Pod Bible Issue #027 - Pod Save The UK

#027 // JUN 2023 FREE

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PODCASTS FEATURING NISH KUMAR & COCO KHAN FROM POD SAVE THE UK, FLORENCE & REED FROM F**KS GIVEN AND A VARIETY OF PODCAST REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS!

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POD BIBLE // #027 // JUN 2023

WELCOME TO THE NEW ISSUE!

IN THIS ISSUE EDITOR'S NOTE THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO //

Welcome to Issue #027 of Pod Bible, featuring a wide array of new podcast recommendations for you to sink your teeth into!

THE NEW TESTAMENT //

For our lead interview we're delighted to have Nish Kumar and Coco Khan from the chart topping Pod Save The UK. Not only were the pair generous with their time in answering our questions, we also think this may be one of our favourite cover illustrations yet. Big up Dan Evans as usual for his astounding work!

Nish Kumar & Coco Khan.................................02 Recent episode recommendations...............06

THE HOLY GRAIL //

An Audible Original Podcast round-up.........08

PODCAST DISCIPLES //

F**ks Given on their love for podcasts...........10

BREAKING BREAD //

A regular column from Stak............................12

AUDDY SPOTLIGHT //

Shows worth knowing about..........................15

THE SCRIPTURES //

Also in this issue we have an interview with Florence Bark and Amber Reed from the F**ks Given podcast and regular columns from Audible, Stak and Auddy. You may also notice the Oh My Pod section looking a little different this time as for this issue it's brought to you by the upcoming Independent Podcast Awards!

Podcasts that always deliver...........................16

THE GOOD SAMARITAN //

Podcasts with a social conscience...............20

THE OLD TESTAMENT //

Classic podcast recommendations..............22

OH.MY.POD //

Independent podcasts.....................................24

@podbible PODBIBLEMAG.COM EDITORS // Adam Richardson & Stu Whiffen adam@podbiblemag.com // @mynameisad stuart@podbiblemag.com // @stuwhiffen

COVER ART // Dan Evans idrawforfood.co.uk / @dan_draws WRITERS //

Tom Nicholson, Adam Richardson, Fran Turauskis & Jason Reed

Before we go we'd like to say hi to all the wonderful people we met at The Podcast Show in London at the end of May. What an incredible couple of days that was! It's the first year we've had our own booth and were able to give away hundreds of magazines so if you're a new reader after meeting us there, or you came to see our live show, hello!

We'll be back with our next issue in August, until then keep listening and keep spreading the word of pod... info@podbiblemag.com // @podbible ADAM RICHARDSON // STU WHIFFEN @mynameisad // adam@podbiblemag.com @stuwhiffen // stuart@podbiblemag.com

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO... NISH KUMAR & COCO KHAN //

“WE'RE GREAT BELIEVERS IN THE POWER OF HUMOUR TO CUT THROUGH THE NONSENSE” THEY MAY BE THE NEWBIES ON THE POLITICAL PODCAST BLOCK BUT NISH KUMAR AND COCO KHAN ARE COMING IN HOT (AND FIRING STRAIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS) WITH NEW SHOW POD SAVE THE UK. WE SAT DOWN WITH OUR NEW SAVIOURS TO DISCUSS FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF POD SAVE AMERICA, MAKING SENSE OF THE CONSTANT CHAOS AND THE PODCASTS THAT HELP THEM SWITCH OFF...

PB: TELL US ABOUT OFF AIR WITH JANE AND FI! WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PODCAST ELEVATOR PITCH? Coco: A progressive politics podcast from an outsider's perspective, where the listener isn't talked down to and instead lifted up and encouraged to engage in politics - all through the prism of hope and humour.

CAN A PODCAST ACTUALLY SAVE THE UK? Nish: Probably not, but we’ll give it a damn good go. I’m hoping that by asking experts questions about the things that really matter to a lot of us, we can start trying to find 02 //

solutions to some of the problems facing the country. But look, at the end of the day it’s probably not going to be a podcast that saves us, but the studios are booked so we should realistically press on with it.

HOW SIMILAR TO POD SAVE AMERICA WILL THE NEW SHOW BE? Your weekly fix of political news, big ideas and a shot of inspiration. Each week hosts, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan are joined by politicians, experts, and famous friends to unpick the latest news, look for solutions, and inspire action.

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Nish: Definitely different by virtue that John, John and Tommy actually have worked in politics and can explain how the sausage is made. Coco and I are more firmly on the side of the sausage consumers (this metaphor has got away from me), so unlike the founders of the company we aren’t experts and won’t be pretending to be.

Coco: We'd love to emulate the rapport between the hosts and the no-bullshit approach you can only really get between actual friends, rather than professionals shoved together for the sake of a podcast.

