There’s been plenty of podcast news this week. Steven Bartlett announced that if he were to interview a politician on his podcast, he’d only take the most charismatic and fascinating one alive today – oh no, wait, he wants Rishi Sunak. Rio Ferdinand has described Wayne Rooney as his “worst teammate” on the Total Sport Podcast. And Ozzy Osbourne attempted to shrug off the suggestion that The Osbournes Podcast is a continuation of his family’s MTV reality series, by claiming that both shows are similar because “that’s the way we are”. Both shows being called The Osbournes is just coincidental, then.
But the real story at this time of year is what various institutions are anointing as the best podcast of 2023. Our list will be out next Thursday, but safe to say, it’s a Top 20 packed full of brilliant listens, from side-splitting comedy to jaw-dropping true crime and political chat that’s so good it won’t make you want to put your fingers in your ears and block out the misery of the current state of the world. Which is no mean feat.
In the meantime, we’ve got gripping audio drama featuring a star of HBO hit drama Girls, a twisty tale of the suspicious death of a pastor’s wife, and a podcast that has decided to break Steven Bartlett’s rule. Instead of interviewing the prime minister, they’ve interviewed someone who didn’t quite make it to the hot seat: Jeremy Corbyn. Although, frankly, it’s a better call.
Alexi Duggins
Deputy TV editor
Picks of the week
Uncovering Roots
Widely available, three episodes with more to come in 2024
This moving and powerful new podcast gives a voice to lesser-known people whose stories need to be heard. Armenian genocide survivor Aurora Mardiganian is the subject of the strong opening episode, pieced together with interviews from people who knew her. Resilient doesn’t come close to describing the woman who suffered torture and brutality before she escaped to New York. Hannah Verdier
Mortal Sin
Widely available, episodes released over two weeks
Was the death of a US pastor’s wife in a Boxing Day house fire an accident? Or murder? This evocative, compelling tale featuring immersive sound effects tries to get to the bottom of a knotty tale involving lies, deception, odd prophecies and a preacher’s highly active sex life. Alexi Duggins
Trapped History
Widely available, episodes weekly from Tuesday
“Embarrassed”: so self-describes Jeremy Corbyn at the start of his guest appearance in this history podcast’s season three opener. After all, they’ve just compared him to suffragette – and tonight’s topic – Charlotte Despard. “She was an incredibly brave woman!” exclaims Jez, as they discuss her socialism, peace campaigning and Irish nationalism. AD
I Feel Connie
Widely available, episodes weekly
Drag Race fans will want to plug into drag legend Love Connie’s podcast all about, well, her! It’s packed with anecdotes on moving to LA to get into drag and break into Hollywood, discussions on Courtney Love, memories of 90s New York City and thoughts on pop culture obsessions. In the name of some balance, she is joined by co-host Blake Jacobs. Hollie Richardson
There’s a podcast for that
This week, Hannah Verdier picks five of the best genre-defying podcasts, from the UK’s finest storyteller to all the cow-related news you need.
Have You Heard George’s Podcast?
“I’m inspired by the world around me, but the world inside me … that’s where things get interesting,” says George the Poet. While every podcaster and their dog thinks they’re a storyteller, it takes real talent to keep listeners away from the skip button. George’s award-winning podcast about the world around him sounds straightforward enough, but there isn’t a genre that can confine it. His “audio scrapbook” returned this year after a 12-month hiatus, but there are many treasures in the early episodes and 2019’s A Grenfell Story, seen through the eyes of a teacher, is one of them.
Lusus
Drama, demons and the little things that keep you awake at night all merge to bring something beyond the usual horror genre to life in Lusus. The fears explored are highly contemporary, from buying the wrong shoes to missing out if you don’t check your phone regularly, but they soon spiral into another portal when the characters step through a mysterious door. The strong cast makes it all the more believable, including a pre-Dr Who Ncuti Gatwa as a loner who rescues a puppy and becomes embroiled in a battle with his neighbour.
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The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air)
A good old-fashioned variety show? A step back in time? Knowing hipster fodder? Night Vale’s distinctly oddball podcast The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) is all those things and more. Neutral Milk Hotel’s Julian Koster is the creator, narrator and the man who’s not afraid to brandish his singing saw for entertainment. He plays a janitor determined to find fame on stage in a grand ballroom at the top of the Eiffel Tower. A podcast that boasts all that, plus characters that get eaten, can’t really be pigeonholed and that’s the magic of it.
Beef and Dairy Network podcast
“The number one podcast for those involved or just interested in the production of beef animals and dairy herds” has more than 100 episodes, but even devoted listeners aren’t quite sure where it fits in. One thing’s for certain: Benjamin Partridge’s comedy pod, sponsored by the world’s quickest milking machine, is very funny indeed. Comedians bravely joining the moo-ing sound effects and descriptions of a frozen milk luge include Elis James, Mike Wozniak and Cariad Lloyd. It’s original, it’s surreal and it’s completely focused on cows – and delivered with straight faces all round.
Anthem: Homunculus
If Hedwig and the Angry Inch creator John Cameron Mitchell’s 2019 podcast was to try to invent a genre for itself, it would probably be a musical that you can only hear in your mind. Certainly, the 30-minute episodes have a touch of the rock opera about them – and with Broadway legend Patti LuPone rubbing shoulders with Glenn Close and Laurie Anderson it’s one you’ll want to hear. Plot-wise, it’s a small-town tale about a man who’s crowdfunding for his cancer treatment because he can’t afford health insurance, with Anderson as the singing tumour.
Why not try …
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In the People Just Do Nothing spin-off The Kurupt FM Podkast, the self-described “legends” of Brentford’s pirate radio scene discuss everything from crime to parenting and health.
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Brokers, Bagmen & Moles transports listeners to the Chicago trading floor of the 1980s – a workplace unlike any we know today – as the FBI mounts one of the most expensive, elaborate undercover investigations in its history.
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Dara Ó Briain’s Timewasters is a panel show all about those moments in our lives we’ll never get back.