Best podcasts of the week: Join Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd’s book club with a difference
Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book ClubWidely available, episodes weekly from ThursdayIf you’d like to join a book club but don’t like wine, nibbles or other people, Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd’s podcast is what you need. The hosts have so much to say about the books that you can’t help but want to read them immediately. But there are writers and comedians to help, too. First, Nish Kumar, who brings I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel, opening a discussion about terrible men, Instagram life and race issues. Hannah Verdier
Serpentine: IntimaciesWidely available, episodes weekly from TuesdayWhat does intimacy look like in today’s divided world? Gaylene Gould explores how desire, surroundings, family and more affect connections. The first episode looks at intimacy with strangers, with perceptive contributions around privilege, privacy and consent from Scottee, artist Adrian Piper and Serpentine Galleries curator Tamsin Hong. HV
New VoicesAll episodes available on AudibleThe National Theatre and Audible are championing new writers with the release of 10 pod plays that delve into immigration, identity and more. From Rae Webb’s Blue, the story of a family whose child is non-binary to Loresa Leka’s Teapot Troubles, which documents pockets of the Albanian civil war, the talent is rich and diverse.
The Red Carpet TreatmentWidely available, episodes weeklyRizzle Kicks’ Jordan Stephens takes over hosting for the second season of the Brit awards podcast and opens strongly by asking Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts if she can speak French. His laidback style relaxes his guests and Roberts is soon talking about Sarah Harding, Geri Horner and songwriting for Little Mix. HV
Where Is Alex?All episodes widely availableSixteen-year-old Alexander Sloley vanished in north London 15 years ago, and he’s never been found.
Reporter Julian Druker is determined to find clues – and asks whether his race meant the case didn’t get enough prominence. Along the way, he speaks to Sloley’s mother, Nerissa Tivy, and examines possible links to another disappearance. HV
There’s a podcast for that
This week, Rume Otuguor chooses five of the best podcastswith multitasking hosts, from talking body positivity in the nail salon to home cooking
with celebrity guestsNailing ItThere’s something about reclining in the treatment chair that can have you reeling off your social-group drama to a nail tech you’ve just met. So it makes sense that hosts Sayo Talabi, Priscilla Anyabu and Wunmi Bello (pictured above) would choose the nail salon as their haven for talking about all the wins and woes of women in their 20s. They deep-soak into topics ranging from body positivity to financial worries and the lack of respect afforded to UK R&B. Sometimes they invite guests such as Audrey Indome from The Receipts podcast or DJ Henrie, but actually these three women are more than capable of holding it down on their own.
Cocktails and TakeawaysRadio personality Madame Joyce is the cheerful, riotous host of this podcast, which becomes louder and more energetic with each sip of alcohol. It’s based in a studio but has the good vibrations of a college bar, and she chats with celebrity guests about the latest topics in popular culture, such as Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour and all the Love Island drama. As the drinks flow, more personal anecdotes and a range of serious topics are explored, such as the dangers of extreme cosmetic surgery. Joyce is an expert at striking the balance between lighthearted and sincere conversation.
Curious HandmadeFrom Queensland, Australia the yarn enthusiast Helen Stewart brings a brief but engaging discussion about what’s on her needles as she knits. Her introductions to these podcasts, which ended last year, are storylike, colourfully describing how the changing seasons affect her surroundings, such as the new green shoots growing in her garden. In the spirit of spring, she knits a quilt made of a wool and cotton mix for the cooler temperatures. She also has holidaythemed episodes where she gives knits a festive spin. The Rose Cottage Cowl episode is described as having a snuggly, “romcom cottage” feel, in an ode to the ubiquitous Christmas film The Holiday.
Table Manners With Jessie and Lennie WareNothing is off the table in this hearty podcast about food and family, hosted by the disarming mother-daughter duo of pop star Jessie and Lennie, a seasoned chef. Each week they host guests from the world of politics and pop culture over a three-course meal in their cosy kitchen in south London. Now, 15 series in, we’ve heard about Pink’s encounter with an Australian card reader who she credits with making her a better mother, and Keir Starmer’s distaste for anything with the texture of a banana. The laughter between mouthfuls of seared salmon and the comforting clatter of cutlery can make you feel as if you’re at the table with them.
Walking the Dog With Emily DeanJournalist Emily Dean glides through conversations in this podcast in which she invites national treasures on a walk with their furry companions. Dean talks about childhood, careers and life’s crowning moments with guests including Gary Lineker, Lorraine Kelly and Jeremy Paxman. This casual concept, where no eye contact is required, makes it easy for Dean to dive into what could be thorny territory, such as the challenges of menopause or what makes her guests cry. Chance meetings with fellow dog-lovers along the way, alongside the familiar patter of the British rain, make for a fun and comforting listen.
Why not try …
From speeches to stag dos, Jason Manford and Steve Edge host Best Men, a new guide to being the best best man you can be.
Rough Translation: Love Commandos, a fascinating new NPR investigation into the fight for love marriage in India.
A Guardian Age of Extinction miniseries, Killing the Skydancer.