At a stressful time, podcasts can be a calming and entertaining way to switch off from the world. If you've never listened to a podcast before, have a look at the list below for my favourite, or an easy way to discover podcasts is to just search a topic/person you are interested in into the search bar on the Podcasts App or Spotify!
Have we missed any of your favourite podcasts out? Dm them to us @unpublished.gandl and we'll add them to the list!
If you're up for a laugh
The Off-Menu Podcast
summary - Comedians James Acaster and Ed Gamble take guests to a 'dream restaurant' where they discuss ideal starters, mains, deserts and drinks. This is one of only 3 podcasts that has made me laugh OUT LOUD on a bus before and, however awkward that may be, I will take the pain of strangers looking at me oddly if it means I can continue listening to this podcast on a weekly basis.
key episodes - Jordan Banjo, Loyle Carner, Daisy May Cooper (I'm listening to the episode with Aisling Bea as I write this and it's one of the best)
The Rewatchables
summary - as someone who has watched When Harry Met Sally approximately 20 times, I'm no stranger to a re-watch. Each episode a different movie is discussed in depth by three movie obsessed - and frequently hilariously opinionated - hosts. What has aged the best (or the worst)? Which scene is the most 're-watchable'? It will make you want to stay at home all weekend (so perfect for at the moment!?) and re-watch your favourite movies.
key episodes - Dead Poets' Society, The Devil Wears Prada, My Best Friend's Wedding, When Harry Met Sally
Also: Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, The Adam Buxton Podcast (the episode where they read Louis Theroux's old report cards is brilliant)
If you want to learn something new
You're Wrong About
summary: one of the most interesting podcasts I've listened to, and the most frequently discussed among my friends and I, "Every week [the hosts] reconsider an event or person or trend that's been miscast in the public imagination."I currently have 16 episodes downloaded that I want to listen to because it's JUST THAT GOOD.
key episodes - Anna Nicole Smith, Yoko Ono Broke Up The Beatles, Kurt Cobain and Copycat Suicides
Broken: Jeffrey Epstein
summary: an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, his crimes, those who helped him and those he preyed on. Fascinating, heart breaking and will make you want to throw your phone to the floor with anger, but an amazing listen. (The team behind this podcast have just launched new podcast 'Viral' about COVID-19 which I can't wait to listen to)
key episodes: listen from the first episode onwards!
Also: Literary Friction (the episode with Zadie Smith is, of course, unmissable), 'In Our Time' (Mrs Roberts says the Frida Kahlo episode is amazing!), 'Always Take Notes' (interviews with writers - the Lisa Taddeo episode is my favourite).
Note: podcasts are a great way to learn a new language, so ask an MFL teacher if they have any recommendations for your subject - Hoy Hablamos or News In Slow Spanish are my favourites for Spanish.
If you're nosy
Armchair Expert
summary - this podcast could have gone in either of the previous sections for its incredible way of combining interesting and educational topics with hilarious commentary. Hosted by Dax Shepherd (actor), each episode has the widest range of discussion points I've heard on a podcast and Dax has a way of enabling his guests to be intensely vulnerable whilst still enabling wit and humour.
key episodes - Amy Schumer, Ashton Kutcher Returns, Ben Platt, Beanie Feldstein, Elizabeth Banks, Ronan Farrow (honestly every episode is amazing just listen to them all)
Table Manners
summary - singer Jessie Ware and her mum have a guests round to their house for supper, and in the process find out all about their culinary lives (and much more in the process). Only downside: will undoubtedly make you hungry whilst listening, so have a snack nearby.
key episodes - Dolly Alderton, Ed Sheeran, Haim, Sam Smith
How to fail
summary - writer Elizabeth Day asks her guests about their greatest failures in life, so be prepared for some laughing and some crying if listening to this.
key episodes - Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Pandora Sykes, Andrew Scott (aka Hot Priest), Jamie Laing
Also: Song Exploder (Fleetwood Mac or Maggie Rogers episodes), Awards Chatter (don't be fooled by the tabloid-y sounding name, these interviews with actors are always thought provoking), and, of course, Desert Island Discs (only not included in the main list because I presumed everyone would already have listened to it. If you haven't, go and listen to the entire back catalogue NOW)
For Current Affairs
The High Low
summary - currently on maternity leave (but you can always listen to old episodes!), in this podcast journalists Pandora Sykes and Dolly Alderton discuss the most serious and frivolous topics in the media each week. The tone is conversational and funny, but also insightful, and I love this podcast for the journalistic commentary (not to mention the slew of book/article/movie recommendations each week) that manages to sound just like a chat between friends.
The Daily
summary - honestly, I don't listen to this quite as much as I should, but it's great for keeping up to date on politics and news in America, "twenty minutes a day, five days a week".
key episodes - as you may have guessed, there are new episodes daily so just listen to the one from today!
Happy listening!
NOTE: see our 'black lives matter resources' article for podcasts to educate yourself on anti-racism.
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