Has anyone got any podcast recommendations on fascinating subjects?

[Embelline]

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!

My Time Capsule - actor Michael Fenton Stevens interviews famous people about life in general, and asks them to choose five things they would put into a time capsule: four to preserve and one they never want to think about again.

He has such a lovely voice I could listen for hours! The episodes where he has a good rapport with the interviewee and they have a right laugh are the best.

Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake: Kathy Burke interviews famous people about death. It’s hilarious. 😂

The Coldest Case in Laramie, made by Serial Productions & the New York Times.

It's about an unsolved murder in the 80s, small town crime, unreliable and conflicting memories. I've just binge listened overnight.

Podcasts presented by Michael Hobbes: someone’s already mentioned You’re Wrong About but I also love Maintenance Phase (he and Aubrey Gordon debunk weight loss programmes, diet books etc) and If Books Could Kill.

I quite like interviews. Brydon & on Spotify, Out to lunch with Jay Rayner, comfort eating with grace dent, combine food and interviews!

The rest is politics / the rest is history

Off Air with Jane and Fi (Times Radio) something more easy listening

Just listened to the Secret History of the Estonia (about a ferry that sank and the Cold War implications) fascinating.

Rabbit Hole - a New York Times podcast about how people get into and out of conspiracy holes.

Stolen: Surviving St Michaels -about Canadian residential schools and indigenous people

Revisionist History - Malcolm Gladwell

Similar to You’re Wrong About in that it looks at events in history that you might not know the truth of but very different style.

The Industrial Revolutions - Dave Broker

Fascinating well told look at how the world became what it is today.

I find all the bbc pods casts good. ‘Stuff you should know’ is easy listening and often interesting. I’ve just listened to ‘assume nothing’ on bbc and my mind was blown by the weirdness of the ‘sisters of st Brides’. Such a peculiar story!

Thanking the poster for the recommendation for ‘The sisters who left’ it sounds right up my street.

These are great. I second Cautionary Tales

I was up far far too late listening in bed to Lucy Worlsey thanks to this thread.

@Embelline thanks for the thread! What's the name of the podcast about Grey Gardens please?

Relatively, about sibling relationships. Start with the Pat & Jean Owtram.
castbox.fm/x/2CyHA

I was a bit disappointed by this one compared to others in the Serial stable. The original Serial podcast about Adnan Syed pretty much established the podcast sleuth genre (for better or worse) and is exceptional. The second about a soldier going AWOL didn’t have quite the same punch but still fascinating. The third was a look at the US criminal justice system, thoroughly depressing.

But writing all that has reminded me of one of the quirkiest and best podcast from the same company which is S-Town - definitely worth a listen!

A few others I’ve enjoyed - The Dropout about Elizabeth Holmes, Fake Heiress about Anna Delvey. And I wouldn’t say “enjoyed” is the right word but West Cork is very well told story of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Also, Jon Ronson has done some good ones - The Last Days of Autumn about the porn industry for one.

When it goes wrong (about disasters etc)

Redhanded (true crime)

Cults

Conspiracy theories

Following this. Getting bored with LBC

Another thumbs up for Cautionary Tales here. Also Patented with Dallas Campbell - about the origins of all sorts of inventions.

And if you haven't listened to the Infinite Monkey Cage about spiders, do - it is hilarious and fascinating in equal measure.

Ladies who London podcast is one that I really enjoy, they talk about interesting or little known historical events and stories which happened in London.

I second Natalie Haynes stands up for the classics. Informative and hilarious in equal measure.

I saw her on her book tour last year @QueenMabby . She’s excellent live.

I bet she is. V jealous.

Love that the suggestions are still coming, I now have a brilliant list!

Can I add Rabbit Hole Detectives with Richard Coles? Sounds right up your street.

Also - Awake at Night, stories from the front line of the UN's work

How to Invent a Country

And I love Natalie Haynes and Fi & Jane

I agree. Melvyn Bragg just sounds a bit bored by the whole thing and is sometimes a bit sneery.

I don't like Richard Coles either.

Sorry to sound like such a miserable old bag.

On the plus side this has reminded me that I haven't listened to Heavyweight for a while and I love that podcast.

Sadly Reply All is no more, but I think you can still listen to their old podcasts.