Podcasts

Apologies. I see some others have made some of these suggestions.

The Rest is Politics will be available on Spotify - or even YouTube.
Put it into Google The Rest is Politics and it will provide options.
I have been listening happily without any subscriptions.
I tend to listen via LBC. You could try that.

Good luck.

Melvyn Bragg Speak for England is still one of my favourite books.

I agree that Bragg's voice is not as clear as it once was but it would be hard to find another series that has the breadth of subjects and expert contributors that In Our Time has. It's been on air since 1998 with the entire archive available to listen to, helpfully grouped into categories so consider exploring some of the back catalogue.

A new find for me (thanks to the feature in the Radio Times I mentioned upthread) is Frank Skinner's Poetry Podcast. He started this during lockdown so three years of episodes to listen to. It's just him on his own, talking about poems both contemporary and classic. Full of insight and very accessible.

The only podcast I hear regularly is Off Air with Fi and Jane on Times Radio. It’s amusing and entertaining. They have good banter and discuss interesting subjects.

I’m gathering suggestions all the time and yesterday I made myself try a couple. Someone mentioned that the presenters voices made a difference and that’s true! And talking over each other - so annoying (Jenny Eclair and her sidekick used to be dreadful for this). So yesterday I listened to Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time on BBC Sounds but MBs voice is so indistinct, he sounds quite slurry and I didn’t catch a word he said. I know he’s 83 but surely presenters should be clear?

Anyway, I’m soldiering on - thanks for all the suggestions. I have to listen with headphones so am trying various options, once I’ve cracked that I’ll be a happy bunny.

Whitewavemark2

If all else fails can you get it on you tube?

I used to. But the latest one on utube is the Feargal Sharkey one which is quite old. I’ve just listened to a more recent TRIP on Apple but when I tried to listen to today so Q&A it said I had to pay again. It’s my U3A iPad group meet up next week so I’m hoping they can help me!

There are several free sites which draw together podcasts from around the world.

I like Castbox. Podbean is another. You can listen to TRIP on both free of charge.

castbox.fm/channel/The-Rest-Is-Politics-id5518428?country=gb

www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/4u6u6-256c2d/The-Rest-Is-Politics-Podcast

I've been an Audible member since 2006 and recommend it for the latest audio books which your county library free service may not have; may not have yet or there's a long waiting list due to licensing restrictions. Libraries can only loan a limited number of copies at a time.

Audible membership costs from £7.99 per month for one credit per month. I have an annual membership which cost £109.99 up front but gives you 24 credits to use immediately so £4.60 per book. Included in membership is access to lots of free content from their Plus Catalogue: contemporary and classic novels, podcasts and exclusive Audible content.

My recent listens include Getting Better, a drama about Nye Bevan and the start of the NHS starring Rhod Gilbert. Also, Mother, Neighbor, Spy narrated by Rosamund Pike, the true story of Russian spy Cindy Murphy.

If all else fails can you get it on you tube?

MayBee70

I think I must have been on a months free trial on Apple because I can now no longer listen to The Rest is Politics via Apple. So what do I do now? If I have to subscribe to something what do I go with? If I subscribe to Audible ( which I’ve been meaning to do for ages) will I be able to listen to TRIP’s on that? I can’t afford to subscribe to lots of things

Do you have an apple iPad? The app. Is just named podcasts and it is one amongst hundreds I can get with that app?

I think I must have been on a months free trial on Apple because I can now no longer listen to The Rest is Politics via Apple. So what do I do now? If I have to subscribe to something what do I go with? If I subscribe to Audible ( which I’ve been meaning to do for ages) will I be able to listen to TRIP’s on that? I can’t afford to subscribe to lots of things

I love podcasts I like the true crime ones but appreciate that isnt every ones cup of tea. I listen via spotify.

I usually listen via Alexa, just ask for a particular podcast by name, or say 'Alexa play a podcast' and it will come up with some suggestions.

