BELLA Oh My Pod!
Ahhh, there’s nothing better than a good book. A beautiful window to someone else’s mind, a door flung wide open to another world, an escape, a catalyst, a classroom…
Or, if you’re not so lucky, a thousand swimming letters on a page, a total catastrophe of apostrophes, a bonanza of banality. Let me tell you, folks, I relate. After a long day of devouring statute books, or trawling section by section through the riveting Companies Act 2006, it no longer really occurs to me that one can read “for fun” before bed. As my girl gang would’ve said circa 2016, the struggle is real.
My solution? Podcasts, in all their glorious shapes and sizes, presenters and themes. One stumbling block, though: where to start? Since everyone and their newly adopted pandemic puppy has one, the process of sifting is somewhat baffling.
Well, fear not fellow auditory learners. I’ve curated an eclectic selection below, hopefully with a bit of something for everyone. Post-listening reviews welcome!
For the thinkers:
Perhaps my favourite on this list, Philosophise This! does exactly what it says on the tin. Spanning from prehistoric philosophy to modern day thinkers and with nearly 150 episodes, you’re spoilt for choice. I’d recommend diving in at Episode 136 on Hannah Arendt or the four-part mini-series on Nietzsche starting at Episode 90.
You’re Dead To Me is a light-hearted look at seemingly random snippets of our collective human past. Akin to Horrible Histories for grown-ups, some great guests can be found amongst the episodes.
For the foodies:
On the Bon Appetit Foodcast some of the world’s best chefs serve their thoughts on food, health, and their new culinary projects. Lots of top tips for delicious recipes, and a few life journeys to boot!
Off Menu with James Acaster and Ed Gamble sees your favourite comedians indulge in a kind of gastronomic desert island disks, all in the confines of their own pretend restaurant. Witty and surprising, be prepared to put aside an hour of your time for salivation central.
For the story searchers:
Fake Heiress tells the story of Anna Delvey, an assertive twenty-something who managed to blag her way to the top of New York’s high society, swindling everyone she met along the way. BBC Radio 4 outdoes itself with this one.
In the same vein, listening only to her engaging speeches, you’d be forgiven for believing that Dr Ignatova was just another savvy ex-McKinsey associate with a big dream. The Missing Crypto Queen is a binge-worthy dissection of the businesswoman turned fugitive. Investigative journalism at its finest.
If fiction is your more your thing, look to Limetown. The podcast slowly unfurls to reveal what really happened to 300 townspeople who mysteriously vanished in an experiment gone wrong.
For the crime connoisseurs:
Casefile is a compelling podcast detailing some of the most famous and gruesome murders of all time, with free-standing episodes so you can dip in and out wherever you like. Just one warning: don’t listen before bed.
On the flipside, Criminal talks ‘crime’ but not as you know it, with stories of wrongs, rights and the complex in-betweens. Each episode is usually around 40 minutes, making this my must-have running accessory.
For the fearless females:
Jameela Jamil, aka the whole country’s girl crush, has a new pod. Ever since I watched The Good Place on Netflix I’ve wanted her in my aforementioned squad. I Weigh shamelessly delves into body image, mental health, breaking the glass ceiling and society’s obsession with perfection. The interviews also comprise a ton of badass women. It’s true love!
For the constantly curious:
Sometimes you just want learn about architecture. Or Area 51. Or carbon dating (no, it’s not the new Tinder). Enter Stuff You Should Know, a romp through all areas of everyday life and beyond. Never gets old.
A little more serious, and a self-professed podcast about “money, business and power”, The Journal is my go-to Sunday morning coffee companion. I’d recommend starting with The World Has Too Much Oil, Goldman Sachs and the IMDB Scandal, or any of its episodes on WeWork. Think current affairs but sexy.
