Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in Line’s issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about Line’s approach to audio storytelling.

1. It’s Been a Minute

Start here.

About this podcast

It’s Been A Minute with Brittany Luse is the best podcast for understanding what’s going on in culture right now, and helps you consume it smarter. From how politics influences pop culture to how identity influences tech or health, Brittany makes the picture clearer for you every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Status: Ongoing

2. Code Switch

Start here.

About this podcast

What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story.

Status: Ongoing

3. I Said What I Said

Start here.

About this podcast

I Said What I Said is one of Africa’s biggest podcasts, hosted by friends Jola (Jollz) and Feyikemi (FK) Abudu and they have been saying the quiet parts out loud since 2017.

Status: Ongoing

4. Focus on Africa

Start here.

About this podcast

Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa.

Status: Ongoing

5. The Republic

Start here.

About this podcast

The Republic is a narrative podcast series exploring pivotal Nigerian and broader African historical events and figures. In the second season, host Wale Lawal traces the life and legacy of writer and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa. For much of the 90s, Saro-Wiwa led a non-violent movement against oil pollution in the Niger Delta’s Ogoniland. The Nigerian government, however, responded by arresting and later executing Saro-Wiwa and 8 other activists. How did this incident reshape Nigeria’s trajectory?

Status: Season 2 Ended

6. Throughline

Start here.

About this podcast

Throughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to answer the question, "How did we get here?" We use sound and stories to bring history to life and put you into the middle of it. From ancient civilizations to forgotten figures, we take you directly to the moments that shaped our world. Throughline is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalist Rund Abdelfatah.

Status: Ongoing

7. In the Dark

Start here.

About this podcast

In the Dark, hosted by Madeleine Baran, is an award-winning investigative-journalism podcast that started in 2016. Its first season looked at the mysterious abduction of Jacob Wetterling in rural Minnesota and the lack of accountability that sheriffs face when they fail to solve cases. Season 2 examined the case of Curtis Flowers, who was tried six times for the same crime. In 2020, In the Dark released a special report on the coronavirus pandemic in the Mississippi Delta. In 2023, In the Dark joined The New Yorker and in 2024, it released “The Runaway Princesses,” a four-part series that asks why the women in Dubai’s royal family keep trying to run away. Season 3, released in 2024, asked why no one was punished for the killings of twenty-five civilians in Haditha, Iraq.

Status: Season 3 ended

8. What Now? with Trevor Noah

Start here.

About this podcast

Trevor currently hosts a weekly podcast titled What Now? with Trevor Noah. In this new podcast, listeners get a chance to hear Trevor like never before. Trevor is joined each episode by celebrities, thought leaders, athletes, and friends to chat about the contemporary topics on everyone’s minds. He brings the kinds of conversations that happen behind the scenes to light - full of radical candor, authentic back-and-forths, and honest reactions, with Trevor bringing to bear his classic, effortlessly playful and equally probing style.

Status: Ongoing

What does great taste sound like?

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• Part 1 - Meet the Curator: a conversation with our featured curator about their career and perspective on podcasting.

• Part 2 - Curated with Taste: recommendations by the curator according to specific prompts.

• Part 3 - The Curation: the definitive list of all podcasts mentioned in the issue

As an undergraduate at NYU, Line found herself drawn to podcasts like NPR’s It’s Been a Minute and Code Switch. At a time when she was figuring out what kind of journalist she wanted to become, she was captivated by the way both shows explored culture, identity and race with nuance and depth. She wasn’t interested in audio as a career, but she knew she wanted to tell stories that made people think in the same way those podcasts did.

Faced with a choice between video and audio journalism during her masters degree, Line chose audio simply because she didn’t want to be on camera. The course introduced her to recording, editing and the unique craft of telling stories for the ear. That experience quietly laid the foundation for what would come next.

Years later, a conversation with her longtime friend Sarah changed everything. After countless discussions about African history, politics, culture and society, Sarah posed a simple question: what if those conversations became a podcast?

The result was Bar Afrique, a history podcast that uncovers overlooked stories from across the African continent while introducing listeners to African spirits and drinking cultures, another often overlooked part of the continent’s heritage.

In this issue, Line reflects on her unexpected journey into podcasting, the joy of uncovering forgotten histories, and why she believes the best stories are the ones that make listeners want to keep coming back.

Damilola: What draws you to podcasting as a medium for storytelling?

Line: I think there’s something special about hearing a story rather than just reading it.

I love reading. I’m an avid reader and an avid writer. But I think podcasts create a unique avenue where the voice becomes part of the story. The intonation, the pauses, the emphasis, what you’re focusing on when you’re telling the story.

Podcasting has a way of drawing people in and making them stay in that moment because they’re in your ears. You’re in that moment with them.

Damilola: How do you think it has shaped the way you think about storytelling?

Line: When I think about reading and writing, I’m always looking to come away with something. A lesson, a feeling, a new thought, or a different perspective.

I’ve realised that I’m looking for those same things when I listen to podcasts.

When it comes to audio storytelling, though, the way stories are crafted is different from the written word. There’s a way of making sure your audience is completely immersed in what you’re saying that is important to consider.

It’s something Sarah and I think about when we’re working on our stories for Bar Afrique. You think about how to begin a story in a way that captures your listener. Where do I emphasise one thing but leave something else out? How do I become more descriptive in certain moments?

When you’re listening, you want your audience to imagine what you’re talking about.

Damilola: What was the first podcast that really stuck with you, and why did it stick with you?

Line: I mentioned NPR’s It’s Been a Minute and Code Switch. Those were the two podcasts that really stuck with me when I was first getting into podcasting.

Like I said, it was because of the way they talked about the topics I was interested in. They focus a lot on culture, identity, and race, and those are three things I’m deeply interested in. They inform how I move through the world as a Black African woman.

Now that I work in audio, I still refer back to them to think about how they tell stories in a way that has allowed them to remain as successful as they are.

Damilola: This is a trick question, but what’s your favourite podcast you’ve created, and why?

Line: Well, obviously Bar Afrique is the only podcast I’ve ever created.

But if we’re talking about a favourite episode, I really, really love one of the earliest episodes we did on the Malagasy Uprising.

I think it’s a story that hardly anyone knows about. The island of Madagascar, in general, isn’t an African country that many people know much about. It’s geographically out in the Indian Ocean.

I really loved working on that story because I had lived in Madagascar for two years when I was in high school and I had never heard about this history.

It wasn’t until we were working on Bar Afrique and I was researching stories that I came across the Malagasy Uprising, the story of how a group of Malagasy people rose up against the French colonialists in 1947.

It’s one of my favourite episodes because it’s so rare to hear stories like that from Madagascar, and I really enjoyed learning about it. I also found that people from Madagascar had never heard about it either, so they were grateful and appreciative that their history was being represented.

That’s one of the things I love about Bar Afrique. We get to tell stories that are so unheard of.

In the season we’re releasing right now, we have a lot of episodes like that, and I’m really excited for people to listen to them.

Damilola: What is your process for finding the stories and choosing which ones to tell?

Line: My background has always been very research-heavy. Both undergrad and grad school involved a lot of research, so I have that muscle for looking for things and digging into them.

For me, it usually comes down to picking a country and reading a lot. Sarah and I read so much. We’ll go through at least four or five scholarly articles, read books, and really immerse ourselves in the research. It’s so research-intensive that I think we sometimes gloss over just how much work goes into it because we’re so used to doing that kind of work.

Not every story has enough substance for an hour-long episode. You have to be discerning. Does this story have a main character, or main characters? Is there a conflict? What point in time is this happening? What does it tell us about our present? How have things changed since that moment?

Those are important questions because some stories are interesting, but not all of them are expansive enough for a full episode.

Then comes the story crafting, which is actually my favourite part. We’ve done all this research and gathered all this knowledge. Now the question becomes: how do we turn it into a story?

Working through that process is another skill in itself. I think both of us having backgrounds in journalism really helps because we’ve built those storytelling muscles.

Damilola: What makes a podcast great to you?

Line: I think what makes a podcast great is the chemistry between the hosts.

I think that’s fundamental because, in order to be intrigued by what’s being talked about, you also have to be intrigued by the people telling you the story. You want to trust them. Even if you don’t fully trust them yet, there has to be something that makes you want to keep listening to them.

I think when podcast hosts are able to create a space where the listener feels involved or part of the conversation, it makes for a much more incredible experience.

For example, I love the banter and chemistry between Jola and FK on I Said What I Said. They’re some of my favourite hosts, even though their podcast is completely different from mine. I love listening to I Said What I Said because you can tell they’re having fun, but they also know when to get a bit serious about certain topics. It’s always enjoyable.

I also think storytelling is important. Is the story being told in a way that keeps you engaged? Is it told in a way that makes you want to learn more about the topic? I think that’s really important.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that you think is great?

Line: I love The Republic podcast. It’s named after the publication, and it’s really focused on Nigeria. I think they tell Nigerian history in such an interesting way. I love that each season is focused on a specific theme or person. I enjoy listening to their podcast in the same way I enjoy reading stories from the publication.

I also really love NPR’s Throughline because I’m a history nerd. I love anything related to history. What I love about Throughline is that each episode focuses on a particular historical moment or period, but always finds a way to connect it to what’s happening in our current moment. I really love it when history can do that.

Whether it’s the history of migration or a single person like James Baldwin or Nelson Mandela, every episode is thoroughly researched and compelling. They also do a great job of incorporating guests.

Damilola: What does a podcast having excellent production mean to you?

Line: A podcast having excellent production means that you can tell the creators really care about the show they’re making.

That care comes through in what they decide to talk about, the music they choose to incorporate, if they use music, and how the episodes are formatted.

You can tell when someone has put a lot of work into what they’re doing. With podcasts, especially the ones I’ve mentioned so far, they’ve all got great production because there’s care, research, and a very clear format that they’re known for.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you think has excellent production?

Line: I’d say NPR’s Code Switch. I really think it has great production because with each episode, you know what you’re in for. You know they’ve got a theme, and they’re reliable because you know the format. Even if the story is different, you know what you’re getting into.

I also think It’s Been a Minute has great production, and I think The Republic podcast has really great production as well.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that changed your perspective on something?

Line: I wouldn’t say it changed my perspective, but it definitely opened my eyes to something I generally knew about.

There’s an episode of NPR’s Code Switch where they talk about how race affects the way we’re perceived and treated when we seek medical care, especially as Black people. Medical racism exists, and I already knew that, but they really went into depth about how race science affects our experiences of getting healthcare in the Western world, where doctors are predominantly white.

That episode really opened my eyes to how dangerous medical racism is, particularly for Black people.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that sent you down a rabbit hole?

Line: In the Dark is an investigative journalism podcast.

I think I’ve listened to all of their seasons, but season three really stuck with me. In that season, the journalists investigate the killing of about 25 civilians in Iraq by soldiers in the US military.

It was a very heartbreaking and harrowing story. It’s probably one of my favourite pieces of investigative journalism that I’ve experienced in audio.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you’d always recommend?

Line: Yes. I’d always recommend I Said What I Said.

I’d also recommend What Now? with Trevor Noah. I really enjoy that show. I think he has such a variety of guests, and I really like the way he asks questions.

I’d also recommend BBC News’ Focus on Africa because we don’t have many podcasts focused on current events across Africa. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to stay up to date with what’s happening across the continent.

History is always important, but it’s also important to understand what’s happening on the continent now. History informs the present, and being able to understand both is really important.

Damilola: Can you mention your favourite podcast created by an African?

Line: All the ones I’ve mentioned: I Said What I Said, What Now? with Trevor Noah, and The Republic podcast.

Damilola: Can you mention five people you’d like to see featured in this newsletter?

Line: FK, Jola, Trevor Noah, Madam Joyce, Brittany Luse, Mbiye Kasonga, Tembe Denton Hurst and Brooke DeVard.

It’s Been a Minute

Code Switch

I Said What I Said

Focus on Africa

The Republic

Throughline

In the Dark

What Now? with Trevor Noah

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in Funbi’s issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about Funbi’s approach to audio storytelling.

1. Modern Love

Start here.

About this podcast

For more than 20 years, the Modern Love column has given New York Times readers a glimpse into the complicated love lives of real people. Since its start, the column has evolved into a TV show, three books and a podcast. Each week, host Anna Martin brings you stories and conversations about love in all its glorious permutations, dumb pitfalls and life-changing moments.

Status: Ongoing

2. Freakonomics

Start here.

About this podcast

Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.

Status: Ongoing

3. No Stupid Questions

Start here.

About this podcast

Research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of "Grit") and tech and sports executive Mike Maughan really like to ask people questions, and they believe there’s no such thing as a stupid one. So they have a podcast where they can ask each other as many “stupid questions” as they want. New episodes each week. "No Stupid Questions" is a production of the Freakonomics Radio Network.

Status: Ongoing

4. I Said What I Said

Start here.

About this podcast

I Said What I Said is one of Africa’s biggest podcasts, hosted by friends Jola (Jollz) and Feyikemi (FK) Abudu and they have been saying the quiet parts out loud since 2017.

Each week, they unpack pop culture, careers, money, dating, family and the many confusions of modern adulthood with brutal honesty, big laughs and zero pretending.

Status: Ongoing

5. People I (Mostly) Admire

Start here.

About this podcast

Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt tracks down other high achievers for surprising, revealing conversations about their lives and obsessions. Join Levitt as he goes through the most interesting midlife crisis you’ve ever heard — and learn how a renegade sheriff is transforming Chicago's jail, how a biologist is finding the secrets of evolution in the Arctic tundra, and how a trivia champion memorized 160,000 flashcards.

