From history to reading books on the beach, this week’s podcast picks have something for everyone.1. It’s Not Just You
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube
Genre: Life and wellbeing
Rach and Soph, the presenters of It’s Not Just You, aren’t famous in any way – at least not yet. They’re just two normal girls who met six years ago while studying at university, and that’s just one of the reasons why this weekly podcast works.
The fact they’re already friends makes it feel like you’re sitting across the table from a group of girls having a coffee, and simply chatting about life and everything that goes with it.
Previously discussed topics include relationships, hen dos and rejection, and this week’s episode focuses on friendship groups.
Rach and Soph are now navigating the fluctuating dynamics of friendships as they go through their 20s. When once they had all the time in the world for each other, they must now learn to make space for careers, relationships and different sets of friends – not always easy, but a change that will ultimately make you realise who your true friends are.
Rach and Soph provide a fascinating insight into the bonds we form throughout life, adding personal and humorous anecdotes along with plenty of giggles. All you need to do is bring the coffee!
(By Rachel Howard)
2. Oh What A Time…
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube
Genre: Comedy and history
Oh What A Time… is a comedy history podcast hosted by comedians Elis James and Tom Craine, along with podcaster Chris Scull.
This week, the trio are focusing on the sporting prowess of some of history’s most well-known revolutionaries, including baseball-loving Fidel Castro, Chinese Communist Chairman Mao Zedong’s love of ping pong, and Vladimir Lenin and his love of the bicycle.
But before James, Craine and Scull get into this, Craine talks about getting stuck up on a rollercoaster – the first ride of the day – at Alton Towers for 50 minutes, with his seven-year-old. James and Scull go on to discuss some of their own “palmed-off” stories, including nearly choking on a boiled sweet.
If you are looking for a light-hearted journey through history podcast that dives into the weirdest aspects of history, then give Oh What A Time… a listen.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
3. The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: Culture and society
On this week’s episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Heather Holleman, professor and author of The Six Conversations, joins host Ginny Yurich to talk about how to hold a conversation, once it gets past the pleasantries.
They first unpack the core mindsets, the power of deep listening, why it’s important to ask meaningful follow-up questions, and how you can “love people through conversation”.
Holleman goes on to talk about how we can build our confidence, letting others speak in a conversation, and how to connect with people through shared interests and values.
The pair also explore how listeners can choose to slow down in their day-to-day lives, through stepping outside, reclaiming their childhood, working on their mental health, and reconnecting with people.
If you are looking for a podcast that can help you figure out different ways to embrace “hands-on” living in a tech-saturated world, then The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast may be a great resource for you.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
4. Red Talks
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube
Genre: Comedy
Red Talks is a weekly self-help comedy podcast hosted by comedian Red Richardson, where he hopes he will inspire people to get out of bed in the morning or “draw a Bugatti on their vision board”.
In this week’s episode, comedian Eshaan Akbar joins Richardson to discuss cancel culture, and why he told Hello! magazine that he can’t be cancelled.
Akbar opens up about his career goals, which include selling out a venue without asking people to buy tickets, and reflects on the time when he supported comedian Micky Flanagan and told the audience to “F— off”.
The pair also discuss why they would want a “nepo kid” like Brooklyn Beckham, when Akbar was cut out of Netflix drama Sex Education, and the fitness advice he’s been dishing out since learning that he has high blood pressure.
If you are looking for an easy and funny listen, with no real agenda, give Red Talks a listen.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
Spotlight on…
5. Books on the Beach
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: Books and arts
Many of us enjoy getting lost in a good paperback while on holiday, and broadcaster Phil Williams brings those sunlounger reads to life in his new podcast, Books on the Beach.
In each episode, the former Radio 5 Live host sits down with an author to discuss their latest release, uncovering the inspiration behind their characters, as well as the research and effort that shaped the story.
Williams catches up with the queen of crime fiction, Lynda La Plante, in the debut episode and shines a light on her new novel, Sacrifice, which is the sixth and highly anticipated final thriller in the Detective Jack Warr series.
The broadcaster’s thoughtful questions allow La Plante to open up about her writing process, including the detailed research and conversations with police officers and experts that help give her thrillers that authentic touch.
The show’s format also helps uncover the vibrant personalities behind the authors’ bylines, and in this episode, the 83-year-old writer vividly shares entertaining anecdotes from her past, including encounters with figures like the infamous Kray twins and serial killer Charles Bronson.
For book lovers seeking in-depth, engaging conversations with their favourite writers, this podcast is well worth a listen.
(By Camilla Foster)
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