PODCASTS/AUDIOBOOKS
Here There and Everywhere Spotify, review by Yvette Huddleston
Hosted by Jack Lawless, this affable podcast series takes a deep dive into the world of the Beatles. In each episode Lawless chats to well-known people from all walks of life to explore the enduring legacy of the four-piece band from Liverpool and how it has affected and influenced his guests' professional and personal lives. The chat features everything from personal anecdotes to behind-the-scenes stories as well as considered analysis of the songs, music and lyrics. It helps that Lawless is a dedicated and very knowledgeable Beatles fan himself, steering the conversation down interesting avenues and encouraging his guests to open up and talk candidly about their own perspective on one of the most popular, influential and iconic bands of the 20th century.
History’s Secret Heroes BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
This fascinating documentary series, narrated by Helena Bonham Carter, which shines a light on courageous acts of resistance by ordinary people during the Second World War returns for a second season. In the opening episode we hear about Ida and Louise Cook, two opera-loving sisters from England, who helped dozens of Jewish people escape from Nazi Germany. When they weren’t socialising with opera stars, the sisters were conducting covert operations helping to save people’s lives. One extra point of interest is that Ida went on to become a Millis & Boon novelist. Other episodes in the new series include the stories of Johnny Smythe, who was one of the first West African RAF airmen and Britain’s first female spy Christine Granville.
Helen Lewis Has Left the Chat BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
Helen Lewis investigates the world of instant messaging and how it has taken over all areas of our lives – there are now an estimated 2.7 billion users on WhatsApp alone. But what are the far-reaching implications of this?
From local neighbourhood chats to workplace groups, much of our public and private discourse is now being conducted on instant messaging. And that includes high-level political debate and decision making, at government level, as has been evident in many recent high-profile public inquiries. Lewis also raises the question of how secure this all is – and how vulnerable it is to hacking and manipulation. The opening episode looks at Boris Johnson’s relationship with WhatsApp and hears from his former chief of staff Dominic Cummings.
Café Hope BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
In a world where there doesn’t appear to be much to feel hopeful about, this new series is a welcome salve. Its aim is to offer a glimmer of hope for the future and to find positive stories to lift the spirits and restore our faith in humanity. Host Rachel Burden meets a range of people who are making life better and more enjoyable for their communities. In the opening episode she speaks to Stef Jones who has established a company called XO Bikes which trains ex-offenders to become mechanics. He explains why he decided to leave his job as an advertising executive and focus on helping young former criminals change their lives. He says, despite the challenges along the way, it feels very worthwhile.