Picks of the week
My Mrs Maisel Pod
Widely available, episodes weekly
The final curtain has fallen on The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (starring Rachel Brosnahan, pictured below), but for any bereft fans here is the ultimate rewatch series hosted by Kevin Pollak (Moishe Maisel). This cast clearly have a lot of love and respect for each other off screen, so it’s a joy listening to Pollak speaking with them in serious depth about each episode – including Luke Kirby reflecting on “strutting” around his beloved New York as Lenny Bruce in between takes. Hollie Richardson
Objeks & Tings
Widely available, episodes weekly from 22 Jun
This warm and celebratory podcast from Catherine Ross and Lynda Burrell, founders of Museumand, the National Caribbean Heritage Museum, brings generations together to talk about their heritage. In the first episode, West Winds author Riaz Phillips talks about the magic of his mum’s dutchie and debates the merits of “the burnt bit”, chicken neck and family washing-up sessions. Hannah Verdier
Love Thang
Widely available, episodes weekly from 20 Jun
Comedian Punkie Johnson and co-host Dicey know a thing or two about love, and they promise not to hold back with advice on one-night stands, situationships and much more. But when a caller asks if she should stay with “Mr Inconsistent”, a furious debate breaks out where Dicey struggles to temper Johnson’s full-on rant. HV
The 13th Step
Widely available, episodes weekly
What starts as a troubling show alleging that the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network sexually harassed patients soon becomes something far wilder. We hear that its host’s previous attempt to report on it was followed by mysterious violence, such as rocks thrown at her window. Interviewees are hit with legal threats, the host is sued, and a picture of attempts to silence free speech emerges. Alexi Duggins
Twice Upon a Time
Widely available, episodes weekly
Ex-Blue Peter host Janet Ellis’s twinkly look at celebrities’ favourite childhood book returns for a second series, starting with her daughter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It’s almost as much a look at the host’s parenting style as it is a loving peek at a kids’ classic. AD
There’s a podcast for that
This week, Hollie Richardson chooses five of the best podcasts for learning a language, from a tea break-long show for beginners to news bulletins to help stretch your skills
Duolingo
From “baguette magician” Mahmood in France to Julián – who crafts piñatas in Mexico – real people tell their easy-to-follow life stories in their own language for this series of podcasts from the hit language-learning app. Each episode has added English narration, so that you can continue to learn and develop your skills while also making sure you’re getting the gist of what’s going on. Currently, there are editions for English speakers learning French and Spanish, as well as Spanish and Portuguese speakers learning English.
Learn Japanese Pod
Ideal for beginners, this podcast focuses on casual conversations in Japanese. Each episode opens with a different dialogue on a topic such as asking your friends to hang out, organising a dinner and disagreeing with people (an essential in this life). The hosts – Alex, Asuka and the teacher, or sensei, Ami – then break down each conversation, give English translations and discuss what is being said and why, with plenty of tips and insight on how Japanese people communicate with each other. You can also pay for notes through their Patreon.
Coffee Break Languages
Short on time? These beginner podcasts are created to be squeezed into your lunch hour or coffee/teabreak. Each series follows a teacher tutoring a student, who asks the kinds of questions that you also no doubt also have along the way. You can listen to the snappy 15-20 minute episodes on their own or choose to use them as part of a Coffee Break online language course that you can pay to sign up to. There’s quite a varied offering of languages on offer, from Mandarin to Swedish, French to Gaelic.
News in Slow …
Listening to slowed-down news bulletins in another language is a great way for people of all levels to continue learning – and a bit more exciting than the usual “how to introduce yourself” lesson. The News in Slow … series offers weekly bulletin episodes of around 10 minutes, for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners. You can catch up with the headlines in French, Italian, German and Spanish, with versions for Latin American Spanish and Spanish spoken in Spain.
Pod101
A first-stop pod for many people looking to learn a new language, the Pod101 series is one of the oldest and most relied upon. There are thousands of episodes for you to work your way through across a massive range of languages, including Arabic, Bulgarian, Danish, Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Turkish, Urdu and Russian. The one catch is that you might need to wade through them all and be super selective to find the most relevant material.
Why not try …
RTÉ unpacks the strange story of a mysterious teenager found alone in Dublin in Finding Samantha.
Steve Coogan and Harry Hill are among the famous guests sitting down with Rob Brydon in a new series of Brydon &.
More cold cases are sensitively put under the spotlight in series five of The Missing with Pandora Sykes.
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