Pick of the week
The Mindhunter
Dark, drily funny and rather meta, this six-episode podcast manages a rare feat in the true-crime genre. Hosted by author and journalist Francisco Garcia and producer Brenna Daldorph, it explores the strange case of British criminal profiler Paul Harrison. His myriad identities in the world of both crime writing and regional football journalism intrigue Garcia – before a death hoax makes the story even juicier. Hannah J Davies
Audible, all episodes out now
The Survivor Files With Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart – abducted at the age of 14 in Salt Lake City – and her guests show astonishing bravery in this series about overcoming abuse, attacks and kidnap. It begins with two episodes featuring Kara Robinson, whose account of her own abduction at the age of 15 is harrowing but also demonstrates huge inner resilience. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
Black Box: The Chatbots
Michael Safi returns with the Guardian’s hit AI investigation podcast, this time exploring claims that people have “awoken” super intelligence in chatbots. It is an engrossing listen as he speaks with those who believe they have made huge discoveries – and as a result developed intense paranoia. Hollie Richardson
Widely available, episodes weekly from Thursday 3 September
Solita
Women’s solo travel is having a moment – cue this very fun show from Puerto Rican producer Julie Piñero and iHeart. As Julie joins the locals at a pub in Galway, can she reclaim the Spanish diminutive solita from its connotations of pity? There are also travel tales from the likes of comic Kenice Mobley, on her Parisian sexcapades. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
Who Run the World
Part of the Listen to Girls initiative at south London’s Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, this excellent series puts 11- to 18-year-olds behind the mic to ask important questions on mental health, violence against women and girls, and more. Their episode with the Met police’s Commander Clair Kelland is particularly powerful on concerns such as spiking and stalking. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
What are you listening to this week? Share your recommendations below
