The rise of the podcast
- Go back
- 13th Oct 20
The arts and entertainment industries may have suffered during lockdown, but nothing it seems can stop the rise of podcasts. Hastily prepared home studios gave presenters and artists a way to continue working when everything suddenly got cancelled. In fact, Grounded with Louis Theroux was launched in lockdown and was the most popular podcast between April to June.
Other top podcasts include That Peter Crouch Podcast, The Coronavirus Newscast, Match of the Day and Fortunately with… Fi and Jane. Podcasts that attract a higher proportion of under 35 listeners include: 6 Degrees from Jamie and Spencer, Mandemic, The Gemma Collins Podcast, James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds and Scarlett Moffatt Wants to Believe. When we all became infatuated with Normal People, the podcast Obsessed With was propelled into the top ten when it featured the series.
However, podcasts are not a new phenomenon. They predate Facebook, YouTube and Twitter but slowly and surely their popularity has crept up and now there is a podcast for pretty much whatever you are in to. With a similar format to talk radio, podcasts usually include a host or hosts discussing all kinds of content, from news to mental health, from sport to cooking, interviewing special guests or just chatting. The length of podcasts can vary from ten minutes up to a couple of hours. Pop your phone in your pocket, put some headphones on and tune in on your dog walk, while doing chores or prepping dinner.
Comedy
Comedy podcasts started as a way to help launch a career, today they have gone full circle and many successful comedians are clamouring to launch their own podcast.
Sh**ged married annoyed with Chris and Rosie Ramsay: Funny and brilliant conversation between husband and wife talking about the everyday stuff that makes us laugh out loud.
My Dad Wrote a Porno: James Morton and friends read out his dad’s erotic novel causing some eye-watering moments.
Comedy Bang Bang: Host Scott Aukerman and a range of comedians and guests gather for interviews that are part improv show, part live character study. One of the early podcasts but still a favourite.
Relationships
This is an area that can cover everything from marriage guidance to parenting advice.
How Did We Get Here: Claudia Winkleman and her friend Professor Tanya Byron take you on a fascinating journey and allow you to be the fly on the wall during a counselling session. The duo identifies struggles faced by real-life parents and family members by inviting them in and hearing their stories, giving them new strategies to cope with their issues.
Happy Mum, Happy Baby: Giovanna Fletcher speaks to a range of celebrity mums and dads about the highs and lows of being a parent. Guests have included: The Duchess of Cambridge, Paloma Faith, Emma Bunton and Joe Wicks.
Mental health
From everyday struggles to life-changing events, pop one of these on in the morning for a positive way to start your day.
Happy Place with Fearne Cotton: What does it mean to be happy? Fearne speaks to inspiring individuals and finds out what it means to find contentment. From joyful food to a clear mind, Fearne uncovers what we could all be doing to be happier.
Postcards from Midlife: Magazine editors Lorraine and Trish offer an upbeat and useful look at midlife, tackling everything from hormones, sex, relationships and mental health with a range of guests.
Open Mind with Frankie Bridge: Frankie has been honest about her mental health struggles in the past and this podcast gives her a chance to talk to others about their own issues or just how they navigate everyday life.
The Joe Wicks Podcast: From Tim Peake to Gordon Ramsay, Joe asks what his special guests do to keep both mentally and physically healthy.
Celebrities
Over the last few years, more and more celebrities have jumped on the podcast bandwagon. One of the advantages is that they have a whole host of famous friends that they can call upon for a chat, making for interesting listening.
Table Manners with Jessie Ware: Jessie and her hilarious mum Lennie bicker around the kitchen to cook for a host of celebs. Infamous episodes include David Schwimmer claiming that the banana bread was dry and Michael McIntyre making the hosts cry with laughter. Kylie, Cheryl, Spice Girls and Ellie Goulding bring some pop magic and there’s plenty of political debate with MP David Lammy and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
David Tennant Does A Podcast With: A brilliant actor and interviewer, David secures some of the best actors in the business to discuss their careers. Highlights include Dame Judi Dench, James Corden and Catherine Tate.
Grounded with Louis Theroux: During lockdown, like many, Louis found he had time on his hands so he turned his interview skills to the podcast format and interviewed people that he was always interested to talk to.
Michelle Obama: Forever changing history: Compelling conversation kicking off with the one and only former President Obama.
Staying at home with The Williams: A peak behind the private life of Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda. Expect a lot of over-sharing and some celebrity titbits of gossip.
True Crime
Love a good mystery and something that is just a little bit scary? The true-crime genre is more popular than ever before and the style works brilliantly for a podcast.
RedHanded: British hosts Hannah and Suruthi mix comedy with true crime creating some compelling stories.
Serial: The first true-crime podcast to really hit the mainstream, this investigative journalism podcast is hosted by Sarah Koenig.
