Pick of the week
Bad Chat
“Did you know that horses’ legs are their fingers?” This is just one question asked in a fun podcast by broadcasting favourites and longtime besties Alice Levine and Greg James. The format is finding its feet, but so far it’s the standard chatty pod fare: no topic is off limits as they invite listeners to share their gripes, crises and any inane thoughts they can’t shake off. And in episode one, Alice reveals her War Horse acting debut … Hollie Richardson
Widely available, episodes weekly
Lemme Say This
After a short hiatus, Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix’s culture podcast has been resurrected by the Obamas’ production outfit Higher Ground. For takes that are extremely pertinent and often very funny, the Brooklynites are rarely bested; a recent episode offered insightful chat on Lena Dunham’s memoir and the total nonsense that is Euphoria. Hannah J Davies
Widely available, episodes weekly
Uncover: The Expert Witness
If nine episodes feels like a lot for a limited series, this new one from Canada’s CBC has a bit to dig into. Namely, how did a strangely secretive AI policing tool used in Akron, Ohio, turn out to be a total dud? Tech and true crime are expertly fused in a series hosted by Sam Mullins (Sea of Lies). HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
Stories from a Stranger
Nurse turned content creator Hunter Prosper first interviewed strangers in the US during the Covid pandemic, going viral on TikTok. This podcast is a decidedly earnest brand extension, featuring polished chats with unusually candid folk. Despite the schmaltz, it is rather touching: his first episode centres on three love stories, including one from sprightly 96-year-old Sally. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
A History of the United States in 100 Objects
Roman Mars leads a who’s who of podcasters – from Radiolab’s Latif Nasser to Song Exploder’s Hrishikesh Hirway – in this new take on A History of the World in 100 Objects. In a fascinatingly meta first episode, Pulitzer-winning writer Jill Lepore considers what a time capsule from 1876 teaches us about curation. HJD
Widely available, from Tuesday 19 May