Three years ago, I didn't get podcasts. Genuinely. Why listen to someone talking in my ears when I could read an article in three minutes? Then one Tuesday evening in November, trapped on a train that had stopped moving, I launched an episode of The Guilty Feminist out of pure desperation — my battery was too low for Netflix and my book was on the bedside table at home. An hour later, I was still on the train (obviously), but I'd learnt more about internalised misogyny than during my entire sociology degree. Since then, I've become that insufferable person who starts sentences with "I listened to a podcast that said…"
This selection is the result of three years of near-daily listening — roughly 2,000 episodes, if you do the maths, which is slightly terrifying when you think about it. I've sorted them by genre, because you don't listen to the same podcast while jogging on Sunday morning and during insomnia at 3am. For each one, I give you the concept, the frequency, and most importantly the episode to start with — because nothing's worse than landing on a mediocre episode and writing off a brilliant podcast.
Contents:
- Feminism & society: podcasts that wake you up
- Culture & conversation: podcasts that nourish
- True crime & investigation: podcasts that grip
- Self-improvement & psychology: podcasts that transform
- Comedy & feel-good: podcasts that do you good
- How to listen to podcasts — the practical guide
- Building a podcast routine without overload
- FAQ: podcasts
Feminism & society: podcasts that wake you up
These podcasts don't preach to the converted — they ask questions you hadn't even thought to ask, deconstruct assumptions with method, and consistently leave you with more to think about than you had before.
1. The Guilty Feminist — Deborah Frances-White
The concept: Live comedy podcast exploring feminist issues. Each episode starts with "I'm a feminist but…" confessions from the audience, then dives into a topic with a mix of comedy, personal stories and expert guests.
Why it's essential: Because it proves feminism and humour aren't mutually exclusive. Deborah Frances-White is sharp, warm and unfailingly inclusive. You learn while laughing — and laughing while learning.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 50-70 min.
Start with: "Perfectionism" — a universally relatable topic that showcases everything the podcast does well.
Live shows: The Guilty Feminist regularly tours the UK. If you get the chance to see it live, take it — the energy of a room full of feminists laughing together is something special.
2. The High Low — Dolly Alderton & Pandora Sykes
The concept: Weekly cultural commentary mixing "high" culture (politics, literature, art) and "low" culture (reality TV, celebrity gossip, TikTok trends). The result is smart conversation that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Why it's essential: Because Dolly and Pandora have the kind of chemistry that makes you feel like you're eavesdropping on the most interesting conversation at a dinner party. It's informed, it's funny, and it makes you feel cleverer for having listened.
Frequency: Weekly (during seasons), episodes 60-80 min.
Start with: Any episode from the latest season — the format makes each one self-contained.
3. Visible Women — Caroline Criado Perez
The concept: Based on her bestselling book, Caroline Criado Perez examines the gender data gap — how the world is designed for men by default, from medicine to urban planning to safety equipment.
Why it's essential: Because once you see the data gap, you can't unsee it. Seatbelts designed for male bodies. Medical trials that exclude women. Smartphone screens sized for men's hands. Each episode is a revelation.
Frequency: Fortnightly, episodes 30-45 min.
Start with: The episode on medical bias — it might genuinely affect your next GP visit.
4. Women's Hour — BBC Radio 4
The concept: The longest-running women's programme on British radio, covering everything from politics to health, culture to relationships, parenting to career. Multiple segments per episode, daily news-driven content.
Why it's reliable: It's the BBC at its best — balanced, well-researched, with access to guests you won't find elsewhere. Not every episode will speak to you, but the ones that do will stay with you.
Frequency: Daily (weekdays), episodes 30-55 min.
Start with: Search for a topic that interests you — the archive is vast and searchable.
Culture & conversation: podcasts that nourish
5. The Rest Is History — Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook
The concept: Two historians discuss historical events with the enthusiasm of sports commentators. From the fall of Rome to the Titanic, from Cleopatra to the Cold War — each episode makes history feel alive and urgent.
Why it's addictive: Because Tom and Dominic are genuinely funny, deeply knowledgeable, and clearly love what they do. It's the history class you wish you'd had at school.