WHAT KIND OF DYNAMIC CAN LISTENERS EXPECT FROM YOU AS CO-HOSTS? Coco: We're great believers in the power of humour to cut through the nonsense, and being relentless optimists we genuinely believe change is possible. We're outside the Westminster bubble ourselves and want to represent that position - we want to represent the listener. If you ever find yourself watching politics on TV and feel frustrated that everyone seems like they are on another planet, this is the podcast for you. Plus, there's a lot of jokes.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF MAKING THE SHOW SO FAR? COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE GUESTS YOU ARE LIKELY TO Nish: Working with Coco has been an HAVE ON THE PODCAST? absolute dream. We’ve been friends for a long time and I am delighted to have Coco: We want to pass the mic to people out contractually obligated her to hang out with there doing good work to make Britain a more me every week. I look forward to a day when equitable place. This is people from inside and I can force all my friends to spend time with outside Westminster -from activists to political me by paying them money. scientists, authors and artists. // 03

WHO’S YOUR DREAM GUEST FOR POD SAVE THE UK? Nish: Marcus Rashford, both for his good work and also so I could meet Marcus Rashford.

W H AT ’ S Y O U R F AV O U R I T E POLITICAL PODCAST? Nish: Obviously the Crooked Media output, but I also really loved being a small part of About Race – a series Reni Eddo Lodge did a few years ago. It was really excellent and is available to download still. Slow Burn is also always great, whether it’s political or about Biggie and Tupac.

WHICH PODCASTS AWAY FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

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Coco: I listen to every Guardian Long Read - I love the depth and breadth of it - and I am partial to a true crime series. Naturally, Serial excel at the narrative series but I also love a self-contained case explored in a single episode, like with Casefile with its almost deadpan, factual approach. And for warm, genuine rapport, the pop culture series, How Did It Get Made cannot be beat.

Nish: I think people would be surprised by the number of football pods I listen to, including Stadio and Guardian Football Weekly.

FINALLY, IN THREE WORDS, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE SUBSCRIBE? Nish: I am nice.

MrNishKumar / CocoByName

THE ULTIMATE MUSIC PODCAST IS BACK

ADVERTORIAL FROM

CHRIS HAWKINS’ HOW TO DJ IS BACK FOR ANOTHER SERIES AS HE CONTINUES HIS QUEST TO DISCOVER WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A DJ. As the podcast approaches 50 episodes Jayne Middlemiss & Tony Blackburn to hear Chris has spoken with icons of clubs their stories from their careers and discover including Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox & DJ Yoda as what it takes to become a successful DJ. well as radio legends such as Greg James, While there’s lots of chat around the essential do’s and don’ts, gear recommendations and stories aplenty, the series is a love letter to music. At the end of each episode Chris asks his guests to choose their apocalyptic set closer, 3 songs that they would play for the world at the time of the apocalypse.

Listen to the new series of How To DJ on your podcast app every Friday.

THE NEW TESTAMENT //

RECENT EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST TOM HANKS // MAY 2023

INTERVIEW & CONVERSATION 1h 6m

After a little post-Christmas break, Dr Buckles returns with a proper blockbuster guest. America’s Dad is on to talk about his first novel, The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece, but ends up going in depth about the possibility of him being resurrected with deepfake tech, the strange and scary experience of being the first very famous person to be known to get Covid, and his weakness for a ‘diet coke-agne’. That’s a Diet Coke, with a shot of champers. Chin chin.

FILTHY RITUAL

EPISODE 1 // THE HEALER OF HAMPSTEAD // MAY 2023

TRUE CRIME 47m

The leafy, moneyed streets of Hampstead have been prime podcast territory recently. After the satanic panic thriller Hoaxed comes this tale of a scam artist who managed to turn faith healing into a million-pound grift. In the first episode, we meet fake shaman Juliette D'Souza as she worms her way into the lives of vulnerable people desperate for her to change their lives with her powers. Redhanded’s Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala host, as engaging and fun as ever.

FLIPPING THE BIRD

1 // MAXIMUM AMAZING // MAY 2023

BUSINESS 30m

The latest in Wondery’s run of series about companies going into meltdown – they also did WeCrashed and Business Wars – goes inside Elon Musk’s helter skelter takeover of Twitter with testimony from staff at its heart. Things take a little while to set up, as Musk doesn’t even take over the company until episode three, but this intro is a thorough dissection of quite how impossible a bind Twitter was in when its founder Jack Dorsey stepped down.

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BELIEVE IN MAGIC

EPISODE 1 // MEGAN // MAY 2023

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING 22m

Back in 2012, 17-year-old Megan Bhari was an inspiration. Since she had been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, her charity Believe In Magic had helped to grant the wishes of other very ill children. One Direction wore its purple wristbands, and David Cameron gave Megan an award. Ordinary people sent thousands of pounds. But online sleuths questioned her story. Was it a scam? Or had a bunch of vigilantes gone overboard? The truth was even more bizarre and unsettling.

