this period of time as a difficult rebirth of the medium. An opportunity to make something different.

This creator autonomy and financial independence might be achieved through subscription platforms like Substack and Patreon – a concept I examined in my most recent column. The essence of podcasting lies in the connection between creators and listeners. When creators are empowered, it leads to more authentic and engaging content. Which is why I’m particularly interested in Patreon’s app overhaul. Patreon provides creators with tools to build a dedicated following and cultivate stronger bonds with their audience with features like direct messaging, exclusive content, and live chats. And of course there’s the added benefit of not having to worry about your show being axed out of the blue. In combination with other sources of financial support, a show could be more stable independently. A great example is Drunk Women Solving Crime, which is now being adapted for television!

I’ve been using this column to try and reveal the shows worth listening to and if you (like most listeners) engage in podcasts mostly through listening platforms, you might think that the shows that are featured in your favourite app are the best shows. Some of them are, some of them just had a good PR strategy and a big marketing budget. But hopefully I’ve shown that the best podcasts aren’t necessarily at the top of the charts, they aren’t always fronted by a celeb, and they may not have been produced by a podcast company. Sometimes, the best podcasts are the ones that are a little bit wild and a little bit accidental.

Of course, as creators, there are many benefits to building your show with a company – their network and existing relationships, a team of talented creatives to create with, access to a knowledge/skill pool far greater than your own, a legal team etc. But the truth is, there’s a lot of guesswork and experimentation behind company doors too. I’ve seen companies publicly dissect what an independent creator is doing well and retrospectively apply a strategy, but in reality there wasn’t a 45-point plan behind that creator’s success. They were small and independent and they tried something and it resonated with other people who came back for more, take Madeline Argy for example.

So, paddling out into the podcasting waters alone might seem terrifying and it might be harder and take longer to get out there but you might end up being more successful than you ever expected.

Useful Links:

In my second column, I called for the new age of audio to begin. Something that inspires me is looking outside of the podcasting industry. Recently, I was blown away by Los Santos +3°C – an experience that turned a server of GTA Online into a climate change simulator. I’ve also referenced VICE’s The Unfiltered History Tour in a previous column but it’s too good not to mention again.

I also wrote a column about audio and incorporating video into projects. I personally can feel a little bombarded with everyone using video in a similar way but projects like this one about the true story of Pocahontas inspire me to think outside the box.  [Ed. for more on that project, check out this episode of Stuff The British Stole]

Meera’s Recommendations:

Short Cuts – Series 33 – Small Victories

The Gouging sees a true crime being investigated – an academic conducts a study into missing forks and three friends search for the right note. The Gouging is Produced by Steven Jackson, Original music by Steven Jackson and Cue Shop, a music library and scoring co-op.

Please Protect Abraham

In Hackney, 2007, 15-year-old Abraham saves a stranger from a brutal attack. That split-second decision and act of astonishing bravery changes his life forever. Journalist Sam Holder has been following Abraham’s story for years. Together with Abraham’s friends and family, they retrace how this young boy finds himself in fear of his own life. Listen here >>

Invisibila

Invisibilia—Latin for invisible things—fuses narrative storytelling with science that will make you see your own life differently. In their final episode, Invisibilia searches for the right way to say goodbye. Listen here >>

Love + Radio

Nick van der Kolk’s Love and Radio features in-depth, otherworldly-produced interviews with an eclectic range of subjects, from the seedy to the sublime. Get inside the mind of a rogue taxidermist. Listen here >>

Have You Heard George’s Podcast

In Have You Heard George’s Podcast?, spoken word artist George The Poet joins producer and composer Benbrick to create this narrative-style podcast where the narrator, George, delves into different themes and topics. Find out the best way to start listening here >>

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Whilst it’s only a few episodes in, the show has been sitting near the top of the podcast charts. This might in part be the genre, but it may also be that listeners are intrigued by the actual main subject the show – Sherlock Holmes, a private investigator with an interesting persona.

We spoke to John and Sherlock about podcasting, what they’ve learned from creating the show, as well as some of the more controversial aspects of making a true crime podcast…

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

SHERLOCK: You answer.

WATSON: Ohh good question. Erm, I’ll always check in with my football pods when I can. But probably my first listen, was maybe We Have Ways of Making You Talk? Al Murray, James Holland chatting all things World War 2. Yeah, good stuff. There’s a reason why I reached out to Goalhanger to help me with this thing. Sherlock, what about you?

SHERLOCK: Is this necessary?

WATSON: Never heard of that one, who’s on it?

SHERLOCK: I mean this. Right now.

WATSON: Oh. And yes it’s necessary – we’re promoting the show mate.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

SHERLOCK: The Doctor began to document my cases without my permission.

WATSON: I like true crime- I found a guy (Sherlock) that was immersed in that world, so I thought, you know, better record this thing. Tell the world about Mr. Holmes here and yeah, off we went starting with the adventure of The Illustrious Client, and now we’ve got all sorts of cases coming our way.

Podcasting around true crimes has faced controversy in the past. We’ve seen people convicted from podcasting evidence, but also criticism that it can get in the way of the justice system. What are your thoughts on this?

WATSON: It can definitely get in the way. I take my microphone with me on every case and, you know, we’re often on the move and that thing can really get in the way. Clunks around all over the place and a lot of the time people think I’m a weird bloke recording them talking. Yeah.

SHERLOCK: I think they meant podcasting in general obstructing active investigations. Not your cheap microphone being ‘clunky’

WATSON: Oh. Ok. Right- I’ll, let me think of an answer for that one.

How have Scotland Yard taken to you podcasting your work?

