Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

We are Harleigh & Malaika, and we host Sonder & Salt – the weekly podcast for food lovers. We wanted to create a space to explore our individual relationships with food and how our unique experiences influenced our preferences, opinions and seemingly insignificant food choices.

M: I’m a casual content creator, but I would love to do it full time one day. Over the years I’ve had a YouTube channel, a blog and even hosted weekly cocktail hours on Instagram live. My content is always rooted in my love for food whether it’s eating out, travelling to eat & explore or sharing recipes of my favourite meals.

H: Same for me really. If I bump into someone who says they recognise me I just say, ‘probably from the internet!’

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

H: Another Round which was a Buzzfeed production hosted by Heben and Tracy. It was the highlight of my week and their drunk segment at the end used to give me the giggles when I was working on my dissertation. I still follow Heben on X and her recent commentary on the Beyonce album makes me want them back in a studio together so badly!

M: Food, But We Digress with Alex & Joshua. I found Alex on YouTube & fell in love with the in depth conversations about very specific ingredients and food topics. Some of the best episodes were about their favourite pasta shapes or debating whether it’s better to eat rice with a spoon or fork!

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

M: Harleigh will say I gave her no choice, but I would say it was meant to be!

H: We found each other on social media from our food blogs, developed a friendship and felt that there wasn’t a food centred podcast that you didn’t need to identify as a “foodie” to engage with.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

M: I was really inspired by Alex & Joshua on Food, But We Digress. The conversations have always found the right balance between being entertaining and informative which is something we like to do. Although we’re not a guest based podcast, Comfort Eating with Grace Dent is a good example of having really intimate conversations with guests about their relationships with food and the things they love.

H: I love the interview style on The Sporkful and how when he travels to meet guests it really feels like you’ve gone with him. I mostly use Science Vs by Wendy Zukermann for any food science information on the podcast.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

H: Claire Saffitz! Without a doubt. Her YouTube videos make me feel like she’s baking in my living room, so I need to have her chatting along with me in the studio.

M: I’d love to sit down with Staney Tucci or Chishuru’s head chef Joké Bakare – she’s the first black female Michelin-starred chef in the UK.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

M: I’d say ‘Can you cook jerk chicken in an oven’ featuring Melissa Thompson.

H: ‘Food Love Languages’ is one of our most popular episodes so I usually suggest people start there.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

Find us on Instagram,, X and TikTok at @sonderandsalt. For more of us individually, come over to our Instagrams @harleigh.reid @malaikamalz.

Sonder & Salt is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and other popular podcast apps >>

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WHY DO YOU LOVE PODCASTS?

I love podcasts for the autonomy they offer both consumers and creators. As a podcaster I appreciate the freedom to discuss what I want to, how I want to. My opinion isn’t being held back by a board of trustees or behind walls of compliance. My creativity isn’t held back by prescribed structure, or what people are used to listening to at 10 am. I’m not saying people should go around saying and doing what they want without consequences. There’s an old saying in the Black American community: f*ck around and find out. I just think the world is more fun when folks have the freedom to f*ck around.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST POD YOU EVER LISTENED TO?

The first podcast I had ever heard was WTF with Marc Maron. This was back in the day before I was a comedian, before I ever aspired to be a guest (pretty please Mr. Maron with a microphone on top). What delighted me about it was its simplicity and spirit. It was just a hilarious man talking to his guests about life, which often led to Marc using humour to navigate quite tender things. Not to be a wimp, but that’s quite an important life skill.

WHICH PODCASTER MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

Oh, this is definitely a tie between Helen Bauer and Josh Jones. Listening to Helen and Josh makes me wonder if I’ve lived a life – because if I have then why don’t I have a zillion incredible stories on tap? Listening to them makes me both concerned that childhood trauma has robbed me of my memory, and concerned for their safety. Maniacs. Helen can be heard on her pod Trusty Hogs and her old pod Daddy Look at Me, Josh can be heard on his new pod Hard Sell and his old new pod Chatting with Cherubs.

WHICH PODCAST HAS EDUCATED YOU THE MOST?

Hands down, The Guilty Feminist podcast. I don’t think I truly understood what being a feminist meant before I encountered it. I knew how I felt, what I believed. I knew that something was wrong with Texas. I knew that there were forces working to hold women back and weigh us down, but I didn’t have the language to express it.

I have had the privilege of co-hosting The Guilty Feminist, and sitting next to Deborah Francis-White over the past 4 years while we meet activists has taught me so much about myself and the world.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SHOW OUR READERS MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF YET?

The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema. Before I go on, I want you to know I do realize that none of these answers have been funny. This one won’t be either – it’s gunna be sincere and earnest. For that I’m sorry. The show’s purpose is to “facilitate your journey home to yourself” using psychology, spirituality and artistic practice. I’m an incredibly spiritual person but you don’t have to be to connect to this offering. You just need to be curious about yourself, your needs, your healing and living your (wait for it…) best life.