CHANGES

KAE TEMPEST // MAY 2023

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE 46m

DJ Annie Macmanus has had some wonderful guests on Changes over the years, none more so than writer, poet and recording artist Kae Tempest, who's story fits perfectly with a format discussing how change punctuates our lives and defines who we are. Prepare for an emotional and uplifting conversation as Kae discusses change in all it's forms, as well as the huge impact that coming out in 2020 had on their journey from "dysphoria to euphoria". A compelling story, beautifully told.

THE KITCHEN CABINET

PORTSTEWART // MAY 2023

FOOD 28m

Not sure what to do for tea tonight? You might get an answer here, as well as food for thought on pretty much everything gastronomic. Jay Rayner’s The Kitchen Cabinet travels around the country like a more riotous version of fellow Radio 4 stalwart Gardener’s Question Time, with audiences from Plymouth to Carlisle asking chefs, historians, journalists and academics the big questions. In Northern Ireland, it’s all about how to cook brown rice, what to do with whisky, and the panel work out what to serve a giant.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE 9m BRIGHTON BIRTHDAYS, BANNERS AND BOULES // MAY 2023 Nine years ago, Catherine Carr put together a lovely little Radio 4 programme where she stopped random people in the street and asked one simple question: where are you going? Now it’s back as a podcast of bite-sized 10-minute episodes, and it’s as much a joy as it ever was. It’s a reminder that no matter what wild story you’re listening to, you’re as likely to come across something extraordinary talking to random people on the street. // 07

THE HOLY GRAIL // IN ASSOCIATION WITH

DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...

EACH ISSUE WE BRING YOU A ROUND-UP OF THE AUDIBLE ORIGINAL PODCASTS OUR MEMBERS ARE LOVING AND PRESS ARE BUZZING ABOUT TOO. WITHOUT FURTHER ADO HERE’S OUR MEMBERS ON THEIR FAVOURITE LISTENS… THE DEBUTANTE This is the story of a Tulsa debutante who, as a result of a series of unlikely and often very bad life choices she made in the ‘90s, found herself in the midst of one of the most terrible crimes ever to take place in America Carol Howe—a charismatic, wealthy former debutante turned white supremacist spokeswoman turned undercover informant. In 1995, Carol was spying on Oklahoma’s neo-Nazis for the government just when Timothy McVeigh blew up a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. Ever since then, Carol has haunted the imaginations of survivors and investigators because of a rumour that had begun to swirl: If her information had only been listened to. In The Debutante, he seeks the truth about the woman who grew up in a world of privilege and opportunity and whose teenage rebellion lead her to extreme radicalization.

“Gripping investigative journalism from Jon Ronson” Anon

“A masterclass in storytelling” Ms Higgins

KURUPT FM SERIES 3 The multi-award-winning comedy podcast is back…Following the BAFTAwinning TV series (People Just Do Nothing), the smash hit film (Big In Japan), not to mention the multiple award wins for series 1 and 2 of the podcast (Best Comedy, British Podcast Awards), the Kurupt FM crew have assembled once more… Self-described ‘legends’ of Brentford’s UK Garage pirate radio scene – MC Grindah, DJ Beats, DJ Steves, and their manager Chabuddy G – gather round the mic in Steve’s nan’s flat to discuss more of what they think about some of the world’s most important subjects. This time it’s Crime, Business, Books, Parenting, Celebrities and Health.

“Brilliant! Perfect comedy for my commute” Amazon user

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“New to Krupt FM - had me laughing out loud on me dog walk” Anon

POD BIBLE // #027 // JUN 2023

MOTHER, NEIGHBOR, RUSSIAN SPY Cindy Murphy is the early 2000s poster girl for having it all. A top job in finance in Manhattan, two delightful daughters and a house in the suburbs. But Cindy’s life is built on a lie. She’s really a Russian spy sent to live in deep cover in the US and send intel back to Moscow. Rosamund Pike narrates this true story documentary about an extraordinary woman who deceives her friends, neighbors, boss and even her children.

“Couldn't stop” Amazon user

“Fascinating and exciting” Anon

COUNTERED TERRORISM In six action-packed episodes, Countered Terrorism goes behind the scenes to uncover how counter terrorism units have managed to foil or derail a number of major terror plots in recent years. From preventing carnage at the Notting Hill Carnival to thwarting Islamic fundamentalists and far right Nazi sympathisers across the globe, Countered Terrorism highlights the bravery, expertise, intuition and dedication of the anti-terror experts, who work 24/7 to keep us safe from deadly attacks.

