2020, the year of a pandemic, protests, presidency, ‘unprecedented’ and for me, podcasts. I listen to podcasts while walking, running, cleaning, cooking, relaxing, driving and so on; I am hooked! I thought I would do a round-up of the podcasts I’ve loved over the past year to provide a bit of inspiration to meet your listening, learning and entertainment needs – I hope you enjoy!
The Yikes Podcast (Instagram – @theyikespodcast)
Discovering this podcast was one of my joys of 2020 – it aligns with everything that I’m passionate about and the hosts, Mikaela Loach and Josephine Becker (editing by Finlay Mowat) are just wonderful. The Yike Podcast, launched in February 2020, addresses all of the things happening in the world that make you say ‘YIKES’ (yes, you’re right, there is a lot of them!). The episodes, which sometimes feature guests too, are open, entertaining and accessible. I really like that Mikaela and Josephine clearly think a lot about reducing the barriers for people to engage with the topics discussed, for example by including definitions of key words, and for this reason I’d say this podcast would be a great entry level resource to begin exploring these social, political and environmental issues.
Some of my stand out episodes include ‘Episode 4 – The Coronavirus and Ecofascism’, ‘Episode 7 – Black Lives Matter is More Than a Trend (feat. Leah Thomas and Marie Beecham’, ‘Episode 10 – Periods, Trans Rights and Boundaries with Kenny Ethan Jones’, ‘Episode 11 – Mental Health, Refugee Rights and the Privilege of Movement with Hassan Akkad’ and ‘Episode 19 – What is Climate Justice?’. I appreciate that is quite a long list (oops) so let’s just agree that I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the episodes!
The Yikes Podcast also has a Patreon where they share additional episodes, discussions and content – one of my 2021 intentions is to sign up when I can!
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
The History Hotline (Instagram – @thehistoryhotline)
This incredible podcast, launched in August 2020 and hosted by Deanna Lyncook – who has a Masters in History – covers ‘all facets of Black history and beyond’. The ~30 minute episodes are the school history lessons that most of us never had – that’s to say, they are essential listening. The episodes are so engaging, interesting, entertaining, honest and it really feels like Deanna is talking directly to you; I cannot recommend enough! I am so grateful for how much I have learnt from The History Hotline over the last few months and I hope Deanna will start a Patreon or something similar soon so I can support her work more!
The first two episodes ‘The Mangrove Nine’ and ‘The Mangrove Nine: II’, the 4th episode ‘Educationally Subnormal’ and the 15th episode ‘Small Axe: Leroy Logan’ are the perfect complement to Steve McQueen’s ‘Small Axe’ episodes ‘Mangrove’, ‘Education’ and ‘Red, White and Blue’ respectively, giving more in depth information and exploration on these stories which helps to consolidate all of the teachings.
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
The Receipts Podcast (Instagram – @thereceiptspodcast)
I have adored The Receipts Podcast for years and still continue to be obsessed with the vibrant energy of these three ladies; Audrey Indome, Tolani Shoneye and Milena Sanchez. The podcast, launched in 2016, covers everything from girl talk and relationships to race and religion, with all the conversations being totally honest and unfiltered which I just love. My favourite episodes are the ‘Your Receipts’ features, where a listener writes in with a dilemma or difficult situation and the hosts discuss the issue and offer advice. I’m not exaggerating when I say they have me laughing out loud – please listen if you need a bit of a boost.
They also do live shows which I imagine would be absolutely brilliant, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for dates in future!
Available exclusively on Spotify; new episodes every Wednesday.
Adulting (Instagram – @adultingpod)
Adulting was launched in 2018 and is hosted by Oenone, who is also a writer, presenter, comedian and host of the Adulting Book Club. Each Adulting episode (anywhere from 40 minutes – 2 hours long) features a different person – from celebrity figures and influencers to people who are passionate about particular issues – who Oenone talks to about their work, projects or interests, current affairs, social issues and countless other topics. I would say Oenone ‘interviews’ the guests but they usually just sound like friends having a good chat – which makes the listening so comfortable and enjoyable!
This podcast is an absolute joy, I have listened to it for hours on end and have learnt so much from these honest, insightful conversations. Some stand out episodes for me include; ‘#52 When Will The World Accept Fat Bodies? With Stephanie Yeboah’, ‘#71 Black Beauty & Racism with Ateh Jewel’ and ‘#75 Autism and Neuro-Diversity with Sarah O’Brien’, but they are all just SO good!
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
The Guilty Feminist (Instagram – @theguiltyfeminist)
This award-winning podcast and live show, hosted by comedian and writer Deborah Frances-White, fulfils all of your 21st century feminist needs; funny, refreshingly honest, witty, relatable and insightful – it literally ticks all of the boxes. In every episode, Deborah is joined by an array of wonderful guests who all have their own stories to tell and conversations to have. The opening line of almost all of the episodes ‘I’m a feminist but…’ never fails to captivate!
Extending back to its launch in 2015, there are more than enough episodes (234 at the time of writing this post!) of The Guilty Feminist to keep you going for the foreseeable future.
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
1619
*Content warning; slavery / violence*
1619 is a New York Times 5 episode audio series that was hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones and released in 2019, 400 years after ‘a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia’ and sparked 250 years of slavery. It tells the truth that no one wants to hear.
This podcast can be a difficult listen but it is so necessary. I would recommend listening to it whilst on your own, on a walk or in a safe space at home, so you can be totally present and engaged in the story.
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
I really hope that this was useful and helps you to discover a great new podcast! I’d love to know which ones you enjoy and if you have any other recommendations 🙂
With endless love,
Lucy
p.s. I’ve just realised that all of the podcasts are hosted by women – amazing.
Lucy Newman 