Over the past few years, when I’ve found myself feeling hurt, lost or far from myself, this podcast has been a beautiful resource. It features 30 minute episodes on topics ranging from addressing self abandonment, overcoming perfectionism, even dealing with racial trauma. It’s an incredibly important resource and I’m honoured to recommend it.

Listen to FOC It Up on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Want more from Issue #024? Check out interviews with Marc Maron, Dick & Dom and podcast recommendations galore! Read the magazine here >> 

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What was the original inspiration to start the Sliding Doors podcast?

When I was 11-years-old, Saturday nights consisted of going to the video shop down the road and renting a film… this is when Sliding Doors came into my life. I was instantly captured by THE Sliding Doors moment when Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) is running down the stairs to catch a tube and just misses it. However, the film then rewinds, and she then catches the tube, and this is where her life splits into two moments and the premise begins. Since then, I have always been fascinated with the term ‘everything happens for a reason’ and looking into the ‘what ifs’ of my life, but also the world and people around me… fate, timing, coincidence, whatever you might call it, believing that things in our life happen for a reason.

Podcasts were always something I had looked away from as I felt like I wasn’t well known enough and that there were so many out there! However, one day when sat with my sister I started to think about what I could call my show (if I had one) ….And then the film came to me, ‘sliding doors’ a concept I had loved for so many years. I quickly got the Instagram handle @slidingdoorspod, drew my logo and I said to myself that I would ask five people I knew to come on as a guest- if they said yes then I was doing it… and they all did, and Sliding Doors was born!

Why podcasts? What is it about the medium that you love?

Podcasts are an intimate way to bring listeners into your conversation and discussion and ultimately to inspire them. A lot of my guests end the show by saying it was like having therapy, which I love, as hearing Sliding Doors moments of people’s lives is a fresh and unique way to hear their stories and learn more about them. I also love a good format – I have always been a fan of podcasts that have a structure so the conversation is always curated.

What have been the big challenges as a independent podcaster?

There are so many podcasts out there and the medium is growing everyday, which is great however it’s a lot harder to stand out. I find not having big marketing machine behind me hard, as my growth is very organic and I hustle hard to get my podcast out there. However this is also more rewarding when it does get picked up/grows as I know it’s from genuine interest in the premise and content of the show. Always make sure you celebrate successes too – we have so many jobs when we are independent but take time to acknowledge what you have done – and not focus on what you haven’t!

And what have been your best podcast moments?

My biggest achievement so far must be SD25 which was released in celebration of the films 25th Anniversary. In a sliding doors moment itself, I managed to get in contact with writer and director Peter Howitt and expressed my interest in wanting to celebrate the film somehow through my podcast. Over an 8-month period I managed to gather together the cast and crew of the film and write a mini podcast-docu series (15,000 script!), telling the amazing story of how the film was made from the people who made it. No other film has coined a global term used so much in our everyday lives and culture – so this needed to be celebrated. Over 4 episodes I tell the story of the film, investigate the theory of sliding doors, and hear anecdotes from some famous faces such as Steven Bartlett and Laura Whitmore. I also held a special anniversary screening of the film in Notting Hill with Peter and John Hannah and a room filled with people who made the film possible- the best night ever! And who would have thought 11-year-old me would be doing this one day!

What kind of advice would you give someone trying to break into the industry?

Chose a premise that you are passionate about and that is authentic to you- authenticity goes a long way and will ultimately be what makes you unique and stand out. Keep going, as success doesn’t happen over night, believe in your show and be consistent…your moment will come!

Listen to Sliding Doors on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

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Want to join the UK’s BIGGEST podcast network, alongside Jennie, Jessie Ware and Adam Buxton? Start podcasting with Acast today by heading to acast.com/start-podcasting. 

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As well as bringing us International Women’s Day, March is also Women’s History Month. So much of the history we are taught focuses on the male perspective, and the same can be said of many history podcasts. Even when searching for the best women’s history podcasts,  quite often you will be recommended podcasts from the USA, and focused on American history. So for those of you searching for some UK-based women’s history podcasts, we’ve pulled together some shows that look at the history on our doorstep.

