Listed below are some of the podcasts I enjoy listening to. Being an anti-Apple person I don’t tend to use iTunes to get them but prefer to use Google Reader to subscribe so I have provided links to the RSS feed for each of them if you are interested too.
Now that Google Reader is no more, I have switched to using BeyondPod on my mobile. This is a brilliant app and pretty much the first one I have paid for, it is that worth it.
Firstly, once you have set up the subscriptions, it will download as many or as few as you want. I get it to download the oldest 5 episodes only. This way, I don’t fill up my memory card. This is also useful if you add a new subscription that has a lot of old episodes that you want to start with.
After that, it automatically updates your playlist so that you always listen to the oldest episodes first. For me this is brilliant because I don’t want to listen to lots of the same subject in a row so I get a nice mix.
Thirdly, it has the ability to play podcasts at double speed. I currently have it set to 1.8x speed and this helps me get through the backlog I am currently suffering from.
Current Podcasts
99% Invisible is an independently produced radio show created by Roman Mars that focuses on design and architecture. It began as a collaborative project between San Francisco public radio station KALW and the American Institute of Architects in San Francisco.
Adrift with Geoff Lloyd and Annabel Port
A comic tragedy for anyone flailing in the sea of their own inadequacy. Sony Radio Award winners Geoff Lloyd and Annabel Port steer a life-raft through the choppy waters of being a functional human.
A very popular podcast answering listeners questions. Sometimes a bit annoying with the smugness of the presenters Helen Zaltzman (yes, sister of Andy above) and Ollie Mann but usually quite funny and vaguely informative.
Athletico Mince is a British comedy podcast hosted by Bob Mortimer and Andy Dawson. The series began life as a humorous take on the world of football, including discussions such as whether being gentle in the Premier League makes one a better manager.
Various comedy series that are on Radio 4. Many of them are very lame but you get a few gems.
Everywomen Joan Damry and Jericha Domain have between them worked in the fields of life coaching, female sexual health, psycho-genital counselling and sports journalism for the past 32 years. Joan has been married several times and has five children, while Jericha has been married for 30 years and has an only daughter, Cardinal. Joan recently turned her hand to erotic-romantic adult fiction, whilst Jericha has written 5 books on depression.
Award-winning comedy panel show hosted by Danielle Ward, with team captains Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Michael Legge and amazing special guests. In it, two teams work out the right thing to do in strange scenarios and scary situations which range from the everyday to the weird and extreme.
Don’t feel you have to start at the beginning – we’d suggest you start with the most recent series then work backwards!
It’s good, bad, ugly – and very very funny. Changing the way we see heroes and villains in history.
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
Usually this is either the News Quiz hosted by Sandi Toksvig or the Now Show with Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis. Both are very funny.
Britain’s most famous faces take a trip down memory lane to their hometowns – with the help of Google Maps! Expect tales of teenage angst, early sexual encounters and regional woes.
Similar to Forum60, this was recommended in the Radio Times. Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
The latest news from the team behind BBC History Magazine – a popular History magazine. To find out more, visit www.historyextra.com
Lineker and Baker: Behind Closed Doors
‘Lineker & Baker: Behind Closed Doors’ will be a new regular show full of the intimate details of life in and around the game.
If you’re looking for analysis of the weekend’s action, look elsewhere. This show will tell dressing room tales and green room stories from Gary and Danny’s time in football and broadcasting.
Irreverent, at times preposterous, ‘Behind Closed Doors’ sees Gary Lineker abandon his usual role as chief interrogator. Instead he joins Danny Baker in a romp through life in the English game.
Me1 vs Me2 Snooker with Richard Herring
A surreal podcast series from Richard Herring. In this show, he recreates his lonely childhood by playing himself at snooker; commentating as he plays. Madness!
Why do I listen to this. By Richard’s own admission, it is pretty poor and he is only continuing whilst people continue to download the podcast. Maybe I am trying to punish him.
More or Less: Behind the Stats
Tim Harford investigates numbers in the news. Numbers are used in every area of public debate. But are they always reliable? Tim and the More or Less team try to make sense of the statistics which surround us.
Imagine if your Dad wrote a dirty book. Most people would try to ignore it and pretend it had never happened – but not Jamie Morton. Instead, he’s decided to read it to the world in this award-winning comedy podcast. With the help of his friends, James Cooper and BBC Radio 1’s Alice Levine, Jamie will be reading a chapter a week and discovering more about his father than he ever bargained for.
A weekly podcast in which The QI researchers share their most interesting recent discoveries.
The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, “Meet me at the bar and tell me what’s going on with the economy.” Now imagine that’s actually a fun evening.
