This week's podcast selection offers a wild ride from side-splitting comedy to hard-hitting investigative journalism, proving the medium's incredible range. Leading the charge is the triumphant return of a beloved, bumbling character, while a BBC deep-dive exposes a heartless fraud exploiting the most vulnerable.
Comedy Gold and Candid Conversations
Kayvan Novak, the mastermind behind Fonejacker and Facejacker, has revived his gloriously inept alter-ego for The Brian Badonde Bodcast. The art critic who can't pronounce any word not starting with 'B' is back, interviewing unsuspecting celebrities with his unique brand of chaotic charm.
Guests like Adam Buxton and singer Ella Eyre navigate the absurd interviews, with Eyre managing to share surprisingly frank insights about her music career amidst the linguistic carnage. It's a series described as "very silly, very Marmite", promising laughs for fans of Novak's previous work.
Uncovering Dark Secrets and Industry Realities
For those seeking more profound listening, Dani Shapiro's Family Secrets podcast continues to delve into the hidden dynamics of families. The latest episodes feature powerful stories, including an actor who concealed his Arab heritage after 9/11 and pretended to be Black.
Meanwhile, actor Shvorne Marks hosts How to Be an Actor and Not Lose Your Sh*t, a refreshingly honest look at the volatility of the profession. Speaking with peers like Pearl Mackie and Stacey Dooley, she explores the stark contrast between the glamour and the grim reality of being "broke and jobless".
Investigative Journalism and Sonic History
The most shocking entry this week is the BBC's World of Secrets: The Child Cancer Scam. Investigative journalist Simi Jolaoso meticulously unpacks a multimillion-dollar con where the stories of sick children and their families were co-opted to extract money from donors online. The reporting is described as both careful and compelling.
On a completely different note, War Hall: A Theatre of the Mind offers an immersive audio history of London's Walthamstow Assembly Hall. Co-hosted by cinema legend Angela Allen and historian Professor John Thomas, it's a slickly produced celebration of sound and science.
All featured podcasts are widely available on major platforms, with new episodes released weekly.
