We have a plethora of podcast pickings, helping you escape from the outside world into a wonderful world of comedy, interviews, entertainment, fiction and lots more…..

Welcome to the Great British Podcast Newsletter (supported by BBC Sounds). 

It’s been an unsettling and anxiety inducing week for us all. It’s inescapable, the news about the coronavirus, seeing that it affects nearly every aspect of our daily life. But I also believe that it is more important than ever to find opportunities to take time out from the news, by getting involved in activities and listening to radio and podcasts to keep your mind distracted.

So that’s why, for the next few weeks at least, this newsletter is going to change. There will be a lot more podcasts recommended. Some names of these podcasts you might know, some of these you might not.

Some of these podcasts will be my suggestions, but a lot of these will be yours. I’m after your suggestion for a #podcastforhome. You can suggest a show here and it’ll also allow you to tweet about the show too. If you do want to keep up to date with the latest news, the BBC has launched a nifty daily podcast called The Coronavirus Newscast from the Brexitcast / Newscast team. 

Here’s everything else worth listening to:

CHATTY DISTRACTIONS

That Peter Crouch Podcast – Tom Fordyce and Chris Stark join Peter Crouch to talk about their lives and whatever is on their mind. Ridiculous, occasionally messy, nonsense.

Shagged Married Annoyed – Chris and Rosie Ramsay provide a funny side to domestic life and their relationship to each other.

Fortunately with Fi and Jane – The broadcasters provide witty respite from the week’s news. There are plans to continue episodes from their own homes.

Off Menu with James Acaster and Ed Gamble – The comedians ask a special guest for their favourite ever starter, main course, side and dessert.

Not Bad For A Monday – Steph McGovern and her friend Claire talk about all the weird things that have happened in our workplaces. Rich in anecdotes.

Sam Walker’s Desert Diaries – The British broadcaster decided to make the jump from living in Manchester, to living in the middle of Arizona. A feel good diary about following your dreams.

FOR THE KIDS

Comedy Club 4 Kids Presents: Radio Nonsense – The children’s comedy podcast says that it will be releasing special episodes whilst the schools are closed.

Stuck at Home – A new daily podcast for primary school aged kids with suggestions of things to do, silliness and a bit of learning too.

The Week Junior Show – A podcast for the magazine, aimed between 8 and 14 year olds, that helps to explain the news crisis but also provides a lot of distractions from it.

GEEKY DISTRACTION

Science(ish) – Rick Edwards and Dr Michael Brooks look at whether any of the science we see in popular culture could ever come true. Their 100th episode, about invisibility, just dropped.

Tape Notes – A podcast that looks into the magic of music production and how bands put albums together. Host John Kennedy has featured Elbow, Ezra Collective and Friendly Fires.

Kemode and Mayo’s Film Review – The podcast is continuing even though the cinemas have closed. Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo will be reviewing films you can watch at home, as well as talking about their favourites.

The Immaculate Deception – An investigation into a man who was renowned for helping women with fertility problems get pregnant. Just launched with new episodes weekly.

You’re Dead To Me – Greg Jenner and experts delve into periods of history you assumed you knew everything about, but actually you don’t. 

CREATIVE DISTRACTIONS

Feel Better, Live More – Dr Rangan Chatterjee has been seen as a source for knowledge for healthy living and lifestyle. Expect specialist content in the weeks ahead.

Two Shot Podcast – Actor Craig Parkinson talks to creative people about how they do their jobs: writers, actors, DJs, musicians and artists are interviewed each week.

The Rob Auton Daily Podcast – A daily podcast from the comedian Rob Auton. Expect poems, stories and anecdotes. Quirky, but life affirming too.

Midnight Chats – Greg Cochrane and Stuart Stubbs interview musicians about their craft. The latest series has returned with an interview with Carly Rae Jepson.

Something Rhymes with Purple – Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth look at the origins of common words, and introduce lesser known words that we should be using more.

MENTAL HEALTH

Conversations Against Living Miserably – This partnership between the channel Dave and CALM, the mental health charity, features tips from comedians and well-known names on how they have improved their mental health.

How Did We Get Here? – Claudia Winkleman and Professor Tanya Byron look at our family issues and make its contributors see issues from a different perspective. 

Phone a Friend with George Ezra and Ollie MN – Heartfelt conversations about mental health between the musician George Ezra and his friend Ollie.

Susan Calman’s Mrs Brightside – A ‘cheerful look’ at depression, by Susan Calman, encouraging people to be more open about their mental health.

How Do You Cope… with Elis and John – The BBC Radio 5 Live presenters talk to well-known names about the challenges they have faced in their own lives.

Life, Interrupted with Simon Thomas – A new, frank and engaging podcast on human endurance and how we are able to get through tough times.

Oh and if you’re looking for TV suggestions, the Must Watch podcast on BBC Sounds will be continuing, full of recommendations of stuff you can be watching each week.

Let me know of your favourites by filling in this form. More suggestions next week.

Stay safe and see you back next week.

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Categories: Weekly Picks