Reasons to be Cheerful with Ed Milliband and Geoff Lloyd
A podcast about ideas. Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, and Sony Award-winning radio host Geoff Lloyd talk to smart thinkers from around the world.
Multichannel retail, ecommerce and digital business – interviews, analysis and discussion with Ian Jindal and InternetRetailing
A weekly podcasting exploring great political revolutions.
Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast
Or Ruh-huh-luh-stuh-puh as people with nothing better to do might call it. Another amusing podcast from Rich Herring where he chats to famous people.
Flâneur and irrepressible commentator, Rick Edwards, and “Indiana Jones in a lab coat” Dr. Michael Brooks, delve into the science behind popular culture.
A comedy chat show for less-than-perfect parents. Hosted by comedians Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn and featuring guest parenting experts, comedians and authors. The podcast covers the big issues affecting modern parents – from fish fingers to farting, to play-dates and pelvic floors. Expect frank and funny chat as well as wine, laughter and sophisticated boob jokes.
Skeptoid: Critical Analysis Podcast
Only 10 minutes long and tackling one myth, legend or pseudo-science claim per week. Always interesting and usually disappointing to realise that many people believe the crap that is being debunked.
The online magazine by women for women takes to the internet airwaves with its much-loved blend of opinion and humour.
Peter Crouch, Tom Fordyce and Chris Stark bring you their guide to being a professional footballer.
Etymological adventures with Helen Zaltzman
The Bottom Line With Evan Davis
Evan Davis cuts through confusion and spin to present a clearer view of the business world.
Andy Zaltzman again. This time teamed up with John Oliver to discuss and lampoon the week’s news. Always amusing. Now with guest presenters.
The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson/The Last Days of August
Jon Ronson, the creator of Audible Original The Butterfly Effect, delves into the pornography industry again as he unravels the never-before-told story of what caused a beloved 23-year-old actress’s untimely death.
The Curious Cases Of Rutherford And Fry
Science sleuths Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate everyday mysteries sent by listeners.
Raucous, ridiculous and surprisingly satisfying – The Horne Section Podcast is back! Join us every other week as host Alex Horne and his band are joined in the basement by a very special guest for some musical mayhem and plenty of laughs.
The brilliant Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince dicsuss science concepts with preeminent scientists and comedians. I have been lucky enough to go and see several of these shows being recorded. Always brilliant and always funny.
Another science based podcast. This time Jim Al-Khalili who has presented some excellent science programs on the telly, talks to and about a “well-known” person in the science community about their life and career.
The Magic Sponge with Jimmy Bullard, Rob Beckett and Ian Smith
Ex-pro Jimmy Bullard is joined by comedians Rob Beckett and Ian Smith plus a guest from the world of football to talk about the beautiful game and their outrageous experiences on and off the field.
The Media Podcast With Olly Mann
The Media Podcast is your essential guide to TV, radio and the press, presented by Olly Mann.
Amazing stories, emerging trends and sex advice – hosted by Olly Mann, with Alix Fox and Ollie Peart.
Why do we do the things we do? Mike Williams searches for the extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions to inform us about the way we live in the 21st Century. Some very interesting subjects discussed.
No longer listening to
50 Things That Made The Modern Economy
Al Murray hosts this and it was better when Chris Addison hosted it but it is still funny. It usually has Andy Zaltzman on it and a couple of other funny people discussing the weeks news.
A Brief History of Mathematics
Professor of Mathematics Marcus du Sautoy reveals the personalities behind the calculations and argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science
The least topical ‘topical’ podcast with all the news, music and comedy games plus a few more for good measure.
Book Shambles With Robin And Josie
Very informative little snippets of history. I don’t know a great deal about history as I was not very interested in it at school so this is nice and accessible in bite sized chunks. As with all history it can be a bit dull at times.
A BBC podcast of a World Service radio show about digital matters. Usually pretty interesting and about all kinds of tech subjects.
Close Encounters
Codebreaker
Comedians Telling Stuff
Discovery explores today’s most significant scientific discoveries and talks to the scientists behind them.
Distraction Pieces Podcast With Scroobius Pip
Dr Karl and the Naked Scientist
Dr Chris Smith aka The Naked Scientist with the latest news from the world of science and Dr Karl…
Dr Karl is an Australian scientist who seems to know something about everything. This is a podcast of a late night 5Live show that answers questions that listeners call or send in.
This is a podcast that comes after the monthly show by Helen Arney, Steve Mould and Matt Parker. Science based education with some comedy and songs thrown in.