“Superb series!” Mr Foxton

“A must listen.” Mr Gray

IF YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF THESE WHY NOT TRY THIS AUDIBLE ORIGINAL...

THE LITTLE MERMAID Immerse yourself in an Audible Original production of The Little Mermaid.

A magical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, narrated by singer-songwriter Leigh-Anne Pinnock. Deep beneath the ocean, there is a shimmering palace. Built of coral walls and windows of clearest amber, it is the kingdom of the merpeople. And one of these mermaids you might know well: she is the youngest, and is gifted with the most beautiful voice.

Unhappy with her life as a mermaid, she dreams of living on dry land. One day, on her birthday, she ascends to the surface to find a magnificent three-masted ship drifting in calm waters. There, amongst the passengers, she meets the brown-eyed prince.

To win his affection, the little mermaid sells a piece of herself—and is faced with a monumental choice. Join Leigh-Anne Pinnock on a journey to the depths of the ocean.

“Could not stop listening..” Amazon Customer

“Excellent podcast and well presented” Anon

LISTEN NOW. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED. SEE AUDIBLE.CO.UK FOR TERMS. // 09

PODCAST DISCIPLES //

F**KS GIVEN IN EVERY ISSUE WE ASK A PODCAST DISCIPLE FIVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR LOVE OF PODCASTS AND PODCASTING. FOR THIS ISSUE WE’RE JOINED BY FLORENCE BARK & REED AMBER, FROM F**KS GIVEN! WHY DO YOU LOVE PODCASTS? Podcasts have been one of the platforms where we can be authentically ourselves, completely honest and explicit all at the same time. Having struggled with talking about sex education on social media, it’s been a complete blessing to have the space to get people talking about sex.

We love podcasts because it's effortless learning, it’s having a conversation with people and feeling part of a community.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST POD YOU EVER LISTENED TO? Florence: The first ever podcasts I listened to were Guys We F*****d (very on brand) and the original Serial. Both captivated me so much and were always my perfect gym companion. I loved the open sex discussions, 10 //

hearing other people doing what I was doing was really inspiring.

Reed: The first podcast I actively started listening to was Criminal, probably because I'm sick and twisted individual who loves to get spooked. It’s still my number one to listen to when I'm relaxing in the bath, often letting out a gasp or a tear on occasion.

WHICH PODCASTER MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? Florence: I’m a big fan of Duncan Trussell on Duncan Trussell Family Hour. The intros to his episodes never fail to make me crack up. It was an absolute honour to have him on our own podcast.

Reed: Haha the one podcast series that actually has me howling, probably because it helps me access my inner child and I cant

POD BIBLE // #027 // JUN 2023

help but laugh or cringe at the toilet humour and sex jokes is Gossipmongers. David Earl and Joe Wilkinson’s laughter gets me so violently, even if I'm having the worst day I can't help but grin.

Trussell Family Hour and On Purpose.

WHICH PODCAST HAS EDUCATED YOU THE MOST?

The Orgasm Cult was an amazing documentary podcast series. It was so gripping and shocking, and the journalist gave us an amazing tour through the whole journey. Who doesn’t love a cult documentary, especially when it's a sex cult.

There are so many to choose from here!

Learning through podcasts is our favourite way to be educated. We’ve gained serious knowledge from Science Vs, Where Should We Begin? with Ester Perel, Jon Ronson's Butterfly Effect, The Diary of a CEO, Duncan

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SHOW OUR READERS MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF YET?

ComeCurious

F**ks Given by ComeCurious. The podcast where honesty, authenticity and explicitness thrive together in a wholesome safe space to talk about all things sex, relationships, bodies and mental health. Hosted by Reed Amber and Florence Bark, the creators of ComeCurious - a leading UK sex education platform spreading across all social media. The podcast delves into everything from sex advice to virginity to 12 person orgies, to onlyfans drama, to anal mishaps, and tips for giving the best head. Guests from all over the world join us on the show and divulge their sexy stories and important messages to help open up the conversation around sex.

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BREAKING BREAD // WITH

THE END OF THE OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL MOCKUMENTARY SERIES, THE OFFENSIVE, IS COMING TO A FINALE AFTER 5 SEASONS! Award-winning mockumentary series, The Offensive, has reached its final episode after 5 seasons! Written and directed by Joel Emery & Adam Jarrell (Holy Smokes), produced by Stak (Football Ramble, Abroad in Japan), The Offensive has gathered a hugely loyal fanbase over six years of releases.

We caught up with creators, Joel & Adam, to reflect on 6 years of The Offensive…

HEY GUYS! SO, 5 SEASONS OF THE OFFENSIVE! DID YOU EVER IMAGINE THE SERIES WOULD GROW TO THIS SCALE?