Status: Ongoing

6. The Best One Yet

Start here.

About this podcast

This is the best one yet (it's a TBOY). Feel brighter every day with our 20-minute pop-biz news podcast. The 3 business stories you need, with fresh takes you can pretend you came up with — Pairs perfectly with your morning oatmeal ritual. Hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.

Status: Ongoing

7. The China in Africa Podcast

Start here.

About this podcast

Twice-weekly discussion about China's engagement across Africa and the Global South hosted by journalist Eric Olander and Asia-Africa scholar Cobus van Staden in Johannesburg.

Status: Ongoing

8. Love Letters

Start here.

About this podcast

Love stories. Dating stories. Relationship stories. Stories about romance, marriage, partnership, sex, loss, and the human heart. Served with a side of advice. Hosted by Boston Globe advice columnist Meredith Goldstein.

Status: Ongoing

9. The Republic

Start here.

About this podcast

The Republic is a narrative podcast series exploring pivotal Nigerian and broader African historical events and figures. In the second season, host Wale Lawal traces the life and legacy of writer and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa. For much of the 90s, Saro-Wiwa led a non-violent movement against oil pollution in the Niger Delta’s Ogoniland. The Nigerian government, however, responded by arresting and later executing Saro-Wiwa and 8 other activists. How did this incident reshape Nigeria’s trajectory?

Status: Season 2 ended

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• Part 1 - Meet the Curator: a conversation with our featured curator about their career and perspective on podcasting.

• Part 2 - Curated with Taste: recommendations by the curator according to specific prompts.

• Part 3 - The Curation: the definitive list of all podcasts mentioned in the issue

Academia was Funbi’s gateway to podcasting. The first show she discovered was Freakonomics. How? Because when she explored Apple Podcasts for the first time, it was only natural for her to search for one of her favourite subjects, Economics.

Five years later, while completing her Master’s degree, the final assessment for one of her courses was to create a podcast. Funbi was excited because she already loved podcasts. All she needed was to figure out how to make one. A friend of hers, who was a singer, introduced her to GarageBand and taught her everything she needed to know to record and edit a podcast.

It was that same knowledge of GarageBand that came in handy when she produced her first podcast in a professional setting. Just one month into a role at an international development consultancy, she realised that the in-depth articles on UK trade policy would be better experienced as a podcast. She pitched the idea to the company, and they approved it.

Over the years since, Funbi has gone on to script the award-winning The Republic and has produced a range of shows spanning culture, business, faith and public policy.

In this issue, she speaks to us about her journey into the podcast industry, and how curiosity continues to drive both her work and her creativity.

Damilola: What draws you to podcasting as a medium for storytelling?

Funbi: I think podcasting gives you a sense of people’s personalities. It’s another way of gaining knowledge.

It started for me with curiosity, and I’m still a curious cat. I love getting as much knowledge as possible. Podcasting was simply a different medium of learning and hearing other people’s perspectives without having met them or being in the same room as them.

Damilola: How has it shaped the way you think about storytelling?

Funbi: I think with podcasting, there’s no one format. You have the regular interview-style formats, like Steven Bartlett’s (Dairy of a CEO), with questions and answers. You’ve got narrative podcasts that are growing. You now have ASMR podcasts that people engage with.

You discover new things and different dynamics and because I listen to different kinds of podcasts and not just one genre, I might listen to one show today and a completely different one tomorrow.

What I find is that it always gets my creative juices flowing. Even when I create something of my own, even if it’s an interview-style podcast, I’m looking for ways to infuse more fun and wonder so it’s not too boring.

I’ll think, “Oh, I listened to this narrative podcast. This is what it did. How can I underlay some music here to make this conversation more interesting?”

Damilola: What was the first podcast that really stuck with you, and why did it stick with you?

Funbi: I mentioned Freakonomics earlier, but the other one I would talk about is Modern Love from The New York Times.

I am a big Modern Love girly. This was even before Miya Lee came on to do the storytelling for Modern Love. I discovered it when celebrities were the ones reading the stories and then telling you why they had selected them.

For me, Modern Love was, and still is, one of the best ways of understanding human connection and relationships.

They tell stories in a way that isn’t prescriptive. They’re not saying, “This is how you should live your life.” They’re saying, “This is how people are living life. This is how it’s impacting them.”

One episode that really stuck with me and that I’ve listened to several times was one that Stanley Tucci did. He read an essay about what it was like to be an older dad.

When we talk about age-gap relationships, people forget that with age-gap relationships comes age-gap parenting.

Stanley said that the essay was especially poignant for him because he became a dad again in his late fifties, going into his sixties. That episode made me tear up a bit. So yeah, that stayed with me for a long time.

Damilola: What’s your favourite podcast you’ve created, and why?

Funbi: I think each one I’ve done has had its own unique impact on me.

When I first started, my first independent podcast production work, The Wealthy Woman Podcast, was for a women’s community based in London. It was founded by three friends.

It was a community for women of African descent who were working in high-flying corporate roles, had left corporate to start their own businesses, or were rising through the ranks in the companies they worked for.

They wanted to create a platform and community for women of African descent and women of faith to discuss what it looks like to build wealth and build businesses in real time.

I really enjoyed that. Seeing the camaraderie between the three women, who had been friends for over ten years, and watching them create a space where other women like them could feel seen and heard while sharing the advice they wished they had received earlier was fantastic.

Each podcast I’ve worked on has been near and dear to my heart in some way.

Damilola: What makes a podcast great to you?

Funbi: A podcast has to engage me. Your ability to pull me into the story or the topic you’re discussing is what makes a good podcast to me. I try to bring that into what I create because I was a consumer of podcasts first.

So sometimes, as a producer, I put myself in the seat of a listener and ask, “If I were listening to this, would I enjoy it?” If the answer is yes, then keep going. If it’s no, then I ask, “What can I do to make it different?”

Damilola: Can you mention any podcast you think is great?

Funbi: They’ve gone on a break now, and I miss them. No Stupid Questions.

It is such a great podcast because it’s literally in the name. There are no stupid questions. Every silly question you could think of, or every question you thought was stupid, they’ve pretty much covered it.

Damilola: What does excellent podcast production mean to you?

Funbi: A podcast having excellent production means you feel like you’re in the room with them. You’re not just a fly on the wall.

Damilola: When you’re listening, what makes you feel like you’re in the room with them?

Funbi: I think that comes from the producer giving pointers to the hosts. It’s in how the conversation flows.

As you’re producing and recording, you have to remind hosts that there are listeners. They might not be in the room with you now, but you should imagine that they are. Draw them into the conversation, whether through a little aside that brings them into the fold.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that has excellent production?

Funbi: There’s one I’ve been listening to recently called The Best One Yet.

It’s a business podcast. It gives you the top three business stories, what’s happening on the New York Stock Exchange, and other business news.

It’s just so well produced. First of all, you wouldn’t think two white men would make me so giddy and have me kicking my feet over business news, but they do.

It’s so fun and fresh. It’s not financial jargon. It explains finance and the stock market in a way you can actually understand.

Damilola: Can you mention any podcast that changed your perspective on something?

Funbi: There was an episode of I Said What I Said a couple of years back. I think it was the episode they did with Tobi Hamilton.

She shared what it was like to go through a stillbirth. I think that was the first time I had heard a woman openly talk about that experience.

It was very heartbreaking, but I loved how openly she was able to share her experience.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that sent you into a rabbit hole?

Funbi: There was People I (Mostly) Admire, which is part of the Freakonomics Radio network. It’s hosted by Steve Levitt.

He interviews friends and acquaintances. There was one episode with — I think a mathematician or maybe a mountain climber. Someone doing something really interesting.

After listening to the episode, I went down a rabbit hole trying to find out who this person was and the work they had done. I was obsessed with them for that whole weekend.

After listening, I started looking up who the speaker was, why Steve had chosen them, how they did what they did, and everything else.

Damilola: What is a podcast you’d always recommend?

Funbi: I have a few that I always recommend when people ask me where to start.

The first is The Best One Yet. If you want to know what’s happening in business and the stock market, it’s fun. They even start each episode with a rap. They produced their own intro music, and it’s fantastic. I’d love to create something like that someday.

The second one I always recommend is No Stupid Questions. It’s fun and full of really interesting conversations.

Looking through my current library, I Said What I Said is always a consistent feature. I don’t listen to it as religiously as I did when I was younger, but I still listen every now and then, and I still recommend it.

If you want a podcast that will make you laugh while giving you a sense of Nigeria’s social and cultural climate, I’d recommend I Said What I Said. It’s a great podcast.

There’s also a newer podcast I’ve been listening to called The China in Africa Podcast. It covers what’s happening in terms of government relations, investment, and China’s role across the continent.

The last one I’d recommend is Love Letters by The Boston Globe. It’s similar to Modern Love, but it’s centred more around Boston and explores love, relationships, and human connection.

Damilola: Can you mention your favourite podcast created by an African?

Funbi: My favourite podcast created by an African was The Republic which focused on June 12.

I thought that was fantastic because I hadn’t seen anything like it before. I later got to work on Season 2, which was a complete fangirl moment. It was crazy. But Season 1 made me think, “Oh my God, I can’t believe we were able to produce something like this.”

Damilola: Can you mention five people you’d love to see on the newsletter?

Funbi: Ebiye Suowari, Calvin Wanguku and Kendall Breitman

Modern Love

Freakonomics

No Stupid Questions

I Said What I Said

People I (Mostly) Admire

The Best One Yet

The China in Africa Podcast

Love Letters

Some have come up as people’s first entry point into podcasting, while others have been mentioned as shows that turned the cogs in their minds. Regardless of the context in which they were mentioned, these are the podcasts that come to mean a lot to multiple people.

In this issue, I’ll be listing the top five most recommended shows on the newsletter and including excerpts of what past curators have said about them.

If you missed our post on the 3 Important Elements of A Great Podcast, you can catch up here.

Think someone you know would appreciate this newsletter? Send it their way!

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1. Radio Workshop

The African audio documentary show has been the most recommended podcast on the newsletter. Through thoughtful storytelling, it captures the lives of African youth and the many ways they navigate every facet of their human existence.

2. Fela Kuti: Fear No Man

The multi-award-winning podcast has been widely celebrated for its exceptional production and its vivid portrayal of the Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti. It is a great example of how audio can bring both a person and an era to life.

3. Search Engine

PJ Vogt’s Search Engine is one of those shows that leaves you thinking long after the episode ends. By following internet-age questions to unexpected places, it has broadened the minds of some of our curators and deepened the way they think about the world around them.

4. Radiolab

For many audio professionals, Radiolab was their introduction to the medium. It revealed just how immersive and inventive narrative audio could be and has, for over two decades, remained one of the defining shows in podcasting.

5. This American Life

Another podcast that served as an entry point into podcasting for many was This American Life. With its deeply human storytelling, it has long documented both the ordinary and extraordinary moments that shape American life.

Though these five shows have appeared multiple times, they are only a small glimpse into the many brilliant podcasts our curators have recommended over the course of the newsletter. Let them be your starting point into the wider world of great shows waiting to be discovered on Podcasts Curated with Taste.

One question I’ve asked in every interview is: What makes a podcast great? The responses have varied, but a few themes keep come up again and again.

Some patterns have emerged, and in this issue I’ve pulled together the three most-mentioned elements of what audio professionals believe make a great podcast. I’ve also included a few honorable mentions that came up in at least two interviews.

1. Your Host

Across many of the interviews conducted, the most frequent response to what makes a great podcast has been the host.

Gathoni Ngumba mentioned that there are certain podcasts she listens to simply because she likes the host, and on the flip side, Mayowa Idowu shared that there are podcasts he simply will not listen to because of who hosts them.

Beyond people’s personal feelings about a host, there are other qualities a host possesses that can directly shape the success of a podcast. Is your host knowledgeable about the subject matter of the show? Can they carry a conversation well? Are they able to present the podcast in an engaging way?

In his interview, Ayodeji Rotinwa stressed the importance of getting a good host or narrator, noting that it is a producer’s responsibility to keep interviewing until the right host is found.

Arielle also pointed out that chemistry between hosts is something she pays close attention to, adding that many of her favourite podcasts are hosted by people who are clearly friends. That ease, rhythm, and familiarity often translates into a better listening experience.

2. Its Purpose

The first step after deciding to create a podcast should be figuring out why you want to make one. Strip away the accolades, the perceived fun, or the pressure to simply have a show, what purpose do you want it to serve? The answer to that question informs every single decision you make about your podcast.

Andreea Coscai gave an example of how knowing the purpose of a project she worked on helped guide every element of it, right down to the branding of the show.

Similarly, Adaorah Oduah noted that a great podcast knows what it sets out to do and does not deviate from it.

Knowing your why also sharpens your understanding of how to respect the time and attention your audience is giving you. James Gilmore touched on this in his issue, pointing out that knowing what a podcast is for affects how it interacts with its audience. A podcast with a clear purpose is often more intentional in its choices, more considerate in its delivery, and ultimately more compelling to listen to.

3. The Structure

A story lives in its structure.

Jasin Bauomy said that a great podcast is one that serves the story best. It contours itself to the needs of the story, rather than forcing the story into a format it was never meant to fit. Does the story work best as a tightly produced narrative? Will it be strengthened by the use of tape and field audio? Or is it best told as a conversational show?

