For the love of ... Sean Bean. The acclaimed actor, known for roles such as Ned Stark in Game of Thrones, has taken on an unexpected new venture: hosting a podcast dedicated to birdwatching. This move might seem surprising at first glance, but it reveals a deep-seated passion that has been part of his life since childhood.
Get Birding With Sean Bean: A Warm and Honest Debut
On the surface, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) selecting Sean Bean as the host for their latest podcast series appears unconventional. However, the actor has been an avid birder for years, often squeezing in birdwatching sessions between his acting commitments. In his inaugural episode, Bean engages in a heartfelt conversation with fellow ornithology enthusiast Guy Garvey from the band Elbow. They discuss topics such as identifying various bird species while working overseas, recognising distinct bird songs, and the meditative pleasures of observing these feathered creatures. The podcast is widely available, with new episodes released every fortnight.
Vine: Six Seconds That Changed the World
This special one-off episode of a podcast focusing on Vine, the short-form video platform popular in the 2010s, explores how previous installments could have revitalised the service. It features Evan Henshaw-Plath, one of Twitter's early employees, who is launching diVine—an anti-artificial intelligence version of Vine. Inspired by the podcast itself, Henshaw-Plath aims to address the shortcomings of contemporary social media platforms. This episode is widely accessible and available now.
Love + Radio: Blood Memory
Hosted by Nick van der Kolk, this acclaimed and unconventional interview series takes an unexpected turn into the true crime genre with an extensive new installment. The focus is on Michael Thompson, a former member of the prison gang known as the Aryan Brotherhood, who has provided testimony against the group in court. The series delves into questions about his true identity and motivations, offering a gripping narrative. Episodes are released weekly and can be found on various platforms.
Valley of Shadows
Produced by Malcolm Gladwell's Pushkin Industries, this captivating investigative podcast begins with an intriguing mystery. In June 1998, Jon Aujay of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department vanished in the Mojave Desert. The series examines why his own employer was so swift to terminate the search efforts, raising suspicions about potential hidden agendas. New episodes are available weekly across multiple streaming services.
Atonement: The John Paulk Story
John Paulk and his former wife Anne were prominent figures in the "ex-gay" movement in the United States during the 1990s, advocating for Christian conversion therapy and claiming to have been "cured" of their sexuality. Now, as one of the movement's most vocal critics, Paulk guides listeners through a frank and excellent oral history podcast produced by iHeart and Goldhawk. This series provides a profound look at personal redemption and societal change, with episodes released weekly.
