March 4, 2024
Our review of podcasts on BBC Sounds. As many of them derive from radio shows, they are professionally produced and presented.
With such a vast archive, there is much to choose from and here are some we’ve been listening to..
Every episode is available of the popular show first broadcast in 1942. Pick any famous name and it’s more than likely they’ve chosen their eight tracks, a book and luxury item.
The beauty of the show, especially those presented by Kirsty Young, is how much the guests reveal about themselves.
Simon Jack (BBC business editor) and journalist Zing Tsjeng take a deep dive into the background of billionaires.
Where did they came from and how did they make their money as they rose from millionaire to billionaire status. Simon and Zing rate them on categories such as Rags to Riches, Wealth, Villainy, Philanthropy, Power, and Legacy.
Most of the billionaires you will have heard of but there are several you may not as they prefer to avoid the public gaze.
A very good example of what a podcast can do that other media can’t. You could make a programme about these subjects but it’s likely to be too expensive to get made.
Actor Paul McGann narrates each episode (most are three-parts) based on a great dictator.
You may think you know everything there is to know about the subject, but the research is so extensive, and the episodes so well produced that each episode will keep you entertained.
What links most of these dictators is they were born into hardship which may explain why they were so ruthless.
Okay so we know a fraud is perpetrated so why waste time listening to nine episodes?
This is a podcast that is difficult to give up on and that’s largely because of the depth given to it by presenter, Suzanne Wilton. There’s also some pretty odd characters and goings on involving a small Canadian mining company, a “discovery” of gold in Borneo and the countless thousands who thought they were rich beyond their wildest dreams.
Donald Trump is no stranger to podcasts and this one about his plan to create the world’s best golf course in Aberdeenshire is one of the best.
Journalist Anthony Baxter treads where many might fear to do so and he’s more than matched by local residents who challenge the development at every turn, primarily on environmental grounds, but Trump has a political force on his side.
Residents, politicians and journalists provide the background to a fascinating story.
Remember the public image of the storming of U.S. Capitol on Jan 6th 2021 – the guy wearing horns and bearskins?
This podcast starts with that and then takes a journey into the dark undergrowth of modern America. Frightening.
Series 2 is now available.
A great series of true stories about ordinary people and the events that shaped their lives.
Some memorable episodes
Dying brothers’ bucket list What a brother learns from the unusual list left by his brother.
Aids Angel – The truly moving story of Ruth Coker Burns whose life was transformed when visiting a friend in hospital
David Mitchell hosts a panel show in which panellists compete to see how many nuggets of truth they are able to hide amongst their lies.
Clever comedy that offers to feed your brain. Stand Up sets, sitcoms, comedy shows. Refreshed every week, you should find something to suit.
Kirsty Young – Young Again
Kirsty Young returns to the airwaves with a new weekly podcast.
Every week Kirsty talks takes her guests back to meet their younger selves and asks the question: if you knew then, what you know now… what would you tell yourself?
Such is Kirsty’s reputation that she is never short of interesting guests and she knows just how to make the most of them.
Do please let us know of any podcasts you would recommend that others might enjoy.
Read our post on how to get the most from a podcast
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