Honesty’s the best policy
There’s straight-talking from comedian Katherine Ryan, tales of pivotal moments, and a look at female empowerment in this week’s suggestions
A call comes in on Katherine Ryan’s mobile while she’s recording the latest episode of her podcast. It’s her agent with some worrying news so she understandably presses pause while they catch up.
This is typically frustrating podcast fayre – the mic muted or a ‘tellyou-later’ agreement between host and guest just as they get to a juicy bit. But the comedian lives up to the name of her show and is quickly back to reveal there’s a tabloid story coming out about her – but she doesn’t care.
And that’s basically what you can expect from this podcast – Ryan’s honest take on a whole range of public and personal issues, from the latest Kardashian gossip to her fears about walking dogs. It’s a bit ranty, a bit stream of consciousness but always refreshingly blunt.
WHERE TO START: In episode 92, Ryan asks advice about touring with her baby boy from comedy colleagues Jimmy Carr, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan.
LIFE CHANGING WITH JANE GARVEY
Ordinary people’s stories are often the most fascinating, as exWomen’s Hour presenter Jane Garvey proves in this series about pivotal moments in our lives.
There’s a Peak District dog-walker rescued by Air Ambulance while on a country walk, a man who saved others from a collapsing Glasgow bar and vowed never to speak of it again, and England’s first blind female fitness instructor who overcame her phobia of dogs.
Garvey’s well-honed, relaxed interviewing style draws out their memories as if they were chatting to an old friend. It makes you wonder if everyone you meet has a story they’re just waiting to be asked to tell.
WHERE TO START:
The Metal Detectorist, the Tip-Off and the 30-Year Quest tells of two friends’ determination to find some old coins in a field – and their tremendous discovery after three decades of trying.