Structure is what helps a podcast make sense of itself. It determines pacing, clarity, emotional build, and how well a listener can stay with the story from beginning to end. A good structure doesn’t call attention to itself; it simply makes the listening experience feel natural and intentional.

There were also a few other elements that came up enough times to deserve an honorary mention: sound quality, storytelling, knowing your audience, and having a unique idea.

It goes without saying that none of these elements mentioned exist in isolation. Strong storytelling can be let down by poor pacing. A brilliant idea can fall flat if it is not shaped with a clear understanding of who it is for. And even the most compelling host can lose a listener if the sound quality makes the experience difficult to sit with.

If there is one thing these 21 conversations have reinforced, it is that there is no single formula for making a great podcast. But there are patterns. And there is a level of care that listeners can always feel. Whether it begins with the right host, a clear purpose, a structure that serves the story, or a distinct understanding of the audience, the best podcasts seem to know exactly what they are trying to do, and commit to doing it well.

In April we published “Curated for True Crime,” and in February, we launched the segment with “Curated for Love.”

This month, we have compiled a list of comedy podcasts to entertain you and make you LOL.

Read the first half of Curated for Comedy published yesterday, for more recommendations.

Enjoy!

1. Scam Goddess

Start here.

Recommended by Andreea Coscai as a podcast that sent her down a rabbit hole. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Scam Goddess is an award-winning comedy podcast dedicated to fraud and all those who practice it. Every episode, the Scam Goddess herself Laci Mosley (iCarly, Better Call Saul) covers the hottest scams on the streets today while also giving in-depth breakdowns of the wildest robberies, rackets, and capers throughout history. It’s like true crime, but without all the death—aka True Con!

Status:

2. Thirst Aid Kits

Start here.

Recommended by Adaorah Oduah as a podcast that sent her down a rabbit hole. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Thirst is natural… so let’s celebrate it! Join Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins as they dig deep into the various ways women express their thirst, asking: why do we desire who we desire? At a time when men are Not Doing Great, Bim and Nichole want to ask keep asking questions about Hollywood inclusion and opportunity, through illuminating and hilarious conversations with special guests, original fanfic designed to make you sit up, and of course [REDACTED]. Bring a straw… and come thirst with us.

Status: Feb 8, 2021

3. Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding?

Start here.

Recommended by Lauren Passell as a podcast that has great production. Read her full interview here.

About this podcast

Who Shat On The Floor At My Wedding? was a question shared by brides Helen McLaughlin and Karen Whitehouse after they tied the knot on 11 August, 2018 on a boat in Amsterdam. It was a question that launched a podcast, which led to the hiring of unqualified detective Lauren Kilby, the purchase of a €99 lie detector, and the bothering of some of the world’s best forensic experts - all in an attempt to find out “poo dunnit”.

For season 2, the investigative trio take on a brand new mystery set in Sweden (Scandi Noir if you will) called The Case Of The Tiny Suit/Case.

For season 3, the unqualified detectives attempt to solve real non-crime crimes and ridiculous mysteries submitted by YOU - our precious listeners. Their selection criteria for new cases is simple: “Anything the police laugh at is a case for us.” And because ‘time is money’, all cases need to be cracked within 24 hours.

Status: Last updated Feb 26 2026

4. Heavyweight

Start here.

Recommended by Lauren Passell in response to the question: “What is a podcast you would always recommend?” Read her full interview here.

About the podcast

Maybe you’ve laid awake and imagined how it could have been, how it might yet be, but the moment to act was never right. Well, the moment is here and the podcast making it happen is Heavyweight. Join Jonathan Goldstein for road trips, thorny reunions, and difficult conversations as he backpedals his way into the past like a therapist with a time machine.

Status: Ongoing

5. Fuck Buddies

Start here.

Recommended by Kattie Laur as a podcast with excellent production. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Welcome to F*ck Buddies, the dating and sex advice podcast setting out to smash toxic masculinity and rape culture. We’re here to answer all of your sticky, sexy questions!

Status: Ongoing

6. Las Culturistas

Start here.

Recommended by James Gilmore as a podcast that has excellent production. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Status: Ongoing

7. The Breakfast Club

Start here.

Recommended by Tony Doe

About this podcast

“The World’s Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!”

Status: Ongoing

8. 2 Broke Twimbos

Start here.

Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba as her favourite podcast created by an African. Read the full interview here.

About the podcast

What do you get when you combine two Zimbabweans with absolutely no financial muscle nor any real life influence? When all they possess is body odour & Twitter accounts? Welcome to 2 Broke Twimbos.

Status: Ongoing

9. Good Hang with Amy Poehler (The Ringer)

Start here.

Recommended by Arielle Nissenblatt as a great podcast. Read her full interview here.

About the podcast

Come hang with Amy Poehler. Each week on her podcast, she’ll welcome celebrities and fun people to her studio. They’ll share stories about their careers, mutual friends, shared enthusiasms, and most importantly, what’s been making them laugh. This podcast is not about trying to make you better or giving advice. Amy just wants to have a good time.

Status: Ongoing

10. Imaginary Advice

Start here.

Recommended by Lauren Passell as a great podcast. Read her full interview here.

About the podcast

Experiments in audio fiction | Anthology series by Ross Sutherland Tribeca Independent Fiction Award 2025 (for “They Will / They Won’t”) British Podcast Award Winner: Best Fiction Series “Few people are as skilled at turning moments of regret into transcendent, artistic works (…) One of podcasting’s brightest lights” —AV Club “As close as you can get to an audible psychedelic trip” —Stylist “Sutherland’s laboratory for various experiments in audio fiction, full of strange excursions and sublime turns of phrases” —Vulture, Ten Essential Fiction Podcasts that Shaped the Genre

Status: On Hiatus (Last updated Feb 25 2026)

11.Our Ancestors Were Messy

Start here.

Recommended by Mike Rahfaldt as a podcast that has excellent production. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

A recap of the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines and then history in pre-Civil Rights Era America. Host Nichole Hill takes her guests through the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Along the way, these ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers.

Status: Last updated April 8 2026

12.So True

Start here.

Recommended by James Gilmore as a podcast that has excellent production. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Weekly podcast from beloved gay comedian Caleb Hearon. basically just getting into it and sorting it all out and kind of identifying what’s really real. A Wave series.

Status: Ongoing

In April we published “Curated for True Crime,” and in February, we launched the segment with “Curated for Love.”

This month, we have compiled a list of comedy podcasts to entertain you and make you LOL.

Enjoy!

1. Ridiculous Crime

Start here.

Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba in response to the question: “Can you mention a podcast that has pulled you into a rabbit hole?” Read her full interview here.

About this podcast

True Crime is more than blood, guts, mayhem, and murder. Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton share outlandish tales of capers, heists, and cons that shine a light on the absurd and outrageous side of criminality. Always 99% murder-free and 100% ridiculous, this is Ridiculous Crime, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Status: Ongoing

2. Sibling Rivalry

Start here.

Recommended by Jill Achineku in response to the question: “Can you mention other podcasts that has excellent production?” Read her full interview here.

About the podcast

Monét X Change, Miss Congeniality of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 and winner of AS4 and Bob The Drag Queen, winner of Season 8 (she won the first time) are not actually siblings but they are the intensely hilarious comedy duo with infectious chemistry behind the hit podcast Sibling Rivalry.

Status: Ongoing

3.No Such Thing

Start here.

Recommended by Arielle Nissenblatt in response to the question: “Can you mention some narrative podcasts that you think are great?” Read her full interview here.

About the podcast

Join Manny, Noah, and Devan — three best friends and journalists — as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.

Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don’t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.

NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can’t agree on. If you’ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.

Status: Ongoing

4. Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Start here.

Recommended by Arielle Nissenblatt in response to the question: “Can you mention a podcast that sent you into a rabbit hole?” Read her full interview here.

About the podcast

A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)

Status: Ongoing

5. Text Me Back With Lindy West And Meagan Hatcher-Mays

Start here.

Recommended by Lauren Passell as a podcast she will always recommend. Read her full interview here.

About this podcast

Bestselling writer Lindy West and democracy policy expert Meagan Hatcher-Mays are two Award-Winning Best Friends From High School (Most Likely To Make You Laugh in their high school senior poll - sorry to intimidate you!). Each week, Lindy and Meagan hilariously digest what’s going on in the news, their lives and their text threads with their singular combination of political smarts, embarrassing sincerity, and a truly concerning level of investment in pop culture. Text Me Back is a podcast about best friendship and making your favorite people laugh, even when this dumpster fire of a world gets you down.

Status: Ongoing

6. The Daily Zeitgeist

Start here.

Recommended by Lauren Passell in response to the question: “What is a podcast you would always recommend?” Read her full interview here.

About this podcast

There’s more news and less comprehension today than any historical period that didn’t involve literal witch trials, and trying to stay on top of it all can feel like playing a game of telephone with 30 people, except everyone’s speaking at the same time and like a third of them are openly racist for some reason. From Cracked co-founder Jack O’Brien, THE DAILY ZEITGEIST is stepping into that fray with some of the funniest and smartest comedic and journalistic minds around. Jack and co-host Miles Gray spend up to an hour every weekday sorting through the events and stories driving the headlines, to help you find the signal in the noise, with a few laughs thrown in for free.

Status: Ongoing

7. We’re Here to Help

Start here.

Recommended by Lauren Passell as a podcast that has great production. Read her full interview here.

About the podcast

Jake Johnson (New Girl, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Gareth Reynolds (The Dollop) don’t feel qualified to give strangers good advice. Most of their friendship over the last 15 years has been based around dumb bits, but they do (for better or worse) want to try to help people out. Like your friendly local bartender or your tipsy uncle at a family gathering, Jake and Gareth are on the caller’s side and trying to help. Each episode, the guys make several pitches to callers (whose questions range from trivial to serious) with their best attempts of advice. They can’t promise their suggestions will be perfect, but it will be the best they’ve got. Jake and Gareth also occasionally bring on a friend, peer or even an expert to help along the way.

Status: Ongoing

8. Too Scary; Didn’t Watch

Start here.

Recommended by Nichole Hill as a great podcast. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

A horror movie recap podcast for those too scared to watch for themselves; hosted by Emily Gonzalez, Henley Cox and Sammy Smart. New episodes every Wednesday!

Statue: Ongoing

9. Pour Minds

Start here.

Recommended by Adaorah Oduah as a podcast she’d always recommend. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Two single Houstonians residing in Atlanta, Drea and Lex are navigating their way through life, friendships and dating. Discussing all the hot topics while getting lit on their favorite wine along the way! Just like having a good ol’ drunk therapy session with your friends, pull up a chair, join the convo and wine down!

Status: Ongoing

10. Ologies with Alie Ward

Start here.

Recommended by Adaorah Oduah as a great podcast. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists’ obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.

Status: Ongoing

11. Bar Afrique

Start here.

Recommended by Andreea Coscai as her favourite podcast created by an African. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

These are the stories about African independence that you’ve never heard of, told over a drink... or three.

Status: Last updated Dec 2 2025

12. Let’s Make a Horror

Start here.

Recommended by Andreea Coscai as a podcast that has excellent production. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Comedians Mark Chavez, Maddy Kelly, and Ryan Beil will make you laugh while they try to make you scream. Over 10 episodes, Mark, Maddy, and Ryan will learn what it takes to make truly frightening horror, interviewing Hollywood writers, directors, and enthusiasts; probing their deepest fears; and eventually taking a stab at writing and directing their own shocking short film.

Status: Last updated Dec 12, 2023

13.Stay Hydrated

Start here.

Recommended by James Gilmore as a great podcast. Read the full interview here.

About this podcast

Join Chris Hall and his sister Lizzie as they dive deep into the corners of pop culture to see what the culture that has popped says about us. Joined by friends from across music, social media, TV and more, every week they talk about everything, and yet at the same time, somehow nothing - from the nostalgic to the chronically current.

Status: Ongoing

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in Benbrick’s issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about Benbrick’s approach to audio storytelling.

1. S-Town

Start here.

About this podcast

S-Town is a podcast hosted by Brian Reed from Serial Productions, a New York Times company. The story follows a man named John who despises his Alabama town and decides to do something about it. He asks Brian to investigate the son of a wealthy family who's allegedly been bragging that he got away with murder. But when someone else ends up dead, the search for the truth leads to a nasty feud, a hunt for hidden treasure, and an unearthing of the mysteries of one man's life.

Status: Ended

2. The Portal

Start here.

About this podcast

The Portal is an exploration into discovery, including conversations with thought leaders. Host Eric Weinstein, Managing Director of Thiel Capital, brings his unique expertise and diverse roster of guests for a wide range of discussions, including science, culture, business, and capitalism. The show will feature people whose lives demonstrate that portals into what we would normally consider impossible, are indeed possible.

Status: Last updated Dec 2 2020

3. The Minimalists

Start here.

About this podcast

The Minimalists are Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Alongside cohost T.K. Coleman, they help millions of people live meaningful lives with less.

Status: Ongoing

4. Conversations with Tyler

Start here.

About this podcast

Tyler Cowen engages today's deepest thinkers in wide-ranging explorations of their work, the world, and everything in between.

Status: Last updated May 27 2026

5. Theories of Everything

Start here.

About this podcast

Exploring theoretical physics, consciousness, Ai, and God in a technically rigorous manner… The separating factor of TOE from other podcasts is its focus on depth even at the risk of limiting the audience due to how much detail we delve into subjects. Paralleling the intensity found in academic discourse, we're increasingly embracing a spectrum of unconventional ideas to conduct research during this podcast, rather than merely conveying existing information.

