This week's podcast selection offers a rich blend of candid conversation, powerful personal stories, and laugh-out-loud comedy. From a broadcasting legend hosting intimate interviews to a deep dive into football's ultimate prize, there's something for every listener.
Jenni Murray's Candid Conversations Take Centre Stage
Jenni Murray, the esteemed former host of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, brings her signature warmth and insight to a new interview series. Her podcast, Experience Is Everything, features exclusively older guests reflecting on the life lessons they've accumulated.
In the current season, Murray speaks with an impressive line-up of personalities. Comedian Paul Merton opens up with remarkable candour about his experiences with mental health. Meanwhile, media figures like Trevor McDonald and Tony Blackburn share their wisdom, and Ian Hislop proves to be even nicer than he looks, according to Murray. New episodes of this amiable and insightful series are released fortnightly and are widely available across all major platforms.
Powerful Stories and Comic Relief
For a deeply moving listen, Own My Life focuses on women who have survived abuse. Each weekly episode, launching on New Year's Day, features an interview with a different survivor, beginning with a woman named Jade who now works at a women's charity. The podcast is connected to a course designed to help participants move forward from trauma, making it a heavy but undeniably powerful and important show.
On a lighter note, comedian Josh Widdicombe capitalises on the success of Parenting Hell with his delightfully self-indulgent Museum of Pop Culture. The show dives into bizarre tales from film, TV, and music, with episodes exploring everything from the phenomenon of Mr Blobby to music mogul Pete Waterman's time working in a concrete factory. Released twice weekly, it's a reliably funny and quirky escape.
Classic Drama and Sporting Secrets
Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing receives a vibrant refresh in the latest from Play On Podcasts. Translated into modern English by Ranjit Bolt and directed by Brendon Fox, this weekly serial reimagines the tangled loves of Hero, Claudio, Benedick, and Beatrice on the post-Second World War French Riviera. It's a lively and accessible take on the Bard.
Finally, for football fans, comedian Matt Forde tackles the ultimate question in How to Win the World Cup. In his quest to understand what it takes to lift the famous trophy, his first guest is Alex Brooker, who pointedly questions why young England fans should experience victory without enduring years of tournament misery. New episodes of this weekly podcast are available now.