Frequency: Multiple times per week, episodes 40-60 min.
Start with: The series on the French Revolution — gripping, detailed and surprisingly relevant.
6. Desert Island Discs — BBC Radio 4
The concept: A castaway picks eight records, a book and a luxury item to take to a desert island. The music is the entry point; the real content is the life story told through the choices. Running since 1942.
Why it's timeless: Because the format strips away pretence. When someone chooses a song that reminds them of their mother's death or their first love, you hear something real. The best episodes are genuinely moving.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 30-40 min.
Start with: The episode with whoever interests you most — the archive has thousands of episodes.
7. How To Fail with Elizabeth Day
The concept: Guests discuss three failures in their life and what they learnt from them. The premise sounds simple, but the conversations go remarkably deep — because everyone has failed at something important, and talking about it honestly is rarer than you'd think.
Why it's brilliant: Because Elizabeth Day is one of the best interviewers in British podcasting. She listens, she follows up, she doesn't interrupt. The result is conversations of unusual depth and honesty.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 45-60 min.
Start with: The episode with Phoebe Waller-Bridge — funny, honest and touching.
8. You're Dead to Me — BBC Radio 4
The concept: History podcast that pairs a historian with a comedian to discuss a historical topic. Each episode features a specific subject — Viking women, the history of chocolate, ancient Rome's bathhouses — with proper research and genuine laughs.
Frequency: Fortnightly, episodes 35-45 min.
Start with: "Cleopatra" — the perfect blend of scholarship and comedy.
For readers: If you enjoyed our selection of life-changing books, the literary podcasts in this list are the perfect companion — you'll discover what goes on behind the pages.
True crime & investigation: podcasts that grip
True crime dominates the podcast charts — for good reason: the audio format is perfect for long-form investigations. But quality varies enormously. These are the ones that don't descend into voyeurism.
9. Serial — Sarah Koenig
The concept: The podcast that started it all. Season one investigates the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed. Each episode peels back another layer of the case — and of the justice system itself.
Why it's legendary: Because it single-handedly proved that podcasts could be serious journalism. Sarah Koenig's investigation was so rigorous that it eventually contributed to Syed's conviction being overturned. This is podcasting as a force for justice.
Frequency: Seasonal, episodes 35-55 min.
Start with: Season 1, Episode 1 — it's designed to be heard in order.
10. My Favourite Murder — Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
The concept: Two comedians discuss true crime stories with dark humour, personal anecdotes and a refreshing lack of solemnity. The tagline: "Stay sexy and don't get murdered."
Why it works: Because Karen and Georgia acknowledge the elephant in the room — that true crime fandom is weird, that we're all a bit morbid, and that it's OK to be fascinated by dark stories as long as you treat the victims with respect.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 60-90 min.
Start with: Any recent episode — or search the back catalogue for a case you know.
11. In the Dark — APM Reports
The concept: Deep investigative journalism. Season one examines the kidnapping of Jacob Wetterling. Season two investigates the case of Curtis Flowers, tried six times for the same crime. Each season is a masterclass in patient, meticulous reporting.
Why it's superior: Because it's not entertainment dressed as journalism — it's actual journalism that happens to be gripping. The reporting in season two was so thorough that it was cited by the US Supreme Court.
Frequency: Seasonal, episodes 35-50 min.
Start with: Season 2 — widely considered one of the finest pieces of investigative podcasting ever made.
Mind the binge: True crime podcasts are addictive by design — the cliffhangers, the breathless narration, the drip-fed revelations. If you're sensitive to violent or anxiety-inducing stories, limit your intake. Three murder episodes before bed is not recommended for sleep quality. I speak from experience.
Self-improvement & psychology: podcasts that transform
Self-improvement in podcast form, like in bookshops, is 80% noise and 20% signal. Here's the signal.
12. Happy Place — Fearne Cotton
The concept: Honest conversations about mental health, happiness and what it means to live well. Fearne Cotton's warmth and vulnerability make guests open up in ways they rarely do elsewhere.