Status: Ongoing

6. Simon Dixon’s Hard Talk

Start here.

About this podcast

Simon Dixon Hard Talk is a weekly deep-dive into Bitcoin, macroeconomics, and global geopolitics. Hosted by Bitcoin OG, investor, and BnkToTheFuture co-founder Simon Dixon, the show applies a “follow the money” approach to understand the forces shaping the global economy. Each episode explores the transition to a new multipolar world order, alongside the rise of Bitcoin, AI, and CBDCs.

Status: Ongoing

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• Part 1 - Meet the Curator: a conversation with our featured curator about their career and perspective on podcasting.

• Part 2 - Curated with Taste: recommendations by the curator according to specific prompts.

• Part 3 - The Curation: the definitive list of all podcasts mentioned in the issue

Have You Heard George’s Podcast was the first podcast Benbrick ever produced. As a songwriter, he felt there was far more he wanted to say than the few minutes a pop song could hold. He also felt constrained by the gatekeepers of the music industry, people who had the authority to decide whether the work he poured himself into was worthy or not.

Have You Heard George’s Podcast arrived at exactly the right time. For Benbrick, creating audio outside the structure of the music industry felt incredibly freeing. So when George approached him with an idea for a show, it was easy for him to experiment, and build alongside him. One episode became two, and by the time they made the third episode, centred on Grenfell Tower in the UK, they both realised the weight and importance of what they were creating.

The impact of the podcast would go on to speak for itself. The experimental audio drama, which blends poetry, spoken word, music, and speculative fiction, explores the personal and socio-economic realities of young Black Britain. Since its release, the show has won more than nine awards, including a Peabody.

For the first time publicly, Benbrick also speaks about the new show he is currently creating, a project exploring artistry, creativity, futurism, and what it means to be an artist in the age of robots.

This interview has been edited for brevity.

Damilola: What drew you to podcasting as the necessary medium for that sort of storytelling? (Have You Heard George’s Podcast)

Benbrick: I think it was the only place we could go, really, because we knew it probably wouldn’t work as a song on iTunes. The idea of it being a podcast and appearing on people’s RSS feeds, with them receiving it every week, was interesting.

At first, the first three episodes were just on SoundCloud. I think we just wanted to try something. Just because people say something has to be done one way doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true, and we wanted to try something different.

Especially George, it took a lot of bravery and self-belief, and that’s something I’ve always been inspired by. I feel so lucky that I got to work with him and go through that process. When I think about what I’m writing now with my own show, I feel like I was in the room with Steve Jobs when he was making Apple. I got to see a guy so dedicated to his craft, and it makes me raise my game in everything that I do as well.

Damilola: You mentioned creating your own show. Can you speak more on that process?

Benbrick: I don’t think I’ve told anyone that I’m doing this yet, so this is the first time. I’m making a show about artistry, creativity, and futurism, and I’m trying to answer the question: what does it mean to be an artist in an age of robots?

I’m so fulfilled right now creating this. It’s going to be video as well. Every day I’m in the studio, and I just feel lucky that I’ve gotten to a point in my career where I can turn down other work in order to do this myself, which speaks to what I was saying about George, because he did that too, and I saw that.

Damilola: When you say artistry, creativity, and futurism, I’m trying to imagine what a video on that would look like. I don’t want you to give anything away because I’d like to see it when it comes out, but I’m really intrigued.

Benbrick: Yeah, it’s cool. I feel like I’m getting to explore all the things that I want to explore creatively. It’s as random as people who have heard Have You Heard George’s Podcast would expect, and the video kind of matches that randomness of production.

Damilola: How do you think the process of creating George’s podcast, and even what you’re doing now, has shaped the way you think about storytelling?

Benbrick: I feel like when you have a project that’s your own, or a project that you deeply care about, it becomes part of your life. Everything starts to inform that project. All the books you read, the movies you watch, the songs you listen to, it all starts to become part of your story and informs the rest of it.

It just feels like the time we’re living through is crazy, and it’s only going to get crazier. We need to be talking about it. We need to arm people for how strange it’s going to get, because I don’t think people really understand it yet, especially in terms of AI. The conversation around it in media is either surface-level or super deep. There’s not much in between.

Damilola: I know your first impression of podcasting was creating with George, but have you become interested in podcasts generally? Are there podcasts in your rotation?

Benbrick: That’s funny, because when you mentioned recommendations, I suddenly thought, “What do I even listen to?” I really try not to consume too much. There are periods where I don’t listen to music for ages, and periods where I don’t watch movies.

There are podcasts I listen to, but I don’t know if there are any where I’m like, “I want to make something like this.” I just don’t listen to much because it’s too confusing when I’m trying to work out the stories I want to tell.

I do revisit George’s podcast sometimes though.

Damilola: That’s so interesting, because a lot of people say that to become good at something creative, you have to consume a lot of what you’re trying to make. So it’s interesting hearing you say there are periods where you don’t listen to music or even watch films.

Benbrick: I have my notes from the last two days. There are all the changes I need to make to the podcast, and this is what I do. I don’t consume other stuff. I absorb what I’m making at the end of each day, make long notes, and then go make all those changes.

I think what’s more important than consuming what everyone else is doing is developing your own taste and knowing what you think sounds right. The reason I’m making my own show, and I think the reason George made his own show, is because no one else was making it.

So my barometer is: can I be better than I was yesterday? Can I make an episode better than the last episode? Can I self-improve?

Damilola: In creating your own projects, at what point do you decide this is the best it can be? Or is there never really that point?

Benbrick: No, there definitely is that point. I just work until I get to the point of having no notes, basically. I keep going until I have no more notes on any of it, and I try to be really honest about whether it’s working yet.

I want to make something that might exist forever. When humans discovered electricity, it wasn’t really documented the way the period we’re living through is being documented. If content is going to last forever, we should make it good, so we’re not wasting people’s time in the future.

Damilola: Would you say you have parameters around how you create? For example, when I speak to people about podcasts, one of my newsletter questions is what makes a podcast great, and people usually mention things like audio quality, content, and so on. So I’m asking if there are certain things your work always has to have.

Benbrick: When I was younger, my favourite website was called Beatles Anomalies. It listed all these Beatles albums, and people would try to find the weird parts in the production where something had gone wrong, or something was overheard in the background, or the guitar amp was buzzing faintly in the background. I was fascinated by this, and I think it informed my production style.

I became obsessed with really minute details. I didn’t want to have those anomalies. So the work with George, or whenever I’m producing a show, normally has 200 or 300 tracks of audio. It becomes about figuring out how to make each part flow into the next part so that it doesn’t feel like you’re entering a new section. It should feel like one continuous production.

That’s probably the main thing I think about: the overall flow. Obviously, music is also a huge part of what I do, and I compose the music for the shows as well.

Damilola: What does a show having excellent production mean to you as a composer?

Benbrick: I think when you’re producing and you have the composition, sound design, and voices all in front of you in Logic or whatever digital audio workstation you’re using, you can make decisions based on the whole picture.

I might have music and sound design in a particular scene, but then realise it actually works better with no music at all, just the sound design and voice. I think that’s a trick we have in podcasting that might be harder in other mediums, because in television or film you often have so many different people involved that it’s harder to make those creative decisions.

But in podcasting, teams are usually smaller. In my case with George, it was just me and George. So you can really experiment and figure out what’s best for the production.

Time is also really important if you want to make something great. You need to spend time with it. Every single change you make almost adds another day, because you need to go home, listen to it again, see whether it’s right, and then come back the next day and tweak it.

Damilola: Have you come across any other show you think has excellent production aside from the ones you’ve created?

Benbrick: One show that excited me early on was S-Town from Serial. That’s quite old now. I really enjoyed the storytelling. But as I said, I tend not to listen to too much stuff. The podcasts I usually listen to are more conversational, so they don’t necessarily have heavy production. The Portal with Eric Weinstein is great.

Damilola: Has there been a show that changed your perspective on something?

Benbrick: I like The Minimalists. That one’s interesting. Again, not from a production point of view, but I like what they talk about, especially non-attachment to things. I think that’s really interesting.

Damilola: Is there a show that sent you down a rabbit hole?

Benbrick: Yeah, definitely. Any show featuring Balaji Srinivasan. Another one I really like is Conversations with Tyler. I like his style.

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal is another one. Those definitely sent me down rabbit holes. An honorary mention to Simon Dixon’s Hard Talk. All of those are pretty mind-expanding.

Damilola: Is there a podcast you’d always recommend?

Benbrick: No, but there is music I’d recommend. I would recommend Yoko Kanno.

When I listen to her album Tokyo.sora, I think about how I make audio. I listen to it and think, “How does she make something so beautiful?” Then I start wondering how I can replicate those feelings in audio storytelling.

One thing I think about with music is that people replay songs or replay specific moments they love. I think about how I can bring that quality into audio productions. Is there a way to make a podcast repeatable like that, instead of it being a one-time experience?

Damilola: Can you mention five people who you should be featured in the newsletter?

Benbrick: Axel Kacoutie, George the Poet, Max O’Brien and Kim Noble.

S-Town

The Portal

The Minimalists

Conversations with Tyler

Theories of Everything

Simon Dixon’s Hard Talk

What does great taste sound like?

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in James’ issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about James’ approach to audio storytelling.

1. Call to Stage

Start here.

About this podcast

This is Call To Stage, the podcast from Amber Davies, where musical theatre takes centre stage. From unforgettable backstage stories to exclusive news and insights, each week Strictly Come Dancing finalist and WhatsOnStage Award winning actress Amber is joined by stars of the stage (and sometimes just fans of it!) to chat, laugh… and maybe even sing. If one thing’s for sure, Amber and her guests will be leaving it all on the mic. New episodes every Wednesday.

Status: Ongoing

2. Stay Hydrated

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About this podcast

Join Chris Hall and his sister Lizzie as they dive deep into the corners of pop culture to see what the culture that has popped says about us. Joined by friends from across music, social media, TV and more, every week they talk about everything, and yet at the same time, somehow nothing - from the nostalgic to the chronically current.

Status: Ongoing

3. Las Culturistas

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About this podcast

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Status: Ongoing

4. So True

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About this podcast

Weekly podcast from beloved gay comedian Caleb Hearon. basically just getting into it and sorting it all out and kind of identifying what’s really real. A Wave series.

Status: Ongoing

5. Queer the Music

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About this podcast

Jake Shears celebrates the anthems that have dominated dancefloors and shaped queer lives. Throughout the history of popular music, queer artists have made huge contributions - often at great expense and risk to themselves personally and professionally. This podcast shines a spotlight on those who trailblazed paths towards self expression. Join Scissor Sisters’ frontman Jake Shears and his guests as he unearths these important stories song by song.

Status: Last updated Dec 23 2025

6. Busy Being Black

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About this podcast

The award-winning podcast that centres and celebrates queer Black liveliness.

Status: Last updated Apr 25 2026

7. It’s a Continent

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About this podcast

Africa is a continent, and we’re here to prove it. Join hosts Chinny and Astrid as we uncover key moments in African history that have shaped the continent, one nation at a time. Our episodes are bite-sized, perfect for history lovers and curious minds.

Status: Last updated March 24, 2026

8. The Vergecast

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About this podcast

The Vergecast is the flagship podcast from The Verge about small gadgets, Big Tech, and everything in between. Every Friday, hosts Nilay Patel and David Pierce hang out and make sense of the week’s most important technology news. And every Tuesday, David leads a selection of The Verge’s expert staffers in an exploration of how gadgets and software affect our lives – and which ones you should bring into yours.

Status: Ongoing

9. The Pieces

Start here.

About this podcast

Alright babes, Bimini is here with their very own podcast! Bimini is challenging the world around us and asking how the experiences we’ve lived have made us the people we are today. From pop stars to politicians, artists and activists, every week Bimini will be unearthing the moments that have shaped their guests’ identities, whilst exploring how the world today is impacting the people we are becoming. New episodes drop Tuesdays.

Status: Ongoing

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• Part 1 - Meet the Curator: a conversation with our featured curator about their career and perspective on podcasting.

• Part 2 - Curated with Taste: recommendations by the curator according to specific prompts.

• Part 3 - The Curation: the definitive list of all podcasts mentioned in the issue

James Gilmore stumbled into podcasting by mistake. At a young age, he was already running an online radio station, and podcasting initially served simply as a way to archive the shows he and his friends were creating.

The real turning point was realising that through podcasting, he could reach not just so many people, but so many different types of people. He found out that after those shows were put as podcasts, other people around the same age as them all over the world were listening to it. Very quickly, he became interested in people outside his immediate circle, those in other communities and cultures, and what they might be interested in.

More than 10 years later, James has built a career creating shows that span comedy, theatre, culture, identity, technology, and entertainment under W!ZARD RADIO MEDIA, a leading youth entertainment brand and podcast network he founded.

In this interview, he speaks about why niche storytelling matters, the responsibility creators have to their listeners, and the podcasts that continue to shape how he thinks about storytelling today.

This interview has been edited for brevity.

Damilola: What draws you to podcasting as a medium for storytelling?

James: What I love is that it’s one of the only mediums, maybe other than books, where the more specific and niche you are, the better the product is.

