Sound advice
The best podcasts of 2025
December 19, 2025
“Articles of Interest”
This podcast about the history of clothes answers questions such as: Why do brides wear white? How does weaving connect to early computing? It is essential listening, even for the unstylish.
This podcast about the history of clothes answers questions such as: Why do brides wear white? How does weaving connect to early computing? It is essential listening, even for the unstylish.
“Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer”
Before he was the king of trash TV, Jerry Springer was the Democratic mayor of Cincinnati. This series looks at Springer’s political career, which he unsuccessfully tried to return to late in life.
Before he was the king of trash TV, Jerry Springer was the Democratic mayor of Cincinnati. This series looks at Springer’s political career, which he unsuccessfully tried to return to late in life.
“Fela Kuti: Fear No Man”
A 12-episode series about Fela Kuti, an innovative Nigerian musician. In the 1970s he fused a traditional west African sound with the funk, jazz and soul music of black America. In doing so he pioneered a new genre: Afrobeat.
A 12-episode series about Fela Kuti, an innovative Nigerian musician. In the 1970s he fused a traditional west African sound with the funk, jazz and soul music of black America. In doing so he pioneered a new genre: Afrobeat.
“Flesh and Code”
Travis had met the woman of his dreams. The catch? Lily Rose was a chatbot. This compassionate podcast tells the stories of people who have built relationships with AI companions.
Travis had met the woman of his dreams. The catch? Lily Rose was a chatbot. This compassionate podcast tells the stories of people who have built relationships with AI companions.
“Heavyweight”
A funny, poignant podcast about life’s unfinished moments. A former bank robber wonders how to atone for his past; a man reflects on the best way to honour his father’s dying wishes.
A funny, poignant podcast about life’s unfinished moments. A former bank robber wonders how to atone for his past; a man reflects on the best way to honour his father’s dying wishes.
“Missing in the Amazon”
In 2022 Dom Phillips, a British journalist, and Bruno Pereira, an indigenous activist, disappeared during a reporting trip in the Amazon. This thoughtful six-part series investigates what happened.
In 2022 Dom Phillips, a British journalist, and Bruno Pereira, an indigenous activist, disappeared during a reporting trip in the Amazon. This thoughtful six-part series investigates what happened.
“Past Present Future: Politics on Trial”
A vivid series about lawfare from David Runciman. He points out, for example,
the similarities in the arguments used to convict Joan of Arc and Saddam Hussein.
A vivid series about lawfare from David Runciman. He points out, for example,
the similarities in the arguments used to convict Joan of Arc and Saddam Hussein.
“The Protocol”
This documentary series traces the history of transgender medicine for young people back to the Netherlands in the late 20th century. A small Dutch study was used
to justify hugely controversial changes.
This documentary series traces the history of transgender medicine for young people back to the Netherlands in the late 20th century. A small Dutch study was used
to justify hugely controversial changes.
“Shell Game”
In the second season of his podcast Evan Ratliff, a journalist, examines how ai might change the workforce. His investigation involves establishing a startup with only five ai “employees”.
In the second season of his podcast Evan Ratliff, a journalist, examines how ai might change the workforce. His investigation involves establishing a startup with only five ai “employees”.
“The Wargame”
Imagine this: after an explosion at a Russian naval base, the Kremlin blames Britain and deploys warships. Britain’s government scrambles. In this podcast former ministers and army chiefs act out their country’s response and ask: are Britain and its allies ready for war? ■
Imagine this: after an explosion at a Russian naval base, the Kremlin blames Britain and deploys warships. Britain’s government scrambles. In this podcast former ministers and army chiefs act out their country’s response and ask: are Britain and its allies ready for war? ■
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