The Book Club
The latest release from Goalhanger hears historian Dominic Sandbrook in English teacher mode, as he dissects classic novels with producer Tabitha Syrett. Luckily, it doesn’t feel like homework: their first episode, on Wuthering Heights, revels in Emily Brontë’s dark themes, confusingly-named protagonists, and the author herself – from her tragically tiny coffin to the graveyard water that may have led to her premature death. Hannah J Davies
Widely available, episodes weekly
Social Moths
Harriet Dyer, Amy Mason and Lindsey Santoro’s series is ostensibly about how to get out of the house when your mental health, children, or phone addiction are holding you back. Largely ludicrous and instantly endearing, it’s also an excuse for the three comics to share wry anecdotes about rude hecklers and nosy Google search results. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show
This thoughtful chat show dispenses with the small talk and dives straight in. From Jason Isaacs opening up about a hypnotherapy session as research for a role – only for him to realise his drug taking was deliberate self harm – to actor Mia Mckenna-Bruce being taught how to stand up for herself by Helena Bonham Carter, it’s a charming listen. Alexi Duggins
Widely available, episodes weekly
Messy Lunch
An egregious example of a video show that is a podcast in name only. It bafflingly opens with context-free chats between unintroduced voices – someone is called Sam, they get their cows from Andy – and there are confusing references to beans. After a few baffling minutes, chef Gizzi Erskine’s promised chat with Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall materialises. AD
Widely available, episodes weekly
World of Secrets: The Darkest Web
Based on seven years of work by journalist Sam Piranty and released in tandem with a Storyville film to be shown on BBC Four on Tuesday, this new World Service series is a skilful yet harrowing look at child sex abuse. While it follows the people forensically hunting the perpetrators, there is space, too, for the voices of survivors. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