We’ve grown up around radio, TV, and films, which by their model need to appeal to as many people as possible. But actually, a really great podcast is about answering a problem that a relatively small group of people have and being the thing that absolutely solves that problem, or makes them laugh, or educates them, or whatever it might be.

Damilola: How do you think it has shaped the way you think about storytelling?

James: It’s made me think much more about the details of things.

We’ve got a phrase that we use when we’re developing a new project, which is: “Go deep and narrow, not broad and shallow.” I think that applies to everything. Even if it’s telling a specific story within an episode of a podcast, it’s about getting the details out, painting the picture, and bringing the audience to where you were in that moment.

Damilola: You mentioned stumbling into podcasting by mistake, so when you started listening to podcasts, was there a one that really stuck with you? Do you remember why it stuck with you?

James: A lot of what I used to listen to, were American comedy podcasts and also tech and business podcasts.

I think what I got from both of those was the ability to almost transplant me into things that I was really interested in but were actually very far away from me. Without podcasting and without the internet, I probably would have thought I wasn’t really a comedy fan because British comedy was never really my thing.

But being able to sit down every week and listen to an hour-long American comedian made me discover that that’s the type of comedy I really love.

Similarly, with the more educational and business-type podcasts, I was really interested in tech growing up, and technology obviously plays a large role in running a media company today.

Without podcasting, it would have been two minutes on a news report about a big story. Instead, I could deep dive into really specific conversations that were often happening in America and were perfect for my level of interest.

Damilola:What’s your favourite podcast you’ve created, and why?

James: God, I can’t answer this question without pissing people off. I’m going to say this podcast, not because I necessarily prefer the content over the other things we make, I love all my children mostly equally. But the impact this show has had on the community it’s trying to serve is profound and beyond most of our other shows.

We have a podcast that me and my team created and continue to produce called Call to Stage, and it’s a theatre podcast. Theatre was something I was really interested in when I was younger, especially growing up in London where we had access to all these incredible shows.

Very early on, it became clear to me that there was this big problem in the theatre industry. A lot of the die-hard, passionate theatre fans are young people, but because theatre is so expensive, a lot of the decisions are made by older white men. There’s a disconnect. The people funding the shows are decades apart from the intended audience.

Then the right opportunity and circumstances came around where we met the person who became the host of the show, an actor called Amber Davies. She won Love Island in 2017 and had already been a West End actor for years.

I’d say it’s probably my favourite thing because seeing how completely perfect the fit was for the audience, and the passion from the fanbase, and the way it helped create a bigger culture around theatre in the UK, was incredible.

That’s what you want as a producer, right? You want to make something and see it have an impact. At least that’s what drives me. I think I’m much more driven by the audience than by the product itself.

Damilola: You spoke about how the audience drives you, so I’m wondering if there’s been any podcast where the process of making it was so incredible that you thought, “Okay, this is great.”

James: Yeah, actually. We’ve got a podcast that we produce called Stay Hydrated, and it’s a comedy podcast.

The host of that podcast is a comedian called Chris Hall, who is fantastic. I went to one of his shows and felt like I’d never been in a room where everybody wanted a person to succeed. Everyone was gathered around him because they’d seen his stuff elsewhere and felt like he spoke to their experience in a way that other types of comedy maybe don’t.

It took me months to convince him and his team to sign with us. Honestly, the best part of a year. Then it took months from signing the deal to actually launching the podcast because it became one of the most thorough development processes we’ve ever had.

We had this guy who finally wanted to do a podcast. He’s hilarious, brilliant, and stands for something, and he had loads of ideas. We just thought, “Let’s try them out.” We probably recorded about six pilots, all completely different.

The process itself was so positive. There was also a lack of pressure because a lot of the time, when we start a project, the timer starts immediately. Everybody wants the thing launched yesterday. So you often launch something while it’s still finding its feet.

But this was different. We had months to experiment and find something that felt natural and positive. By the time we launched it, it felt like we’d already been making it for six months.

It made me fall in love with the development process again because it gave me a real example of how spending time before launch genuinely pays off.

Since then, whenever someone says, “I’ve got an idea, let’s launch this immediately,” I’ve been able to confidently say, “Actually, let’s stop,” because I know taking the time can make a much better product.

Damilola: What makes a podcast great to you?

James: It knows its audience. It therefore knows what it’s trying to do. And it’s honest.

I think we’ve all listened to things where we feel like, “I’m not hearing the whole story,” or, “Why are you holding back?” I think podcast hosts ask for a lot from listeners. It’s often an hour of high engagement. So I think the host showing up every week ready to unleash whatever the subject of the podcast is, and bringing the energy behind it, is really important.

A podcast has to have a purpose. I think as audiences, we should demand more than just two people saying whatever they want to say on a podcast. As creators, if we are going to spend our resources putting something into the world, what is it doing for the world? What conversation is this pushing forward? What representation is this creating that otherwise doesn’t exist?

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you think is great that isn’t one of yours?

James: There are so many. A podcast that I think is great is an American comedy podcast called Las Culturistas. It’s hosted by Bowen Yang, who was on Saturday Night Live until very recently, and his co-host Matt Rogers, who I think was also a writer on SNL.

I think it’s great because it’s funny, it has great guests, and it has a good format. It knows all of that stuff. But also, it has created such a world. It has its own references and almost its own lingo.

It’s not just part of queer comedy and queer culture. The episodes often start really funny but end up talking about very real things that are relatable to everybody no matter your background, identity, or ideology.

I think a really great podcast should feel easy for the listener to engage with on a regular basis, and it shouldn’t cower away from talking about important things. Particularly in an era where it feels like you have to have a stance on issues. The things happening in the world feel so personal that I don’t think it’s honest to just say, “That’s off the table.”

I think they do it really well because it’s funny and entertaining, but they also give their perspective in a way that doesn’t feel preachy. It’s easy to listen to.

It’s also been interesting as a listener because I’ve been on a real journey with that podcast. I remember when they were really small and recording somewhere in a basement, and now they have huge guests on.

Damilola: What does a podcast having excellent production mean to you?

James: I think it can be really simple: it needs to sound great, and it needs to look good.

As a listener, you want to hear something that sounds polished. If you’re going to press play on something, the hosts have to have the same volume, it has to be researched properly, and the thing going into your ears has to be great.

Visually, it has to make sense. That doesn’t mean it needs to look like a TV show. It just needs to be shot on good cameras. It doesn’t need a million angles, graphics, and all that stuff. I think people often make the mistake of thinking they need all of that. But the video has to represent the values of the product.

I think both of those things show respect to the audience. Personally, if you put something out and ask people to listen to it, and it sounds terrible and looks bad, I think that’s disrespectful.

Particularly if you start off looking and sounding great and then change halfway through. I’m like, “I’ve invested so much time into this, and now you’re switching up on me.”

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you think has excellent production?

James: Las Culturistas, which I mentioned before, is one. There’s another American podcast called So True, hosted by Caleb Hearon, which I think matches exactly what it should be.

There’s also a podcast we just distribute called Queer the Music, and it’s hosted by Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters.

It’s deeply researched. The video is exactly where it should be, the audio sounds brilliant, and the whole thing feels rich as an experience. They’ve even licensed the music they’re talking about so the audience can actually hear it in the episodes.

All those extra steps make me, as a listener, feel like this is important because they’ve made it feel important.

Damilola: Can you mention any podcast that changed your perspective on something?

James: I’ll go with Busy Being Black, one of the podcasts we produce.

We did a live episode once, which was tied to an independent film that was being released, in Brixton in South London, literally under a bridge.

As a producer, it was terrifying. I was thinking, “All of our equipment is going to get stolen. We are literally on the side of the street.”

But so many people showed up for it.

For me, that was the epitome of what happens when you go the extra mile and make something exactly where the audience is, with guests who speak directly to that audience, around a film that was really small but deeply specific to them.

It goes back to what I was saying earlier. If you show that level of respect for the audience, they will come.

Similarly, we also have a podcast called It’s a Continent, which is about all the different countries in Africa. The hosts, Astrid and Chinny, have an incredible depth of research.

As somebody who grew up in the British education system, where you really don’t learn much about the history between the UK and Africa, which is crazy, that podcast is an incredible educational resource.

But also, the stories they tell go much deeper than just “This is the history of Ghana” or whatever. They go far beyond surface-level history, and I think that changes your perspective on everything.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that sent you into a rabbit hole?

James: Oh my God, honestly, I feel like every week there’s one.

There’s a podcast I listen to called The Vergecast. The Verge is a tech news website, and it’s their podcast.

Again, they go very niche on different tech news, particularly around AI. I listen to it every Friday, and it definitely sends me down rabbit holes.

I don’t know if it’s a good rabbit hole or a bad one, but I think with something as game-changing as AI, it’s important to know what’s happening. I can then make up my own mind about whether I think it’s good or not, or whether I want to engage with it.

But hearing how quickly all of this is developing is terrifying, even if it’s exciting.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you’d always recommend?

James: I think an absolute go-to is a podcast we do called The Pieces, which is hosted by Bimini, a drag queen and activist who was on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

I think the podcast dives into a lot of different worlds. Bimini is a great host. It’s funny, but it’s also really informative.

You walk away from every episode having laughed and learned something, and I think the ability to balance those two things is really impressive.

Damilola: Can you mention your favourite podcast created by an African?

James: I’ll say that Astrid and Chinny, who do It’s a Continent, are of African descent.

So yeah, I think It’s a Continent is probably my best answer for that, even though I know it’s produced in the UK.

Damilola: Can you please list five people you’d like to see answer these questions on the newsletter?

James: Issa Rae, Martha Atack, Josh Rivers, Clara Amfo and David Joseph.

Call to Stage

Stay Hydrated

Las Culturistas

So True

Queer the Music

Busy Being Black

It’s a Continent

The Vergecast

The Pieces

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in Mike’s issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about Mike’s approach to audio storytelling.

1. This American Life

Start here.

About this podcast

Each week we choose a theme. Then anything can happen. This American Life is true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Personal stories with funny moments, big feelings, and surprising plot twists. Newsy stories that try to capture what it’s like to be alive right now. It’s the most popular weekly podcast in the world, and winner of the first ever Pulitzer Prize for a radio show or podcast. Hosted by Ira Glass and produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago.

Status: Ongoing

2. Fela Kuti: Fear No Man

Start here.

About this podcast

In Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, Jad Abumrad—creator of Radiolab, More Perfect, and Dolly Parton's America—tells the story of one of the great political awakenings in music: how a classically trained 'colonial boy' traveled to America, in search of Africa, only to return to Nigeria and transform his sound into a battering ram against the state—creating a new musical language of resistance called Afrobeat.

Status: Limited series

3. Our Ancestors Were Messy

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About this podcast

A recap of the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines and then history in pre-Civil Rights Era America. Host Nichole Hill takes her guests through the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Along the way, these ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers.

Status: Last updated April 8 2026

4. Slow Burn

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About this podcast

Slow Burn illuminates America’s most consequential moments, making sense of the past to better understand the present. Through archival tape and first-person interviews, the series uncovers the surprising events and little-known characters lurking within the biggest stories of our time.

Status: Last updated May 13 2026

5. According to Need

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About this podcast

From 99% Invisible, a five and half part series that asks what we’re doing to help people get back inside.

Status: Ended

6. Radio Workshop

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About this podcast

Forget the Africa you think you know. This is Radio Workshop. With real stories about young Africans. From Freetown to Cape Town, hear the world’s youngest population. One story at a time.

Status: April 8 2026

7. I Said What I Said

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About this podcast

Each week, they unpack pop culture, careers, money, dating, family and the many confusions of modern adulthood with brutal honesty, big laughs, and zero pretending.

Status: Ongoing

8. Legally Clueless

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About this podcast

Legally Clueless is a weekly podcast by Kenyan media personality & social activist: Adelle Onyango!! Here, she documents her raw human journey as an evolving unapologetically African woman. The podcast is a space where people get to know just how okay it is to not know or not have it all figured out. It is also a space where Africans share stories from their lives; stories that teach, make us cry, make us laugh - real, authentic African stories.

Status: Ongoing

9. Afrobeats Intelligence

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About this podcast

Through eclectic interviews that spotlight creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and beyond, Joey invites listeners every other Friday to take a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing toward global greatness. Together, we examine the past, present, and future of African music, democratizing access to the ideas, people, and movements shaping its evolution.

Status: Last updated May 8 2026

10. Radio Diaries

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About this podcast

First-person diaries, sound portraits, and hidden chapters of history from Peabody Award-winning producer Joe Richman and the Radio Diaries team. From teenagers to octogenarians, prisoners to prison guards, bra saleswomen to lighthouse keepers. The extraordinary stories of ordinary life. Radio Diaries is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Learn more at radiotopia.fm

Status: Last updated May 7 2026

11. Serial

Start here.

About this podcast

Serial Productions makes narrative podcasts that have transformed the medium.

Status: Last updated Mar 26 2026

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• Part 1 - Meet the Curator: a conversation with our featured curator about their career and perspective on podcasting.

• Part 2 - Curated with Taste: recommendations by the curator according to specific prompts.

• Part 3 - The Curation: the definitive list of all podcasts mentioned in the issue

Whilst Mike Rahfaldt was still in University, he tuned into a National Public Radio station and, for the first time, something on the radio stopped him dead in his tracks. The show playing was This American Life, one of the programmes that revolutionised radio storytelling and podcasting in the United States. Though the episode was less than 15 minutes long, it was enough for Mike to know he wanted more of it.

