Pick of the week

Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story

From Blancmange to Bananarama, London Records “stuffed the UK charts with hits” in the 80s, says music writer Siân Pattenden. She’s the host of this five-part series about the evolution of the label, featuring interviews with artists and A&Rs. It’s a fascinating oral history that takes in the queer representation offered by Bronski Beat; All Saints’ edgy take on Girl Power; and the goth-pop prowess of Shakespears Sister (pictured above).
Widely available, episodes weekly

Are We Doomed

From nuclear war to climate change, there are many things that could cause the demise of humanity. In a series that’s more hopeful than it sounds, US journalist Ben Bradford considers the threat levels, beginning with an episode on nukes and whether mutually assured destruction is truly MAD.
Widely available, episodes weekly

Gangster Presents: The Story of Ronnie Biggs

Daniel Mays – who played the Great Train Robber in the 2012 TV series Mrs Biggs – narrates this lively podcast, drawing heavily on archive interviews with the man himself. While six episodes may feel a lot for a story that’s been so frequently told, never-before-heard audio and discussion of the era’s shifting class politics bring new angles.
Widely available, episodes weekly

Attitude Presents: Out With Suzi Ruffell

Comedian Ruffell (pictured above right) has relaunched her podcast, and while there really is a surfeit of interview shows this one is rather lovely. She kicks off by interviewing Attitude’s editor-in-chief, Cliff Joannou, before a conversation with Drag Race’s Tia Kofi that touches on trans rights and the inherent politics of her chosen artform.
Widely available, episodes weekly

Stateside With Kai and Carter

The Guardian’s New York team launch their podcast this week, hosted by journalists Kai Wright and Carter Sherman, with new episodes released three times a week. Arguably, there’s scarcely been a better moment for a straight-talking, US-flavoured current affairs show. Says Sherman: “There’s war, there’s authoritarianism, our planet is burning – I could go on.”
Widely available, episodes three times a week