With so many podcasts to choose from, it can be tough to decide who to spend your precious free time listening to – that’s where we come in
How to Fall Apart
How to Fall Apart is a podcast comprising of conversations with people who have been through something challenging. It is about how they coped, the times that they struggled to cope, and what that felt like. Hosted by Irish writer Liadán Hynes, who also has a Substack of the same name, (should you want to enjoy more of some of her incredible writing), this is a podcast that will inspire you as we move through the year. It’s a reminder that nothing hard is forever, we can navigate difficult times, and joyful days do return.
The Rest is Entertainment
The Rest is Entertainment is a relatively new podcast that has been dominating the Irish charts of late. Hosted by crime writer and TV presenter Richard Osman, and journalist Marina Hyde, this podcast sees them combine forces to use their years of knowledge, contacts, and wit to bring you what’s hot, and what’s not in the world of entertainment. A great one to listen to before you head off to meet friends or family; you will be the star of dinner party conversations after this.
Catch-up with Louise McSharry
It can be hard to stay abreast of all the goings on in the news and culture and yet Louise McSharry manages to help us do just that on her podcast, Catch-up with Louise McSharry. From the lowest of brows, to the relatively high, she has got you covered. A great one to listen back to if you want to remind yourself of some of the peak news of 2023; grab some music, book, or tv recommendations, or simply tune into to hear some of her guests and experts lend their insights on key topics in news and culture. A must-listen as we move through 2024…
Shameless
If we have met, I guarantee I have mentioned this podcast to you before. If we haven’t… you will probably hear me mention this if we ever do meet. I love this podcast. Described as a podcast for, “smart people who love dumb stuff” it covers all things celebrity news, present day and past.
In fact, my favourite kinds of episodes that they create, are when they look back and do a deep dive on some of the celebrity ‘scandals’ that happened in times gone by. Every Monday they revisit the biggest celebrity controversies and scandals that rocked the public at that time, or have shaken up popular culture in the years since. In addition to this, they have their weekly release episode keeping listeners up to date on all the present-day celebrity news. Hosted by Melbourne writers, Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald, it is absolutely one of those easy listens I’ll be curling up to listen to with a cup of tea… as they spill the tea.
Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware
If you haven’t listened to this podcast hosted by singer Jessie Ware and her mom Lennie, you need to. It is absolutely food for the soul. With a guest back-catalogue of dreams, pick one from any season (as they are all timeless gems), and just kick back to enjoy as from their dinner table they interview extraordinary guests who have excelled in music, culture and politics, all the while having a bite to eat. It is a gorgeous listen. Recent favourites include the episode with Girls Aloud. Just wait for the story Nadine Coyle tells about cooking the food in her restaurant. You will be crying laughing.
Understanding Money
If you want to improve your spending or budgeting habits, switch on Understanding Money from financial advisor, author and broadcaster Eoin McGee. In his episodes, he lays out the building blocks of what makes sound financial planning, and how you can get the best from your money. His recent episode on ‘getting mortgage ready’ was trending number one and with good reason. If this is a goal of yours for 2024, you might enjoy tuning in.
All podcasts mentioned are available on Apple and Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts
