Filling the silence: my podcast edit spring/summer 19/20
If only the dog had earphones too.
I pretend to get grumpy with my kids when they run music or YouTube clips in their earphones while doing homework. But the truth is I’m not good with silence either.
I walk the dog with podcasts. I fold laundry with podcasts. I wash the dishes with podcasts. Science, investigative journalism and true crime: anything with a strong sense of narrative. Fiction too. But I’m too much of a prude for My Dad Wrote a Porno.
For anyone looking for some listening ideas, here I’ve pulled together my podcast edit, spring/summer 19/20. Some of these are recent, some older; some weekly, some sporadic.
Ear Hustle
Hosted by a prisoner and a volunteer at San Quentin State Prison, this podcast brings you the realities of life inside prison. Touching, funny and very human. A reminder that people who commit crimes still have a lot in common with the rest of us.
Dolly Parton’s America
Produced and presented by RadioLab’s Jad Abumrad, this podcast explores the USA’s fascination and obsession with Dolly Parton. In my opinion, the episodes start really strongly, and then fade a bit in quality and focus. But still worth a listen.
The Ballad of Billy Balls
My current top of the pops. It’s a podcast about love and acceptance, masquerading as a true crime story. Presenter and key character iO Tillet Wright is wonderful.
Finding Cleo
Heartbreaking. Important. A story about Canada’s stolen generations, with a lot in common with Australian first nation stories. Must listen.
Believed
Listen to this one with care. It details how doctor Larry Nassar managed to get away with sexual abuse of hundreds of athletes in the US gymnastics team. Strong messages that we must listen to our children and girls, and that survivors can find power if given the right opportunities in our legal systems.
the Fitzroy Diaries
Delightful, intimate, familiar and yet still fascinating Australian fiction. Beautifully-presented and developed characters. Will listen to all these episodes again, they’re so comforting.
Other podcasts I enjoy regularly:
Conversations, Science Friction, So You Want to be a Writer, RadioLab, ScienceVs
Image thanks to Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash