Podcasts to kickstart your spring

We’re in the golden age of podcasting. A decade after Serial became our gateway drug to the world of audio storytelling, there are now over 5 million podcasts globally, with more released every day. Whatever your passion, interest or vague curiosity — no matter how weird or wacky — there will almost certainly be a podcast discussing it. 

Get yourself set up for a spring refresh with our curated list of the most engaging, entertaining and enlightening podcasts out there right now. Whether you’re suffering through rush hour on the Northern Line or have been stuck with the washing up, give one of these series a listen to brighten your day and open your mind to new ideas. 

If you’re intrigued by the power of Big Tech & AI

Who Trolled Amber

If you were glued to the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard case in 2022, you won’t want to miss this smash hit podcast by Tortoise. Across six episodes, reporter Alexi Mostrous explores the role of AI-generated content in the headline-dominating case and asks how our own thoughts and opinions can be moulded without us even realising. Dark and fascinating, it will make you question your own vulnerability to online manipulation.

The Gatekeepers

20 years on from the launch of Facebook, social media dominates the spread of information — but it wasn’t always intended to be this way. In this eight-part series, journalist Jamie Bartlett looks back over the rise of Big Tech and its influence on truth, democracy and our shared reality. Covering events like the Capitol riots in 2021 and featuring interviews with early tech pioneers and brave individuals whose lives have been transformed by technology, this is a deep-dive into the power a handful of companies hold over us all. 

If you want pop culture with a twist

Sounds like a Cult

Are Swifties a cult? How about The Real Housewives? Or SoulCycle? In this addictive series, host Amanda Montell analyses a different fanatical group each week to understand whether it counts as a cult and, if so, how bad it really is. A funny, fresh and thought-provoking listen. 

Sentimental Garbage

One for the huns, Sentimental Garbage was created to reclaim girly pop culture that’s typically dismissed as trashy or unimportant. Author Caroline O’Donoghue is a witty, engaging host, chatting with a different guest each week about a book, film, TV show, album or cultural concept they care about. Recent topics include one hit wonders, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and skinny jeans. 

If you’re trying to be better at keeping up with current affairs

Pod Save the UK

Want to understand the state of the country but find yourself overwhelmed by the news? Pod Save the UK is for you. Every week, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan — along with expert guests — delve into the latest political news with humour and intelligence. 

If you need some spooky escapism

Otherworld

If you’re fascinated by the paranormal, this is the podcast for you. In every episode, Otherworld host Jack Wagner speaks with people about their real, unexplainable experiences with the occult. Wagner’s open-minded, thoughtful approach steers clear of any kind of judgement as he speaks to guests about topics from haunted dolls to near-death experiences. Prepare to be hooked… 

If you need some cooking inspo

Ruthie’s Table 4

The River Café is a London institution, famous for its delicious Italian dishes, Thames-side location and A-list fans. In this soothing podcast, owner Ruthie Rogers chats with celebrity customers-turned-friends about their relationship with food, from childhood memories to go-to dishes. Plus, she asks each guest to read aloud a favourite recipe from the River Café cookbooks. Recent guests include the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Stephen Fry and Guy Ritchie. 

If you struggle to make time to read

The New Yorker Fiction Podcast

If you’re trying to break out of a reading rut, this podcast is a good place to start. In each episode, a current staffer at the New Yorker reads a short story that has previously appeared in the magazine, before discussing it with fiction editor Deborah Treisman. It’s a great way to hone your taste, discover new writers and get under the skin of what makes a story work. Plus, it’s the New Yorker, so you’ll feel instantly 10% cleverer after every episode. 

The Audio Long Read

Do you currently have 20 tabs open with articles you secretly know you’ll never get round to reading? Then the Audio Long Read might be your perfect podcast. Each episode converts a Guardian Long Read article into a listenable format, allowing you to enjoy deeply researched stories while on the go. From a deep dive into Hamas to the secrets of the pet food industry, the topics are wide-ranging and always compelling. 

If you want a thoughtful approach to mental health

Self Help by Scottee

Artist and performer Scottee has spent years trying various mental health solutions. In this podcast, he provides an antidote to the “sunshine and rainbows” approach to self-help, touching on meaty topics like capitalism, class and queerness. It’s refreshingly forthright while also being seriously relatable. 

We Can Do Hard Things

On We Can Do Hard Things, Untamed author Glennon Doyle, her wife and famed footballer Abby Wambach, and her sister Amanda Doyle have honest conversations about topics like sex, parenting and addiction. With the help of expert (and sometimes celebrity) guests, Glennon, Abby and Amanda laugh, cry and peel away the “shoulds” of life to discover a more liberating way forward. 

If your relationships could do with an MOT

Where Should We Begin with Esther Perel

In Where Should We Begin, you can listen in to real therapy sessions as  iconic psychotherapist and relationship expert Esther Perel works with her clients to understand their challenges, from breakups to family fractures. The episodes are raw and intimate, while also providing actionable tools for everyone to apply within their own lives. 

If you’re trying to be less online (but still want to know what’s up)

The Polyester Podcast

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the #discourse — but get massive FOMO whenever you delete your Instagram — The Polyester Podcast is a way for you to have your cake and eat it. In this podcast, Polyester Zine editor-in-chief Ione Gamble and managing editor Eden Young pick apart the internet’s current obsessions through a feminist lens. The episodes are often laugh-out-loud funny while still being informative, covering topics like ozempic, the Mob Wife aesthetic and the politicisation of Sydney Sweeney’s boobs.