THE BEST AUDIO SHOWS TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK

THE TUESDAY CLUB They thought it was all over… it’s not now!

I am full of admiration for the sports podcasts that have ground on through the pandemic despite having no matches to pore over. But with football starting up again, now’s the time to return to this wonderful Arsenal podcast, presented by QI’s Alan Davies. Each week, for nearly two hours, Davies and two chums banter about football. It’s soothing and funny, and ideal listening for anyone missing pub chit-chat.

THE PENGUIN PODCAST P-p-pick up some fascinating facts

Every week, an author of note comes on this intelligent podcast to talk about their work and the objects in their life they treasure most. Start with the interview with Scottish novelist John Niven.

The back-catalogue is a treasure trove too.

YOU’LL DO Joy and ennui beyond ‘happy ever after’

Comedians Catherine Bohart and Sarah Keyworth (left) are real-life partners. Here they interview other couples to lift the lid on the reality of life together. As the hosts stress, relationships are often as ‘difficult, boring and tedious’ as they are joyful and comforting.

ABOUT RACE Timely discussion of race relations

Reni Eddo-Lodge’s 2017 book Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race opened up an important conversation about the history of racism in Britain. Her spinoff podcast series feels more relevant than ever. In half-hour episodes, she examines such questions as what blackness means to different generations and how white people can be useful in the fight against racism.