WATSON: They said stop that immediately. Then we got a letter didn’t we. And then an officer came round. And then they just forgot about it and we’ve carried on anyway. Very similar thing happened to me once with a parking fine. So, yeah, just stick to your guns. Ride it out.

SHERLOCK: Good lord.

Have you been surprised by the success of the show?

WATSON: It has blown me away. We’ve been at number 3 in the charts a week or so after release. We’re getting more downloads than we expected. Even Gary Lineker listens. Loves it. I think, he might just be checking in on his property to be honest. But yeah, can’t believe it. Rubbing shoulders with the cream of British podcasting. Quite something. What do you think mate?

SHERLOCK: People listening to this show are eavesdropping on my life. End of discussion.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt from making your podcast so far?

WATSON: That there is an audience for everything! You don’t need to be a couple of celebrities chatting about stuff. You can get out into the world, bring drama and entertainment to the ears of your listeners. It’s amazing. So much scope. And you, Sherlock?

SHERLOCK: I said end of discussion.

SHERLOCK & CO is a weekly fiction podcast written by Joel Emery, directed by Adam Jarrell of Holy Smokes Audio and produced by Goalhanger Podcasts. Starring Paul Waggott as Dr. John Watson and Harry Attwell as Sherlock Holmes. Producers Neil Fearn and Jon Gill. Executive Producer Tony Pastor. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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The Referral with Dr. Karan

Dr. Karan brings his high-energy, simplified dissections of medical conditions from TikTok to podcasts. Each episode is neatly divided into medical news updates, mythbusting interviews, and a Q&A with questions from listeners. Medical podcasts tread a fine line between being really informative and too technical. Dr. Karan’s social media experience helps him strike just the right balance in this long-form content. His engaging style encapsulates new information and his guests’ insights into an easy pill to swallow. Bonus: hearing how proud he is to provide access to medical information to millions as a working NHS doctor and social media educator (currently with a combined 7.5 million followers across all his platforms). Listen now >>

The Retrievals

This five-part investigative narrative series is about a federal crime committed at Yale Fertility Clinic (attached to Yale University) in the US. The series explores fertility, female pain, responsibility, justice, and privilege. This podcast had me feeling a lot of things. The details made me squirm, the personal accounts hurt my heart, and as the story unfolded, the residual shock stayed with me for a while. Host Susan Burton leaves so many questions on the table about female health and voice in this cutting podcast. The reality is, we hear stories of female pain being routinely dismissed in the UK too. We shouldn’t have to, but how can we better advocate for ourselves? How do we demand more from our healthcare professionals? Where do we go from here? Listen now >>

ZOE Science and Nutrition

Now, I’m someone whose signature move is unbuttoning my jeans before a meal to prepare for the post-meal bloat. (Anyone else?) The ZOE Science and Nutrition podcast was my gateway show into dietary health. Created by world-leading nutrition and gut scientists, ZOE turns our digestive systems inside out, addressing the benefits and harm, public attitude and lobbying over the food we eat. The main line of messaging is that every body is different, so everybody’s diet should be too. I appreciate that they encourage listeners to use the podcast as a springboard to empower research and investigation into your own health. Listen now >>

28ish Days Later

India Rakusen brought the menstrual cycle to life with this 28-part limited series. The bite-sized episodes take you day-by-day through the biological, emotional, historical and social aspects of a period. I don’t think I’ll ever stop recommending this podcast. With an impressive line-up of contributors, every episode made me feel surprised, confused and seen. Conversations around women’s health still feel shrouded in secrecy until things are really bad. India Rakusen artfully creates a sense of welcoming, community, and belonging in her podcast and the success of 28ish Day Later is a great example of what happens when female voices lead the way. Listen now >>

The Bias Diagnosis

Take a seat and draw back the curtain, Ivan Beckley is about to give you his diagnosis. Medical student Ivan pokes and prods the medical system to find the racial inequalities in education, access, and outcomes. Starting his investigation in the historical roots of medicine, Ivan investigates the stereotypes, misinformation and myths that are still alive in medical practice today. He looks at five dimensions of healthcare and maintains a patient-centred approach throughout. More than anything, this series pulls you out of “normality” and forces you to question how these statistics, care and outcomes have been ignored for so long. Listen on Audible now >>

Let’s talk about sex (education)

Lucy Carr’s documentary on sex education in the UK was a flash-back to the awkward and uncomfortable lessons I experienced at school. Lucy lays out how sex education is driven by political agenda, misinformation and out-dated beliefs. Access to sexual content online is easier than ever before but it doesn’t seem like sex education has caught up with that. Even if you don’t have young people close to you who are directly going through this, it’s interesting to think about the long term effects of this education on our adult perceptions, attitudes and conversations around sex. Listen now >>

Honourable mentions list:

The Neurodivergent Woman – A majorly underrepresented and under diagnosed group, this show does an amazing job of opening up the conversation about and for neurodivergent women. Find out more here or listen now >> 

A thorough examination with Drs Chris and Xand – If you’ve ever felt frustrated with a family member’s health and lifestyle choices, listen to this. An emotional story of community and family involvement in health struggles. Listen now >>

Bias Diagnosis: Season 2 – The focus of this season is gender bias in medical systems. The lens shifts but maintains the patient-centred, deep investigative approach of season 1. Listen now >>

Sex Ed with DB – If you’ve ever had a sex question, it’s likely you’ll find the answer here. An LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-centred podcast, Danielle Bezalel speaks to sexperts about an immensely wide range of topics to debunk myths about sex. Listen now >>

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Katie Stokes is a freelance writer, editor and podcast producer. Her work explores mental health, social relationships and identity. She is the host of Re:Mind the Podcast, unpacking how small behaviours have a big impact on our mental health. She is also an educator, creating audio and video resources for migrants looking to learn English.

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