In 2018 Spotify reported that podcast listener numbers were increasing 367% year on year. That means the majority of us are regularly plugging in and being transported into true crime narratives, interviews with entrepreneurs, and even horror stories. With new podcasts popping up at every turn, we’ve curated a list of 10 unmissable ones.
1. How To Curate Your Life
Searching for the elusive work/life balance? Host Lizzie Evans’ ‘curate your life approach’ could be a game-changer. A creative entrepreneur, new mother and founder of independent shop SMUG, listen to Lizzie getting under-the-skin of her fellow multi-hyphenate individuals, like Emma Gannon and designer Donna Wilson. Listen here.
2. How I Built This
Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful business? Interviewer Guy Raz talks to entrepreneurs behind some of the world’s biggest brands like Spanx, Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s for a serious dose of inspiration. Listen here.
3. The Guilty Feminist
Described as a ‘supportive forum’, The Guilty Feminist provides a safe space for women to discuss the 21st century feminist issues and the niggling insecurities and doubts we have that undermine feminism. Listen here.
4. Seriously
A Radio 4 podcast on absolutely anything; from examining the power of sloth, to the links between urban art and knife violence, to Afrofuturism in art and culture. Listen here.
5. Table Manners
Direct from singer Jessie Ware’s dining table, Table Manners interviews guests over dinner cooked by her mum, Lenny. Guests include Stacey Dooley, Sadiq Khan and fellow podcasters My Dad Wrote A Porno. Conversation includes food, politics and family, but just like a real dinner party no topic is off limits. Listen here.
6. Missing Richard Simmons
When famous fitness instructor Richard Simmons disappeared in 2014, his friend and filmmaker Dan Taberski took it upon himself to investigate. The story that gradually unfolds gets stranger and stranger for a shining example of investigative journalism at its finest. Listen here.
7. Safe For Work
Hosts Liz Dolan (Google her) and Rico Gagliano dispense pearls of wisdom in every episode of Safe For Work, offering advice and help in response to listeners’ work-related problems. Listen here.
8. The High Low
Is it possible to be invested in both celebrity feuds and the latest political news? Absolutely say The High Low hosts Pandora Sykes and Dolly Alderton. The duo deftly navigate through the worlds of high and low culture, banishing the myth that the two should be mutually exclusive. Listen here.
9. 99% Invisible
Shining a light on ‘the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world’, listen to the stories behind a series of overlooked sculptures in New York and iconic architecture like La Sagrada Familia. Listen here.
10. Unpopped
Described as ‘getting serious about the silly stuff’, Unpopped examines the pop culture moments of the past through a serious lens. Topics include ‘Come Dine With Me and the Great British psyche’ and ‘Instagram and artifice.’ Listen here.
Is your favourite podcast missing from our list? If so, tell us what it is in the comments below.
Great article – I had never heard of The Guilty Feminist before and am now hooked.
Glad you love – there’s nothing else like it out there
Can’t wait to give these a listen on my next holiday!
There are so many fantastic podcasts out there, it was hard to whittle it down to 10
High Low is my favourite but other great podcasts I love are Reply All and Dear Joan and Jericha – worth a listen!
We’ve heard amazing things about Dear Joan and Jericha. Adding it to our ‘must-download’ list
Two other smaller but great ones:
“Small and Mighty Conversations” with Sam Burgess & “On Design Podcast” with Justyna Green.
There’s just never enough time to listen to them all!!
Thanks so much Kirsty. We’ll definitely give them a listen