History Becomes Her

Who inspires the women making history right now? In History Becomes Her, Mashable journalist Rachel Thompson speaks to some of the women making change today about the women of the past who paved the way for them. Episodes include journalist Zing Tsjeng talking about pirate queens, and Ruth Hunt speaking about Virginia Woolfe and LGBQT+ history. This is also a great one to listen to for the book recommendations to add to your reading list. Listen now >>

Hell Cats

Speaking of pirate queens, a great Audible Original podcast to listen to this month is Hell Cats. It tells the little-known story of history’s most progressive pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. This is a fictionalised version of a true story, so expect adventure on the high seas and an enduring love affair between the women.  This has had great reviews on Audible, with one listener saying “The sound design is like watching a series with your eyes closed”. Listen now on Audible>>

History Cafe

This podcast isn’t exclusively for women’s history, but it has some great episodes that delve into lesser-known parts of British women’s history. In a short series running this month ‘The Secret History of the Suffragettes’, they “peel away the Pankhurst monopoly to reveal something much uglier”. Learn about the WSPU and the terrorist tactics they employed in the name of women’s voting rights.  Listen now >>

Outliers

Another podcast that looks at history from an interesting angle, Outliers is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events filter down to the people left out of the history books. Made by Historic Royal Palaces, in association with Rusty Quill (who are most popular for making fiction podcast The Magnus Archives and Stellar Firma) each episode has a writer pick a lesser-known person associated with a historical event, and write a monologue from their point of view. I really enjoyed Fresh Sweat and Cloves, where we hear from the widow of Walter Raleigh. Listen now >>

It’s A Continent

This podcast is here to remind us that Africa is a continent, not a country. And as such, there is a lot of history for many of us to unpack. For Women’s History Month, check out some of the episodes devoted to women who have changed their countries. ‘Queen Nzinga: Angola’s Protector’ was made famous by fighting against the slave trade and European influence, whilst ‘Wangari, Kenya’s mother’ tells the story of Wangari Maathai, who was the first Black woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Listen now >>

Same Sh!t, Different Century

In the Women’s March in 2017, three women went viral for dressing as suffragettes and marching with a sign that said “Same Shit, Different Century”. They were Costume Coordinators Amy Trend, Hannah Monkley and Amy Toll, and this is their podcast. Made back in 2018, there are only eight episodes and the first couple are very homemade. But this is a great podcast diving deep into one aspect of history, and it often pops up in lists for offering a different angle on women’s history. Listen now>>

Normal Women

This podcast was created to be released alongside Philippa Gregory’s history book, Normal Women, but it’s not a book podcast but rather a standalone series based on the book premise. The eight-part series doesn’t focus on the normal podcast narrative about the three or four well-known historical heroines. It is a dive into the normal women who we don’t learn about in history, whether they left records or were ‘hidden from history’ in the everyday. Listen now >>

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Described as a ‘sonic scrapbook and a passport to roam’ Lowlines follows Petra Barran as she travels solo through the Americas. What pulled me to listen to the series was the production process – the original audio was recorded on the fly by Petra, who’s described as a ‘novice presenter and producer… without an itinerary to record’. It was only in post-production that Social Broadcasts and Scenery Studios used the (sometimes very) raw tape to pull together a narrative.

Producer Lucia Scazzocchio, Host Petra Barran and Executive producer Lina Prestwood

This style of production was sold as unusual, but it’s something a lot of novice presenters/producers – myself included – will recognise, particularly when it comes to travelling through your headphones. The resulting mix of musings, field recordings, original music and conversation is a style we find in a lot of travel podcasts. But if I draw comparisons to a more intentionally crafted production – such as QCODE’s Thru series, which has a similar ‘journey of discovery’ premise – Lowlines feels more like a reflection on a trip rather than a story of a trip. Whilst thru-hiker, Cody Hofmockel, went into his journey as a journalist wanting a narrative, Petra set out to find a narrative after her journey.

I recognise this need to seek understanding after the process, rather than letting the recording process add a shape to your trip itself. The result with Lowlines is that Petra’s recordings do invite escapism to the Americas, but not the type of escapism that allows the listener to forget the world. Instead, it asks us to imagine ourselves in the location as a whole: in the first episode ‘Second Line’ we don’t just get the tourist view of New Orleans with the Jazz parades, we get the reminder from a resident that this is a funeral procession. We get to really hear the heart of the city with a conversation in someones’ living room.

Despite the focus on soundscapes, the moments that stick in my mind are the parts with very little noise: it is Petra’s description of New Orleans from the air as ‘a mass of tiny little scabs’ – something that could be offensive but paints the image perfectly; it is the man working on a Louisiana levee who sounds slightly defeated as the almost unspoken threat of a Katrina-level disaster lingers in the conversation.

It’s the weight to these kinds of conversations that stops the listener from sinking into the soundscapes too deeply. Host Petra does acknowledge this heaviness to the content: at the end of the second episode, she ends an audio diary by going to watch The Kardashians in her hotel room. It’s a needed moment, because I found certain layers of sound and conversation quite intense.

Overall, the description of a sonic scrapbook feels like an apt one – listening to the series as a whole could be a bombardment of too much to take in, and there’s pieces that I found more interesting that others. But we get a collage of moments that are important to Petra. Listeners might not find resonance in everything they are offered, but everyone would be able to take something away.