During his PhD in ethnomusicology, he was asked to work with a group of students on an audio project marking the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. That project made him realise he did not want to become an academic. He enjoyed teaching, but he loved the process of audio storytelling even more.

When his PhD research later took him to Cape Town, Mike worked on a children’s radio programme and several other audio projects that deepened his appreciation for the medium and confirmed just how powerful audio storytelling could be.

Today, Mike Rahfaldt continues to channel that love for audio into shaping the sound and storytelling of Radio Workshop, one of Africa’s most compelling audio shows.

In this issue, he speaks about how his background as a jazz musician influenced the way he approaches audio storytelling, and the shows that left an impression on him.

This interview has been edited for brevity.

Damilola: What draws you to podcasting as a medium for storytelling?

Mike: It can be really focused and niche.

Let’s say you’re only interested in Afrobeats. You can go out there and find any number of podcasts with people talking about it, from Lagos to the US to all over the place, probably even China. I think that’s really interesting.

But the kind of audio storytelling I’m really drawn to is documentary-style storytelling. What draws me to audio more than video is that when you’re interviewing someone, I feel that at a certain point they kind of forget the microphone is there in a way they never forget the camera is there. With video, they’re thinking about their hair, they’re thinking about how they look.

There’s something about audio storytelling and documentary-style storytelling that allows certain kinds of stories to come out in ways you don’t see anywhere else.

That, for me, is always the sweet spot.

Damilola: How do you think this has shaped the way you think about storytelling?

Mike: For me, when I read a print article, sometimes I’ll look at the quotes they pull from someone and they just feel really simple.

What I love about audio is that you can ask someone a question and hear them think. You can hear them be uncomfortable or enthusiastic, and that’s part of how someone shares their experience.

Damilola: What was the first podcast that really stuck with you and why?

Mike: This American Life was definitely one of them.

Another one was a podcast called Radio Diaries. At the time I was listening to it, the person who runs it, Joe Richman, was working only with teenagers.

He made a series of teenage diaries where young people would go to school with a recorder and document their lives, interview their friends, and then late at night lie in bed talking about their worries and dreams for the future.

That really stuck out to me, and I think it informs the kind of work we do at Radio Workshop to this day.

Damilola: What is your favourite podcast that you’ve created and why?

Mike: It’s one we haven’t released yet, and I’m so excited about it.

It’s about a woman in her early or mid-20s learning to ride a bike, and it’s about a lot of things that happened in her life along the way. It’s just really beautiful, and I look forward to everyone hearing it.

Damilola: Is there a projected release date for this?

Mike: Yeah, I think it’ll be out by the end of May.

Damilola: What makes a podcast great to you?

Mike: First of all, I approach podcasting as a sound person. Firstly as a musician, secondly as someone who mixes our episodes and brings them to life with music, and thirdly as someone who helps make sure our interviews are done in a relatively soundproof or quiet environment so they sound as good as they can.

So for me, it has to sound good.

It really starts from the recording itself, from the very beginning. Why fix it after the problem has already started? So do it properly through how you record. That’s a really big one for me.

The other thing is really thinking carefully about using listeners’ time well. Does it move along at the pace it should?

I understand that a lot of people listen to podcasts at work in the background, where they’re kind of listening and kind of not listening, and maybe that makes more sense for them. But I definitely want a podcast that thinks, “Okay, there’s this person who has time and is dedicating it to me right now, and that’s really great. So let’s use this time well.”

And then the third thing would be story.

I always say that when we train people in interviewing, my goal is to make people go into story mode. I want them to tell me a story about something that happened in their life.

It can sound like a boring conversation about governance or civil society, but I want to dig behind that and get someone to tell me about something that happened and reflect on what it means.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you think is a great one?

Mike: I really loved Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.

When I started listening to it, I was scared because I thought there were so many things that could go wrong with it. As someone who’s a musician, someone who’s listened to everything Fela Kuti ever recorded, followed his work, knew a lot about the history, and had seen all kinds of archival footage, I knew how badly it could go if they somehow pissed Nigerians off with the story.

It did such a great job of pulling you into one person’s story when there actually isn’t a lot of footage about him out there. They really had to tell his story through the people around him.

I loved the music. I loved the sound. I loved that it was kind of trippy. Suddenly you’d go into this world where you’re hearing a Fela Kuti track and understanding the process behind it.

I thought it was super brilliant. I think it deserves all the awards.

Damilola: What does a podcast having excellent production mean to you?

Mike: For me, excellent production starts with the recording itself. There are two things you really want to get right.

One is the technical side, and it’s usually not about the kind of microphone you have, although that does matter. It’s more about where you’re going to record.

Am I going to record in this loud, boomy room where I am right now, or do I need to go into the corner of the bedroom and cover myself with blankets to make it sound good?

The second thing is feedback and having an editor.

To me, it’s all about having other people listen to what you’ve made and asking them to be hard critics. Ask them: when were you confused? When were you bored?

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that has excellent production?

Mike: The Fela Kuti: Fear No Man podcast, definitely. That’s excellent production.

And again, Jad, FayFay, and the others who worked on it have a very technical and musical background, and that’s really their thing. You can hear it.

Another one which I think is so great, is a podcast called Our Ancestors Were Messy. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it.

Damilola: Oh yeah! I had Nichole Hill on the newsletter.

Mike: Oh, you did? Great. I love that. She’s amazing.

I think she’s done such great work there. Again, how do you approach these histories when sometimes there isn’t a lot of material to work with? How do you make that sonic and pull people into a whole world through the words you use, the stories you tell, and the sounds and music you weave together?

I think it’s really beautiful and brilliant.

It often gets me thinking how amazing it would be if we could tell stories from the histories of African places we live in through a similar method.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that changed your perspective on something?

Mike: There’s this podcast I listened to years ago called According to Need.

It’s about homeless people in San Francisco, and it really takes you through their experiences.

It was one of those instances where a podcast takes you so deeply into someone’s experience that you start thinking differently about what you imagined that life to be like.

Damilola: Can you mention one that sent you into a rabbit hole?

Mike: There’s this podcast called Slow Burn.

They do these serialised stories about things that happened in history, and it’s really incredible.

That’s one where I’ll start listening and suddenly realise, “Oh my God, did I just listen to seven episodes of this?”

I think it’s that really good combination of slightly cliffhanger-style true crime storytelling, even when it’s not actually a crime story, mixed with really well-told and well-written stories.

Damilola: What is a podcast you’d always recommend?

Mike: I would always recommend listening to any of the Serial podcast series. Some of them I’m really interested in, some of them I’m less interested in, but I always learn something from them, and I always finish them.

I’m not usually someone who finishes series or things like that. I’ll watch four episodes of one thing, four episodes of another, and then completely forget about them because there’s just so much out there.

So whenever I hear that a new Serial series has been released, I’m like, “Okay, cool. I’m definitely going to listen to that.”

Damilola: Can you mention your favourite podcast created by an African?

Mike: It would have to be our Radio Workshop podcast. I hate to say it because I don’t want to promote our own podcast.

Damilola: It’s the most recommended podcast on here so far, so it makes sense.

Mike: Okay, good. Then I’m going to say it.

The reason I’d say that is because each story is produced mostly by a brand-new person. So I feel like it’s more than a podcast. It’s kind of a platform for people to bring all their stories about youth from across the continent, and that’s really great.

I do watch, I Said What I Said sometimes. I also listen to Legally Clueless, which is a Kenyan podcast.

There’s also Afrobeats Intelligence.

I listen to a lot of music podcasts. I think there are a lot of really interesting music podcasts from across Africa, some of which are mostly music-focused and that I really love.

Damilola: Can you please list five people you’d love to see on the newsletter?

Mike: Ncebakazi Manzi, someone interested in the podcasting business, and someone who listens to podcasts that are not in English.

This American Life

Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.

Our Ancestors Were Messy

Slow Burn

Radio Workshop

I Said What I Said

Legally Clueless

Afrobeats Intelligence

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in Andreea’s issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about Andreea’s approach to audio storytelling.

1. The Heart

Start here.

About this podcast

Since 2014 this longstanding podcast favourite has been creating hard-hitting cinematic stories about love, bodies and all of the things between humans that we don’t know how to name. Creator Kaitlin Prest works with her friends, idols and all kinds of loved ones to bring you into an expansive sonic universe that challenges what we think we know about relationships.

Status: Ongoing

2. Who Holds Up Half the Sky

Start here.

About this podcast

“Who Holds up Half the Sky” is an investigative podcast discussing the possibilities of advancing feminist activism in China under censorship and lack of free speech. Influential activist figures appear in China’s history from the Qing dynasty to the Maoist era with its famous quote: “Women Hold up Half the Sky”. But Chinese women have undergone much pressure from foot binding and arranged marriages to unequal pay and domestic violence. Over the years, I have dived deeper into issues of multiculturalism, social activism, and gender identities. This work defines my curiosity which stems from a continuous movement through distinct cultural spaces, which started in China.

Status: Ended

3. What Your Therapist Thinks

Start here.

About this podcast

A mental health show where actual, licensed therapists open up about what they’re really thinking, while answering the internet’s most burning mental health questions. And by burning mental health questions, we mean the stuff you’re posting about anonymously on Reddit in the middle of the night. These therapists aren’t holding back. They’re telling you what they really think including the things they’d never actually say in session. Each week, you’ll hear from expert therapists to break it all down: from emotional numbness and trauma, to self-worth and healing. What Your Therapist Thinks is a weekly, limited run podcast hosted by Kristie Plantinga, founder of Best Therapists, and Felicia Keller Boyle, a licensed somatic therapist in private practice.

Status: Ongoing

4. Let’s Make a Horror

Start here.

About this podcast

Comedians Mark Chavez, Maddy Kelly, and Ryan Beil will make you laugh while they try to make you scream. Over 10 episodes, Mark, Maddy, and Ryan will learn what it takes to make truly frightening horror, interviewing Hollywood writers, directors, and enthusiasts; probing their deepest fears; and eventually taking a stab at writing and directing their own shocking short film.

Status: Last updated Dec 12, 2023

5. Fela Kuti: Fear No Man

Start here.

About this podcast

In Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, Jad Abumrad—creator of Radiolab, More Perfect, and Dolly Parton's America—tells the story of one of the great political awakenings in music: how a classically trained 'colonial boy' traveled to America, in search of Africa, only to return to Nigeria and transform his sound into a battering ram against the state—creating a new musical language of resistance called Afrobeat.

Status: Limited series

6. Creation Myth

Start here.

About this podcast

Get lost in someone else’s life. From a mysterious childhood spent on the run, to a courageous escape from domestic violence, each season of Personally invites you to explore the human experience in all its complexity, one story — or season — at a time. This is what it sounds like to be human.

Status: Last updated March 24 2026

7. We’re Doing the Wiz.

Start here.

About this podcast

In 2004, a racial controversy erupted at a small, mostly white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts. There were protests. TV news crews. A tense all-school assembly. And then, an announcement: the school would stage an iconic American musical that no one saw coming. This is the story of that production.

8. WePod

Start here.

About this podcast

WePod is an innovative multi-partner, cross-border project to support the growth and sustainability of the European podcasting ecosystem.

Developed in response to the changing European news media sector, WePod will create a collaborative framework for the production, distribution, promotion, and monetization of journalistic podcasts.

Status:

9. Climate Vision 2050

Start here.

About this podcast

It’s 2050 and we’re exploring how the world radically reduced carbon emissions and saved itself from climate catastrophe. What have our cities done to accommodate massive population growth? And how do businesses, governments, researchers and everyday people work together to build sustainable supply chains, agricultural practices and transportation infrastructure?

Status: Ended

10. Scam Goddess

Start here.

About this podcast

Scam Goddess is an award-winning comedy podcast dedicated to fraud and all those who practice it. Every episode, the Scam Goddess herself Laci Mosley (iCarly, Better Call Saul) covers the hottest scams on the streets today while also giving in-depth breakdowns of the wildest robberies, rackets, and capers throughout history. It's like true crime, but without all the death—aka True Con!

11. Strangers on a Bench

Start here.

About this podcast

Have you ever walked past a mysterious stranger on a park bench and wondered about their lives? Tom Rosenthal (singer-songwriter by trade) has spent the past year walking through various parks across the UK and Ireland, approaching random bench-dwellers and asking if he can sit next to them and record their conversation. Every stranger remains anonymous, neither name or place of work is ever revealed (even to Tom himself), leading to greater openness, intimacy, and surprising revelations from the participants.

Status: Ongoing

12. Bar Afrique

Start here.

About this podcast

These are the stories about African independence that you've never heard of, told over a drink... or three.

Status: Last updated Dec 2 2025

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• Part 1 - Meet the Curator: a conversation with our featured curator about their career and perspective on podcasting.

• Part 2 - Curated with Taste: recommendations by the curator according to specific prompts.

• Part 3 - The Curation: the definitive list of all podcasts mentioned in the issue

The first time Andreea heard The Heart, she was mind blown that something with such fantastic sound design and storytelling could exist. It was her first real introduction to podcasting, courtesy of a mentor who recommended the show to her.

That experience opened her up to the possibilities of the medium, and she decided to get into podcasting because she had experiences from her life across Romania, China, and the United States that she wanted to make sense of alongside everything else happening in the world. One such project was a podcast that explored reproductive rights in light of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, while shedding light on similar policies that had once existed in Romania and the devastating effects they had on children and families.