Flintoff, Savage and the Ping Pong Guy
Andrew Flintoff, Robbie Savage and Matthew Syed discuss topical sports talking points.
Bridget Kendall presents an ideas discussion show which tackles the big questions of our age with some of the world’s most eminent minds. This was recommended in the Radio Times.
Frank, Emily and Alun are here to make you smile on a Saturday morning. Stick the kettle on and join them for a cuppa.
I’ve been listening to Geoff Lloyd on Absolute Radio (previously Virgin Radio) for years now since he was originally partnered with Pete Mitchell (I’ve just looked at Wikipedia and it appears that it means I have been listening to him on the radio for around 10 years. He would be very disappointed. He is very funny and the features on the show always make me laugh, particulary the tasks set to Annabel Port.
I have listened to about 50 of these so far. Each one is about 20 minutes and gives a complete unabridged history of philosophy (without any gaps) starting with Thales. Does get a bit boring after a while so needs interspersing with other podcasts rather than listening to a lot in a row. Some of it very confusing too.
Chris Warburton presents the day’s news, plus the quirkiest stories on the web with podcasters Olly Mann and Helen Zaltzman, and the latest technology news
Science discussions
Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines. Each week, scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects
From Armstrong to Zappa – music documentaries from the Radio 4 archive bringing you a brand new episode each week
Highlights from Rhod’s Radio Wales show. Very amusing as he gets increasingly irate about trivial things.
Richard Herring: As It Occurs To Me
Or Aye-eye-ottomer (*aye-eye-ottomer*) as the cool kids call it.An excellent and very amusing and highly rude podcast from Rich Herring also featuring Emma Kennedy.
Richard Herring Edinburgh Fringe Podcast
Or Ruh-Hefp as people who are now quite bored with stupid acronyms probably won’t call it. Same as the Leicester Square one.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the penis but were afraid to ask. And a couple of things you didn’t want to know about. Richard Herring presents this supplement to his acclaimed 2013 stand-up show all about the spam javelin, the purple-headed womb broom, the honourable member for Fuckinghamshire. It’s packed with routines and facts that there’s no time for in the stage show plus unheard answers and stats from his impressive online cock questionnaire. There is also stories from the tour.
Say Why To Drugs
Explore scientific research and its impact on science as well as its implications for all of us.Science in Action is a magazine programme that pulls together the science issues of the week and delivers breaking science news from the just-released journals.
The Guardian’s science team bring you the best analysis and interviews from the worlds of science and technology
It’s Baltimore, 1999. Hae Min Lee, a popular high-school senior, disappears after school one day. Six weeks later detectives arrest her classmate and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, for her murder. He says he’s innocent – though he can’t exactly remember what he was doing on that January afternoon. But someone can. A classmate at Woodlawn High School says she knows where Adnan was. The trouble is, she’s nowhere to be found.
Josie Long’s showcase for delightful and adventurous short documentaries. Each week join Josie as she dives into a world of true stories, brief encounters, radio adventures and found sound.
Shift Run Stop
Skeptics in the Pub Podcast – Cambridge
Short occasional skeptic based podcast
Heavy going tech discussion podcast. Goes in very deep at times so not for the faint hearted.
Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know
Debunking conspiracy theories
A couple of American guys talk through a subject you didn’t realise that you knew nothing about. Almost always interesting although it could be sped up a bit. If you have ability to listen at double speed then that would be recommended.
Stuff You Missed In History Class
Tech Weekly
I have seen some outstanding talks from TED on all different subjects. Sometimes they can be a bit preachy and some are quite dull, but you can always skip to the next one if it gets a bit boring and they only last between 5 and 15 minutes generally.
The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast
The Dave Gorman Podcast – Absolute Radio
Dave Gorman is brilliant and this podcast of his weekly radio show plus extras plus extra extras in the Someday Podcast is no exception. There are some great features on here including Listener’s Lexicon, Pun Street Planning Committee, Ward’s Weekly Word and Found Poetry. Unfortunately, Dave has now stopped doing this radio show so there are no more podcasts. Shame.
American podcast from comedian Chris Hardwick where he spends an hour chatting to famous people. Not always people I have heard of as some are only well known in America but usually funny and interesting.
James Naughtie profiles 60 public figures nominated to mark the diamond jubilee. Some very interesting subjects.
A skeptical look at various subjects in the news. This is often pretty interesting but I find James O’Mally (the host) a bit annoying, especially his lame puns and the “comedy skit” is unnecessary and usually very weak.
Economist Tim Harford weaves together economic ideas with some remarkable personal histories. This has proved really interesting so far which is very surprising as I am not normally interested in economics.
Very bad Words
Women Talking About Cars