Recommendations for low-key morning listening with friendly voices and no music.

[smallglassbottle]

Can someone recommend something to listen to in the kitchen on a morning please?

The kitchen is very quiet as it's just me and the cats whilst they have breakfast and I clean up. I've had music on, but I don't like that and would prefer to hear voices talking. I usually listen to Times radio, but it's mainly just politics and there's so much repetition and it gets boring. They're all a bit smug as well (including the guests).

I can't listen to stuff like Radio 4 (I end up arguing with it) or Radio 2 or stuff with inane chatter and pop music. People like Zoe Ball would drive me mad. Classic FM is so annoying even though I like classical music. Radio 3 is sensible, but some of the music is too loud, clashy or avante garde.

I know I'm asking for the impossible 😬

It has to have no music.

It has to be sensible - no "I'm crazy I am" immature presenters.

I don't mind from wherever in the world it comes from, as long as it's in English.

I've thought about podcasts, but I don't know where to find them and I don't want anything I have to concentrate too much on as I'm in and out of the kitchen.

I just want some low key friendly voices to relieve the loneliness.

I don't have a TV to put on.

I would consider YouTube if anyone can recommend a decent channel that I can listen to rather than watch.

Have you ever listened to Radio 3 Unwind? It's a digital spin-off of Radio 3 and is focused on wellbeing and meditation focused classical music with voices and soundscapes in between (I looked that up because was finding it difficult to describe!) so it does have music but it is really chilled out. It's my go to when I'm at home or work and need to focus. It really calms me down and is a genuine pleasure to listen to. They do a version of the shipping forecast at night, called the "Sleeping Forecast" and it is lovely and not all music.

Sometimes I listen to my local BBC station and, although it does have music, there’s a lot of talk and discussion as well.

Talk radio - seems the obvious choice .

Also the World Service.

The BBC sounds app has a lot of podcasts on it.

Have you considered audible books as well?

I'll have a look at all of these, thanks. I forgot about the world service! I have had that on in the past.

I haven't considered audio books as I don't think I'd be able to concentrate on it as I go around doing stuff.

Is Talk Radio sensible? I always imagine it's people arguing 🙈

I quite like Radio 4 extra, an eclectic mix, mainly repeats

I’m not sure why you have ruled out Radio 4, they have a mix of programs. Desert Island Discs, In Our Time, The Life Scientific, Life Changing, This Cultural Life are all great for easy listening in the kitchen

Or the Reith Lectures

if you have a smart speaker I would ask it to play certain shows from r4/ bbc sounds. ‘The patch’ is really lovely, you may also like heart and soul and illuminated. I even like having gardeners question time in the background when I’m pottering at home.