The first episode of Lowlines, ‘Second Line (New Orleans)’, is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast apps >> 

The post REVIEW // Lowlines appeared first on POD BIBLE.

We spoke to host Natalie Bromley to find out more about the podcast, being a voice for the fans and the benefits of joining the talkSPORT Fan Network…

Why did you decide to start No Nay Never?

No Nay Never was started back in 2009 when the Clarets were first promoted to the Premier League. It was a big deal to a small town, but a concern followed that media content would now be behind paywalls or expensive television subscriptions. We wanted to retain and promote the club’s relationship with the community and provide free access to blogs, match reports and articles for the fans. To this day, No Nay Never remains a community podcast that is free to its listeners. And always will be whilst I am at the helm!

Why did you join the talkSPORT Fan Network?

As important as it is to us to retain a free product for our community, we do also have to pay the bills. Running advertisements alongside the podcast is a fantastic way to generate revenue, whilst keeping the podcast free to listen to. People are now accustomed to having advertisements run on most major platforms in exchange for a free product, and so it didn’t feel too much of a leap to take that next step. When shopping around for a partner, two things struck me about talkSPORT. The first was the wide reach of listeners, with a strong opportunity for us to network with other content creators. The second was talkSPORT’s commitment to highlighting clubs outside of the powerful premier league teams – the network recognised that they needed to get better at providing content for a significant fanbase across the EFL who were being ignored by major broadcasters. That sold it for me. It was an easy yes after that.

What has been the best thing about being part of the Fan Network so far?

There is the obvious kudos with being able to say that you work alongside such a big brand with a national reach, and that has got us some listeners and respect in the industry. But perhaps the most important thing for us has been the opportunity to input on and influence the narrative that is put out about our club. We have been invited to speak on air about results and talking points, and give specific and relevant updates for the talkSPORT listeners. The network recognises that it cannot be an expert on all 92 clubs, and by giving the fans a platform and actually listening to them, we can ensure that the club is represented fairly and accurately. We bring the fan view, the network brings the objective view. It is a good balance in my opinion.

You’ve also written for the BBC Sport Fan Voice blog – how does it feel to be such a prominent voice speaking on Burnley’s game?

I do pinch myself quite a lot at the opportunities that are being offered to fan content creators now. We’ve come a long way since the early days, when not much content could be produced by fans, and their reach was quite small. Seeing the products that are being put out there by fans, and the opportunities creators are being given, is really exciting.

For me, there is the obvious pride in being asked to talk about a club I have been in love with since I was 9 years’ old, and one that has consumed my life so much. But the more important aspect is that broadcasters are recognising the quality input female fans can give and offering them equal chance to have their say. And whilst we should not need to work any harder than our male counterparts, I do feel a responsibility to ensure I get it right and leave the doors open for many more women to come after me. So I would say it is both stressful and rewarding, in equal measures!

Aside from your own podcast, what’s your favourite football podcast to listen to?

Obviously talkSPORT Daily! I love the Guardian’s Football Weekly – the format is so easy to listen to and it comes with a nice balance of analysis and humour. Plus they are great at covering the women’s game too, with a link to their own women’s podcast. And I have recently discovered Wrighty’s House, which offers great coverage of both genres. In terms of fan-led podcasts, both The Anfield Wrap and The Blue Room are excellent.

Listen to the No Nay Never podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platform. To find out more search talkSPORT Fan Network. If you are a podcast creator and want to get involved with the Network then please contact James Rowe at talkSPORT.

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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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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.

Menopause is not talked about anywhere nearly enough. But, as October is Menopause Awareness Month, Acast have teamed up with Kate Thornton’s White
Wine Question Time to help change that. They’re hosting a live podcast recording that will share plenty of lived experiences of the menopause, some medical fact and fiction, and what we can all do to better understand and treat the problem..

The event will be hosted at Acast HQ where Kate will be joined by actor and presenter Tamzin Outhwaite and Dr Lydia Robertson. Tamzin has spoken publicly
about her own struggles with menopause and has become passionate about providing various menopause treatments to those who can’t afford it. Dr Robertson is a member of the British Menopause Society and has dedicated much of her career to treating and furthering understanding of the menopause and its effects. This conversation aims to remove the stigma around menopause and create an open environment for people to share stories and ask questions.

So, whether you’re an expert or want to know more to support your friends or family – or yourself – there will be plenty of useful information for everyone.

To celebrate the upcoming event, we sat down with Kate Thornton to discuss her menopause journey.

Has your menopause journey changed your outlook on life?

Gosh, massively. How long have you got? Probably the best way to describe it is that it’s like squatters have moved into your body and they’re vandalising you from
the inside out, and the hope is that one day somebody’s going to come along and evict them, and you can get your house back in order. That’s where I am at the moment. I’m in full squatter mode, but very much looking forward to getting my house back in order.