Over the years, Andreea has carved out a place for herself within the podcasting industry through her podcast newsletter, Eurowaves, which acts as a bridge that connects audio lovers across the continent, and through PodVision, the podcast production and growth company she co-founded.

In this interview, she speaks about the importance of intentionality in podcast production, and why podcasting remains such a powerful medium for connecting people across cultures and experiences.

This interview has been edited for brevity.

Damilola: What draws you to podcasting as a medium for storytelling?

Andreea: For storytelling specifically, I think it’s how intimate it is. That sounds kind of cliché, and it’s very “audio-first people” to say that, but I’m biased toward it.

It takes away every layer. You do not see the person’s face or where they’re from unless you’re told. You know absolutely nothing about them, and you only get to hear their voice. It really enhances the emotional aspect of whatever story you’re trying to share.

Second of all, it’s the imagination that the listener has to bring in. I’m talking mostly about the narrative aspect because that’s some of my favourite stuff to listen to. It’s absolutely such a different experience from watching a movie or a TV show.

It slows you down, and it makes you more intentional about how you consume it, which we all need.

Damilola: How do you think it has shaped the way you think about storytelling?

Andreea: I think it just opened my mind to how many creative ways there are to tell a story. Also, the fact that it’s so accessible to anyone.

For example, at the time, I produced this little piece called Whose Choice Is My Choice, which was specifically about reproductive rights. I could do it with a relatively cheap microphone, put the ideas together inspired by podcasts I have listened to, and already have an episode to share with the world.

I had people reach out to me from China and from back home saying, “I listened to it, and I loved it.” It really made it possible for me to share those ideas in a unique way.

Damilola: What was the first podcast or episode that really stuck with you, and why?

Andreea: It was The Heart. I don’t remember the very first episode I listened to from them, but I can really recommend one of their series, which is my favourite. It’s called Sisters.

It’s about Kaitlin (the host) and her sister and their relationship. As an only child, I’m very interested in sibling relationships and a little sad that I don’t get to experience one. I was really invested in hearing all the sad moments, dramatic moments, tragic moments, and also the very wholesome ones.

I think the vulnerability shown through that series, the openness, and the transparency with which they share their story is unbelievable.

Damilola: What is the favourite podcast you’ve created, and why?

Andreea: There’s a podcast from Tink that recommends other shows. It’s called Feed the Queue.

There’s one I created in 2022 and I really love. It’s called Who Holds Up Half the Sky. It’s a 30-minute episode about feminism in China.

I lived there for a couple of years before moving to the States. While I was living in China, I honestly had no idea what the situation for women there was like. Then when I came to the States and got more involved in feminism as a whole, I started looking into it and discovered so many things I wanted to put together.

We talk about queer people in China as well. We talk about reproductive rights and how women everywhere in the world can work together to advocate for our rights.

That’s really one of my favourite pieces I’ve made because it brought together all those different cultural and language elements.

Damilola: What makes a podcast great to you?

Andreea: I think what makes a podcast great is making sure your “why” is clear from the very beginning because everything else comes from that. Your branding becomes super clear. You’re not going to put a microphone on your podcast cover art because you’ll know that’s not the vibe you’re trying to give. You’re trying to communicate what the show is actually about.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you think is great, and why?

Andreea: I’ll give a shameless shout-out to the first end-to-end podcast we worked on at PodVision, which is called What Your Therapist Thinks.

Kristie and Felicia came to us with the concept already developed. They had worked on it with Jeremy Enns, who basically helps podcasters shape their ideas. We then handled the branding, production, growth, and everything else.

The fact that they had the concept clear from the beginning was a huge game changer. It was very clear to everyone, not just listeners, but also me as the growth person, the people I was pitching to, podcast newsletters, podcasting apps, everybody. They understood immediately what it was about.

Damilola: What does a podcast having excellent production mean to you?

Andreea: I think excellent production means actually taking advantage of the medium you’re working in. If we’re talking about audio, then it’s everything we were discussing earlier: the imagination required from listeners, the creativity, all of that. Take advantage of it. Bring in different voices. Use archival sounds. Really make it fun and interesting.

Or if it’s two people chatting on microphones, make sure your format is clear. That’s super important. Make sure your production schedule has intentionality behind it. You’re not just bringing random friends on and that’s it.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that has excellent production?

Andreea: I love Let’s Make a Horror podcast. It’s not narrative storytelling like we’ve been talking about, but the format is really well done and very well structured.

Fela Kuti: Fear No Man is amazing. It was podcast of the year last year, and the way it was done was just wow. It gave me a bit of that same mind-blowing feeling I had with The Heart because of how they handled, I think, episode four specifically. The way they talked about repetitions and loops, which Fela Kuti based a lot of his work on, they tried to make listeners feel that through the sound design and editing. It was just so cool.

Creation Myth from CBC is really cool as well. It’s about a woman’s decision on whether or not to have children and how she’s grappling with that, mostly through interviews.

And one more that I really loved is called We’re Doing the Wiz. It’s essentially about a school where they decided to do The Wizard of Oz as their musical that year. Anyway, it’s very interesting and, again, very well made.

Damilola: Can you mention any podcast that changed your perspective on something?

Andreea: I have two examples.

One of them is WePod, which is a consortium of media organisations in Europe that work in podcasting. They all got together and applied for funding from the European Union. They received it for two years and produced a few cross-border podcasts done in different languages. The level of production was absolutely insane.

Another example I could give is BCG’s branded podcast produced by Lower Street called Climate Vision 2050. It’s a fiction podcast about what the world would look like in 2050 if we actually overcame climate change. Each episode takes place in a different part of the world. It’s super cool. It basically follows a character through their day and all of that.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that sent you into a rabbit hole?

Andreea: I think Scam Goddess is a good example. It’s very fun. It’s hosted by Laci Mosley, who is a comedian, actress, author, and a bunch of other things.

Basically, in each episode she brings on a comedian, and together they look at a scam from history. It could be from recent history or whenever. Because you have two comedians in the room and the scams are so well researched, the episodes become hilarious.

Obviously, it’s been very successful because she now has a book out and she’s touring. I think it’s an interesting case study in what you can build. Granted, I believe it’s under iHeartMedia, so she’s not necessarily an independent podcaster.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you’d always recommend?

Andreea: I had to think about this one too because recommending podcasts is so hard. You really have to recommend them based on the person. Otherwise, it feels like you have one chance, and if you recommend the wrong one, you lose them.

I recommend Strangers on a Bench. It’s simple. It introduces people a little bit to the idea of audio-only or audio-first storytelling.

I think it’s a nice introduction to storytelling. It’s very raw. He’s a great interviewer, and there are so many beautiful moments that come out of it.

Damilola: Can you mention your favourite podcast created by an African?

Andreea: Yes. We recently spoke at Podvision with Bar Afrique.

They do really great work. They basically talk about African history over a glass of wine. The creators have great chemistry with each other.

We discovered them because my husband, my co-founder at PodVision, is from Madagascar. He found an episode where they talk about Malagasy history, and it’s actually very rare to find media pieces talking specifically about that.

Damilola: Can you list five people you’d love to see on the newsletter?

Andreea: Ana Xavier, Aiwan Obinyan, Justine Perez, Julio Ponce Marín and Jullian Androkae.

The Heart

Sisters

Who Holds Up Half the Sky

What Your Therapist Thinks

Let’s Make a Horror

Fela Kuti: Fear No Man

Creation Myth

We’re Doing the Wiz.

WePod

Climate Vision 2050

Scam Goddess

Strangers on a Bench

Bar Afrique

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in Adaorah’s issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about Adaorah’s approach to audio storytelling.

1. Uncooked Women

Start here.

About this podcast

Joined by the most interesting people in West African gastronomy, award-winning food writer, Adaorah Oduah, digs into food, culture, and everything in between.

Status: Last updated Apr 11, 2025.

2. Gastropod

Start here.

About this podcast

Food with a side of science and history. Every other week, co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley serve up a brand new episode exploring the hidden history and surprising science behind a different food- or farming-related topic, from aquaculture to ancient feasts, from cutlery to chile peppers, and from microbes to Malbec. We interview experts, visit labs, fields, and archaeological digs, and generally have lots of fun while discovering new ways to think about and understand the world through food.

Status: Ongoing

3. Ologies with Alie Ward

Start here.

About this podcast

Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.

Status: Ongoing

4. Submarine and a Roach

Start here.

About this podcast

Nigeria's #1 Comedy Podcast aka The Funniest Podcast in Nigeria

Status: Ongoing

5. I Said What I Said

Start here.

About this podcast

I Said What I Said is one of Africa’s biggest podcasts, hosted by friends Jola (Jollz) and Feyikemi (FK) Abudu, who have been saying the quiet parts out loud since 2017.

Each week, they unpack pop culture, careers, money, dating, family and the many confusions of modern adulthood with brutal honesty, big laughs, and zero pretending.

Come for the banter.

Stay for the hot takes, hard truths, and the comfort of knowing somebody else is also figuring life out.

Status: Ongoing

6. Not Past It

Start here.

About this podcast

Ever wonder why the world is the way it is? Like, 1000s of years of humanity and this is the version of the world we came up with. This one? Same. Each Wednesday on Not Past It host Simone Polanen will pick a moment from that very same week in history -- and tell you how it shaped our lives today.

Status: Last updated March 26, 2025

7. Science Vs

Start here.

About this podcast

There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Science Vs is the show from Spotify Studios that finds out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between. We do the hard work of sifting through all the science so you don't have to and cover everything from 5G and ADHD, to Fluoride and Fasting Diets.

Status: Ongoing

8. The Sporkful

Start here.

About this podcast

3x James Beard Award winner. Named one of TIME's 100 Best Podcasts Of All Time. We obsess about food to learn more about people. It's not for foodies, it's for eaters. Hosted by Dan Pashman, inventor of the viral pasta shape cascatelli.

Status: Ongoing

9. Thirst Aid Kits

Start here.

About this podcast

Thirst is natural… so let’s celebrate it! Join Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins as they dig deep into the various ways women express their thirst, asking: why do we desire who we desire? At a time when men are Not Doing Great, Bim and Nichole want to ask keep asking questions about Hollywood inclusion and opportunity, through illuminating and hilarious conversations with special guests, original fanfic designed to make you sit up, and of course [REDACTED]. Bring a straw… and come thirst with us.

Status: Feb 8, 2021

10. Pour Minds

Start here.

About this podcast

Two single Houstonians residing in Atlanta, Drea and Lex are navigating their way through life, friendships and dating. Discussing all the hot topics while getting lit on their favorite wine along the way! Just like having a good ol' drunk therapy session with your friends, pull up a chair, join the convo and wine down!

Status: Ongoing

11. Carnivores

Start here.

About this podcast

Carnivores is a narrative podcast that explores the rivalries, conflicts, and cultural flashpoints that have shaped modern Nigerian society. Each episode unpacks one unforgettable beef—tracing its roots, players, and fallout. Through immersive storytelling, interviews, reenactments, and archival moments, Carnivores examines how these public feuds have impacted Nigerian Popular Culture.

Insightful, entertaining, and unflinching, Carnivores goes beyond the headlines to reveal the stories behind the fights.

Status: Last updated Sept 16, 2025

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• Part 1 - Meet the Curator: a conversation with our featured curator about their career and perspective on podcasting.

• Part 2 - Curated with Taste: recommendations by the curator according to specific prompts.

• Part 3 - The Curation: the definitive list of all podcasts mentioned in the issue

When We Just Got Back, Submarine and a Roach, and I Said What I Said first started about a decade ago, Adaorah Oduah was keyed in. She describes the early days of those shows as unhinged because of the industry’s novelty and the lack of pressure to be polished. People were simply experimenting, and having fun.

During her Master’s, the medium was presented to her in a more structured, academic way through a food journalism course taught by Nicola Twilley, co-host of the food podcast Gastropod.

Adaorah herself began creating in 2020, when she realised the medium could be taken seriously. She knew she wanted to enter the Nigerian media industry and was looking for an avenue with the lowest barrier to entry as a graduate student without a job or much money.

She created her first podcast, Uncooked Women, as a way to explore food and culture. Since then, she has gone on to create more shows that experiment with form and push beyond conversational formats into more immersive and intentional storytelling.

In this interview, she speaks about her approach to storytelling as a form of teaching, and how a podcast’s greatest strength is doing what it sets out to.

Damilola: What draws you to podcasting as a medium for storytelling?

Adaorah: I think it’s the ownership of voice. It’s one thing to write something and see your name attached to it, but it’s another thing to hear it directly from someone’s mouth. There’s a sense of agency in that.

Damilola: How has it shaped how you think about storytelling?

Adaorah: It has shaped it in so many ways. Storytelling is the buzzword right now, but the truth is, storytelling is teaching. It’s just a more appealing word for it. Teaching doesn’t always bring financial value, but storytelling does.

At its core, storytelling is managing information in a compelling way so your audience can receive it, remember it, and pass it on. That’s teaching.

Coming in as a researcher and evolving into a storyteller, podcasting taught me that knowledge is a production. You create knowledge by reading and researching, but when you’re storytelling, when you’re teaching, it becomes a production.

There’s a difference between teaching chemistry with pen and paper and teaching it in a lab. Podcasting showed me the science behind the arts, the physical production. A story has to be hands-on, it needs sensitivity, and there has to be a show-and-tell element. You can’t just tell.

Damilola: What is your favourite podcast you’ve created and why?

Adaorah: You’re asking me to pick between my children. I’ll say Free The People. It’s the most experimental. She’s experimental, fun, and unique. There’s nothing else like her.