Why it's the best: Because Fearne doesn't pretend to have it all figured out. Each episode is a genuine exploration, not a lecture. The guest list is exceptional — from professors to performers, all speaking with unusual honesty.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 40-60 min.
Start with: The episode with Matt Haig — a raw, honest conversation about anxiety and finding joy.
13. Feel Better, Live More — Dr Rangan Chatterjee
The concept: A GP explores the pillars of health — sleep, movement, nutrition, connection — with experts and practical advice. Each episode gives you something you can actually do, not just think about.
Why it's powerful: Because Dr Chatterjee is a practising NHS doctor, not a wellness influencer. Every recommendation is grounded in evidence. And his interviewing style is genuinely curious, not performative.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 50-70 min.
Start with: The episode on sleep with Matthew Walker — it might change your bedtime routine permanently.
14. The Psychology Podcast — Scott Barry Kaufman
The concept: A cognitive scientist interviews researchers at the cutting edge of psychology — creativity, intelligence, well-being, personality. Academically rigorous but accessible.
Why it's trustworthy: Kaufman is a researcher at Columbia University — not a social media coach. Every claim is sourced. It's the antidote to pop-psychology nonsense.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 45-60 min.
Start with: The episode on imposter syndrome — scientifically grounded and immediately useful.
Double dose: Combine Happy Place (emotional warmth and honesty) with Feel Better, Live More (practical health tools) for a complete approach. The first gives you perspective, the second gives you levers.
Comedy & feel-good: podcasts that do you good
15. My Dad Wrote a Porno — Jamie Morton, James Cooper & Alice Levine
The concept: Jamie's dad wrote an erotic novel. Jamie reads it aloud to his friends. They react. That's it. That's the podcast. And it's one of the funniest things ever committed to audio.
Why it's unmissable: The writing is so spectacularly, consistently, jaw-droppingly terrible that the reactions are pure gold. It's the podcast that makes people cry with laughter on public transport.
Frequency: Seasonal, episodes 25-40 min.
Start with: Season 1, Episode 1 — trust me, you need to experience the horror from the beginning.
16. Off Menu — Ed Gamble & James Acaster
The concept: Two comedians run a fictional restaurant where celebrity guests order their dream meal — starter, main, side, dessert, drink. The food talk is a vehicle for hilarious, meandering conversations.
Why it's brilliant: Because the format is loose enough for genuine comedy but structured enough to stay on track. Ed and James have fantastic chemistry, and guests often reveal unexpected sides of themselves through their food choices.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 60-80 min.
Start with: The episode with Claudia Winkleman — chaotic, hilarious and utterly charming.
17. Griefcast — Cariad Lloyd
The concept: Comedians and public figures talk about death and grief. It sounds grim; it's actually one of the warmest, most comforting podcasts you'll ever hear. Cariad Lloyd lost her father at 15 and uses humour and honesty to open up conversations most people avoid.
Frequency: Fortnightly, episodes 40-60 min.
Start with: Any episode — each is a self-contained conversation. Pick a guest you recognise.
18. No Such Thing As A Fish — QI Researchers
The concept: The researchers behind the BBC's QI share their favourite facts from the week. Four facts, discussed with tangents, jokes and genuine wonder. It's like pub trivia with exceptionally well-read friends.
Frequency: Weekly, episodes 40-50 min.
Start with: Any recent episode — the format is identical throughout, and every episode delivers at least one fact that'll blow your mind.
Quality filter: The podcast market is exploding — hundreds launch every week in the UK alone. Many are poorly produced, repetitive or thinly disguised advertising. Simple test: if after 10 minutes you're checking how much time is left, move on. A good podcast makes you forget time exists.
How to listen to podcasts — the practical guide
If you've never listened to a podcast in your life — welcome. Here's the how-to, without condescension.