Why do you think menopause awareness is so important?

51% of the population will go through the menopause. The only two guarantees in life you have as a woman is death and menopause. Cheery stuff, I know, but it’s an
inevitability. And it’s not just a female issue, it’s an everyone issue. Because everyone has a mum, everyone has a sister, everyone has a female co-worker.

Everyone will be exposed to women who are, at some stage, going through perimenopause. So, it’s really important that we all understand what it is, and what some of these women are navigating it for a decade or more!

What more do you think can be done to make menopause less of a taboo subject to talk about?

We’ve just got to talk about it. Just talking about it makes it less of a taboo. The fact that we even discuss it is progress. Five years ago, I don’t think anybody knew  that there was a thing called the perimenopause! I think the understanding that we’ve achieved, in terms of education, has been massive. We’ve got a lot further to go, but boy oh boy, have we come a long way so far – and these podcasts can only help that.

To get even more information about menopause and its effects you can search for the British Menopause Society in your search engine.

And listen to the live recording of White Wine Question Time’s Menopause Awareness event over on your podcast app this Friday. Click here to subscribe and
listen now.

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This column was created with Stak. Stak produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows – boasting a combined 4 million monthly listen and over 45 years of podcasting experience. Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London  studio, we special in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stak.london.

The post White Wine Question Time: What actually is Menopause? appeared first on POD BIBLE.

BROKEN RECORD w/ RICK RUBIN AND MALCOLM GLADWELL

A pod about musicians by musicians. I dip in and out of this one as well due to my varying interest in the guests. I particularly enjoyed hearing Rick Rubin interview Andre 3000. Listen on your podcast app >>

POPCAST

A weekly discussion on the headlines of pop culture by a group of journalists at the New York Times headed up by Jon Caramonica. Listen on your podcast app >>

NICE WHITE PARENTS

An exploration of segregation in New York public schools. There are so many echoes of this process in London where I live that I was interested in listening to this. Have greatly enjoyed for it’s top level production and research and it’s totally immersive quality. You are in the PTA meetings! I also learnt so much about the history of segregation in American public schools. Listen on your podcast app >>

GROUNDED WITH LOUIS THEROUX

I enjoy the mix of guests on Louis podcast – and how much the conversation is allowed to meander to different places. You really get all of the guest as they are on so long that they really relax into themselves. I loved Helena Bonham Carter and Sia. Listen on your podcast app >>

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

I loved this whole series from Jon Ronson. A real life thriller, where we meet all the main characters and while being brought down this ‘whodunnit’ road, also learn so much of what it is like to work in the porn industry today. Listen on Audible >>

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On Changes, DJ Annie Macmanus chats to artists, writers, musicians and a host of fascinating people about change. Each guest talks through the biggest changes they have overcome in childhood and adulthood, and how they effect change. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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We hope you enjoy these podcasts recommended by Annie Macmanus. Read more For The Love of Pod articles in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop.

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As Season 2 is in full swing, I asked the two hosts some questions about their move to podcasting and the community they’ve built.

There is a genuine appreciation and respect for podcasting, I even remember in one episode Candice breaking down the process of getting sponsors. What’s one thing that’s surprised you about the podcasting process?

Multiple things, I think the first is how exhausting recording can be. We typically record for three hours and between the giggles and more often than not the tears, I’m ready for bed immediately afterwards.

Having been in the media space for so long I can say that this desire to now have visuals along with audio is a little grating. The reality is everything has a cost attached as we now expect great quality.

Also as a new pod we decided we wanted all our stats in one place because we knew we would need sponsorship to keep this going for how long our Closet Cousins would want to hear from us. But I can’t say that we haven’t felt the pressure to rush the process – we have.

The success of Closet Confessions was a shock all round and now it feels as though people want us to compete with podcasts that have been going for years. We simply aren’t ready yet. Slow and steady wins the race.

On more than one occasion you’ve been adamant to specifically address black women when giving out advice. Was this a choice you both made or are you just telling your lived experiences?

Funnily enough it was never an actual conversation. The reality is we are black women with very public profiles. The way in which we are treated or the standard we are held to is completely different to our white counterparts so it just feels natural for us to say that we are about to address something that is specifically for us. Whilst this is just our lived experiences we know how hard it is for women who look like us to feel like they are part of a sisterhood or community, so that’s why we are so adamant.

As we know you don’t know each other’s confessions until you sit down to record, what is the one that’s shocked you the most?

No comment! The most shocking ones have been sealed for all eternity!

Both of you have built an audience prior to this show, how important was that to building the community you’ve now?

