The next few weeks will prove a challenging time for those of us faced with the prospect of self-isolation. However, since it is for the health of society’s weakest that we practice social distancing, it’s a good idea we practice recommended measures. In the next week, The Badger will be recommending some of the best art to while away the hours with.
This time, myself, News Sub-Editor Venice Hancock, Music Co-Editor Léo De Riedmatten, Features Sub-Editor Olly Williams and Arts Online Editor Jude Whiley are recommending the podcasts to listen to during self-isolation.
Chris Ahjem
My Favorite Murder
Hosted by comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, My Favorite Murder is the perfect true-crime podcast to get cozy with during the long days of self-isolation. Immerse yourself in their world as the hosts talk to you about their favourite tales of murder and other crimes as well as listeners’ submitted hometown stories. Despite the dark content, the show is both hilarious and welcoming with the hosts quickly feeling like friends you’re talking to. The show covers well-known cases like the death of Jon Benet Ramsey and Ted Bundy to lesser known crimes like the Hollywood Bandit and the Zankou Chicken murders. With over 210 episodes and 160 minisodes, there’s enough content to listen for 2.5 weeks non-stop of self-isolation!
The Bechdel Cast
As a film student myself, it’s impossible not to notice the disproportionate representation of men compared to women in cinema. This podcast, inspired by the famous Bechdel test, discusses this issue in depth with comedian hosts Jamie Loftus and Caitlin Durante frequently joined by a guest. They focus on a film per episode and end by giving each film their popular ‘Nipple Rating’. Films covered range from Alien to Moana and Friday The 13th to Girls Trip. It’s also a brilliant jumping off point to find recommendations for films to watch in self-isolation too, just like our previous edition of ‘The Long Week In’ – read it here.
Table Manners with Jessie Ware
Hosted by singer-songwriter and Sussex alum Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie, Table Manners is a casual interview podcast that sees them joined by a different celebrity each episode for a home-cooked meal whilst they discuss their dream meals, their lives and more. The podcast has even led to the creation of their own cookbook if you fancy cooking along to each episode. Previous guests include Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski, Cheryl, Nigella Lawson, George Ezra, Sadiq Khan, Zachary Quinto and many more.
The Receipts Podcast
This hilariously honest podcast won’t have you feel like you’re social distancing, instead it’ll be like you’ve got three new besties in Tolly T, Audrey and Milena in the room kiki-ing with you. Alternating between their regular episodes and their ‘Your Receipts’ listener advice episodes, these unadulterated women keep it real on issues of life, love and friendships.
My Dad Wrote A Porno
If you couldn’t tell already, this podcast gets raunchy… in the best and worst ways possible. Each week, the mortified Jamie Morton reads a new chapter of dad’s erotic literature titled Belinda Blinked; 1 A modern story of sex, erotic and passion. How the sexiest sales girl in business earns her huge bonus by being the best at removing her high heels and its subsequent sequels exploring Belinda’s universe. If that convoluted title doesn’t make it clear enough, these erotic novels take you on a *TRIP* alongside Jamie’s hilarious co-hosts James Cooper and BBC Radio 1’s Alice Levine.
Venice Hancock
Crime Junkie
This is the only true crime podcast you’ll need in life. Childhood best friends Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat have both been obsessed with true crime since they can remember and share their passion for the subject in this addicting podcast. Each episode dives into a new case. They cover everything, from serial killers to missing peoples’ cases, wanted killers and infamous murders. Whether you’re super into true crime or just have a passing interest for it, you are guaranteed to enjoy this podcast. Did I mention it’s also extremely bingeable? Perfect for anyone in search of some intrigue in these times of quarantine.
Thick & Thin
This podcast is hosted by the lovely YouTuber-turned-podcaster Katy Bellotte. The 24-year-old goes into detail about what life is like as a millennial girl living in New York City. She covers any topic you could think of including dating in the age of dating apps, how to navigate “hustle culture”, how to deal with stress, anxiety & body image issues, feeling lonely and even ghosting. Basically, topics we can all relate to. If you’re in search of a 21st century millennial Carrie Bradshaw spilling the tea on her life in the Big Apple, this is the podcast for you.
La Poudre
This French feminist podcast is probably the most inspiring I’ve ever had the chance to listen to. It’s hosted by the queen of modern French feminism herself, Lauren Bastide. Fear not, they have a lot of episodes in English. In every episode Lauren gets to interview an inspiring woman, and they have an in-depth conversation about her childhood, her career and her struggles. The women that come on the show are all so different, some are activists, others artists and she even got Gloria Steinem and current mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo on the podcast! Each episode is a gem and reflects on women’s lives in the 21st century.