The apps
- Apple Podcasts (iPhone) — The native app, simple, free, access to 95% of existing podcasts. The default choice on iOS
- Spotify — Increasingly home to exclusive podcasts. The advantage: music and podcasts in one place. The downside: some podcasts are Spotify-only, which fragments your listening
- YouTube Music / Google Podcasts — The Android equivalent. Simple, effective, free
- Pocket Casts — The favourite app of power listeners. More sorting, filtering and playback speed options. Paid (about £3.50/month) but worth it if you listen a lot
Settings that change everything
Three settings you should enable immediately:
- Speed 1.2x or 1.5x — Most podcasts are spoken slowly. At 1.2x, the voice still sounds natural but you save 10 minutes per hour. At 1.5x, it's faster but still comprehensible. Beyond that… you're a psychopath
- Trim silence — Automatically cuts dead air and pauses. Saves 5-10% of listening time without you noticing
- Auto-download — Set your favourite podcasts to download on Wi-Fi. You'll never be stuck without an episode in a tunnel
Headphones or speaker? Conversational podcasts work well on a speaker (kitchen, bathroom). Narrative or immersive podcasts (true crime, documentaries) are MUCH better on headphones — the spatial sound design is part of the experience.
Building a podcast routine without overload
The podcast trap is accumulation. You subscribe to 15 podcasts, fall behind, and suddenly you have 47 unplayed episodes staring at you reproachfully from your phone. Here's how to avoid that.
The 3-category method
- "Keep current" podcasts (3-4 max) — The ones you listen to as soon as they drop. These are your absolute favourites. You stay up to date no matter what
- "When I have time" podcasts (5-6) — The ones you listen to when your "keep current" queue is empty. You're always a few episodes behind, and that's fine
- "One-off" podcasts (unlimited) — The ones where you listen to specific episodes recommended by friends or found online. You don't subscribe, you cherry-pick
When to listen
Optimal podcast-listening moments — tested over three years of intensive practice:
- Commuting — The classic. 30 minutes on the Tube = one episode of You're Dead to Me
- Exercise — Running, stationary bike, walking. Podcasts make cardio bearable — that's practically a scientific fact
- Cooking — Perfect for light conversational podcasts
- Housework — Turning a chore into a cultural moment is the jackpot
- Insomnia — A calm podcast (not true crime) at low volume can help you fall asleep better than a screen
Sleep timer: Every podcast app has a sleep timer function — 15, 30 or 45 minutes. The episode stops automatically. No more trying to find where you left off the next morning (spoiler: you'll find the exact spot anyway).
FAQ: podcasts
What's the difference between a podcast and a radio show?
Radio is broadcast live on a frequency, then available as a replay. A podcast is designed directly for on-demand listening — there's no live broadcast. The consequence: podcasts can be longer, freer in format, and more niche in subject. Many radio shows are available as podcasts (like Desert Island Discs), but not all podcasts are radio.
Are podcasts free?
The vast majority, yes. The business model relies on advertising (the "messages from our sponsors" at the start of episodes) or on platforms like Spotify buying exclusives. Some podcasts offer paid bonus content on platforms like Patreon or Apple Podcasts Subscriptions — but the core content remains free.
How much data does a podcast use?
A one-hour episode in standard quality uses roughly 30-50MB. With auto-download on Wi-Fi, your mobile data usage is nil. If you stream on mobile data, budget about 1GB per month for 30-40 minutes of daily listening.
How do you find new podcasts?
Friend recommendations remain the best channel. Otherwise: app charts (Apple Podcasts Top 100, Spotify Charts), cross-recommendations within podcasts you already listen to (many do "swaps"), curated lists from publications (the Guardian, the Times), and Reddit communities like r/podcasts.
I can't seem to get into podcasts — is that normal?
Yes, and it's often a problem of the wrong first episode or the wrong genre. If conversational podcasts bore you, try narrative ones (Serial, In the Dark). If narrative ones lose you, try short-form (No Such Thing As A Fish). Podcasting is a medium with as much variety as television — saying "I don't like podcasts" after trying one is like saying "I don't like telly" after watching a gardening programme.
Can you listen to podcasts without a smartphone?
Yes. Most podcasts are available on a computer via platform websites (Spotify, Apple Podcasts) or directly on creators' websites. Many podcasts are also on YouTube. And smart speakers (Google Home, Amazon Echo) can play podcasts by voice command.