Spark’s ‘Top of the Pods’
By Caitlin
From parenting tips to unsolved murders, if you can think of a topic, it’s likely there are some podcasters out there chatting about it. Podcasts are a great way to learn something new and perfect for the commute to work.
Podcasting is now so mainstream that there are many shows that cross over with industries and topics we cover with our clients. I asked some of our Spark team what their favourite podcasts are, and many of them directly cross, or at least run in parallel, to areas of their work life.
You can often find our own ‘NearlyWed’ Serena listening to the new podcast from Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo, or Marnie talking about her go-to podcast, Off Menu. But the team also listens to a healthy mix of current affairs and investigative journalism pods. Here are some top recommendations from the Spark team.
I tend to switch between listening to slightly trashy pop culture podcasts and investigative journalism podcasts (when I’m feeling more highbrow). Right now, I’m listening to Serial, an investigative journalism series co-created by Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder.
Season One is almost like a murder mystery, except that it isn't really. Essentially, while crime has occurred, and the accused has spent (at the time the series aired) their entire adult life in jail – there’s a serious chance that the courts got it wrong. Following seasons explore other various other failures of the US judicial system (and wider society).
I’ll admit I’m a bit late to the party here. But after binging the entire first four seasons in the past month, I consider myself a huge fan.
A brand-new daily podcast from three of the UK’s top journalists – Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – is the must listen according to Michelle. The News Agents has been frequently dubbed an alternative to Radio 4’s Today, but everyone knows it’s real rival is The Rest Is Politics (which Michelle would like to point out she actually recommended to Nick, before you read his suggestion below).
“This is the podcast to listen for expert breaking news analysis,” says Michelle. “And you can rely on these three former BBC heavyweights to deliver it with a healthy dose of scepticism, and a great panel of guests.”
If you’re also politically minded, you should take your podcast recommendations from Nick. His personal favourite lifts the lid on Westminster secrets, giving listeners an insider’s view of both UK and international politics.
“This podcast is all about disagreeing agreeably,” says Nick. “The hosts are Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart. Alistair is centre left. Stewart is centre right. With both having worked in politics themselves, you really get an inside look into what goes on behind the curtain – plus funny anecdotes about people currently in office.”
WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork
Meanwhile Andy recently found himself having flashbacks to a podcast series he enjoyed when he went to a client meeting at a WeWork office. The WeCrashed series covers the colourful story of the company that has redrawn the office landscape in many cities around the world.
“There’s a nice mix of start-up businesses, tech “disruptors” and outlandish management behaviour in the WeWork story, and this podcast series really brings it to life,” says Andy. “A friend I met after work that day was really surprised I’d been to a WeWork office, as he thought the company had shut down. As the story was drawn out over a couple of years, lots of us know some elements of what happened but not the whole thing – so this series would be interesting to lots of people.”
It would be wrong for us not to shout out some favourite technology podcasts here, and Kelly duly obliged with her recommendation. She says that if you’re looking to hear about the latest ways leaders are transforming their business with technology, look no further than Tech Talks Daily from tech columnist and podcaster Neil C. Hughes.
“It’s fascinating to hear from IT enterprise leaders and problem solvers about how they’re using innovative technology to help their businesses overcome challenges,” says Kelly. “This is one to follow closely as companies navigate the looming recession and cost of living crisis.”
On the rise
Growing numbers of our favourite publications in the B2B tech space also have their own podcasts, like Computer Weekly, IT Pro and Silicon. This is an interesting way to share industry expertise from our clients.
As you can see, there are some really interesting ideas being downloaded across the team. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to listen to the next series of Serial.