THE BEST AUDIO SHOWS TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK

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WTF WITH MARC MARON

Edgy discussion show from the US stand-up

I’ve recently tuned back in to WTF, the hit interview podcast hosted by Marc Maron. His girlfriend, Lynn Shelton, died suddenly last month. The podcast is back on the road and Maron paid tribute to Shelton on a recent episode. His style has always been bolshy and jagged, yet some of its edges seem to have smoothed down a little. Listening to Maron articulate his grief is desperately moving. Start with the recent interview with Cate Blanchett (right).

FOOTBALL, FEMINISM AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN…

The spin chief spars with his daughter

Mum-and-daughter podcasts are ten a penny these days, but this pits Alastair Campbell against his comedian daughter, Grace, who lives in the granny flat attached to her father’s house. The Campbells chat languidly about the lockdown, politics, mental health and culture.

THE WEEK JUNIOR SHOW

A forest of factoids for kids... and grown-ups

I’m an admirer of The Week’s news show for adults, The Week Unwrapped. But its kids’ podcast is also great. Episodes are short, upbeat and energetic, and loosely cover current affairs, though plenty of science and history is squeezed in too. The podcast is packed with factoids that will delight nerdy kids, and much of the information will even illuminate adults.

WHERE SHOULD WE BEGIN?

A therapist tackles lockdown woes

Psychotherapist Esther Perel has turned her podcast over to stories of real-life relationships that are creaking under the strain of the pandemic. She interviews separated couples navigating social distancing and childcare, and meets partners spending the lockdown in the same home but who are falling apart emotionally. It’s sensitively done, and catnip for the naturally nosy.