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It’s not often you find brave, kind, introspective podcasts about addiction and sobriety, or another trick to get kids away from screens. Why not listen to some of these episodes and receive many pearls of life in return?
1. Queens, Kings and Cowardly Things
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: History
Into the rather saturated market of history podcasts comes Queens, Kings And Dastardly Things, which delves into some of the most salacious moments in royal history, from Queen Victoria's love life to whether a sex plague caused the Russian Revolution.
Fans who have missed Robert Hardman's recaps of The Crown mixed with his recollections as a royal reporter and biographer will be delighted to see him back, this time with historian Kate Williams. Their first historical unsolved case takes us back to 1567 and the unusual death of Lord Darnley, second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Dedicated fans of heritage podcasts have probably already formed an opinion about the facts versus Elizabethan-style fake news surrounding Darnley's death, but later cases in the series could well open a rusty Pandora's box that hasn't been considered for centuries.
(By Amy Crowther)
2. Don't do that!
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Society and health
Each week, journalist and presenter Julia Webster will explore the validity behind the latest viral trends and life hacks.
The first episode is all about auriculotherapy and ear seeds. Using interviews with experts and clips from online videos, Webster explains why this supposed miracle product doesn't actually work and isn't a form of ancient Chinese medicine.
His sense of humor shines through in a sarcastic, fake ad that pokes fun at corn seeds and those who sell them.
The episode is only eleven minutes long, so it's perfect for listening on the go. However, for more controversial topics, this time may not be enough for her to explain and delve into the various conspiracies.
However, Webster has promised to investigate and debunk a variety of Internet solutions and I'm eager to hear the more bizarre claims.
(By Amelia Braddick)
3. The startup leap
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Business
Are companies bought or sold? What do you think? Curious about the experiences of bold entrepreneurs who took the leap and created their own businesses? Or are you thinking of creating one yourself? Then The Startup Leap podcast, hosted by early-stage tech investor and LocalGlobe partner Yvonne Bajela and operator-turned-investor and OpenseedVC partner Maria Rotilu, might just be your new favorite podcast.
In the third episode, featuring entrepreneur Timothy Armoo, who sold and achieved an eight-figure exit with his third business Fanbytes, Yvonne and Maria asked real, raw questions that led to many insights that can also be applied to other areas of our lives.
Timothy talked about how he was swept away by opportunity and competition over passion, his upbringing, starting his first business at age 14, starting therapy this year, failure, being sent to Ghana before he was six months old for 10 years, the things that have shaped his attitude towards money, and much more.
The Startup Leap podcast isn't boring or inundated with cryptic business jargon, but instead humanizes the people behind some of the most fascinating companies we interact with today.
(By Yolanthé Fawehinmi)
4. The haunted house in Hollow Hill Skulduggery
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Books, arts and children
If you're trying to find alternative ways to keep your kids entertained and hooked on books, then perhaps let them listen to HarperCollins Children's Books' new podcast novel, The Haunted House on Hollow Hill, a standalone Skulduggery Pleasant adventure by bestselling author Derek Landy.
In six weekly narrative episodes, the Skulduggery Pleasant fantasy series, which has sold more than six million copies worldwide, is brought to life through an ensemble cast, bespoke music and, according to Derek, “a modern take on the classic radio play.”
And let's assume your kids have already read the book about a pair of ghost-hunting journalists who arrive at Britain's most haunted house (the Hollow Hotel) to interview the Dark King of TV magic, Romeo Gideon. In that case, they'll really appreciate the extraordinary production value that's been put into this podcast.
(By Yolanthé Fawehinmi)
Focus on…
5. This is powerful
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Health
Model, charity founder and mindset coach Paul Sculfor's moving new podcast, This Is Powerful, marks his 20th anniversary of sobriety.
To launch the podcast, Paul recorded an intimate solo episode, in which he speaks openly about his own sobriety and what it took to get to where he is today. In the second episode, he is joined by DJ Fat Tony, and in the third, he speaks to trainer and nutritionist Jo Langley – a brave, kind and introspective episode.
Jo, who is currently in recovery, had the goal of being able to “drink like a lady” and have just one glass of wine, but she couldn’t. She tells Paul that she doesn’t come from an alcoholic family, that she was never comfortable with her internal and external situation, that the rave scene, when she realized she was really in trouble, that she had meetings, that she had to keep up appearances and that she was looking for happiness.
In each episode, Paul talks with a special guest about his addictions and how they achieved sobriety and maintained a happy life. Alcohol, sexual abuse, drugs, suicide, and other difficult topics will be discussed, so be careful when listening.
(By Yolanthé Fawehinmi)