Damilola: What makes a podcast great to you?

Adaorah: I’d say being goal-oriented. A great podcast does what it sets out to do. It doesn’t try to be something else.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast you think is great?

Adaorah: Ologies with Alie Ward. In every episode, they take a topic and approach it almost like a scientific task. It’s very interesting. That’s what I’m enjoying right now, and I really love Alie Ward. She’s very quirky and educated.

Damilola: What does excellent podcast production mean to you?

Adaorah: It’s immersive. It has to be like music. I have to forget whatever I’m doing and really listen to it.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that has excellent production?

Adaorah: I’ll say two. Not Past It and Science Vs. Not Past It is a history podcast, and Science Vs is a science podcast.

I enjoy when the host sounds genuinely interested in what they’re talking about. Both shows feel that way. Then there’s the production. For me, there needs to be a score. Both of them have scores, and they also have sound design.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that changed your perspective on something?

Adaorah: I’m going to say The Sporkful by Dan Pashman.

Every podcast at that time was chatcast so it seemed like a prerequisite that you have a co-host. But The Sporkful made me realise you could do a podcast solo. And the podcast won a James Baird Award so, it changed my perspective on what’s possible.

Damilola: Can you mention a podcast that sent you down a rabbit hole?

Adaorah: Thirst Aid Kits by Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins. It’s a show that I’ve listened to over again, multiple times. It is so good. Bim Adewunmi is one of the most incredible journalists and storytellers on the planet. That show is fun but revolutionary. That is a show where they just thirst about their favourite celebrities.

Damilola: What is a podcast you’d always recommend?

Adaorah: Pour Minds by Drea Nicole and Lex P.

I’ve been listening to Pour Minds since before it started popping off. It reminds me of We Just Got Back, which used to be my favourite podcast. If that show were still around, I would be its chief campaigner. It is so important for bad bitches to be behind a mic.

Damilola: Can you mention your favourite podcast created by an African?

Adaorah: Submarine and a Roach, and as an honorary mention, Carnivores, because that has all of my girls, Damilola Oyeleke, Naomi Ezenwa and Adetoun Samiat.

Damilola: Can you list five people you’d like to see on the newsletter?

Adaorah: Modupe Daramola, Ore Adesalu, Christina Ifubaraboye, Astrid Madimba, Chinny Ukata and Shankar Vedantam.

Uncooked Women

Gastropod

Submarine and a Roach

I Said What I Said

Ologies with Alie Ward

Not Past It

Science Vs

The Sporkful

Thirst Aid Kits

Pour Minds

Carnivores

The goal is to spotlight Africa’s growing podcast scene and make it easier for listeners everywhere to discover the incredible shows being produced from the continent.

In this issue:

• Podcasts Created by Africans: A curated list of shows by African creators, recommended by our curators.

• Previously Featured: Shows from the first edition that have been recommended again since their initial feature.

Think someone you know would appreciate this newsletter? Send it their way!

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1. Sweet Medicine

Start here.

Recommended by Ayodeji Rotinwa.

About this podcast

How have Nigerians been taught to think about how to be in the world? Sweet Medicine is a project about the reclamation of the humanities in a post-SAP Nigeria because the humanities are the necessary foundation for genuine and ethical technical and societal development.

Status: Last updated Dec 15 2024

2. It’s a Continent

Start here.

Recommended by Nichole Hill.

About this podcast

Africa is a continent, and we’re here to prove it. Join hosts Chinny and Astrid as we uncover key moments in African history that have shaped the continent, one nation at a time. Our episodes are bite-sized, perfect for history lovers and curious minds.

Status: Last updated Mar 10, 2026

3. I Like Girls

Start here.

Recommended by Adetoun Samiat.

About this podcast

I Like Girls - with Aisha Salaudeen - is a show exploring the diverse stories of African women. Each episode offers firsthand insights into how gender shapes women’s lives.

Status: Ended

4. The Republic

Start here

Recommended by Ayodeji Rotinwa.

About the podcast

The Republic is a narrative podcast series exploring pivotal Nigerian and broader African historical events and figures. In the second season, host Wale Lawal traces the life and legacy of writer and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa. For much of the 90s, Saro-Wiwa led a non-violent movement against oil pollution in the Niger Delta’s Ogoniland. The Nigerian government, however, responded by arresting and later executing Saro-Wiwa and 8 other activists. How did this incident reshape Nigeria’s trajectory?

Status: Season 2 ended Feb 16, 2025

5. Okay Kiasi

Start here.

Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba.

About the podcast

Okay Kiasi is a weekly podcast aimed at sharing our experiences and perspectives on various topics as siblings from a blended family.

Status: Ended Nov 14 2023

6. S***hole Country

Start here.

Recommended by Nichole Hill.

About this podcast

Afia Kaakyire (LOL not her real name, her parents would kill her) has a decision to make. And by God, her family is going to help her figure this s*** out.

Join her in this eight-part podcast series as she forages for guidance in their shared histories — true tales dipped in entrepreneurial dreams, green card anxieties, complicated love, and liberal portions of the world’s best jollof — during a long-awaited trip to Ghana.

Status: Ended

7. Living Truthfully

Start here.

Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba.

About the podcast

Authentic conversations of an African Man, discovering self, owning choices, building spirituality, parenting, navigating relationships, work and business and all that is life.

Status: Last updated Oct 21 2025 (YouTube)

8. Legally Clueless

Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba.

About the podcast

Legally Clueless is a weekly podcast by Kenyan media personality & social activist: Adelle Onyango!! Here, she documents her raw human journey as an evolving unapologetically African woman. The podcast is a space where people get to know just how okay it is to not know or not have it all figured out. It is also a space where Africans share stories from their lives; stories that teach, make us cry, make us laugh - real, authentic African stories.

Status: Ongoing

9. Into the Podverse

Start here.

Recommended by Arielle Nissenblatt.

About the podcast

Into The Podverse explores the innovation, challenges, and opportunities shaping African and global podcasting. Host Tony Doe shares insights, strategies, and stories from creators across Nigeria and beyond. Learn how new tools, content approaches, and market realities are helping podcasters grow and build sustainable shows. This podcast guides creators, educators, and listeners through the evolving African and global audio landscape.

Status: Ongoing

10. Nigeria Politics Weekly

Start here.

Recommended by Jill Achineku.

About this podcast

Weekly discussion between Nigeriasbest and phoenix_agenda.

Status: Ongoing

11. Tea with Tay

Start here.

Recommended by Adetoun Samiat.

About this podcast

Tea With Tay is a sweet gist type of show hosted by Taymesan. Every week he discusses societal issues and personal experience in a fun light-hearted and entertaining way. Sometimes with your favourite celebrities, and sometimes with guest with intriguing and exceptional stories, either way Taymesan gets the tea.

Status: Ongoing

12.True Crime South Africa

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Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba.

About the podcast

True Crime South Africa covers solved and unsolved South African true crime cases.

Status: Ongoing

13. Road to 30

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Recommended by Ayo Moore.

About this podcast

This podcast is hosted by Dolly & Isaac and they discuss everything from the challenges, highs, lows and excitements as young people in their 20s on the road to turning 30.

Status: Last updated Nov 30 2025

14. 2 Broke Twimbos

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Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba.

About the podcast

What do you get when you combine two Zimbabweans with absolutely no financial muscle nor any real life influence? When all they possess is body odour & Twitter accounts? Welcome to 2 Broke Twimbos.

Status: Ongoing

15. The Joyride

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Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba.

About the podcast

Welcome onboard the ultimate Joy Ride. Hosted by celebrated Kenyan Content Creators and dynamic duo Ben Cyco and Wanjiru Njiru, the JoyRide is a celebration and conversation of all life is and we would be delighted if you hopped on the ride.

Status: Last updated Nov 20 2025

16. Mama Tales

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Recommended by Gathoni Ngumba.

About the podcast

What began as occasional storytelling on Instagram has grown into a full-fledged podcast connecting parents from all walks of life. Based in Nairobi, Mama Tales brings relatable, realistic, and insightful content for parents navigating the highs, lows, and everyday adventures of raising children. From the joys and challenges of early motherhood to the broader journey of parenting, each episode is designed to meet you where you are on your parenting path. Join host Sally and guests as they share stories, tips, and experiences that make the parenting journey a little less daunting and a lot more.

Status: Last updated Sept 2nd 2025

17. AfroQueer

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Recommended by Ayodeji Rotinwa.

About this podcast

AfroQueer is a podcast about Queer Africans living, loving, surviving and thriving on the African Continent and in the Diaspora.

Status: Last updated Feb 12 2024

18. radio workshop

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Recommended by Ayodeji Rotinwa and Lauren Passell.

About this podcast

Forget the Africa you think you know. This is Radio Workshop. With real stories about young Africans. From Freetown to Cape Town, hear the world’s youngest population. One story at a time.

Status: Ongoing

19. I Said What I Said

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Recommended by Ayo Moore.

About this podcast

I Said What I Said is one of Africa’s biggest podcasts, hosted by friends Jola (Jollz) and Feyikemi (FK) Abudu, who have been saying the quiet parts out loud since 2017.

Each week, they unpack pop culture, careers, money, dating, family and the many confusions of modern adulthood with brutal honesty, big laughs, and zero pretending.

Come for the banter.

Stay for the hot takes, hard truths, and the comfort of knowing somebody else is also figuring life out.

Status: Ongoing

20. Fela Kuti: Fear No Man

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Recommended by Ayo Moore.

About this podcast

In a world that’s on fire, what is the role of art? What can music actually…do?

Can a song save a life? Change a law? Topple a president? Get you killed?

In Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, Jad Abumrad—creator of Radiolab, More Perfect, and Dolly Parton’s America—tells the story of one of the great political awakenings in music: how a classically trained ‘colonial boy’ traveled to America, in search of Africa, only to return to Nigeria and transform his sound into a battering ram against the state—creating a new musical language of resistance called Afrobeat.

Status: Limited Series

21. Carnivores

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Recommended by Adetoun Samiat.

About this podcast

Carnivores is a narrative podcast that explores the rivalries, conflicts, and cultural flashpoints that have shaped modern Nigerian society. Each episode unpacks one unforgettable beef—tracing its roots, players, and fallout. Through immersive storytelling, interviews, reenactments, and archival moments, Carnivores examines how these public feuds have impacted Nigerian Popular Culture.

Status: Last updated Sept 16 2025

22. Uncultured

Start here.

Recommended by Adetoun Samiat.

About this podcast

Uncultured is a show that uses stories and conversations with cultural connoisseurs to deep dive into Nigeria’s history and bring you interesting answers to our most random and relevant questions, like – What is Afrobeats? What started Nigeria and Ghana’s beef ? And why the nostalgia for old Nollywood all of a sudden? Listen as we explore the who, what, why and where’s of some of the richest subjects in Nigerian culture.

Status: Ongoing

Every week, we ask the people who live and breathe podcasting —producers, writers, editors, and culture shapers— to share their journey in podcasting and the shows that have left a lasting impression long after the credits played.

In this newsletter:

• The Curation: the list of podcasts mentioned in Adetoun’s issue, with specific episodes to start with.

  Read the full interview to learn more about Adetoun’s approach to audio storytelling.

1. Death, Sex & Money

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About this podcast

Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.Get more Death, Sex & Money with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of DSM and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts.

Status: Ongoing

2. Carnivores

Start here.

About this podcast

Carnivores is a narrative podcast that explores the rivalries, conflicts, and cultural flashpoints that have shaped modern Nigerian society. Each episode unpacks one unforgettable beef—tracing its roots, players, and fallout. Through immersive storytelling, interviews, reenactments, and archival moments, Carnivores examines how these public feuds have impacted Nigerian Popular Culture.

Status: Last updated Sept 16 2025

3. Modern Love

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About this podcast

For more than 20 years, the Modern Love column has given New York Times readers a glimpse into the complicated love lives of real people. Since its start, the column has evolved into a TV show, three books and a podcast. Each week, host Anna Martin brings you stories and conversations about love in all its glorious permutations, dumb pitfalls and life-changing moments.

Status: Ongoing

4. Uncultured

Start here.

About this podcast

Uncultured is a show that uses stories and conversations with cultural connoisseurs to deep dive into Nigeria’s history and bring you interesting answers to our most random and relevant questions, like – What is Afrobeats? What started Nigeria and Ghana’s beef ? And why the nostalgia for old Nollywood all of a sudden? Listen as we explore the who, what, why and where’s of some of the richest subjects in Nigerian culture.

Status: Ongoing

5. Radiolab

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About this podcast

Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is known for innovative sound design, smashing information into music.

Status: Ongoing

6. Tea with Tay

Start here.

About this podcast

Tea With Tay is a sweet gist type of show hosted by Taymesan. Every week he discusses societal issues and personal experience in a fun light-hearted and entertaining way. Sometimes with your favourite celebrities, and sometimes with guest with intriguing and exceptional stories, either way Taymesan gets the tea.

Status: Ongoing

7. Mythology

Start here.

About this podcast

Ancient myths, modern twists. This episodic audio drama brings history’s greatest stories to life, analyzing their origins and giving insight into how our ancestors saw the universe.

Mythology is a Spotify Original from Parcast.

8. I Like Girls

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About this podcast

I Like Girls - with Aisha Salaudeen - is a show exploring the diverse stories of African women. Each episode offers firsthand insights into how gender shapes women's lives.

Status: Ended