Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
From heists and scandals to how to make the world a little bit better to live in – there is an interesting variety of podcasts to choose from this week.
1. A World With
Streaming platform: All major podcast platforms
Genre: Culture and society
A World With podcast brings together world leaders preparing for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), activists and community leaders to share their ideas for a fairer, more joyful future. This week’s episode features community leader and writer Naomi Wharton who talks about the idea of ‘a world with transport soundscapes’.
The basis of this idea from Wharton, who lives in the busy city of London is to ease the everyday hustle culture in big cities. She suggests that this could be done by changing up commuting journeys.
“Imagine entering the train station to flowing river music or a comedy sketch,” Wharton offers. Her idea is that instead of getting caught up in the overcrowding, the urgency and spending most of our time on our phone while commuting, instead it could be spent listening to a podcast, a show or some music outside of our headphones – collectively.
Overall, she suggests that this could improve mental and emotional wellbeing, make journeys more enjoyable and offer a shared interest among travellers, as well as sparking conversations and ideas. She suggests it could help decrease isolation and loneliness too.
This podcast is a bright listen and a reminder that there are solutions to making the world a more enjoyable and better place.
(By Sara Keenan)
2. Backstory
Streaming platform: All major podcast platforms and YouTube
Genre: News
In this episode of Backstory, journalist Cathy Newman sits down with acclaimed playwright James Graham to explore the political and cultural divisions shaping modern Britain.
Known for bringing political stories to the stage and screen, Graham reflects on his upbringing in Nottinghamshire and the lasting impact of the 1984-85 miners’ strikes, recalling a time when England felt close to civil war.
The conversation also takes a personal turn as Graham opens up about his childhood, experiences of bullying and how his creativity developed from a young age.
Moving into modern-day politics, Graham discusses the growing polarisation of society, influence of social media and the importance of engaging younger generations in long-form storytelling.
He also offers a glimpse into his upcoming projects, including the third and final series of Sherwood.
Blending personal anecdotes with political commentary, the episode offers an engaging insight into the experiences and events that have shaped Graham’s work.
(By Sara Keenan)
3. Heists, Scams and Lies: The Billion Dollar Honey Trap
Streaming Platform: All major podcast platforms
Genre: True crime
Making full use of all the newspaper cliches you can pack into half an hour episodes, the new Heists, Scams and Lies: The Billion Dollar Honey Trap podcast series by The Crime Desk is what’s known in Fleet Street as a marmalade dropper. It tells a story so sensational that it causes readers to drop their breakfast toast.
But for those who prefer not to sully their breakfast table with a tabloid, this real crime series by Daily Mail investigative reporters Andy Jehring and Tom Kelly tells the scurrilous tale of Indian-born fugitive Mehul Choksi and his ascent from family gem businessman into owner of a billion-dollar diamond empire. Throw in a few shady political deals, alleged banking fraud, a beautiful woman, honey trap and a kidnap – and you’ve got Bollywood and Bond all rolled into one gripping podcast.
The best thing about this series is that it’s made by real veteran reporters – rather than armchair detective content creators – who, after years of forensic research into cracking stories like these while staying on the right side of libel laws, are getting a worthy platform for all their hard work.
(By Siobhan McNally)
4. Chapters
Streaming Platform: All major podcast platforms and YouTube
Genre: Books
Chapters is a podcast from The British Book Awards and The British Audio Awards and hosted by broadcaster and journalist, Hannah MacInnes. Each episode invites award shortlistees into an intimate conversation about the books that shaped them, the childhood reads that first sparked their imaginations, the novels that changed their thinking and the favourites they return to time and again.
This week, MacInnes returns to independent bookstore Bard Books with Heartstopper actress Corinna Brown, who has been shortlisted for Audio Drama Wraith.
The episode opens with Brown speaking about her thriller which is all about an AI takeover – which the pair joke doesn’t seem that far from our current reality. However, Brown does admit that the writers consulted AI and cyber security consultants to help them finish the script.
Speaking of AI and the importance of actual human storytelling, Brown says: “Every story comes from truth and we don’t want to lose that.” The pair also discuss what it’s like to record an audio book, in comparison to performing on a theatre or on TV.
As always in the podcast, they discuss Brown’s favourite books as a child to which she credits A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown. “There was something about seeing and reading a character who was a strong woman. I was also going through change at the age of 12-13 and that book really resonated with me.”
Other mentionables are the Narnia collection, George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and the Dr Seuss books. Overall, it was a lighthearted listen that reminds us to reminisce on our favourite books and authors.
(By Sara Keenan)
5. Self Obsessed
Streaming Platform: All major podcast platforms and YouTube
Genre: Lifestyle
The term “self-obsessed” is often associated with narcissism and a lack of empathy, giving it a negative reputation. However, the Self Obsessed podcast by British author, entrepreneur and content creator Tam Kaur flips this perception on its head by exploring the significant positive impacts that laser focusing on yourself can have.
Kaur has turned Self Obsessed into a wellness empire centred around personal growth, confidence and relationships – and in the latest episode she shares practical advice on how to break the cycle of putting things off and become a person who actually follows through.
Aimed primarily at Gen Z and Millennial women with an interest in self-improvement, Kaur uses relatable and engaging language that resonates with its target audience.
Kaur’s enthusiasm and passion for self-help content is evident throughout the episode. Speaking with energy and pace, she takes listeners through her key strategies, including how to turn goals into actionable steps, create a strategy for navigating bad days and develop the habits needed to embody the identity that you aspire to in under 17 minutes.
By breaking down the process into simple, digestible steps, Kaur’s advice is accessible and, most importantly, practical.
If you love a personal development podcast, wellness trends and productivity tips, Self Obsessed is certainly one to add to your listening list.
(By Camilla Foster)
