Seven super podcasts to listen to now
Podcasts are super to listen to as you complete your daily step count and if you’re in the market for news ones, here are seven of our favourite podcasts to listen to now. They have broad subject categories but podcasts are usually a little more casual.
Astrophysics, science, science fiction and more: StarTalk hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson and assisted mostly by co-host and comedian, Chuck Nice. Although your initial thoughts might be, erm I don’t care about science, we highly recommend this one. Neil deGrasse Tyson is famous for being able to break quite large and overwhelming topics into manageable ones and the podcast is very entertaining. How many people in the world could get away with calling Professor Stephen Hawking a dumb ass? The host and co-host’s chemistry is lovely and they really are fun. We already recommended their programme about how to deal with anti-vaxxers in Pop Magazine but I also really recommend the StarTalk episodes covering climate change. This podcast can be viewed on YouTube as they also host it on that platform if you prefer seeing them but you can find the actual podcast here.
Politics: Oh God What Now presented by Dorian Lynskey, Ian Dunt, Naomi Smith and more this podcast is focussed on British politics with lots of swearing and humour woven through the serious analysis and reflection. If you really enjoy this podcase you can buy tickets to live recordings. Listen to it here.
Reltationships, feminism, politics: Once dubbed ‘the meanest female-only place on the internet’ Female Dating Strategy is funny and interesting. Presented by a Brit, American and Canadian Savannah, Reaux and Lilith this is a podcast worth listening to regardless of your relationship status. Note here: We don’t share their language or hold identical viewpoints at all but we still really enjoy the FDS podcast as a space that is discussing often difficult topics. It’s worth listening to this podcast from the first episodes to understand why the podcast started and the toxic Reddit thread and toxic masculinity they are addressing. There’s a lot of swearing and cackling but in and amongst that the presenters are frank and open with loads of good advice, reflections and discussions. Find the podcast here.
General science: The Infinite Monkey Cage is a podcast of the BBC Radio 4 series and is super. Like StarTalk this is another scientist/comedian chemistry that works with Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince. They cover the sciences more broadly including subjects like memory, reality, DNA and more. If you’re mega serious about podcasts and have boundless time, we’d recommend BBC Sounds for bucket loads of wonderful podcasts. Find it here.
Tech, business, politics: USA-focussed podcast Pivot is hosted by tech journalist, Kara Swisher and her sidekick and NYU Professor, Scott Galloway. Of course, whatever happens in Silicon Valley affects us in the UK and they are rather Anglophile in any case. This is a New York magazine podcasts (they have others) and the hosts are very well informed and connected meaning they have insightful and often quite frank takes on the topics they discuss. If you’re interested in business, entrepreneurship, marketing, Americana and more this is for you. Listen to it here.
Drama, books, arts: Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters hosted by real sisters, Michon and Taquiena Boston, is such a delight to listen to. Self-confessed historical drama nerds, they sisters take a deep dive into tv, film and books in the historical genre whether fiction, biopics, tv series and more (think Bridgerton, Downton Abbey). Their wonderful high profile guests add meaningful insights and discussion and the Boston sisters’ love for their subject matter is self-evident. Michon is a friend and we must say we are very impressed! Listen here.
Race, culture, politics, justice: The Tight Rope was founded and hosted by the wonderful Dr Cornel West and Dr Patricia Rose in the aftermath and international soul searching in the wake of the public murder of George Floyd. The two friends created this podcast to share their outpouring of grief and sadness not only at George Floyd’s murder but also the state of politics in the USA at the time. The presenters are international icons in any case but many of their guests are no less including Representative Alexandria Orcasio-Cortez. The podcast ended in 2021 but the episodes and discussions are still available to listen to here.
Bonus recommendations:
What no fashion? Of course we listen to fashion podcasts too but they form part of our work and research as much as enjoyment. If you want to immerse yourself in a little fashion check out The Wardrobe Crisis, Business of Fashion and Dressed: The History of Fashion.
Please leave your favourite podcast recommendations in the comments!