Wallow in the bittersweet

Sometimes you don’t want to be uplifted. Sometimes you want to wallow a little and enjoy the melancholy. If this sounds like you and you fancy listening to something that makes you laugh and cry, there’s more than a few bittersweet podcasts out there.

Griefcast was started by British comedian Cariad Lloyd as a way of sharing stories of loss with her fellow comedians. There are happy stories and liberating stories, and you will most definitely cry.

You will also take comfort from what is said and laugh along with the weird ways grief can impact us.

The key episodes to listen to are those that feature Sara Pascoe, Shelley Gilbert and writer Jason Hazeley.

I’m Terrible, Thanks for Asking is one of the most authentic and humorous explorations of tough issues, such as depression, anxiety and loss I have come across – in any medium. Presented by Nora McInerny, this pod deals with ‘‘big talk’’. No small talk is allowed. The real life stories, experiences and interviews are compelling and, once again, you will probably cry.

However, my favourite laugh-and-cry-along pod is

Cry Babies. Each episode features host duo Sarah Thyre and Susan Orlean and an interviewee, who brings along the clips, songs or books that have made them cry.

My favourite episode features comedian Kumail Nanjiani and writer Emily V Gordon, the award-winning couple behind the screenplay for the film The Big Sick.