The Offensive follows the AJ: We're incredibly lucky with fictional Premier League club the listeners of the show and Ashwood City FC through their passion for not only the their tricky transfer windows, characters, but Ashwood City disastrous deadline days and itself! There wouldn't be a multiple manager breakdowns. total of five seasons without The mockumentary gives a them, we'd have disappeared hilariously quick-witted insight after one season in the into the behind the scenes of Premier League like Swindon. running a football club. The Offensive gives an entertaining HOW DID YOU COME take on the football industry from all angles, UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE including the engaging vocal talent of Paul OFFENSIVE? Waggott (Patrick Nolan), Helena Doughty (Jess Tate) and Adam Jarrell (Chris Woodall). JE: The idea was around before the ‘Sunderland Til I Die’s, the PL ‘All or Nothing’s, The Guardian has called the series, “The Ted Lasso or anything like that. It was born Thick Of It meets Fifa career mode - a must from a love of things like the Warnock listen for football fans''. The series placed documentary and Big Ron Manager. We top of the Apple Fiction Podcasting Charts deliberately aligned our style as close as we and won Bronze at the 2019 British Podcast could to The Thick Of It. Not just in terms of Awards for Best Fiction. documentary style, but also explicit content.

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POD BIBLE // #027 // JUN 2023

We wanted something that wasn't gushy or romantic about football.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT OR EPISODE FROM THE SERIES? AJ: There's too many to choose from. Our lead actors, Paul Waggott and Helena Doughty, bring so much to Patrick Nolan and Jess Tate respectively, often it could be an ad-lib or a variation of a certain line of dialogue that keeps us on our toes and provides us with a laugh we weren't necessarily expecting.

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE SERIES? AJ: Personally, we've been through a lot of tough times during the process of making the show. The entire world has as well, and it has been nice to receive tweets and messages saying how we have provided a bit of laughter during the toughest of times, or how family members have bonded over the storylines of the show, making it a regular listen each week.

plus cast members who have graced us with their vocal talents, to the cameos from the real footballing world but most of all, thank you to the listeners who have taken a chance on a football comedy fiction show that when we first released back in 2018, one of our favourite early reviews read : "I thought this LASTLY, DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL was going to be shit-it is not". I think that WORDS FOR THE SERIES? sums it up.

JE: Final words for the series would be a clichéd thank you from Joel and myself. To listen to all six seasons of The Offensive, Thank you to the principal cast, thank you subscribe and listen by searching ‘The to our Producers Stak, thank you to the 200 Offensive’ wherever you get your podcasts. stakpod

stakpod

Stak produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows - boasting a combined 4 million monthly listens and over 45 years of podcasting experience.

Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London studio, we specialise in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stak.london!

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BREAKING BREAD // WITH

ARE YOU READY FOR THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023?

UPFRONT ARE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY BROADCASTING FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND Last summer was a pivotal moment for women’s football in the UK. An England victory was then bettered as they urged the government to increase P.E. provisions for girls in schools across the country. Women’s football crowds are up, TV figures are growing, and more of these amazing women are household names - and this summer, it’s going up another notch.

The Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand kicks off in July, as England look to follow up their Euros win while Rep. Ireland will be bringing their World Cup debut.

For fans who can’t make the trip out there, fear not! Upfront, the women’s football podcast, from the team behind the Football Ramble, will be Down Under with all the latest news from what’s set to be another landmark moment for the women’s game.

Upfront’s tournament coverage last summer earned them a silver award in the 2022 British Podcast Awards, as hosts Rachel O’Sullivan and Chloe Morgan captured the unique spirit of the international tournaments. They’ll have episodes recorded live at matches, across both countries, where they’ll be engrossed amongst worldwide fans. All delivered with 14 //

the fun, occasionally chaotic tone that makes Upfront the biggest women’s football podcast in the UK. Think: the best mates’ football holiday ever, sent straight to your podcast app multiple times a week.

“One of the best parts about Upfront so far has been covering the Euros together” states Rachel. “To get to do that for a World Cup AND down under in Oz and New Zealand is even more exciting. Embedding yourself in a tournament is so fun and doing it so far away from home makes it a real adventure. I can’t wait to try and bring some of that atmosphere and tournament vibes (and the football of course) to our listeners.”

Upfront has never been afraid to tackle the big issues affecting women’s football; from the ACL injuries that threaten England’s chances, to how young girls from minority backgrounds haven’t felt the effects of the national team’s success. Guests from all corners of the game have joined Rachel and Chloe to raise awareness of issues and causes vitally important to the women’s football community.

For all your latest news and reaction from this summer’s women’s World Cup, make sure you’re subscribed! Search ‘Upfront’ wherever you get your podcasts.

