Ten podcasts you should get hooked onto right now

Podcasts are to radio what streaming is to television. Over the past decade, the medium has joined the ranks of prestige TV and music, bursting at the seams with options. While you can find a podcast about any and all of your interests, one must remember that with great options come great mediocrity. Here’s a playlist that will help you pick the next podcast wisely.

“Wiser than me” hosted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Louis-Dreyfus became an ideal for funny women everywhere—first in the '80s with her stint on Saturday Night Live, in the '90s as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, and yet again in the 2010s with her award-winning role on Veep. Now, Louis-Dreyfus is turning to iconic older women for some wisdom. With guests ranging from Jane Fonda, to Vera Wang and Gloria Steinem, Wiser Than Me offers you a perspective beyond just sheet masking and mood boarding. Tune in to laugh, cry, and get wise.

“Celebrity Memoir Book Club” hosted by Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton

With every famous person and their manager penning their personal journeys, it’s hard to keep track. If you want all the deets from your celeb crush (or that person you hate), but don’t have the time or bandwidth to read their 250 page tell-all, let Parker and Hamilton break it down into bite-sized anecdotes that will make you go “woah, they are crazy!” Or even “wow, I didn’t think of it that way”. Add them to your playlist because they will soon become your new besties.

“Trust me I know what I’m doing” hosted by Abhay Dandekar

Join Dandekar as he engages in a deep, intellectually-stimulating conversation with trailblazers such as fashion designer Rahul Mishra and chef Vikas Khanna, who share their experiences of being South Asians in a global setting. It’s informal and informative, adding insights and perspective to our evolving cultural expressions, where each person can proudly say “trust me, I know what I’m doing”.

“You must Remember this” hosted by Karina Longworth

Interested in Hollywood? Interested in history? Then this is the podcast for you. Karina Longworth (former film critic), navigates through conflicting reports, mythologies, and institutionalised spins to figure out what really happened behind the scandals of 20th century Hollywood—from on-set fistfights and toxic relationships to more sinister political dealings, early Hollywood had it all.

The Business of Fashion podcast

Dive into the world behind the perfectly curated collections, runways, and campaigns of your favourite fashion houses with this podcast. Catch Diane von Furstenberg, Matthieu Blazy, and Johnathan Anderson as they give you a behind-the-scene peek into their collections, share their design philosophy, and shed light on what’s on their radar.

“Office ladies” hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

Ever wondered what makes The Office so binge-worthy and loveable? Fischer and Kinsey (who incidentally played Pam and Angela in the sitcom) bring you this podcast with exclusive behind-the-scene stories and anecdotes on the making of a cult classic. Listen in for the full scoop on the conception and creation of your favourite television show and also why the proposal scene between Jim and Pam was the most expensive three minutes on the show.

“Animals” hosted by Sam Anderson

Each episode blends storytelling with scientific insights, shedding light on creatures ranging from the well-known to the obscure. By uncovering the hidden aspects of animal life, Anderson encourages listeners to see the natural world with fresh eyes and a deeper appreciation.

Listen to it here: https://www.nytimes.com/column/animal-podcast

“The Desi Crime Podcast” hosted by Aryaan Misra and Aishwarya Singh

Our understanding of true crime is mostly centred around crime in the West. But what about our homegrown serial killers? Should they not get their murderous dues? Aryaan Misra and Aishwarya Singh bring you a podcast focusing exclusively on South Asian criminals of notoriety, going into chilling details of not only the what, when, who, and how—but also the why.

“Kitchen Kahaani” hosted by chef Ranveer Brar

Cooking can become an act of self-care and expression, if we appreciate and take the time to fall in love with the ingredients we choose and the often painstaking journey they have taken to end up on our shelves. Join chef Brar as he takes you on an audible voyage across the country and reintroduces you to everyday foods in a completely new light.

“Simple Ken” hosted by Kenny Sebastian

Listening to comedian Kenny Sebastian and his equally funny friends—most of them fan favourites like Vir Das, Kanan Gill, and Prashasti Singh—is like sitting down for a hilarious chat with friends, discussing everything and nothing in particular. Join them as they express their views on responsibilities, people pleasing, and even the law.

 

Lead Image Credit: Pexels

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