Léo De Riedmatten
Artificial Intelligence (AI Podcast) with Lex Fridman
This might sound quite niche, but even if you’re not well versed in the blooming field of artificial intelligence (AI), there’s a lot for you to learn! Lex Fridman, a professor at the renowned MIT, released a couple of episodes per week, and has held discussions with a plethora of guests. Not only does he interview pioneers and front-runner researchers in the field of AI, such as Steven Pinker (author of Enlightenment Now – recommended by Bill Gates), Stuart Russel (author of Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach), Peter Norvig. He’s also branching out and holding conversations with incredible people including Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, etc.), Michiu Kaku (theoretical physicist), Garry Kasparov (former chess world champion) and most recently author/filmmaker Alex Garland (Ex Machine, The Beach, Annihilation). Unfortunately, STEM subjects are still heavily dominated by men, but Fridman talks with incredible women including Ann Druyan (co-writer of the Cosmos tv series), Anca Dragan (professor at Berkley) and Leslie Kaelbling (roboticist and professor at MIT).
Today in Focus
It can be hard to keep up with the constant bombardment of news developments worldwide, and easy to resort to briefly skimming headlines to get a general idea of what’s going on. Today in Focus by The Guardian is released every weekday and hosted by Anushka Asthana. Each episode spends 20 minutes diving deep into a specific topic that’s been on the news, and then 10 minutes on a second topic. The relatively short format makes it easy to listen to regularly (I usually listen to it while making and eating breakfast ) and a great way to spend a bit more time exploring a contemporary topic rather than skimming through a bunch. Currently they’ve changed their format to only the 20 minute section to focus on the Coronavirus pandemic – a good way to keep up to date on the latest developments.
Risky Talk
In this promising new podcast (first episodes released this month), Cambridge professor David Spiegelhalter asks the question: How can we best communicate the risks and the evidence on the most pressing issues of the day? He is joined by the world’s top experts to tackle urgent, practical challenges which affect us all. So far there have been three episodes, looking at how to communicate about genetic risk, crime, immigration, political polls and climate change.
Olly Williams
Strange Bedfellows
If you’re going to be spending a long time in your own company, you ought to take the time to learn to appreciate that company. Strange Bedfellows, hosted by Queer American Sex Worker and Sex Educator Elle Stanger, reconciles with the complex aspects of human sexuality through a personal, social and cultural lens. For those who find ourselves embarrassed, confused or at odds with our sexuality and sexual desires, for those who feel woefully uneducated in the realms of Sex Work, for those wanting reaffirmation in these difficult times; this podcast is the sex education you wish you’d had in school.
Binge Mode
It’s one month into quarantine, you’ve binged your favourite fantasy series to exhaustion, you can no longer discern between actual history and Star Wars expanded universe lore. This podcast brings a refreshing and comedic insight into your favourite fantasy films and series. Featuring Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Harry Potter, this podcast takes a light-hearted but insightful look at the roles of characters within fantasy storytelling. As a die-hard Star Wars lover myself, it even made me warm up to the concept and writing of the notorious Jar Jar Binks, (somewhat).
Someone Knows Something
Perhaps not the most settling of goodnight listening’s, but if like myself, you take a certain fascination in the macabre and eerie, this podcast has it all. Award winning filmmaker David Ridgen takes on the role of private detective and investigator as he dissects some of the most compelling cases of true crime in this era. Conspiracy, cover up and criminology, this podcast is the grown-up cousin of daytime TV’s NCIS, with the additional angle of psychology and criminology for all us currently heartbroken academics.
Jude Whiley
The Adam Buxton Podcast
What is really excellent about this podcast is the way in which it lumps art together as a single community. Buxton interviews musicians, directors, comedians — entertainers, mainly, and discusses with them everything from their process to miscellaneous anecdotes. Each podcast is highly listenable, often adding dimensions to characters you believed you had known very well indeed.
George Ezra & Friends
Musicians, I implore you to listen. This podcast is like one big therapy group for those who have toured, performed, or written music. Starring people from Lewis Capaldi to Elton John, this really allows you a window into the minds of performers. Aside from this, George is a great host.
Under The Skin with Russell Brand
I admire Russell Brand very much. The way in which he has transformed his life is admirable, and should be admired by many. Though his branch of spiritualism isn’t exactly my preference, it is exciting to hear his interest in everything from French Post-structuralism to Buddhism. The people he interviews are various, again, from all walks of life. It’s likely you’ll find at least one podcast starring an individual you’re a fan of. Therefore, I’d compel you to take a look.
University Radio Falmer (URF)
Alternatively, if you’re looking for some student podcasts fresh from Sussex’s esteemed URF you could be listening to… check the following out!
We Need To Talk About Movies
A revolving cast of film students plus extra special guests chat about their film of the week and dissect the most interesting film news & gossip of the week. Movies covered so far include Parasite, Joker, Akira, Marriage Story, Shrek 2, The Shining and many more. Listen here.
Four Eyes
Two friends hilariously chat about their lives, love and uni with fun segments, Agony Adam giving advice and light-hearted music. Listen here.
Sassy Sariks
URF’s assistant station manager Sarika provides an hour of laughter, chat and tunes that’ll make you happy and sassy! Listen here.
Grace & Co.
Hosted by the eponymous Grace, this show provides a profile on a talented/interesting/creative young person based in Brighton. Listen here.
Pick n Mix
A radio show that masterly mixes news, comedy and satire with some all-time favourite songs and listener’s requests. Listen here.
Mental Health Diaries
A show trying to destigmatize mental health disorders while being funny and providing you all with some quality music. Listen here.