Candice: I think super important. Stand alone our audience know what to expect from us and we’ve both worked hard for years to build communities that support our work and how authentic we are. I’m not saying it’s impossible but I know for sure it would be so much harder to build a podcast community without having worked at building an audience outside of the space beforehand.

Sarel: It was very important to build our audience prior to having Closet Confessions. The reason for that is that both myself and Candice are opinionated women who are unapologetically themselves and had created a community separate from one another of people who understood us, but had only seen us with short-form content. So by the time Closet Confessions started, our audiences were aware of how we speak, aware of the way we joke, aware of the way we think but had only ever been given advice via videos that were only 1-3 minutes long, sometimes maybe a bit longer.

But with Closet Confessions this is a new side to us where we now get to unpack a lot of things just by having a conversation and that’s why the community has come so strong because when you come into the Closet, not only are we there to have a cackle and a Kiki, we’re there to learn and challenge one another. We’re there to uplift, we’re there to edify and sometimes the conversations can be uncomfortable, sometimes they can be funny, sometimes the conversations can be raw. But at least we have a space and a place that is judgement free for these conversations to take place. And that’s why I think our community with Closet Confessions has become such a powerhouse.

What was the first podcast you listened to? Are there any other podcasts you love you think our readers should know about?

Candice: Oh my gosh The Read with Kid Fury and Crislle West – that podcast set my world alight this was way before podcasts were massive. I think they used to be on Soundcloud. It felt like sitting down with friends. Speaking of which, one of my guilty pleasures right now is the HCPod with Cuckie and Poet. Not that I do but it gives smoke weed and chat shit vibes, which is essentially what I look forward to at the end of the week. Also Pop Culture with Chanté Joseph is very educational.

Sarel: I can’t necessarily remember the first podcast I listened to because when I started the world of podcasting and listening to podcasts it was still very foreign to me but I can remember podcasts that have kept me listening. I’m obsessed with the Hey Babe! podcast with Sal Vulcano & Chris Distefano. I’m obsessed with Cancelled with Clare & Jessie Stephens and I am obsessed with ShxtsNGigs with James & Fuhad. The one common factor with all of these podcasts is that they make me laugh and make me think. But I have to say absolutely second the fact that I love Chante Joseph’s Podcast with The Guardian; the right balance of education and funny.

Listen to Closet Confessions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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PB: WHY DO YOU LOVE PODCASTS?

SP: Podcasting is THE most intimate medium, in my opinion. You’re literally talking into someone’s ear. I love how podcasts allow space for difficult and delicate conversations. With Masala Podcast, I’ve been able to connect with other South Asian womxn, discussing taboo topics like sex, sexuality, periods and even nipple hair! These are topics that would otherwise have been really tough to talk about. As a creator, I also love how democratic podcasts are. You don’t need to have an Oxbridge accent to be a presenter. You don’t need millions to create a podcast. All you need is a strong concept and hard work – and your audio masterpiece can be out in the world right alongside content created by big-name media houses.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST PODCAST YOU EVER LISTENED TO?

I think the first podcast I ever heard was The Guilty Feminist. I remember seeing it somewhere and thinking, “What is a podcast?” Yup, I was that much of a podcast-virgin! I also remember listening to My Dad Wrote A Porno. What a genius name! And a brilliantly funny and original podcast.

WHICH PODCASTER MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

The podcast that makes me road with laughter is Dear Joan And Jericha. It’s so wrong that it’s right. If that makes sense. I love everything about it. The filthy bits, which make me gasp out loud laughing. The downright unusable advice, always unsympathetic & totally judgemental. The patriarchal bullshit that they present in this funny, ironic fashion. (It’s always the women who are in the wrong in the “advice” given.)

WHICH PODCAST HAS EDUCATED YOU THE MOST?

I’d have to say Where Should We Begin? by Esther Perel. It’s all about therapist Esther Perel counselling couples who’re having difficulties. So as a listener, you can unashamedly hear all about other people’s problems.

But here’s the surprising thing, as I hear someone delve deep into their childhood or behaviour patterns, I find myself looking at my own behaviours and psychology. So it’s been hugely educational for me personally. Like having therapy without having therapy.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SHOW OUR READERS MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF?

I only heard about this brilliant podcast recently: Why Won’t You Date Me? Another awesome WOC Nicole Byer exploring why she is single, while discussing topics related to love, life, and sex. Really funny and at times, quite thought-provoking.

Masala Podcast is a podcast about all those things South Asian women are ‘not supposed to talk about’. Everything from sex, sexuality, periods, menopause, mental health, shame, sexual harassment to… nipple hair! Featuring interviews with fierce South Asian women about taboo topics and personal stories around what it means to be a South Asian feminist today. Masala Podcast was a winner at Spotify SoundUp 2018.  It is the winner of multiple British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022.

