Five Must-Listen Podcasts Launching This Week: From Politics to Architecture
Whether your interests lie in architecture, football, history, television, or politics, there is a compelling new podcast release tailored for you this week. Our curated selection highlights five standout series that promise to inform, entertain, and broaden perspectives.
1. An Architect's Perspective
Streaming platform: All major streaming platforms and YouTube
Genre: Architecture
If architecture, modern history, and the stories behind iconic buildings captivate you, then An Architect's Perspective is essential listening. Hosted by architect James Hamilton, this cinematic podcast series masterfully combines the visual immersion of Grand Designs with the reflective depth of Desert Island Discs. Each episode takes audiences on an immersive tour inside some of the world's most celebrated modernist structures.
Filmed on location in countries like Norway, Spain, and India, every walkthrough is followed by an in-depth interview with an expert connected to the project. In the latest episode, Hamilton converses with architect and writer John Pardey about Can Lis, a "quietly radical" clifftop home in Mallorca designed by Jørn Utzon, the visionary behind the Sydney Opera House. Their discussion spans Utzon's nature-inspired methods, personal anecdotes of meeting him, and Pardey's own career origins in childhood drawing.
2. Paradise Official Podcast
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms, YouTube, and Disney
Genre: Entertainment and TV
Following the success of Dan Fogelman's post-apocalyptic thriller series Paradise, a new companion podcast has launched alongside its second season. Hosted by star and super-fan Ryan Michelle Bathé, the Paradise Official Podcast delves into each episode with exclusive insights.
Featuring interviews with cast members, the creative team, and scientific consultants, the podcast breaks down plot twists, shares behind-the-scenes moments, and teases upcoming developments. In the second episode, Shailene Woodley, who portrays survivor Annie, joins Bathé to analyze the surprising season two premiere, available on Disney+ and Hulu. They explore the series' cinematic feel and address viewer questions, with additional commentary from actor Thomas Doherty.
3. Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things – The Kennedy Curse
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: History and politics
How did the Kennedy family rise from impoverished Irish immigrants to one of America's most powerful political dynasties? This three-episode special of the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, titled The Kennedy Curse, investigates their ascent and the tragedies that marred their legacy. Historian Kate Williams and royal biographer Robert Hardman chart the family's journey, examining violent deaths, scandals, and the so-called "curse" often attributed to hubris and risky behavior.
The series begins with the Kennedy's origins in famine-ravaged Ireland in the 1840s, tracing their path to social acceptance, wealth, and power in Boston. A focal point is patriarch Joseph Kennedy, who ruthlessly groomed his sons for political dominance. From the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to other family skeletons, this gripping narrative offers heartbreak and scandal for history enthusiasts.
4. Could It Be Magic?
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube
Genre: Sports
Former England teammates Joe Cole and Ashley Cole have returned with the second season of their popular FA Cup podcast, Could It Be Magic?. In the latest episode, they are joined by ex-Chelsea and England teammate Wayne Bridge for a lively discussion.
Topics range from their love for the rock band Oasis and the FA Cup's third round to preferences for artificial grass pitches. The trio reflects on Bridge's career, including his FA Cup final appearances with Southampton in 2003 and Chelsea's victory in 2007. They also share anecdotes from their Chelsea days, Bridge's experience winning Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and engage in a competitive game of beer mat flipping. This podcast is a must for football fans seeking informative and entertaining content.
5. In The Room
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube
Genre: Politics
In a tumultuous political climate, the new podcast In The Room offers unparalleled behind-the-scenes insights into Westminster and Whitehall. Presented by Helen MacNamara, former Deputy Cabinet Secretary, and Cleo Watson, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Boris Johnson, this series draws on their extensive experience from different sides of the political table.
The inaugural episode analyzes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's position amid party U-turns, resignations, and controversies involving figures like Mandelson, Mountbatten-Windsor, and the Epstein Files. MacNamara and Watson explore whether Starmer can navigate these challenges, emphasizing the need for resilience and bold action. At a time of significant flux, their commentary provides a unique perspective on the inner workings of global politics.