Park Predators: Some of the most horrific and mysterious events to happen in America’s national parks. You may want to rethink your next camping trip!
Conversations
The podcast medium has thrived because it allows the presenter and listener to delve deep into a conversation. From rambling chats to breaking down barriers, there’s a lot to listen to and learn out there.
How To Fail with Elizabeth Day: Journalist Elizabeth Day chats with seemingly successful people about the times they fell down and how they got back up again.
The High Low: A weekly conversation between writers Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes, that covers highbrow culture and a good dollop of celebrity nonsense and everything in between.
Desert Island Discs: Eight tracks, a book and a luxury, latest presenter Lauren Laverne meets a whole host of truly inspirational people.
The Adam Buxton Podcast: This is one of the early podcasts making comedian and writer Adam a bit of a podcast king. You can often catch him talking to his old school chums Louis Theroux and Jo Cornish.
Fortunately with Fi and Jane: Broadcasters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover have created a funny, touching and hugely enjoyable podcast. Featuring a whole range of guests, the duo are brilliant interviewers and have created a huge following.
What to listen to
For some more inspiration, check out the winners of the British Podcast Awards.
PODCAST OF THE YEAR
Brown Girls Do It Too
PODCAST CHAMPION
Renay Richardson
LISTENERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Shagged Married Annoyed, Chris & Rosie Ramsey
BEST FAMILY PODCAST
GOLD: David Walliams’ Marvellous Musical Podcast
SILVER: Diddy Pod
BRONZE: The Intended Parent
BEST ARTS & CULTURE PODCAST
GOLD: Rule of Three
SILVER: Classical Fix
BRONZE: Best Pick
BEST TRUE CRIME PODCAST
GOLD: Paradise
SILVER: The Hurricane Tapes
BRONZE: The Bellingcat Podcast: MH17
BEST BRANDED PODCAST
GOLD: Penguin Podcast
SILVER: Meet Me at the Museum
BRONZE: The Rough Guide to Everywhere
BEST COMEDY PODCAST
GOLD: Kurupt FM
SILVER: Brian & Roger
BRONZE: Dear Joan & Jericha
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PODCAST
GOLD: Something Rhymes with Purple
SILVER: George Ezra & Friends
BRONZE: Sam Walker’s Desert Diaries
BEST FICTION PODCAST
GOLD: Passenger List
SILVER: Fall of the Shah
BRONZE: Hag
BEST SEX & RELATIONSHIPS PODCAST
GOLD: Brown Girls Do It Too
SILVER: Masala Podcast
BRONZE: F**ks Given
SMARTEST PODCAST
GOLD: The Sound of Anger
SILVER: Food Actually
BRONZE: Power Corrupts
BEST RADIO PODCAST
GOLD: Tunnel 29
SILVER: The Skewer
BRONZE: Ellie and Anna Have Issues
BEST LIVE EPISODE
GOLD: Tailenders
SILVER: Tape Notes
BRONZE: Blood on the Tracks
BEST NEW PODCAST
GOLD: The Log Books
SILVER: The Last Bohemians
BRONZE: Shagged Married Annoyed
BEST SPORT PODCAST
GOLD: Football Inside Out – FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019
SILVER: The Beautiful Brain
BRONZE: The Game Changers
BEST INTERVIEW PODCAST
GOLD: Declassified
SILVER: Today In Focus
BRONZE: How to Kill An Hour
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PODCAST
GOLD: Today In Focus
SILVER: The Intelligence
BRONZE: Stance Podcast
BEST DAILY PODCAST
GOLD: The Rob Auton Daily Podcast
SILVER: Today in Focus
BRONZE: Beyond Today
BEST BUSINESS PODCAST
GOLD: Money Talks
SILVER: The Northern Power Women
BRONZE: Doing It For The Kids
BEST NETWORK OR PUBLISHER
GOLD: Somethin’ Else
SILVER: The Athletic
BRONZE: The Guardian
BEST WELLBEING PODCAST
GOLD: The Sound of Anger
SILVER: Hooked: The Unexpected Addicts
BRONZE: Declassified
BEST PODCAST IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE
GOLD: Dwy Iaith, Un Ymennydd
SILVER: Yr Haclediad
BRONZE: Siarad Secs
THE SPOTLIGHT AWARD
GOLD: The Guilty Feminist
SILVER: Happy Mum Happy Baby
BRONZE: My Dad Wrote A Porno
THE BULLSEYE AWARD
GOLD: Things Unseen: Entombed
SILVER: The Investor’s Guide to China
BRONZE: This Is Spoke
THE CREATIVITY AWARD
GOLD: Where is My Mind?
SILVER: Fake Heiress
BRONZE: Mind Canyon