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It’s no secret to those who know me that I’m a huge fan of podcasts. In fact, I struggle to get anything done unless I’m listening to a podcast while doing it. My gateway drug was Gilmore Guys, a fantastic podcast about two men who, with the help of hilarious guests, would watch and discuss (i.e. praise and lovingly mock) every episode of Gilmore Girls. This gave me an appetite for more, and now I’m an avid fan of a variety of podcasts from all genres, be it comedy, health and wellness, social and cultural commentary, or film and television.

So, if you love podcasts, or you’re intrigued but unsure where to start, here are my picks for some of the best on offer.

Good Christian Fun

I’m not Christian and wasn’t raised in the Evangelical culture that hosts Kevin Porter (of Gilmore Guys origin) and Caroline Ely were, but that doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of each weekly instalment. Kevin and Caroline aren’t here to proselytise or shame anyone, only to revisit relics from their childhood and delve deep into the strange world of Christian pop culture, often with hilarious and fascinating results. Whether Christian, atheist, agnostic, or a member of any religious sect, this podcast has something for you. It ranges from highly comedic to deep and thought-provoking, as conversations about infamous Christian boybands morph seamlessly into complex discussions about faith and doubt, the relationship between purity culture and rape culture, or the way that the Church approaches LGBTQI+ issues. Ultimately, Good Christian Fun has helped me to become a more curious, respectful, and considerate listener, and I’d recommend it to anyone.

Gateway episode: 'Jeanne Robertson (with Guy Branum)'

The Big Picture

I began listening to The Big Picture, a product of sports and pop culture network The Ringer, in the lead up to the 2019 Academy Awards Ceremony, and have remained a loyal fan ever since. Now, in 2021, hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins continue to provide insights into all things film: engaging in nuanced discussions about the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, current and past film trends, the future of film, and the way we engage with cinema in the wake of streaming services. It's an insightful and engaging show for film nerds by film nerds.

Gateway episode: No particular starting point needed, just jump straight in!

Heavyweight

Heavyweight is a podcast about regret – regret for the things we did and the things we didn’t do. Host Jonathon Goldstein, a longtime producer at podcast giant This American Life, acts as a kind of therapist and instigator of change wrapped into one, as he helps people, most of whom are strangers, to resolve things from their past, be it a falling-out with a family member or guilt from an unkept promise. Armed with a dry and awkward sense of humour, Jonathon approaches each situation with courage and empathy that is palpable to the listener. Funny, strange, and deeply moving, ±á±ð²¹±¹²â·É±ð¾±²µ³ó³ÙÌýis a podcast like no other.

Gateway episode: 'Buzz'

Delicious Ways to Feel Better

Delicious Ways to Feel Better is the podcast from food-author and business woman Ella Mills and her husband and business partner Matthew Mills, as the two explore health, nutrition, wellbeing, and entrepreneurship. Each episode, which usually features a guest expert of some kind, takes a look at the micro-issues under the health and wellbeing umbrella, offering fascinating and evidence-based perspectives on the things that affect us every day, such as stress, cultivating happiness, the importance of exercise for the brain, gut health, diet myths, food waste, and climate change. If you’re interested in health and wellbeing but find yourself overwhelmed by the overload of information available, this might be a good place to start for an easy-to-process insight into a myriad of relevant topics.

Gateway episode: 'How to Break a Habit and Make Lasting Changes'