Picks of the week

53 Minutes

All episodes are easily accessible.

Do you recall a period when football was less flashy and money-driven? Dara Ó Briain and Josh Widdicombe certainly do, and in their latest podcast, they recount the tale of Ali Dia, who played one game for Southampton back in 1996. Was Dia a con artist or an idealist? Did he deceive his way into a Premier League match? It’s an extraordinary story of a “scallywag” who emerged from obscurity and faded back into it, presented with wit and empathy.

Educating Daisy

Available widely, episodes on a weekly basis.
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Is it the second season? Can any of Daisy May Cooper’s guests convince her to give books a chance? Greg Davies, Kerry Godliman, and Sindhu Vee are some of the hopefuls who are eager to win her over. Will fellow non-reader Rylan Clark succeed with his celebrity gossip and a book on manifestation? HVanno

“The Boar’s Nest: Sue Brewer’s Role in the Creation of Outlaw Country Music”

“All episodes are available now on Audible.”

Sue Brewer played a pivotal role in the development of Nashville’s country music scene during the 1960s and 1970s. She served as a source of inspiration and support for some of the genre’s biggest names, such as Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. This podcast features Sue’s own perspective on her journey, sharing a lively and emotional account of her experiences, filled with heartache, aspirations, and confidence. HV

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The Last City

All episodes of Wondery are now available.
It’s 2072 in this “cli-fi” drama and there’s only one city left on the planet with no crime, droughts and floods. But when the city’s PR discovers a dark secret their paradise threatens to unravel. Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn and Homeland’s Maury Sterling star in a slick, scripted story. HV

Ways to Win

Easily obtainable, new episodes are released every week.
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“Do not mistake defeat for defeat and victory for victory,” says mindset coaches and basketball powerhouses Craig Robinson and John Calipari. They offer valuable insights on how to achieve success, even when feeling unproductive, as well as lessons from the sport itself. HVK

There is a podcast available for that.

This week, Hannah Verdier recommends five top podcasts that discuss scammers, including one about an art dealer who associates with Warhol and another about a doctor with malicious motives.

Sweet Bobby

Alex Mostrous of Tortoise is an expert at delving into mysteries, as proven by his gripping podcast about catfishing. In the podcast, catfish mastermind Bobby weaves his way into Kirat Assi’s life, only for her to later realize he is not a real person. The podcast is incredibly addictive as we hear one sob story after another land in Assi’s inbox, all from who she believes to be a charming cardiologist. The aftermath highlights how effortless it can be to fall victim to a scam, especially when it is executed with such patience and skill.

Scamfluencers

The scams promoted by social media influencers are even worse than the disaster that was the Fyre festival. Among the fraudulent schemes, there is a man pretending to be a Saudi prince, two glamorous sisters who present themselves as “gossip girls”, and even a bitcoin scandal. In a conversation with Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi, accompanied by suspicious looks, the hosts pose the question: “How far will people go for money, power, and fame?” The results are downright shocking and often comical in their audacity. And if you think back on the frenzy caused by the announcement of a potential new football Super League, the 48 hours of greed take on a whole new meaning.

Dirty John

He works as an anesthetist on a freelance basis. He always wears scrubs and struggles to hold onto his paychecks. However, Debra Newell was completely deceived by “Dirty” John Meehan (pictured above), whom she met online and believed to be the man of her dreams. This podcast resulted in two seasons of a crime drama on Netflix and sparked a new genre with its subtle hints and traces. While listeners may enjoy piecing together the warning signs, for Newell and her adult children, it was a harsh reminder of the dangers of online dating.

The Wedding Scammer

In this podcast, The Ringer’s Justin Sayles sets out to expose his scammer and as the story unfolds throughout seven episodes, it becomes increasingly complex and convoluted. Sayles initially encountered the enigmatic Michael Esposito during a job interview, where negotiations quickly turned into a major warning sign. Despite this, Sayles accepted the job, only to later experience a million-dollar launch party debacle when the caterers failed to show up. As Sayles delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers that he is not the only one trying to uncover the truth about the man who used multiple aliases and caused havoc at numerous weddings. It may seem unbelievable, but it is all too real.

Chameleon: Deceptive Gallery

The Chameleon podcast delves into some of the most intriguing figures, including Hollywood scammers, Vegas sharks, and two enigmatic brothers secluded in the wilderness. In its fourth season, the show shifts its focus to Helge Achenbach, a deceitful German art dealer deeply involved with celebrities like Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. Host Bijan Stephen expertly traces Achenbach’s deceitful journey, from rubbing shoulders with the elite at lavish parties in Manhattan to attending art classes in prison after his failed attempt at a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.

Why not try …

• On the podcast dating show Hang Up, there are six suitors vying for the affections of one seeker. Through a series of phone dates, one suitor is eliminated after each round until a final twist is revealed.

• Can her autobiography be considered a complex fabrication? Award-winning journalist Sara Ganim and Edward R. Murrow examine the truth behind Believable: the Coco Berthmann Story.

• In the book “It’s Not You It’s Them … But It Might Be You,” the author, anonymous expert LalalaLetMeExplain, offers honest guidance on matters of love, dating, intimacy, and partnerships.

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Source: theguardian.com