Listen to Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast on Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

Read other interviews with your favourite podcasts in the Pod Bible Magazine archive >>

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Today we’re profiling a history podcast that has been educating and entertaining listeners about the history of Africa for more than two years. It’s A Continent challenges the common misconception that Africa is a country, whilst appreciating the identity of each nation. Hosts Chinny and Astrid explore key historical moments that have shaped the continent, in an easily digestible, satirical (and shady) format.

We recommended the show as one of our favourite podcasts for women’s history, but since then Chinny and Astrid have been continuing to unearth lost stories from Africa – and even written a book based on the show! We caught up with them to find out a bit more…

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

AM: Serial season 1-3, the disappearance and murder of Hae Min Lee.

CU: I used to listen to Radio 4 Comedy on my iPod nano.

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

BOTH: We’ve always wanted a creative outlet, and podcasting provides the freedom to be creative and also learn alongside our listeners. Forming our listening community is really important to us.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

BOTH: We like the way Redhanded toe the line with serious issues, and this is a similar approach we take when we are dealing with tough topics. Swindled is another podcast that takes in depth research and shares sometimes shocking stories with their audience.

How much research do you do for your episodes?

BOTH: We like entering research wormholes, there are some topics that are easier to research than others. The British Library, JSTOR and online libraries are valuable resources that we use to form the basis of our stories. In some instances, a documentary or two, or even an autobiography provides valuable insight.

What’s the most interesting historical fact you have learnt from making the podcast?

AM: Being able to recognise people that haven’t been called out in history, for example Albert Luthuli being the first African to win a Nobel Peace Prize, yet he’s not part of the conventional narrative. Wangari Maathai a Kenyan activist and environmentalist, whose story remains little told.

CU: Agreed, also understanding the way the world works, especially when it comes to instability and conflict because of the way African borders have been drawn up. This is the reason we continue seeing issues in Cameroon, Sudan and Somalia.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

AM: There’s no specific place to start, each episode is self-contained. Start with a country, theme or person that piques your interest.

CU: If I had to choose I’d probably go for Thomas Sankara, or the CFA Franc.

Tell us how the It’s A Continent book came about!

BOTH: We’d been podcasting for about eight months or so, then out of the blue, a publisher reached out to us about turning the podcast into a book. We jumped at the opportunity as it meant we’d be able to share African history to a much wider audience.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

BOTH: You can check out our socials and website to see what we’re up to! @itsacontinent on Twitter, @itsacontinentpod on Instagram and www.itsacontinent.com. Also, our paperback will be out this year, so watch this space for more details.

Listen to It’s A Continent now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Marion Atieno Osieyo. I’m an environmental leader and communicator from London, UK. I created Black Earth Podcast, an interview podcast celebrating nature and inspiring black women leaders in the environmental movement. The podcast facilitates informed, inspiring and authentic conversations on what it means to take care of nature.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The first podcast I ever listened to (and still do) was On Being by Krista Tippett.

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

I wanted to tell new narratives about black people’s contribution to Earth care in a way that celebrated the diversity and beauty of our culture as well as the beauty of nature. In the opening episode of the podcast, I talk more about the specific turning point for me which led me to starting the podcast.

I pitched my idea to the Spotify SoundUp programme in 2020 and was selected to take part in the programme. The programme gave me the opportunity to refine the podcast further as well as learn about how to tell great stories using the podcast format.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I’d say On Being has been the biggest inspiration for me in terms of how to structure and host impactful interviews.

I also like Mothers of Invention, which was the first environmental podcast I listened to and felt the issues were covered with enough depth but also accessible.

Aside from podcasts, I listen to alot of interviews, which I feel helps me think about the questions and structure of the conversations in the podcast.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

All my guests have been my dream guests. I’m grateful they have been a part of Black Earth podcast. One person I’m looking forward to interviewing is Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados.

Why podcasting? What is it about the format that appeals to you?

Through my work as an environmental leader, I get access to incredible science about the state of our planet. I also meet interesting people with visionary ideas and unique life stories. The podcast format is a perfect way to blend the two – science and unique life stories- in an intimate and accessible way.

Podcasting allows me to integrate nature sounds (bioacoustics) in the interviews, bringing to life the beautiful sounds of nature that are all around us. The episode with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, was recorded when she was in a forest. You can hear the sounds of nature and we were able to amplify that with nature soundscapes in the sound design.

Through podcasting, I can tap into oral storytelling and communal listening practices which are important parts of my ancestral heritage.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

You can check out our website and listen to our episodes: blackearthpodcast.com.

We use our social media to continue informing and engaging with our listener community so connect with us on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn @blackearthpodcast

Personally, I’m on Instagram @earth.marion and LinkedIn.

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

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WHY DO YOU LOVE PODCASTS?

