Podcasts that are making you smarter

[LaRevolution]

What are your recs for enjoyable podcasts that you feel are also a good use of time, i.e. you're genuinely learning and absorbing interesting and useful info? (I know "useful" is all relative)

Not The Rest Is History, I find it annoying...also anything narrated by Melvyn Bragg I generally avoid.

I don't mind American as long as it's not bros talking about crypto etc.

Oh give it a rest, nobody's baying for the blood of middle-aged white men, we just don't want to hear their regurgitated pondering ALL the time thanks.
There are far more interesting people out there!

I just realised that most of not all of my recommendations are middle aged white men or close to middle aged! Given that that is the case they can't be that marginalised as a group?

Put it this way, @Goldenbear - as a podcasting group, I don't currently think they need my support, so I'm sure they're not crying into their cornflakes if I try and diversify my downloads list...

Halfway through the Narcissus episode of The Podyssey and enjoying that, also tried What A Day, an American daily one (obvs) on general current affairs. I liked its pace and presenter.

Someone mentioned No Such Thing As A Fish - I used to love it but went off it a bit, started to feel there was a bit of an undercurrent of misogyny (can't remember why tbh, but I'm sure it'll infuriate someone 😃)

I really love They Like To Watch, about telly, and Nobody Panic, which is two (female) British comedians just verbally blathering on and being very relatable.

P..slS I don't feel like either of those is making me smarter but they're good for relaxation/escapism!

Placemarking, thanks OP.

Agree that the podcast format really is made for men (of whichever hue) who love, and think other people should also love the sound of their own voices. Just made for mansplaining.

Also for women who love emoting, especially American women. SO DULL.

If you want podcasts with female hosts I recommend:

My Therapist Ghosted Me - Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally. They mostly just gossip but it’s good fun.

Now You’re Asking - Marian Keys and Tara Flynn give out good old fashioned advice to listener dilemmas.

Neither will make you smarter but I enjoy them!

Yeah, well, they’re a thoroughly oppressed and marginalised group, aren’t they? Poor diddums, thinking that we might want to hear from other voices from time to time.

When did I say they were marginalised? Or did you just make that bit up?

Dear me, calm down. I can assure you that my preference for hearing from a diversity of voices is of long standing and nothing to do with ‘trendiness’. I see no issue whatsoever with want8ng to hear less from a traditionally over-represented group, whether that’s in fiction, broadcasting, joyrnalism, podcasts etc.

I like words unraveled

Who said im not calm? 😂 I feel like I’m
in the twilight zone on here sometimes.

Lateral is another good one, usually a diverse panel and lots of bonkers puzzles.

Thanks for recommending The Podyssey, it’s great!

Another vote for Not Just the Tudors. I love a history podcast, and Prof Suzannah Lipscomb is so well researched and easy to listen to with great guests.

Have you tried the Fall of Civilisations podcast? It's a longer one (I choose it for long car journeys). Absolutely fascinating and, again, good voices. I highly recommend starting with the Greenland Vikings episode.

When I need something lighter, I listen to Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics - she takes a figure from classical history and does a half-hour lecture / stand up. She is a great entry point for getting your ancient philosophers lined up.

Shakespear for All is good - very thorough (3 episodes per play) but easy and entertaining. I listen to these if I'm ever going to see a play I don't know well.

The Infinite Monkey Cage is about as informative as I get for science - perhaps more entertaining than educational, but I still learn something!

Another for sliced bread

not sure if it’s been mentioned but I like Legacy, they focus in one character in History and discuss if they deserve the reputation they have. The one on Genghis Khan was fascinating.

Was I in a cult?
Helpful for learning how to avoid cults.

Real Survival Stories
Helpful for knowing the kinds of situations to avoid threats to my survival

Desert Island Discs! Their back catalogue is superb, and they have had so many fascinating people on there over the years. There’s an episode for everyone, honestly. (BBC Sounds)

Life changing with sian williams.

someone on here recommended The Surprising rebirth of the z belief in God by Justin Brierley and I’m finding it fascinating.

A short history.. by noisier podcasts

Oh I love real survival stories!!

Those people who go caught in the fires in France and the mum all along keeps staying we need to go we need to go… and no bugger listened to her.

I always recommend a podcast called The Mysterious Case of the Gentleman of Heligoland, which is a podcast that is exceptionally clever in itself rather than especially teaching you anything, but it’s the gold standard of true crime.

British Scandal is informative but fun. I loved their very funny series on John Darwin, the man who faked his death in the canoe, and their understandably not funny but thorough series on Lord Lucan.

Not sure if anyone has already mentioned it but I recommend Lady killers with Lucy Worsley on BBC sounds . It's about women who have killed. It's a history podcast which then explains the impact of changes in the law and society as a result of these cases and how it affects women now.

Robert Sapolsky father offspring interviews, also available on YouTube

I like Zoe Science & Nutrition, talks about health research and expert scientists guest talk.

Also second Desert Island Discs, lots of people on there I haven't heard of before and I learn about different lives and backgrounds.