6 Podcasts Offering New Perspectives This Spring

Apr 09th

Has anyone else noticed there have been a lot of new podcasts around this Spring? This season is generally a great time for new ventures, and maybe it’s because everyone has spent months seeking comfort indoors and had time to work on their projects.

We agree that this season is the perfect time to find a new favourite show, but it doesn’t always have to be a new show. We’re sharing a mix of old and new podcasts that we think will give you a new perspective for Spring.

Serial – Season 4

Are you listening to the latest series of Serial? It hardly seems like it needs recommending, but ten years after bringing mainstream attention to the podcast format, the new series looks into the important topic of Guantánamo. Serial has often felt like it is as much about Sarah Koenig as the story she is uncovering and this series is no different as we follow her and co-host Dana Chivvis through their investigation. We get a kind of meta-journalism, where they let us in on how this story has developed over years of investigation. Sarah and Dana find leads, lose the narrative and take us from the gift shop of the infamous island, into the stories the island became infamous for. We’ll get to learn more about the processes behind the show when Sarah Koenig comes to London for an exclusive in-person conversation as part of The International Women’s Podcast Festival in partnership with Spotify, but for now – listen here.

The Trouble With Politics

After our article last month highlighted the need for more woman-led politics podcasts, we were thrilled when The Trouble With Politics was released mere days after our list went out. Journalist and broadcaster, Marverine Cole, explores the state of our political system in the UK, platforming what the description generously calls “perspectives often skimmed over on mainstream news programmes”. The first episode analysed Black voters and politicians, with Marverine, Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu and Nels Abbey discussing the fallout from the racist comments made about Diane Abbott by Tory donor, Frank Hester. There is understanding and disagreement, with a much-needed discussion of potential solutions. More of this please – listen here.

Unlawful Killing (and Things Fell Apart)

The subject of death after police contact has been receiving increased attention recently, particularly around the use of disputed medical terms to explain the deaths. An article in The Guardian suggested that it was an episode of Things Fell Apart that caused the renewed attention. In the ‘The Most Mysterious Deaths’, host Jon Roson unpacked the history of the terms “acute behavioural disturbance” (ABD) and “excited delirium”, and the connections to racism and sexism. Once you’ve listened to that episode, Unlawful Killing is another must listen. The show proves how long this topic has gone unnoticed, and draws on the four decades of campaigning by the charity Inquest. Hosts Lee Lawrence and Lucy Brisbane have personal and professional connections to those at the forefront of these struggles, creating a show that is both knowledgeable and emotional – listen here.

The Healing Power of Nature

If you are after a podcast that helps you destress (which might be needed after the previous two looking and troubles of our society) this show is the perfect remedy – and we mean that literally. On the surface, The Healing Power of Nature is a nature podcast, but it is also part of a five-year research project by environmental psychologist Alex Smalley, who has been exploring how digital forms of nature can impact wellbeing. The show gives listeners an immersive experience, replicating natural soundscapes so you can access their healing potential even if you can’t access the landscapes. This is a joint production between Audible and BBC Studios Natural History Unit, so production is of the highest level, and being in dolby-atmos it is worth experiencing through headphones. Episodes are a quick 15 minute dose that provides nature to your brain and an explanation of the science behind how it can help – listen here.

Unsung

Sumit Sharma is known as one half of Breaking Atoms: The Hip Hop Podcast, a long-running show that is embedded in the genre. Here, Sumit goes solo on a short passion project about some of the hidden stories in music history. Over six episodes, we hear stories about a range of artists that transcended not just genre, but the boundaries of music. From Jazz bassist Charles Mingus to renowned Japanese DJ and producer DJ Kush, each story is short (the shortest is six minutes) but highlights the life and careers of artists that are influential but unsung. A bit of behind-the-mic trivia: Sumit made the show over his Christmas holiday, which goes to show how far passion and a deep knowledge of your subject can take you – listen now.

Camlann

A fantasy podcast that is funded by Creative Scotland but set in a post-apocalyptic Wales, Camlann is inspired by Arthurian legends but doesn’t follow the tales precisely. This gives some familiarity to the characters, but twists to the tale. Like many fiction podcasts, the matter-of-fact queer relationships provide a lot of heart to the show. The show is only seven episodes in, but a lot of listeners are already invested in Camlann, no doubt in large part because of the heartfelt acting and thoughtful script, which is no surprise given Ella Watts’ involvement (you can hear her tips on scripting in her Masterclass, ‘How to Write a Killer Script For Your Podcast’). The music can’t go without a mention, and is a lovely way to include Welsh in the project. What is also rather lovely is how each episode ends with a recommendation for another podcast they think you’ll like – listen now.

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