Around The World in 18 Podcasts
There’s a whole world of podcasting out there. Here are some great picks to break out of the U.S. podcast bubble.
Podcasting is a wonderful medium for its potential to connect people. Stories from around the world aren’t subject to the same border restrictions as TV, film, and online news (ahem, GDPR non-compliance). The accessibility of podcasts creates a nearly endless variety of content that can serve even the smallest niche audiences — everyone can find their tribe. Yet one market currently dominates…
The U.S. podcast offering is a monolith. The variety is so vast and the quality so high that you could find pretty much anything without venturing beyond the borders. But I’ve been making a conscious effort to do just that. I live in Europe and work with news organizations around the world, so for me, it is an important challenge to have a balanced media diet. There is so much to listen to outside the U.S. bubble; here are a few notables to get you started.
History
Paname (France) takes you to the streets of Paris to discover the secret histories hidden in plain sight. Host Amber Minogue manages to deliver even the goriest stories with lots of charm, in perfectly snackable (or bingeable) 10–20-minute episodes. Harry Potter fans should check out her episode on the real Nicolas Flamel. Try if you like: Lore
Words to that Effect (Ireland) unpacks stories of science, pop culture, fiction, and history to reveal everything that goes into our modern understanding of each. With episodes on subjects like overpopulation, dinosaurs, 4D models, or zombies, there’s something here for everyone. Try if you like: Revisionist History
Little Tiny (Australia) is a gem from ABC that delves into historical examples of the butterfly effect: How did a missing key sink the Titanic? How did one Portuguese princess’s dowry launch the British Empire? Episodes are meticulously scripted and — true to its name — each runs only about 10 minutes. Try if you like: The Memory Palace
Science and Culture
The Seen and the Unseen (India) features long-form interviews that will leave you feeling smarter. Each episode examines a public policy though a social sciences view. Topics are wide-ranging from cricket to food, from cities to the India-Pakistan conflict. The experts interviewed by Mumbai-based host Amit Varma are engaging no matter your level of knowledge. Try if you like: Hidden Brain
Wrong Skin (Australia) is The Age newspaper’s sophomore foray into podcasting. It is an investigation of the 1994 disappearance of Richard and Julie, a young couple in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australian. “Wrong skin” refers to a relationship that is banned under traditional law. The podcast is a portrait of an Aboriginal community and its complicated relationship with Australian institutions. Try if you like: Missing and Murdered
The Intersection (India) features narrative reporting on stories that mix science, culture and history in India. Language geeks will love their episode on Esperanto. Try if you like: The Allusionist
Sidenote (Canada) is a podcast by two science YouTubers that manages to strike a rare balance between a “chumcast” format and a finely-reported narrative. Each episode features a few “sidenotes” that take you out of their conversation to provide more facts and context about the discussion. Try if you like: Science Vs
Talking Indonesia (Australia), produced by the University of Melbourne, features interviews on any and all aspects of contemporary Indonesian life. Indonesia is the third-largest democracy in the world, and presidential elections are coming up in April. It’s a fascinating lens through which to examine subjects that affect all democracies, such as labour unions, opinion polling, or minority groups who are facing the rise of conservatism. Try if you like: NPR Politics Podcast
Elixir of the Gods (Germany) is what happens when two Berlin-based mezcal-obsessed buddies record their tasting sessions. Diego is Mexican, Albert is German, and they get serious about the culture, tradition, and terroir of all things agave. Try if you like: The Sporkful
Storytelling
The Spark (UK) presents recordings of live storytelling evenings from around the UK. The short and sweet episodes feature a couple of stories on a given theme. The stories can be touching, but not overly sentimental (they are Brits, after all). Try if you like: The Moth
Nipe Story (Kenya) features short fiction stories read aloud. Meaning “tell me a story” in Swahili, Nipe Story highlights writers from across the continent. Try if you like: Modern Love
Swipe Left Swipe Left (UK) is a collection of personal narratives of the triumphs and mishaps (okay, mostly mishaps) of dating. It’s cringey, good-natured, and meticulously produced by radio veteran Claire Crofton. Try if you like: DTR
Identity
The Spread (Kenya) is a sex-positive round-table discussion led by the fearless Kaz Lucas. It’s feminist, queer, and unapologetic in a country that has many taboos (and laws) restricting sex and sexuality. Try if you like: The Guilty Feminist
Love and Luck (Australia) has the tagline “A podcast about, and made with, queer love.” It’s an audio drama told through voice memos and follows characters navigating dating, family, and parenting while queer. Episodes are around a delightful eight minutes each. Try if you like: The Shadows
Long Distance (Philippines/U.S.) is a series of personal stories from the Filipino diaspora, created by LA-based journalist and audio producer Paola Mardo. Having grown up in Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and San Francisco, Mardo explores her own place in the larger narrative through the stories she tells. Try if you like: The Nod
NB (UK), short for “non-binary”, is a BBC Sounds production, hosted by Iraqi Amrou Al-Kadhi and Australian Caitlin Benedict. Both are non-binary and get personal about their own journeys through gender identity with episodes exploring pronouns and language, style and drag. Try if you like: Nancy
For Fun and Giggles
Dear Joan & Jericha (UK) is a satirical send up of an advice column. The straight-faced hosts deliver absurdly terrible advice that ignores all good taste. The eight episodes will leave you both queasy and wanting more. Try if you like: A Very Fatal Murder
The Brights (UK) is the ultimate guilty pleasure pod. For the uninitiated, Lauren Bright was a regular cast member on “reality” show The Only Way Is Essex. She narrates the everyday lives of her loud, energetic, and loving family, complete with all the tropes of reality TV. It’s a format that feels both fresh and familiar, and a great choice for days when you just need a fun easy listen. Try if you like: The Habitat, but for the reality show aspect!
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