For most of us, summer has arrived.
For me, that means it’s time to bask in the sunshine with a handful of my favourite podcasts, the dulcet tones of familiar hosts streaming through the warm, lazy air.
I’ve been a diehard podcat ever since I quickly, breathlessly, worked my way through the first season of Serial in one day back in 2015, entirely encapsulated in Sarah Koenig’s storytelling. And so, that was it - Serial was my gateway podcast, if you will, and I was well and truly hooked.
It’s funny; despite my (not-so-secret and definitely unhealthy) obsession with books, I’ve never been particularly keen on audiobooks. But give me a couple of pacy, punchy podcasts to listen to, and I’ll happily do all the household chores you want, all day long.
Whether you’re already on the (very proverbial) pod-wagon or just starting out, I’ve decided it’s time. Time to trawl through my playlists and curate a fresh selection of podcasts for you to pop on the speakers this summer.
And so, here we are. Sharing the podcasts I’m loving right now, in the hopes that you will enjoy them just as much as I do.
#1
Pivot
SCOTT AND KARA’S BANTER WILL KEEP YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE.
While there are plenty of standard-issue news podcasts populating the airwaves right now, there is something about Pivot that makes it like no other. Released twice a week, this show covers top developments in tech, business, and politics, with a particular focus on the US. And while this may sound a little on the dry side, trust me - it is anything but.
Your hosts are journalist Kara Swisher and NYU professor Scott Galloway - two of the smartest, wittiest podcasters out there, with the unique ability to simultaneously inform and entertain. Their conversations are chock-full of intelligent takes on the week’s stories, ambitious predictions and - the best part - endless banter. This duo make listening to the news something I genuinely look forward to.
Tune in for: Slick, candid analysis of the week’s top stories, stay for Scott’s rants and ramblings - occasionally hilarious, always spot-on.
Top segment: Wins and Fails. Hear Kara and Scott’s razor-sharp views on what’s working well - and not so well - across the world and markets right now.
#2
Spilled Milk
THIS PODCAST WILL MAKE YOU VERY, VERY HUNGRY.
Yes, there is a sea of food podcasts out there. Spilled Milk is not one of them. Nor is it technically a comedy podcast. Instead, it’s a pretty heavenly, heady mix of the two.
The premise is simple - and genius. Each week, podcasters Matthew and Molly choose one ingredient or meal to eat and discuss for the duration of the episode. Both hosts are comedians, which makes for some of the funniest analysis of food I’ve come across. Seriously, they recorded an entire episode about water and it was, somehow, supremely engaging.
I’ve particularly warmed to this show for its refreshing ability to break away from the ‘foodie’ world of liquid nitrogen, reductions, and deconstructions. Matthew and Molly do away with all the drama, and instead just plonk themselves down in front of the microphones to talk about everything from boxed mac & cheese to iceberg lettuce, and it is perfect.
Also, I thank the podcast gods for those microphones - nothing quite beats the particularly crunchy Pringles show, or the slurp of milkshakes on air. Naturally, most episodes end with me desperately craving what our hosts have been eating.
Tune in for: Some much needed respite from the news - if you want to think about nothing but, say, mashed potatoes for half an hour, this one’s for you.
Top segment: Memory Lane. Each episode kicks off with our hosts reminiscing over their childhood memories of the food in question. Often relatable, and guaranteed to make you smile.
#3
The High Low
the conversation that will quickly BECOME THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR WEEK.
I’ve included this one just in case there’s anyone out there who isn’t yet familiar with my need to consume everything Dolly Alderton publishes.
It’s tricky to pigeon-hole The High Low into one specific category. Yes, it covers current affairs, but it could also be classified as ‘culture’ or ‘comedy’, as it’s really just a neatly-balanced medley of the three (and more). Dolly and fellow journalist Pandora Sykes offer up a weekly review of world events in a format that is, essentially, an honest and insightful chat between two friends. The pod-pair discuss climate change, bagel emojis, and everything in between, and it is one of the best weekly conversations out there right now.
But don’t let the effortless nature of Dolly and Pandora’s chats fool you - it is clear that this is an incredibly well-researched and thoughtful show. Our hosts are conscious of the barrage of news we’ve been struggling under lately, so they don’t tend to focus on anxiety-inducing headlines, but rather on sharing rays of hope through positive stories.
Tune in for: A show with the best of both worlds. You’ll often find yourself laughing uncontrollably and feeling incredibly moved in the span of one episode.
Top segment: While not technically a segment, I most look forward to Dolly and Pandora swapping cultural recommendations - what they’re reading, listening to, and watching that week.
#4
Saturday Live
best paired with Fried eggs and buttered sourdough on a LAZY WEEKEND MORNING.
Where I am, the Saturday Live podcast comes out every Sunday morning, just in time for brunch with my father. And, like all great podcasts, it comes eagerly recommended by Papa Miglani himself.
This one is a total treat, and - for those familiar with British radio - has the traditional BBC Radio 4 feel to it (ideal if, like me, you’re far too nostalgic about life in the UK). Each episode sees our host Richard Coles, together with a fellow BBC presenter, collect an eclectic group of guests for a weekend chat that’s loosely centred around a specific theme.
This is the kind of podcast where you’ll get to hear the fascinating stories of an athlete, TV chef, and mental health advocate - all in one episode. So - as you can imagine - the discussions are truly unique, a happy result of the diverse perspectives at play.
Tune in for: A heartwarming, cosy 90 minutes of conversation and laughter - perfect for the weekend.
Top segment: Thank You. Ever been helped by a total stranger in a crisis, but were too flustered to thank them at the time? Give the Saturday Live crew a ring to share your story and offer a belated ‘thank you’. A beautiful segment that focuses on the surprising kindness of strangers.
What’s on your podcast line-up this summer? Let me know, I’d love to have a listen.
Until next time,
S
Podcast cover images courtesy of Apple Podcasts.
While the links I’ve included will direct you to Spotify (in the name of universality and all that), these shows are available on pretty much all podcast platforms.