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Top selections this week:

Electoral Dysfunction

Easily accessible, new episodes every week.

British news channel Sky News has released a new podcast featuring political correspondents Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson, and Jess Phillips. The podcast delves into important topics such as voter preferences, leadership, and the current state of affairs leading up to upcoming elections. Unlike other political podcasts, this one focuses on genuine discussion and understanding rather than petty arguments. Listeners will even hear a heartwarming story about Priti Patel’s kindness.

Turdcast

Easily accessible, currently available

Many individuals expressed interest in listening to the podcast, for unknown reasons. Comedian Joe Lycett originally announced it as a joke in his effort to raise awareness about sewage leaks, but it has now become a reality due to the high demand for information about Gary Lineker’s experience with bathroom incidents during the World Cup. The podcast is incredibly funny and also uncovers some surprising details, such as Gazza’s habit of passing gas in the communal bath.

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The Sea Voyage of the Tiger Trainer

Easily accessible, new episodes released every week.
ictorian celebrity Bob Carlisle was fired from the circus after taking a tiger for a walk while intoxicated, but he was able to rely on his skill of endurance wheelbarrow-walking. This is not a typical history podcast, as Dr. Dave Musgrove shares the fascinating story of Carlisle’s life.

Significant Others

Easily accessible, new episodes released every week.
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The first episode of a podcast exploring lesser-known figures in history features Peggy Shippen, the wife of famous American Revolutionary War general Benedict Arnold. While Arnold is often remembered for his betrayal, it was actually Shippen who played a crucial role in motivating his actions. Host Liza Powel O’Brien delves into the influence of “the most beautiful woman in America” on historical events. HVST

The Spy Who …
Easily accessible, new episodes released every Tuesday.

Indira Varma is the presenter for this exploration into the shadowy, corrupt realm of espionage. Our first focus is on Dusko Popov, a spy whose extravagant lifestyle served as inspiration for James Bond in the works of Ian Fleming. The retelling is cinematic and includes recreated scenes from the era. HV

There is a podcast available for that topic.

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Ella Braidwood has selected five podcasts that feature stories of survival, ranging from escaping grizzly bear attacks to the 2018 Thai cave rescue.

Against the Odds

Starting in 2021, Against the Odds has been exploring well-known tales of survival spanning from the past to present. Hosted by adventurers Mike Corey and Cassie De Pecol, each episode delves deeply into these stories. While the podcast is rooted in historical research, it also utilizes dramatization to bring these captivating stories to life. For instance, there is a five-part series on the 2018 Thai cave rescue and a four-part feature on the famous 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 plane crash, where 16 individuals survived for 72 days in the Andes after resorting to cannibalism.

Real Survival Stories

Actor John Hopkins hosts a new podcast that began this year, delving into the tales of regular individuals faced with unforeseen circumstances. Hopkins is a skilled narrator, seamlessly weaving in audio clips from the survivors themselves. The podcast highlights a paraglider caught in a storm, a prospector trapped deep in a goldmine, and a couple caught in the midst of a wildfire during their vacation. Suspenseful background music enhances the storytelling, and the stories come from various locations such as the Rockies, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

Extraordinary Lives

This podcast focuses on the incredible stories of individuals who have overcome extraordinary circumstances, although it also covers other topics. Hosted by former creative director of LADbible, Ben Powell-Jones, each episode features an in-depth conversation with a guest to delve into their experiences. Powell-Jones has a calming presence, allowing guests to share their stories openly. The episodes are also available to watch on YouTube. Standout interviews include journalist Sean Langan, who was held captive by the Taliban; Jihyun Park, who escaped from North Korea and now resides in the UK; and Nick Yarris, who spent 22 years on death row after being wrongly convicted of murder.

Out Alive
This bi-weekly podcast from Backpacker magazine intersperses inspiring stories of survival with shorter episodes where experts offer their tips for the outdoors. Episodes are hosted by editor Louisa Albanese, featuring interviews with people who’ve survived remarkable events, from a man who fell 50ft into a hidden ice cave, to a runner who ends up stranded after falling on his trekking pole. Among the bite-size episodes is one on debunking the most common survival questions and another on the rise in bear attacks. Transcripts are also available to read online.

Not Today

Since its launch in 2020, the podcast hosted by Steph Fitt and Alex Hunt has gained a strong following and was even featured as one of Spotify’s top 1% most popular podcasts last year. Fitt and Hunt discuss both recent and older survival stories on the show. For instance, in one episode, Fitt shares the courageous tale of Lydia Tillman, who managed to escape and bring her attacker, Travis Forbes, to justice in 2011. Forbes was also found guilty of the murder of Kenia Monge. The podcast also delves into historical events such as the sinking of the Titanic and the story of entertainers Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, with the latter famously surviving a tiger attack during a performance.

Why not try …

• Find out if you can have the high-flying career, and the family in If She Can, I Can.

• Katy Henriksen’s Sound Off delves into discussions about creativity at the crossroads of art, music, and literature.

• Owned, hosted by ex-NBA player Rex Chapman, delves into the realm of sports team owners with a blend of humor, heartache, and everything in the middle.

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Source: theguardian.com