2021 wrapped up on a strange note, but during these days of ambiguity, the art of podcasting continued to grow bigger and better. Audiobook production became more creative, and podcasters offered a wide range of topics to listen to. Here’s a list worth starting 2022 with.
Ongoing History of New Music
Podcasts that use the medium to explore the history of audio recording have a special place in every listener’s heart, and that’s just the case with Ongoing History of New Music. An episode of the show could profile an eminent musician or band, a momentous musical trend, or a theme. Hosted by legendary TV writer Alan Cross, you’re definitely going to learn something new and intriguing after each episode.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
Virus 2062 with Ali Fazal & Richa Chadha
Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha are already everyone’s favourite couple, and now they are doing something new and creative. The two decided to voice an intriguing podcast named Virus 2026 this year. The podcast is an account of a doctor-patient conversation that gets darker with each episode. The patient is played by Fazal, while Chadha voices the role of the doctor. Patient 63 – Peter Perera is telling Dr Gayatri that he is from the future, travelling back in the past from the year 2062. Perera has travelled to warn people about a deadly pandemic, and each episode narrates a different incident from their conversation. What keeps you hooked is the fact that one can relate to the conversation, considering we are already surviving a pandemic.
Listen on: Spotify
The Sex Podcast by Leeza Mangaldas
Leeza Mangaldas has become synonymous with everything sex ed. While she was already quite popular for her content on Instagram and YouTube, the content creator now has a podcast as well. The Sex Podcast, as the name suggests, is a holistic series on everything sex. Keeping all the standpoints in the loop, including sexuality, gender, identity, gender biases, pleasure, love, consent, communication, etc., Mangaldas is answering frequently asked sex-related questions with candid, judgment-free, and factual responses.
Listen on: Spotify
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Anthony Bourdain, world-renowned chef, bestselling author, and Emmy winner, might just be everybody’s favourite travel documentarian, and is greatly missed. One of the most popular travel series from CNN, hosted by Bourdain, has now been turned into a podcast for everyone to listen to. In the podcast, the late chef talks about little-known destinations and their diverse cultures. Starting from Myanmar, the series concludes with the Lower East Side in New York City, and is a great way to travel the world virtually.
Listen on: CNN Audio
Pride and Prejudice
Hosted by Suryatapa Mukherjee, Pride and Prejudice is a podcast on all things LGBTQIA+ that might be missed during mainstream discussions. The podcast is a well-researched guide about queer history, loopholes in the law, HIV interventions for queer youth, queer safe spaces in conflict zones, and the community’s everyday lives. This series is made by, of, and for queer people, and is quite informational for you to miss.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
Dear Daughter
Namulanta Kombo, the winner of BBC’s International Podcast Competition 2021, decided to create a podcast of letters written to daughters around the world. Dear Daughter is uproarious, heart-breaking, and ultimately authentic. It narrates incidents, accounts, extraordinary life stories, and advice from people of all age groups.
Listen on: BBC Sounds
Grit and Growth
Up-and-coming entrepreneurs from Africa and South Asia talk about their stories of hardships and accomplishments in Grit and Growth. The podcast helps you gain insights and direction on how to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. Each episode familiarises you with professional guidance, beneficial business tips, and leadership strategies from Stanford University faculty and global business experts.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
