Which podcast educates you? There are so many! Isn’t that what podcasts are for? Surely we all listen to podcasts to glean knowledge and bedazzle our friends with it. I think Empire: World History with Anita Anand and William Dalrymple is a favourite because stories from history reflect so much about who we are as a species. This American Life is such a heavy hitter in the way it weaves together different stories around a theme. TCM’s The Plot Thickens is a great series and the Lucille Ball season was spectacular. I’ve always loved Lucy. I listen to a lot more indie film and TV podcasts since starting my own and The Lorehounds, Tipping My Fedora, Verbal Diorama and Left Of The Projector are recent favourites. I deeply miss the Undo podcast which was a godsend for my ADHD as most productivity podcasts are oppressive in some way but that one was welcoming, warm and inspiring.

Which podcast makes you laugh? Maybe nothing has ever made me laugh as much as My Dad Wrote A Porno. It’s so ridiculously embarrassing and the hosts are all magnificent. I haven’t listened to it in quite a while as I get stupidly busy with life and my very imposing film watchlist. I also don’t find bursting out laughing like a maniac in the middle of a public space very comfortable. A far more socially acceptable level of tittering is Off Air With Jane & Fi.

Which podcast makes you sad or angry? Everything about the state of the world sliding back into fascism makes me sad and angry. I listened to The Mysterious Mr Epstein in early 2020. It’s a podcast that has made me increasingly angry and sad as every year goes by. Still no justice six years on and we’re now realising how all the corruption is connected to the current global mess.

Which podcast is your guilty pleasure? I don’t even know what that means! Why would a podcast be a guilty pleasure? Is there an evil podcast that no one should know I listen to? Actually, I would greatly appreciate a podcast that clearly marks up a strategy for world domination. Is there a ‘Coup For You!’ podcast? I would gleefully listen to that but obviously in private as I can’t have everyone knowing my plans for global takeover. I will force universal healthcare and a basic income on the world. Mwahahaha. There will also be fashion police which obviously won’t apply to me. Because I think you need a good dose of hypocrisy to run a dictatorship, right?

Tell us someone who currently doesn’t have a podcast but totally should. And why do you think their one would be amazing? There are so many people I follow on social media platforms who I think would be excellent on a podcast. I might have to go with Dr Rachel Barr who is a brilliant neuroscientist and communicator about how the brain works. Her content is so informative and uplifting and full of compassion and understanding. I think her podcast would not just be intelligent, fun and entertaining but a benefit to society. The title of her book is How To Make Your Brain Your Best Friend which reflects what her work is about.

Pitch us a new podcast idea in exactly 25 words BFI’s 75 Most Wanted. Many early films are lost due to fires, accidents or destruction. I want to know about the BFI’s top picks. Pronto!

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