Experience Is Everything
Former Woman’s Hour host Jenni Murray offers an amiable slant on the celebrity interview podcast. Her Saga magazine series features exclusively older interviewees, speaking about the life lessons they’ve learned thus far. Paul Merton is rather candid when it comes to mental health and Ian Hislop (“Is he as nice as he looks? He’s nicer …”), with Tony Blackburn and Trevor McDonald also appearing this season. Hannah J Davies
Widely available, episodes fortnightly
Own My Life
Women who have experienced abuse are at the centre of this show about the Own My Life course, which helps them to move forward after their trauma. Each episode focuses on an interview with a different survivor, beginning with Jade, who now works at a women’s charity. It’s a heavy but powerful listen. Alexi Duggins
Widely available from New Years Day, episodes weekly
Josh Widdicombe’s Museum of Pop Culture
The comedian has established himself in the pod canon with the ever-popular Parenting Hell, giving him licence to make a self-indulgent show such as this: a dive into odd tales from the worlds of film, TV and music – via Mr Blobby and Pete Waterman’s tenure at a concrete factory. It also happens to be very funny. HJD
Widely available, episodes twice weekly
Play On Podcasts: Much Ado About Nothing
Shakespeare’s romcom is the latest classic to get Play On Podcast’s zesty treatment. Translated into modern English by Ranjit Bolt and directed by Brendon Fox, it reimagines the tangled love stories of Hero, Claudio, Benedick and Beatrice on the post-second world war French Riviera. A lively, refreshing take. Hollie Richardson
Widely available, episodes weekly
How to Win the World Cup
Comedian Matt Forde attempts to get to the bottom of how you win the competition that forces all the annoying international breaks on the domestic football you actually care about. His first guest is Alex Brooker, who asks: “Why should all the young England fans get a win without all those years of tournament misery?” Fair point. AD
Widely available, episodes weekly