So many reasons! Listening to a podcast, I definitely feel more connected to a world full of dissonance. We don’t all have to get along or agree but podcasts have opened me up to different perspectives and I realise we are not all that different. Ultimately though, I love the intimacy of listening to my favourite podcast. It always feels like you are wrapped up in a blanket talking to a friend about life.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST POD YOU EVER LISTENED TO?

The Moth. It was my introduction to podcasts and helped me realise what I prefer when listening to one. I loved how the personal stories were shared covering topics that were important to different people. I enjoy hearing people share their stories from their own point of view and in their own words. It helped me empathise as I heard more about the human experience and actually helped set me on the path I’m on today.

WHICH POD MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

Jesus & Jollof. Its two successful Nigerian women talking about their life interjected with lots of humour and honesty. It feels like you are listening to your sister circle give you encouraging and inspiring words to do better and be great. I am able to relate to so much of their conversation as an African woman and aspire to be just as fiery, fabulous and funny!

WHICH PODCAST HAS EDUCATED YOU THE MOST?

My own podcast, Dear Daughter! In hosting and co-producing the podcast, I have learnt to have more grace with others and myself. Listening to other people share their stories and trying to understand their perspectives is a step closer to me being more patient, forgiving and gentle with myself. It has been so enlightening to discover how many people experience life in a similar way and I have discovered a virtual support system in listening to others share their stories, it has been cathartic and quite honestly a life-changer.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SHOW OUR READERS MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF YET?

Mantalk.ke. It’s a refreshing and candid take on the world around us. It’s hosted by two men so the commentary is from the male perspective but includes female guests to offer insight. They talk about everything from holding each other accountable to self-expression and I love the elevating conversation especially now that I am mother to a son.

Season Two of Dear Daughter is out now. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, BBC Sounds and other popular podcast apps >>

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The below is my whittled-down selection of podcast episodes from various shows featuring Fi & Jane as guests, including a couple of respective solo episodes I enjoyed – a sure-fire way to get to know this much-loved duo in a whole new way, as podcast guests, with their ‘host’ personas left behind. The result is that we see their more vulnerable, personal side, together with revelations about their careers and lives to date. Listen and enjoy.

The Shift
Fi Glover and Jane Garvey on Fortunately, friendship and pushing boundaries in your 50s // Nov 2021

I’ve long been a huge fan of former Red magazine editor Sam Baker’s podcast The Shift, which explores the experience of midlife (i.e. after your fifties) and features a smorgasbord of high-profile, interesting guests. Fi & Jane come on, aptly, as a pair for this one – they discuss openly how they became a collective ‘voice of a generation for p*ssed off older women’, open up about their own friendship and the success of their former podcast Fortunately. Listen on your podcast app >>

White Wine Question Time
Fi Glover & Jane Garvey – Leaving the BBC and podcast ‘Fortunately’; Oversharing; the fight for gender pay parity and their return to live radio. // Oct 2022

Hosted by Kate Thornton, Yahoo UK’s White Wine Question Time (WWQT), which (as it says on the tin) takes place over the course of three glasses of wine, has enjoyed a slew of brilliant guests over the past four years. In this episode (which you can also view a filmed version of), Fi & Jane are fresh from their announcement of moving from the BBC to Times Radio – they speak candidly about this decision, while Jane opens up about her sister’s comments that she didn’t ‘sound like herself’ while hosting Woman’s Hour together with her much-publicised fight against the gender pay gap at the BBC. Listen on your podcast app >>

How To Academy Podcast
Fi Glover and Jane Garvey – Did I Say That Out Loud? // Feb 2022

The How To Academy podcast invites influential guests to share new ideas for changing ourselves, our communities, and the world. In this episode, recorded live in London just before Christmas 2021, Fi & Jane get a bit meta when discussing the freedom associated with podcasting as a medium compared to radio, plus the power of social media to ‘tell your own story’. Listen on your podcast app >>

How To Fail
S6, Ep 8 How To Fail: Jane Garvey // Nov 2019

In this moving episode of Elizabeth Day’s How To Fail, Jane Garvey presents the host with not three examples of failure (as the format demands) but actually seven, as she ‘struggled to narrow it down’. She speaks honestly about the grief of having gone through multiple miscarriages (as Day has herself), together with sharing her secret to being a good interviewer. Listen on your podcast app >>

Women’s Prize For Fiction Podcast
S2 Ep6: Bookshelfie: Fi Glover

Fi shares her selection of favourite books with journalist Zing Tseng as part of this popular Women’s Prize for Fiction series, including I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron, plus why she’s chosen them. Memorably, Fi discusses her experience of growing up in Hong Kong – an experience which influenced her love of another book, After You’d Gone by contemporary bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell. Listen on your podcast app >>

To learn more about Fi & Jane and their show, read our interview in Issue 25 of the Pod Bible Magazine now!

What’s your favourite Fi & Jane guest appearance? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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