I am back again with more entertaining and interesting podcasts. I am, what I’d like to call, a self proclaimed expert considering I seem to go through a ridiculous amount of podcasts. It is always exciting when I find one that takes me by surprise, which is why I love doing these posts. I am not about gatekeeping the best kept secrets in the podcast industry!
*All links to the below podcasts use Spotify however they should all be available on most podcast streaming services*
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd
Now, I imagine if you are a die hard podcast fan you have already encountered Armchair Expert, it is one of the most popular podcasts on Spotify. Dax is an American actor, writer, podcast host, comedian and director (his wife is also Kristen Bell). His partner for the podcast is Monaca Padman (fellow Actor and Producer) and together they interview guests, most recently actors such as Zooey Deschanel, Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart. Dax has been sober for over a decade and has a degree in Anthropology and the pair manage to get some of the most honest conversations in the podcast ‘realm’ out of their guests.
As well as interviewing a variety of celebrity guests, every week they also upload an episode interviewing some of the worlds most interesting minds. From activists and business titans to sports players and professors. Armchair Expert gives the listener the opportunity to learn more about the individual behind the career and the decision making process behind some of their biggest personal and professional challenges.
If you have not listened to Armchair Expert yet then you better get started, there is a plethora of episodes to listen to.
You can access more information about Armchair Expert on their website here.
Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe’s Parenting Hell
Well Sophie, why are you listening to a parenting podcast? You know, that is a pretty good question. Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe are some of the funniest comics to grace the British comic scene and paired together means their podcast will have you in fits of laughter. Two very tired adults trying to navigate young kids and a busy work schedule, means you get numerous funny anecdotes and in turn become both sympathetic and dubious over some of Beckett and Widdicombe’s life choices.
It is strangely relatable in that it has made me consider some of the choices my parents made when growing up. Plus, I just find it really interesting hearing about how these ‘well-known’ figures navigate work and kids. Not only do they update their listeners weekly on their challenges, they also invite celebrity guests onto their podcast to discuss their own parenting experiences.
So if you are a parent or not, why not give it a listen! They are also going on tour next year which I can imagine will be full of laughs and more unedited and transparent discussions.
Find the Parenting Hell Podcast website here. Listen on Spotify here
Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner
If someone asked me what I wanted to do if money wasn’t an object, it would be a food critic. I love food – the process behind it, the taste, the sociable aspect but also the individualistic experience of having some really good food. It is an experience and one which will alter depending on who you are with and when you have it. Jay Rayner is a notable figure in the food critic world as well as being a experienced journalist. He writes weekly for The Guardian, has written several books and is also a Jazz musician. His podcast invites celebrity guests to dine in some of Jay’s favourite restaurants while they discuss life and their recent projects over some delicious food.
They always say that some of the best discussions are had over a dinner table so Jay’s podcast format is both exciting and vulnerable, paving the way for more dynamic conversations where the guest and restaurant are on level playing fields.
If you too are a foodie, then this is the podcast for you.
Check out Rayner’s podcast here. You can find out more about Rayner and his work on his website here.
Dua Lipa: At Your Service
When I said I have found podcasts that have taken me by surprise, this would be at the top of my list. I stumbled upon Dua’s new podcast a few days ago and have been pleasantly surprised at her guests and the episodes themselves. Dua takes a look at her guests and their careers to try and understand how they have shaped todays cultural landscape.
I’ve listened to her conversation with Olivier Rousteing and Edward Enninful, both fashion powerhouses who share the ups and downs of their journey to ‘success’. Fashion in particular always seems to be a well kept secret, guarded from the outside and kept ambiguous to keep its allure to the general public. In that respect, that is why I enjoyed these two specific episodes the most. It peeled back the curtain a bit.
Dua makes the perfect host in that her notoriety means, for the most part, she is on the same level as her guests. There is no weird hierarchy and the relationship she tends to have with these big names are just as interesting as the interview itself.
Dua’s podcast has only just started and I hope there happens to be more episodes where secrets are uncovered and industries explored.
You can listen to the podcast here. The podcast comes with the launch of Service95 a new venture for Dua which you can check out here.
Changes with Annie Macmanus
DJ Annie Macmanus is a radio host legend and has now turned her hand to writing novels and her voice to the podcast Changes. Like the title suggests, the podcast centres around change and what that means to the guest. Through interrogating this topic you understand the pivotal experiences that have shaped the individuals career and personal trajectory, getting very honest and raw conversations.
Particularly with change being very prevalent in the past few years, it is interesting to hear how each guest has dealt with things differently and the coping mechanisms they have used to deal with quite substantial events.
My favourite episodes have been with her husband Tom (music producer Toddla T) who opens up about his ‘late’ diagnosis of ADHD, the episode with fellow ex-presenter on Radio 1, Nick Grimshaw, and the conversation with Perez Hilton, which centres around his notorious gossip blog and his recent change in perspective.
Not only are they all very interesting discussions, they also prompted me to look at things with a more critical eye.
I highly recommend checking this podcast out.
You can listen to the podcast here. Find out more about Annie’s work on her website here.
I mean, what a collection of podcasts, right!? I adore each and every one of these and have been/will continue to be a fond listener of them all. Podcasts keep my curious soul happy and if you are the same, I can assure you that these podcasts will keep you entertained and informed.
If you want some more suggestions I have previously done two other roundups of my favourite podcasts, the first one you can find here and the most recent one is available here.
Have you got a recent favourite? Will you be trying any of these? Let me know in the comments below!
Much love,
Sophie x
Sophie's Edit 