Written by Annie Wilson
Illustrated by Lucy Lorimer
Pass me on the street or overhear me talking to a customer at work and you’re bound to find me recommending a podcast. I’m obsessed.
Driving and walking about Bristol, you’ll find me with the aux cord plugged in, binging on a podcast.
Sometimes it takes me ages to get out the car once parked, or I miss a stop on the bus because I’m so immersed in what I’m listening to.
As for my friends, they are pretty pissed at me for trying to shoehorn podcast suggestions into every conversation.
So, I’m directing that energy to you, listener.
I’ve compiled a list of my recommendations which I think will keep your ears happy as you move from A to B.
From podcasts my feminist soul is currently feeding on, to comedy and true crime – there’s something in this list for everyone.
Happy listening!
The Receipts
A BBC 1xtra podcast panelled by Milena Sanchez, Tolly T and Audrey advises on anything and everything to do with love, friendships and current society.
Their energy is infectious, hilarious and will leave you wanting to listen to the next episode. Their genuine and refreshing perspectives are empowering and what every girl needs to hear.
The High Low
Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes cover current affairs and top stories. Press play and you’ll be sure to hear the poshest accents you’ve heard in a while.
However, don’t judge the podcast by how it sounds. These lovely ladies stick their teeth into topics which check their white privilege and dismantle problematic perspectives.
Whilst talking about the news or recommending other podcasts, they manage to strike a perfect balance of humour and conscious social commentary.
The Guilty Feminist
A truthful account of feminism told in the funniest way. This beautifully British, humorous panel navigates feminism through anecdotes.
Deborah Frances-White and Sofie Hagen created this podcast in 2015, and since then have discussed the insecurities and hypocrisy of being a feminist in the 21st century, whilst simultaneously discussing the conditioning they have undergone as a result of a patriarchal society.
My Dad Wrote a Porno
Jamie Morton’s dad has written a porno and he’d like to read it to you. This brilliant comedic podcast follows each chapter of Jamie’s dad’s amateur pornographic novel, Bellinda Blinked.
Each week it is picked apart by presenters Alice Levine and James Cooper chapter by chapter. A great light-hearted podcast to listen to. You’ll cringe, laugh and cringe again, as you surprisingly become a fan of Bellinda Blinked and her far from tasteful story.
Death in Ice Valley
In 1972, a female corpse was found on a bonfire in Isdal, Norway. After just 3 weeks, for reasons unknown, the case was forced to close, she was placed into an unmarked grave and her identity was never learned.
More than 40 years later, they have re-opened the case. Norwegian investigator Marit Higraff and BBC presenter Neil McCarthy are looking for help from their listeners.
Crime lovers will adore this gripping series. You’ll slowly uncover alongside the presenters who she may have been by combining new scientific methods with old evidence.
My Favourite Murder
Comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host a weekly podcast covering their favourite murder cases. The women take it in turns to discuss open and closed cases and the victims this has affected.
From the Zodiac killer to mass shootings, Georgia and Karen address gruesome and serious topics with social commentary and quick wit.
Produced by Exactly Right, the popular podcast has a large fan base they call their “murderino’s” and is perfect if you enjoy true crime and comedy.
Dr Death
This podcast covers the story of Dr Christopher Duntsch, a surgeon from Texas, convicted of malpractice. The episodes cover the stories of 31 lives which were affected by a surgeon who worsens their diagnosis.
Imagine your recovery from surgery leading to life threatening complications and paralysis. Is this surgeon even properly qualified? Or is he a stranger, posing as a surgeon?
This podcast is produced by Wondery and presented by Laura Beil.
Serial
By This American Life and presented by Sarah Koenig, Serial is a podcast which covers different topics of investigative journalism.
The first series follows the disappearance of high school student Hae Min Lee. Previously, the case had closed as police arrested her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed and convicted him for her murder. But was justice served?
Sarah Koenig re-opens the case, going over each detail with a fine-toothed comb. She shares all the evidence with her listeners in hope to get closer to the truth. She also shares all her findings with Adnan Syed in multiple phone call interviews from prison.
If you have any further podcast recommendations, drop them in the comments and we’ll add them to the list!
