17 Great New Podcasts
Killing It
Documenting the highs and lows of life in music, Killing It sees Jordan Stephens (Rizzle Kicks) and a psychotherapist sit down with a guest to chat through the mental health implications of musical fame. Guests including Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol and Suede’s Brett Anderson explore this previously under-reported industry issue.
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Final Answer
ITV’s Quiz has been a lockdown TV hit and this podcast takes the story of that show one step further. Full of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? anecdotes, as well as tales of what happens after contestants win big or go home empty handed, Final Answer goes deep behind the scenes of the popular quiz show. Expect bonus revelations about the ‘coughing major’ himself.
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The Big Steal
In nine parts, this is the story of how Vladimir Putin took over Yukos, a massive oil business, and imprisoned its founder, Mikhail Khodorkovsky. According to host Gavin Esler – a former Newsnight presenter – it was Putin’s appropriation of Yukos that set him on course to becoming one of the richest and most dangerous men in the world, and sparked Russia’s transition from democracy to kleptocracy.
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Reimagine
From Oxford’s Said Business School comes Reimagine, a show that asks listeners to observe the world with fresh eyes. Host Peter Drobac engages visionaries and disruptors to explore ways to fix the planet’s biggest problems. Early episodes focus, of course, on the current global health crisis.
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Ninetwentynine
Want to bring your side hustle to the big time? Each episode of Ninetwentynine features a different guest sharing advice based on their own experience of starting a business. Released weekly on a Monday – and coming in at nine minutes and 29 seconds long – these are appealingly quick hits of business acumen.
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Plot Twist
Launched last month, Plot Twist asks film and TV stars to share their favourite plot twists – from on and off screen. It’s quickly building an impressive roster of guests: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon and Danny McBride have all been on already. From shocking moments in their favourite shows to surprising twists in their careers, guests reveal the curveball moments that have punctuated their lives and changed it for the better.
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Floodlines
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. It left New Orleans under water and caused damage worth more than $100 billion. From the team behind The Atlantic magazine, Floodlines wades through the aftermath of the costliest hurricane to date, telling the story of the meteorological event, the survivors and the rumours surrounding it.
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The Dating Game Killer
In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on a popular quiz show. What his date – and the US public – didn’t know was that he was a diagnosed sociopath and convicted child molester. From first victim to capture, this podcast tells the story of one of America’s most notorious serial killers.
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Six Feet Apart
US journalist and political commentator Alex Wagner hosts Six Feet Apart, which explores how people are coping with the coronavirus pandemic. The most recent episode focuses on the drug industry, with Alex questioning dealers and buyers across America, to find out how and why people are buying drugs in isolation. Earlier episodes have focused on groceries, and rituals around life and death.
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Lifers With Ed Gamble
Comedian Ed Gamble already hosts one hit podcast with fellow comic James Acaster (Off Menu). Now he’s gone solo and entered the world of music. Lifers explores the lifestyle and culture of lifelong heavy metal fans and musicians, looking at where their passion stems from and the sacrifices they’ve made to earn the title of ‘metalhead’.
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The Next Binge Thing
Comedians – and exes – Amber Rollo and Gabe Pacheco are stuck in lockdown with each other. To keep the peace, they’re binge-watching some of their favourite programmes, as well as some newly released series. Funny, contextual and full of what-to-watch inspiration, the series begins with them watching McMillions, which tells the story of the McDonald’s monopoly scam.
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Tea With Me
For light relief, Shane Todd’s Tea With Me sees the comedian sit down with a brew and a celebrity guest to chat about life. From conspiracy theories to Netflix series, and organ donation to the Olympics, he covers a wealth of topics, all discussed with a humorous twist. There are already 16 hour-long episodes to get stuck into, with new recordings dropping every Wednesday.
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Joe Exotic: Tiger King
You’ve seen the series; now listen to the podcast. This series dives deeper into the strange life of Joe Exotic as he breeds and raises exotic animals at his Oklahoma zoo, making enemies as he goes. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the Netflix show’s biggest characters, it’s the place to come for more about the quirky life of 2020’s biggest reality TV star.
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The High Performance Podcast
Bringing you an exclusive insight into the lives of high-achieving athletes, this podcast explores the lifestyles and careers of some of the world's best sportsmen. Hosted by BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey and psychologist Damian Hughes, interviewees already include Rio Ferdinand, Tracey Neville and Mauricio Pochettino. New episodes are released on Thursdays.
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Crossfire
Ben Riley-Smith is US editor of the Daily Telegraph. His Crossfire podcast zeroes in on British involvement in the era’s defining political scandal. Exploring Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, it turns on eyewitness accounts from a spy, a Cambridge fellow and a computer whizz. Important listening in view of the upcoming 2020 election.
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Home Cooking
More time at home probably means more time in the kitchen. To help you figure out what to cook during lockdown, podcast hosts Samin Nosrat – author of the excellent Salt Fat Acid Heat cookbook – and Hrishikesh Hirway share easy dishes to make at home with readily available ingredients. Lighthearted chat with interesting guests punctuate the cooking, and listener participation is greatly encouraged.
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The Walkers Switch
This quirky podcast centres around crisp brand Walkers and a widely remembered packet colour switch that the firm strenuously denies. Hosts Lauren Peters and Augustine Cerf investigate the possible cover-up and whether Walkers really did swap the colours of its Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion packets. Their quest for the truth eventually leads them to Gary Lineker.
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