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Original poster

Has anyone got any podcast recommendations on fascinating subjects?

115 replies

Embelline · 09/03/2023 13:16

Inspired by the truly wonderfully “things that are utterly fascinating” thread also in chat, I was wondering if people had any good recs for podcasts around fascinating subjects?

I’ve recently discovered “the rest is history” which is about different historical figures and events and is absolutely brilliant.

I love anything to do with history, social history, things like hidden London. Recently listened to a podcast about Grey Gardens which was also really fascinating.

any and all suggestions welcome, across any subjects!

OP posts:
SirChenjins · 09/03/2023 13:20

I love Lucy Worsley's Lady Killers - looks at the lives of 19th century women accused of murder from a modern perspective.

FinanceLPlates · 09/03/2023 13:21

99% Invisible - started off with a focus on urban design and architecture, but covers all sorts of weird and wonderful subjects.

notacooldad · 09/03/2023 13:22

I like Extraordinary Stories
Some are murder ones, some are just strange.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Podcasts
doadeer · 09/03/2023 13:22

Betwixt the sheets - history of sex and scandal is fab!

irw · 09/03/2023 13:24

British Scandal is really good, modern history and there's been over 20 seasons!

ChipsAreLife · 09/03/2023 13:28

'A short history of' is brilliant.

Also Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford. Typically about how human error or a miscalculation lead to something bigger happening (both good and bad)

Original poster
Embelline · 09/03/2023 14:03

These are brilliant thanks so much!

OP posts:
notacooldad · 09/03/2023 14:05

British Scandal is really good
Is that the one with the male and female presenters.
If it is I started listening a while ago and was put off by what could have been a fabulous podcast by inane interuptions.

Spidergloves · 09/03/2023 14:07

Cautionary Tales was the first that sprang to my mind too!

Something Rhymes with Purple with Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth is a fun one about words and language.

MissHoneysHappyEnding · 09/03/2023 14:12

I like the ' you're wrong about' series

Saisong · 09/03/2023 14:14

I've been working my way through Jim Al- Khalili's Life Scientific on BBC sounds. So many fascinating and varied scientist stories.

Also on BBC sounds, Fungi: The new frontier was utterly fascinating. And Nolan Investigates: Stonewall, was informative.

The Sweet Bobby podcasts were fascinating too.

I'm doing a 30 in 30 challenge for March (30 minutes walking every day for 30 days), which has vastly increased my appetite for podcasts.

notacooldad · 09/03/2023 14:16

I like the ' you're wrong about' series
I used to like it when Michael Hobbs was co presenting.
However I read an article somewhere and it turns out there's a shit load of stuff that they are actually wrong about. So maybe take somethings with a pinch of salt.

notacooldad · 09/03/2023 14:21

The Sweet Bobby series is bonkers!!
The teacher's pet is a good listen and it's narrator has just done another long series about a young woman who was murdered.
The lady vanishes is quite gripping.
Have you heard of Hunting Warhead. A very dark subject but amazing how a massive operation shut down a huge paedophile ring.
The Nobody Zone is good as well.
The Miami chronicles is good. It was a slow burner with me but a fascinating true story.

Panpig · 09/03/2023 14:23

I love crowd science which is a BBC podcast. It's a wide subject base and I've learnt loads I never knew from the episodes I've listened to so far

hennybeans · 09/03/2023 14:27

The History Chicks. Each episode is about an important historical woman from all different times.

Original poster
Embelline · 09/03/2023 14:28

@Saisong im doing similar and I love
to listen to podcasts when I’m doing mundane house chores as it makes it way more interesting!

OP posts:
Original poster
Embelline · 09/03/2023 14:30

I’ve listened to Sweet Bobby, it was utterly jaw dropping.

OP posts:
Original poster
Embelline · 09/03/2023 19:54

@SirChenjins I’ve listened to a couple of the Ladykillers podcast this afternoon - really interesting! I can see I’m going to get through them quickly and wish there were more.

I am adding all these suggestions to my list!

OP posts:
Tribollite · 09/03/2023 20:04

Not Just the Tudors. As it says, not only about Anne Boleyn etc but other countries in that time period. I find some of them more interesting than others but there is a big back catalogue to go through.

AmyB143 · 09/03/2023 20:05

Unexplained Mysteries and Conspiracy Theories are my faves, narrators are so calming. Also disaperances by Sarah Turney is gut renching

reallyalurker · 09/03/2023 20:14

Rex Factor and the similar ones such as Battle Royale.

In Our Time from the BBC.

Ghostofborleyrectory · 09/03/2023 20:17

BlindBoy Podcast. Can't hear the word 'pineapple 'without talking about its context in history for example. Also very funny.

AngelasEyelash · 09/03/2023 20:23

Uncanny is a BBC podcast about the paranormal. From the same presenter the Witch Farm is truly terrifying!

Racingadmin · 09/03/2023 20:25

On bbc sounds

The curious cases of Rutherford and fry - lots of them - I enjoy the social science and medicine ones and skip the space / physics ones that hurt my brain

You're dead to me

The food chain (world service )

The rabbit hole detectives is a new one that's got all sorts of interesting info - with rev Richard Coles (of the radio and communards), Charles spencer (princess Diana brother) and dr cat jarman (bioarcheologist)

LuckyThatMyBreastsAreSmallAndHumble · 09/03/2023 20:58

Great thread!