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THE SCRIPTURES //

PODCASTS WITH BACK CATALOGUES THAT ARE ALL KILLER, NO FILLER SOME PODS YOU DIP IN AND OUT OF, OTHERS YOU LISTEN TO RELIGIOUSLY. HERE’S OUR LATEST SELECTION OF PODCASTS THAT ARE WELL WORTH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. SONG EXPLODER

MUSIC A proper classic, Song Exploder was one of a tranche of podcasts which really started to expand the idea of podcasts beyond a couple of guys talking about movies for three hours. Each time one song is broken down into its original multitracks, and the musicians who made it share the story of how all the components came together.

Whether it’s New Order talking about Blue Monday or Madonna on Hung Up, it always makes the creation of music feel miraculous.

THEY WALK AMONG US

TRUE CRIME This true crime podcast is several cuts above your run of the mill Wikipedia rundowns. Husband and wife Benjamin and Rosanna Fitton have been the best British exponents of the craft since 2016, digging far beyond the kinds of real life narratives which you’ve heard before and it’s particularly strong when it locates the terror hiding behind the begonias under the rockeries of the suburbs. Always rigorously researched and compellingly told, this is the true crime standard.

THE REST IS HISTORY

HISTORY It’s a bit much to say that historians Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland walked so The Rest is Politics’ Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart could run, but they certainly sat down to chat about stuff so their Goalhanger podcast stablemates could also sit down and chat about stuff. Using their deep knowledge of the past (Sandbrook specialises in the 20th century, Holland in antiquity) to illuminate the present, they’re also just very avuncular company.

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JERMAINE DEFOE: OUTSIDE THE BOX

SPORT A documentary series from the BBC that follows ex England international Jermaine Defoe as he looks to establish himself in the world of football management. It's impossible not to warm to Jermaine as he visits old clubs, speaks to former managers and explores the avenues open to him. Will the fact that it's traditionally harder for black footballers to make it in management make him question his dream? Or will it make him even more determined...

A VERY BRITISH CULT

INVESTIGATIVE When Jeff Leigh-Jones found himself at a crossroads in his life back in 2019, he decided to find a life coach who could help him find direction.

He joined an organisation called Lighthouse which welcomed him.

Three years later, he had handed over more than £100,000 to Lighthouse and its bullish leader Paul Waugh, losing his house and alienating his family in the process. Catrin Nye leads the winding investigation, winding up to a face-to-face confrontation with Waugh.

DEAD EYES

PERSONAL NON-FICTION Connor Ratcliff could almost taste his big breakthrough. He was in the final stages of casting for Band of Brothers, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg’s soon-to-be-gigantic World War Two TV series. But right at the last second, he’s sacked. The reason? Apparently Hanks thought he had “dead eyes”. As he tries to work out what really happened, other creatives talk about times they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. And, finally, he gets answers from Hanks himself.

SISTERS

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE Kaitlin Prest’s five-part series is an inventive study of the many thousands of ways in which siblings can wind you up, cramp your style and ruin your life, while at the same time being the people you love and understand best. She and her little sister Natalie remember growing up – when Natalie took up swimming because she wanted to be like Kaitlin and promptly ruined swimming by being far better, for instance – in a nuanced, heartfelt portrait of family life.

SHRINE PODCASTS

TV If you’re into TV thrillers then you need Shrine Podcasts in your life: Big Little Lies, Line of Duty and Vigil have all been the subjects of this listen-along podcast. Rebecca Shekleton and Brendan O’Loughlin from Dublin's 98FM’s breakfast show are joined by podcaster Hannah Connolly to break down every episode at length, without ever outstaying their welcome. There’s a healthy irreverence to the gang’s vibe, and they’re always ready with a wild theory too. // 17

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THE GOOD SAMARITAN //

PODCASTS WITH A SOCIAL CONSCIENCE JASON REED FROM LEAP UK & THE STOP AND SEARCH PODCAST SPEAKS TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND PODCASTS FROM THE CHARITY AND CAUSES SECTOR Dan Maudsley is the senior producer of the BBC Sounds podcast, Finding Britain’s Ghost Children, he is also co-founder of Listen United Media, Dan explains why we need greater awareness of the many missing children from our schools after the pandemic.

As Covid subsided and schools returned to normal, many of the children who previously attended weren’t there. The then 100,000 severely absent pupils in England – those missing more than 50% of sessions – began to be referred to as ‘ghost children’.

The spark for this story was the terrible death of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo Hughes at the hands of his father and stepmother. There was such a huge reaction to his case that it left a deep impression on all of us who covered it at BBC 5 Live.

