What’s new to listen to
Ximena Smith rounds up what podcasts we’re tuning into.
The Missing Cryptoqueen
Jamie Bartlett continues his search for the elusive Bulgarian woman known as Dr Ruja Ignatova. In case you’re unfamiliar with the BBC series, the premise is that in 2014, Dr Ignatova launched a cryptocurrency called OneCoin. Hundreds of thousands of people apparently bought into OneCoin, but then in 2017, Dr Ignatova disappeared – along with all of the money. The first season of The Missing Cryptoqueen came out in 2019, and it’s a thrilling listen right from start to finish. The new episodes released so far (as well as an update episode in 2020) haven’t quite packed the same punch as earlier episodes, but if you’re as invested as I am in Bartlett’s search then that probably doesn’t matter too much. Available on the BBC Sounds app, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Heavyweight
Gimlet Media’s Heavyweight has also returned for its seventh season. Humorist Jonathan Goldstein invites listeners to write in about an unresolved moment from their past – and although that might sound overly sentimental, Goldstein’s selfdeprecating, dry sense of humour makes the concept work, and every episode has been an absolute joy to listen to. The new season so far has been no different – for example, in the first episode we meet Sara, who had received a puzzling letter from a childhood friend that she has no memory of, and she’s not quite sure what to do about it. Goldstein works his magic and what follows is a heartwarming tale of reconnection and reflection. Available exclusively on Spotify.
Power Lines: From Ukraine to the World
The Kyiv Independent’s Anastasiia Lapatina and Jakub Parusinski explore what it means to live in Ukraine today following Russia’s invasion. They speak to civilians, fellow journalists and academics about the on-theground situation and also take a wider look at the country’s position in a broader geopolitical context. Crisis fatigue among news audiences is a very real phenomenon, but Power Lines contextualises and humanises the conflict in Ukraine in an accessible, compelling way. The hosts help this further by talking conversationally about their own experiences and opinions, rather than choosing to adopt an impersonal, arm’s-length journalistic position. New episodes of the 12-part series are now being drip-fed on major podcasting platforms for free, but you can sign-up to Power Lines + for bonus episodes and extra, behind-the-scenes content.