Pick of the week
Remember Me? With Maisie Adam & Scott Bryan
It is often easy to dismiss pop culture’s also-rans, but this podcast from comedian Maisie Adam and journalist Scott Bryan takes a different approach. It embraces individuals who experienced sudden fame, primarily during the 1990s and 2000s, and shares their stories with both humour and sensitivity. Among the guests is Kelli Young of Liberty X, who reflects on how she and her bandmates were perceived as “too R&B” to win ITV’s Popstars, and expresses unexpected gratitude toward the funk band that sued them.
“too R&B” to win ITV’s Popstars – and is surprisingly grateful to the funk band who sued them.
Hannah J Davies
Widely available, episodes weekly
Don’t Say a Word
This podcast presents a potentially provocative concept: Nicky Campbell leverages his extensive experience hosting radio debates to examine how society navigates the complexities of culture wars, identity politics, and the phenomenon of “cancellation.” The guests contribute nuanced discussions on topics such as the common question, “Where are you really from?”.
Hollie Richardson
Widely available, episodes weekly
Currently: Sophia Versus AI Slop
Journalist and Gen Z expert Sophia Smith Galer hosts this one-off episode addressing the degradation of the internet, inspired by her personal experience of purchasing a counterfeit biography of herself found on Amazon. As the proliferation of AI-generated low-quality content increasingly infiltrates various fields, including academia, her perspective is particularly important.
HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly from Sunday 8 March
Real Vikings
Featuring Iain Glen from Game of Thrones, this atmospheric ten-part series explores Norse myths and history, challenging the stereotype of Vikings as mere “fur-clad thugs.” While the stories of Harald Hardrada and Ragnar Lothbrok remain popular in podcasts and television, the immersive sound design combined with Glen’s narration offers a compelling listening experience.
HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly from Tuesday 10 March
Blood Will Tell
Twins Trung and Anh Tong were suspects in a 2014 murder case in California, with the wrong brother ultimately imprisoned. This true-crime podcast may sound improbable but is grounded in actual events. Jennifer Miller investigates the brothers’ gang-related history over six fast-paced episodes.
HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly from Friday 13 March