It was my colleague, Sophie Donnelly, who approached our editor, Anna Stewart, with the idea for a podcast. They’d both recently read journalist and NSPCC ambassador, Terri White’s memoirs, Coming Undone, about 20 //

dealing with her own childhood abuse. As a child, school had been Terri’s safe place.

It was also her route to university and a successful magazine career.

With such an important issue, which was fairly under-reported, how did the production team set about telling this story?

We knew we wanted to get to the heart of the issues but we were also wary of making a podcast that people ‘should’ listen to, but didn’t. By weaving in Terri’s own story and by speaking to some inspiring and compelling individuals, we hoped to create something that people would be drawn to.

Terri reunited with her old primary school teacher, who told her she had just as much grit and determination then as she does now, and met an incredible head teacher in Barrow who has transformed a local primary school.

Gradually we learned more about what was going wrong in education and children’s services, but also just how much of it was similar to Terri’s experiences in the 1980s.

POD BIBLE // #027 // JUN 2023

Despite repeated requests for a minister, one voice we didn't hear was the Government’s.

We did eventually receive a statement and, more intriguingly, a quiet offer of a meeting from one individual at the heart of policy making so – watch this space.

Thankfully, the podcast has managed to shine a spotlight onto what’s become a deeply overlooked issue.

Terri’s personal story touched people too, from teachers to abuse survivors. We heard from social workers, educational psychologists, youth workers and many, many parents. They felt isolated, misunderstood, mistreated and ultimately - often traumatised by the drive for 100% attendance.

When you have the Guardian calling your podcast, "required listening for our political leaders”, and the Telegraph agreeing that it,

"should be at the heart of the news agenda”, you know you've done something right.

But we were particularly pleased by how it was received by groups and charities in the sector. The Centre For Social Justice tweeted that it had brought the issues to life, which was exactly what we set out to do. Square Peg, which represents children who struggle to attend school, talked about the series' “incredible storytelling and nuance.” Nuance in particular is something that narrative podcasts can deliver so much better than typical news reporting.

With a mix of live panel discussions, celebrity guests, policy experts and general inquisitiveness, STOP AND SEARCH discusses drugs, addiction, mental health and the media. Available on Spotify, Acast and all other platforms.

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THE OLD TESTAMENT //

CLASSIC EPISODES FROM THE PODCAST ARCHIVES POD SAVE AMERICA

POLITICS 37m

OBAMA'S LAST INTERVIEW // JAN 2017

With the stars of Pod Save The UK gracing our cover it felt only right to give a shout out to it's sister show and inspiration. Pod Save America offers an irreverent view of US politics from former White House aides Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor and Jon Favreau. Their inside knowledge and list of contacts not only produce incomparible insight, it also led to them hosting Barack Obama for his last interview as sitting President. What followed was a refreshingly candid and human conversation.

UNREAL: A CRITICAL HISTORY OF REALITY TV THE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT: BIG BROTHER // MAY 2022

TV 56m

Journalists Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale explore how reality TV has shaped our lives and the ethical questions raised by the format. Episode one spotlights Big Brother, the behemoth that began as a fly on the wall social experiment before quickly becoming shrouded in controversy. The episode focuses on some of BB's breakout stars like Nasty Nick and Jade Goody, while also examining it's creative treatment of actuality and the alleged manipulation of both it's house mates and it's audience.

DISTRACTION PIECES PODCAST

#42 // REFUGEE WEEK SPECIAL // JUN 2015

INTERVIEW & CONVERSATION 1h 04m

Scroobius Pip hasn't missed a week since starting his podcast back in 2014, recently reaching 500 episodes. While chats with the likes of Michael Fassbender, Mary J Blige or Stephen Fry may stand out, it's so often the conversations with previously unknown personalities that make Distraction Pieces so engaging. This Refugee Week Special showed early on how adept an interviewer Pip had become as he spoke to Ramelle, a refugee forced to leave her native country then seek asylum in the UK. 22 //

POD BIBLE // #027 // JUN 2023

GRIEFCAST

#139 // REV RICHARD COLES // APR 2021

INTERVIEW & CONVERSATION 56m

Cariad Lloyd's Griefcast has been discussing death and how we deal with it since 2016, back when open conversations about grief were far less frequent than they are now. Her outwardly warm and sensitive approach allows guests to comfortably tell their stories at their own pace, as this episode with Rev Richard Coles demonstrates. Richard discusses the loss of his partner David to alcohol addiction and the difficulties of attempting to process things during a global pandemic and national lockdown.

THE DOROTHY PROJECT

DR FERN RIDDELL: HISTORIAN OF SEX // FEB 2022

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE 32m

What’s the connection between certain women - from Lady Gaga to the Queen Mum - and queer society? DJ and LGBT activist Alice BevertonPalmer, explores the Dorothy in the ‘friends of Dorothy’ phrase by speaking to a variety of guests from famous names to unsung heroes.

