6 Great Podcasts

Is it me or are podcasts 'back'? Everyone seems to be starting a podcast or talking about new podcasts, which is great because I love them! Fashionable or not, I thought I would share a few of my favourites with you. Equally if you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them in the comments! 

Answer Me This! 

I had to start with Answer Me This! because I've been listening to it every week (and subsequently fortnightly when host, Olly Man got busy) since before, what feels like, the dawn of time. Since January 2006, Helen Zalzman and Olly Mann have been wittily and hilariously answering questions submitted by their listeners. The format is simple, but the outcome is brilliant. Complete with great banter, catchy jingles and an educative element, I would recommend this to anybody!

Podcast Length: Newer ones are 40 mins, older ones were 30 mins
Frequency: Bi-monthly, though they are on a break at the moment because Olly Mann has just had a baby
Hosts: Helen Zalzman, Olly Mann and Martin the Soundman (appears on the podcast in an echoey voice!)
Audience: Everyone!

Graham Norton 

Once again throwing caution to what may or may not be cool, I can honestly say that I am unashamedly very much in love with Graham Norton and his Saturday morning 'Mumsy' BBC Radio 2 programme. This podcast, or 'podload' as he mysteriously calls it, is a condensed version of this morning show. He chats to celebrity guests (with admittedly a lesser general popularity that those on his Friday night BBC1 chatshow) but my all time favourite feature of the podcast is 'Grill Graham'. Alongside Maria McErlane, Graham does his best to play 'agony aunt' with his usual dose of irrepressible caustic humour. In fact sometimes I scroll past the interviews and just listen to this!

Podcast Length: Around an hour
Frequency: Every Saturdays
Hosts: Graham Norton with Maria McErlane
Audience: If you like the BBC1 chatshow and appreciate his sense of humour, you would most likely get on with this

Women of the Hour with Lena Dunham

I discovered this podcast recently by accident and couldn't believe my eyes. I thought I'd sought out everything on the internet with even a passing reference to Lena Dunham, but I was wrong! Lena explores and examines everyday life topics such as work, love & sex and the body with a diverse range of guests. If like me, you could make a career of sitting on Youtube watching her speak, then you will know what to expect: plenty of very frank, raw and sensitive discussion, often relating to feminism.

Podcast Length: About an hour
Frequency: There are currently 5 podcasts which were made last year
Host: Lena Dunham
Audience: I would say that this would most likely appeal to teen girls to women in their thirties, but if you enjoy this and you're outside those brackets then that's great!

Oxford Brookes University Publishing Podcasts

This one is a bit niche but if you're interested in pursuing a career in the publishing industry then I would definitely recommend it. Oxford Brookes University run a prestigious Masters course in Publishing. The department broadcasts talks with well-established professionals in the publishing industry on topical issues such as 'eBooks in Schools', 'Becoming the New Publisher' and 'Managing Change in Publishing'. It also tackles relevant topics for students or graduates hoping to get their foot in the door, including 'Building a Career in Publishing' and 'Career Options in Publishing'.

Podcast Length: Usually under an hour
Frequency: A wealth of podcasts exist from 2006-2015, however there haven't been any posted this year
Hosts: Various
Audience: Anybody seeking advice about entering the publishing industry

Woman's Hour Daily Podcast

Broadcast on BBC Radio 4, Woman's Hour presents reports, interviews and debates on health, education, cultural and political topics aimed at women. Woman’s Hour claims to be a 'powerful advocate for women’s empowerment'.  I like to pick and choose which podcasts I listen to based on which guests they have and what issue they are discussing, but because they are daily, there is regularly something of interest.


Podcast Length: 45 - 55 mins
Frequency: Monday - Saturday
Hosts: Jane Garvey and Jenni Murray
Audience: Women (and Men!)

The Listening Project

The Listening Project seeks to capture the nation in conversation to build a unique picture of our lives today to preserve it for future generations. I find listening to the thoughts, opinions and worries of others strangely cathartic and very insightful and I like the fact that they're short.




Podcast Length: 13 - 14 mins (yes, it's very specific and I applaud the production team!)
Frequency: Weekly
Host: Fi Glover
Audience: Anybody