PODCASTS EMMA JONES
The Originals with Captain Sir Tom Moore
Cadbury Dairy Milk has partnered with Age UK for this new series, with the aim of encouraging people to start a conversation with an older person to combat loneliness. Captain Tom is interviewing a host of older people and discovers their incredible stories. It’s never been more important to reach out to the elderly, with 225,000 older people often saying they go a week without talking to anyone. From a 79-year-old woman revealing her kiss with Elvis Presley to an award-winning journalist fighting against climate change for over half a century, this podcast just might inspire a change in all of us.
Mindbox
With those suffering from mental health issues at an all-time high in the UK, this new “app” is part podcast, part support service and it’s free for students. The service has a catalogue of more than 40 video, audio and journal techniques designed to help manage and overcome feelings of stress and anxiety with episodes from NHS-recommended professionals. TV star and qualified cognitive hypnotherapist Anna Richardson co-founded the service and prides herself on having recorded the best content broken down into five programmes – stress, panic attacks, confidence, social anxiety and performance nerves. It’s a great listen for any moments of self-doubt.
Sitcom Geeks
Hosted by James Cary and Dave Cohen, both scriptwriters, this series is for lovers of all things sitcom. Each episode goes behind the scenes, with an in-depth look at some of the country’s best-loved shows. Whether it’s Smack The Pony, Absolutely Fabulous or The Office, the hosts have great guests on board to get to the nitty-gritty – often the scriptwriters themselves. As well as geeking out on your favourites, the podcast acts as a tool for those interested in the mechanics of situation comedy. There are loads of episodes on various tips and tricks, how to get your script seen, and just what, in their opinion, makes a sitcom stand out.
Dr. Death
Coined as the Dirty John followup, this podcast looks at an even more dangerous kind of con man — a surgeon who left dozens paralysed and two dead. Christopher Duntsch, a Texas surgeon was convicted of gross malpractice after 31 of his patients were left seriously injured after he operated on them, and two patients died during a procedure. Reported by journalist Laura Beil, this series delves into how this man got away with it for so long. His ex-colleagues are interviewed, and descriptions of his dangerous methods will send shivers down your spine. In 2017 he was jailed for life, but he’s appealing. A chilling series you won’t be able to switch off.