Podcasts have long been a part of my daily routine and though I’ve said these are my favourite podcasts to cook to, they’re also the podcasts I like to cry, laugh, chill, clean, dance, get ready and zone-the-f-out-to. Usually a way to wind down and destress, I love that I can dip in and out to different series and pick what I fancy listening to based on my mood. I love that there are no screens involved, that I can pause and re-wind and that I feel like I’m taking a bit of time for me. Podcasts have always made me feel creative and excited about my work. Right now they’re helping me think about anything other than the news (as well as zone out from Rob’s loud work calls in our current joint office/dining room/at home gym situ).
I’m all about food and uplifting, thought-provoking, informative podcasts (if true crime podcasts are your thing then this might not be the list for you) and I’m excited to share some of my favourites below. For optimal listening, make sure you subscribe using your podcast feed of choice, whenever you spot a podcast that you like the sound of. Then check in, maybe add some to a playlist and enjoy.
All things food
Radio Cherry Bombe. Creators of the popular food magazine in the US, the team at Radio Cherry Bombe interview ‘lady movers and shakers’ in the industry, including chefs, bakers, cookbook writers, and others. I’ve loved learning about brilliant females that I might not have otherwise come across – every now and then there’s a name I recognise, such as Anna Jones and Aran Goyoaga, but a lot of the time I learn about wonderful woman I didn’t know – including big time food stylist Susan Spungen (who styled the food on Julie & Julia!).
Home Cooking. Samin Nosrat is a joy to listen to. I saw her talk in London a few years back and I was just captivated. Home Cooking is her new podcast with Hrishikesh Hirway about quarantine cooking. It’s wonderful and great at helping you figure out what to cook with whatever you’ve got on hand.
Honey and Co: The Food Talks. This podcast makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. With intimate recordings held at Honey and Spice in front of a small group of guests, cooks, waiters, makers, writers, drinkers, thinkers are all interviewed; the team have something to eat, a glass of wine and then their guest tells their story of making a life in food. The Alison Roman interview was divine.
Table Manners with Jessie Ware. (And her brilliant mother, Lennie). I love listening in as the pair talk through their guest’s life, loves and favourite foods. Aisling Be, Emilia Clarke, Mark Ronson and Samin Nosrat have all been glorious and their recent episode, with brilliant duo Mel and Sue was exactly what I needed in my life right now. Their new interview with Florence Pugh is on my to-listen list.
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster. This podcast sees Ed Gamble and James Acaster talk to guests about their dream menu, from starter to dessert. It’s funny, sometimes thought-provoking and often just really easy listening. The episode with Emmy-nominated Sian Clifford (Fleabag) was a personal fave.
Bon Appétit Foodcast. It seems Bon Appétit can do no wrong right now and if you love their YouTube videos and recipes as much as I do then their Foodcast is for you. They shine a light on what’s happening in the food industry, give tons of great ideas of what to cook right now and basically cover everything you’d ever want to know about food.
*An extra one I haven’t managed to listen to yet, but want to: The Dave Chang Show. Chef of the Momofuku group of restaurants, I love Ugly Delicious, his show on Netflix. On the podcast Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests are said to talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities. Sounds right up my street and maybe yours too?
Life, gut health, anxiety + so much more
How To Fail with Elizabeth Day. It’s so incredibly easy to think everybody has their shit together all of the time and to think that their success happened overnight. Journalist Elizabeth Day chats with successful people about the times things haven’t gone so well and how they bounced back. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s second How to Fail episode in which she talks through three personal failures from the past year is a gooden, plus Mo Gawdat, Marian Keyes, Andrew Scott… I could go on!
Happy Place. I love this podcast by Fearne Cotton, where she speaks to people about their experiences with mental health issues and learns what brings them joy every day. I have a listen whenever I need something calm. The episode I listened too with Nadiya Hussain recently was really powerful.
HOSTEing with Laura Jackson. Laura sits down with fellow celebrated hosts and lifestyle obsessives to chat vintage interiors finds; up-and-coming travel destinations; and the best restaurants around the world. A wonderful insight into people’s businesses and minds.
Ctrl Alt Delete. Emma Gannon is the Sunday Times bestselling author and former social media editor of British Glamour. I love everything she does. In this podcast she draws on her own experiences online to discusses the world of work and existing online and interviews brilliant guests – many of whom I’ve never heard and love getting to know.
Thanks A Million. I love the concept of this podcast by Angela Scanlon (and have a bit of a girl crush on her too – anyone else watch Your Home Made Perfect? It’s so good!) The show is all about thanks and is a really clever way of getting guests to open up about parts of their life they might not have spoken about.
Deliciously Ella. All about staying positive in this crazy world, I love that this podcast covers so many interesting topics, delving into the world of physical and mental health, business and more. How to build a healthy, happy brain with Kimberly Wilson was one of my favourite episodes.
The Gut Loving Podcast. By my friend and experienced dietician Laura Tilt, this podcast is all about IBS and the low FODMAP diet(!). Meet the experts behind the diet, hear from me about my experience (!), learn about lactose intolerance, how to deal with IBS when going on holiday – you name it, she’s covered it. So much love to Laura for giving IBS the attention it deserves.
The Calmer You Podcast. With over 100 episodes about anxiety, Chloe Brotheridge and guests share practical ways of dealing with it, explanations of why we might experience it and a big ol’ fashioned reminder that we are not alone.
Music
Desert Island Discs. One of the first podcasts I starting listening to (and a good one to run to because of the music bursts). People are given eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would they take to a desert island? I find myself mainly clicking on people I know, but when I do listen to an interview with someone I don’t, I remind myself I should do it more. They’re always thought-provoking – humans. are. amazing.
Freelance life
Freelance Feels: The podcast for humans who work for themselves. The freelance life can be a mad and lonely place at times and I was so excited to come across a podcast that delved into that. They say ‘it’s an informal chat about all the emotions of being freelance’, I say it’s the support and boost I didn’t know I needed.
In Good Company. ‘A podcast for working women’, hosted by Women Who founder Otegha Uwagba. Full of practical advice, fresh ideas, and interviews with smart, successful women, I loved the interview with Dolly Alderton.