Bertha have a look at this site on your laptop or phone, then click on any thing that you like the look of

www.theweek.co.uk/arts-life/culture/959329/best-podcasts-2023

I would like to start listening to podcasts but dont know how quite. I have juts bought some headphones and I have a lap top, a new Samsung mobile phone, a rather old Samsung tablet, a Kindle and an i-pod. Any help would be gratefully received.

I love podcasts! I generally listen via Amazon Music so a lot of them are ad-free. I subscribe to a couple of Patreons so get those ad-free too. I'm a true crime fan so I listen to a lot of the genre, and generally choose ones that only have one presenter, as I hate listening to inane chit-chat. I also listen to the odd comedy, photography or science podcast. I've nearly always got my earbuds in listening to something, either a podcast or an Audible book, whilst I craft, paint, sew, or whatever. Or whilst I do household chores, it out walking my dog, soft hiking or 'caching.

Maggie, you have spiked my interest. I love a murder!

Maggie you have just mentioned several I really don't like! .
I think you do have to try quite a few to find the ones you love!

Don't be put off. Try some of them Sidelined!

namo

BBC Sounds has Life Changing episodes. Fascinating stories of real life-changing events told by the people who experienced them.

I loved these. Another fascinating true life series is Lucy Worsley’s Lady Killers, about Victorian women accused of murder. And I’m Not a Monster, following the Shamima Begum story.

Michael Mosley’s Just One Thing, if you want inspiration for self improvement. Very short bites and lots of good ideas - the trouble is there are so many you can’t remember half of them.

I sometimes ask Alexa to play me a good podcast if I’m baking or cleaning and want a bit of entertainment - she hasn’t come up with a half-decent one yet. So yes, there are some truly annoying ones out there!

I listen to For The Many with Iain Dale anf Jacqui Smith snd i Love Iain Dales All Tslk. Loved his very long talk with Neil Kinnock snd Iain lets the guest talk without constant interruptiond. I use Apple Podcasts snd LBC which you can download and they have a wide selection. I also like BBC The Moral Maze plus Nicky Campbell’s One of The Family. I could go on but if you can get Apple Podcasts on an Android phone there are literally loads of interesting ones to choose from. Iain Dale is at the Edinburgh festival and his guests are far reaching. I will listen to him talking to Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon for starters when the conversations are released. Jacqui Smith will be with Iain and they are a great combination.

Gwenisgreat

Can't say I've ever been invited to join one, wouldn't know what to do if I was!

Download BBC Sounds App on your phone , link it up to WiFi via Bluetooth, then just scroll through the hundreds of Podcasts till you find one you like . Also there are loads music to choose from , I personally like Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn , he plays all the great hits of the time !

Can't say I've ever been invited to join one, wouldn't know what to do if I was!

I love them - The Rest is History, Thé Rest is Politics, Newscast, Radio 4 podcasts like In Our Time, and Zoe Science and Nutrition. If you like history BBC History Extra and Not Just The Tudors are also great.

I would especially like to recommend Zoe Science and Nutrition. Helpful information delivered in an entertaining way, based on fascinating new research.

Thank you for the Philosophy Bites recommendation, Caravansera.

I like podcasts, but most of them put me to sleep!

A really good podcast is well produced, has the message (topic) you’re interested in, might have background music for emphasis, and will hold your interest like you’re into a good book! You can’t wait for the next one!

The narrator’s/moderator’s voice is all important! Who wants to listen to a bunch of babbling personalities at a roundtable? Give me two/three voices in discussion.

There are so many to pick from, where do you start? I have to go by word-of-mouth, what’s trending, what’s relevant.
USA Gundy

BBC Sounds has Life Changing episodes. Fascinating stories of real life-changing events told by the people who experienced them.

i like to listen to radio on the radio.
i will miss when they take radio 4 extra off the radio.
i know i can listen to it on the laptop, but it doesn't seem as enjoyable to be chasing it up.
i like the randomness of turning on the radio and finding something interesting.
i remember having the same sort of discussion about 40 years ago re music on the radio, as i didn't compile tapes of favourites then either.
perhaps i am just v set in my ways, or nostalgic.
but i do like youtube videos. some of them.