Dr Fern Riddell is a historian, podcaster and author who reveals that British people in the past weren’t necessarily as narrow minded about sex, sexuality, and gender as you might think.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

PARENTING 35m

THE DAYS AFTER BIRTH // DEC 2019 Prepare yourself for a hugely emotional listen as Stacey Soloman discusses what it means to be a new Mum on her unapologetically honest podcast, Here We Go Again. In this episode Stacey speaks to close friend Nadia Sawalha about the fear and desperation felt in those early days and even shares voice notes sent to Nadia in the hours after birth. A truly heart warming listen that showcases the importance of friendship and family support for any new parent.

WELCOME TO LA

FRIDAY NIGHT: THE KINGDOM OF TIME // JUN 2020

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE 56m

David Weinberg presents a collection of conversations recorded in Los Angeles on Friday nights across many years. The episode forms a portrait of a bustling city and it's people, from teenagers prepping for prom night, to window cleaners who dreamt of making it in stand up to poets, activists and delivery drivers. A wonderful collage of audio that evokes the buzz of city life and became even more impactful as most listeners were confined to their homes when it was released. // 23

OH MY POD //

INDEPENDENT PODCASTS FOR THIS ISSUE, THE OH MY POD SECTION IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE INDEPENDENT PODCAST AWARDS! EACH ONE HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY THEIR ADVISORY BOARD, MADE UP OF DREW TOYNBEE (SEQUEL PITCH), EM MCGOWAN (VERBAL DIORAMA), MARK ASQUITH (CAPTIVATE), SIMON BREW (FILM STORIES), KOBI OMENAKA (FLIXWATCHER), MARK WOODYATT (MARK AND ME PODCAST) AND JACK CHAMBERS-WARD (SEQUELISERS).

DISTURBINGLY PRAGMATIC

Up first, Disturbingly Pragmatic - it's a "discuss anything and everything" pod, but hosts Dave and Paul, being partners, have such an incredible rapport, and if you are OK with/actively enjoy irreverent (and occasionally pretty dark) humour it definitely needs listening to.

THAT SONG FROM THAT MOVIE

That Song from That Movie taps into movie soundtracks like no other podcast, they talk about the songs from the movie, rather than the movie itself, but again it's just a really relaxed, informal podcast with great hosts that you just immediately like. Great for people who love movies or music, or both!

DO DRAGONS DREAM OF SCORCHED SHEEP

A bi-weekly D&D actual play show brought to you by the Modern Escapism team. It features the characters of Stigveld, T'Reble O'Clef, Calbo Greymerkin & Capri Smitty as they explore the world of Erethria in search of fame, fortune, a good fight and a nice tankard of ale.

SAUSAGE ON A FORK

A podcast dedicated to the U.K.'s longest running children's drama, Grange Hill. Each episode features an interview with a former cast member about their life before, during and after Grange Hill. A terrific example of someone with a passion for a subject building a podcast from scratch about it.

THE SQUAREPEG PODCAST

The Squarepeg podcast is all about giving autistic adults an opportunity to hear from other neurodivergent people. It’s hosted by Amy Richards who was diagnosed autistic in 2016 at age 37 and covers topics including late diagnosis and navigating life as neurodivergent adults.

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POD BIBLE // #027 // JUN 2023

BINGE MOVIES

Hosted by Jason from the last video store left in the universe, he takes on 5-10 films an episode all linked on a theme. He and a guest then review and rank, selecting a film each to be placed into Last Movie Standing, where guests battle to save only one film.

WINTER OF DISCONTENT - A BEATLES PODCAST

It’s January 1969 and The Beatles are commercially at their peak with a number one Album in the charts and the summer’s smash hit ‘Hey Jude.’

Professionally things couldn’t be worse, however. This is ‘The Winter of Discontent’. And we’re going to listen in to what will transpire.

THE SUCCESSIONISTAS

A brilliant gem with astute insights and well-researched knowledge. The hosts' rapport and respect for each other, along with staying on topic, make it a standout. If you love Succession, don't miss this essential podcast—you'll be glad you listened.

The Independent Podcast Awards are the brand new awards launched for those podcasts that are truly free of corporate ties. We’re taking things back to those who create their content in their backrooms, in their spare time and without the pressures of upsetting their sponsors along the way.

If you create a podcast but don’t think you have a chance of winning an award against some of the bigger players out there, then this is the place for you.

Whether you are talking about comedy, horror, sport, or focus on fiction then we want to hear from you.

Find out more and enter at: independentpodcastawards.com // 25

TRUE CRIME PODCASTS A LINE UP UNLIKE ANY OTHER LISTEN NOW Subscription required. See audible.co.uk for terms.