Tess Woodcraft writes:  Why not give yourself an audio treat this Christmas.  Most of Pod Academy’s listeners are podcast fans, so here are our recommendations for podcasts for Christmas for anyone looking to give themselves some stocking fillers.

And please add your suggestions in the comments section below.

• This American Life:  Public Radio International (PRI) looks at America.  My favourites are the Ronald Reagan museum and one on the Golden Apple diner in Chicago
• Pacifica Radio is a network of non-profit radio stations in California known for their progressive politics. In business since 1949 they have interviews with just about anybody who is or was anybody on the radical scene.  Their weekly ‘From the Vault’ programmes feature interviews from their archive – try Bertolt Brecht, Jim Morrison or the feature on Stonewall.
• Answer me this    One of the best comedy podcasts, from Sony award winning duo, Olly Mann and Helen Zaltzman, ‘Helen and Olly, answer me this….’
• Health Check   Weekly programme on health issues around the world from the BBC World Service presented by Claudia Hammond.
• On the nature of things:  Ed Prosser’s unusual and vivid audio take on the world – like his Porn Whales
• Thinking Allowed:  Regular weekly programme featuring new research mainly in the fields of sociology, criminology and social policy.  Great archive going back several years.  Try Super Max prisons,  and Stag Nights
• Bright Club: Calling itself ‘The thinking person’s variety night’ Bright Club tours venues combining stand up and science.  They regularly podcast their gigs
• Philosophy Bytes – aesthetics, ethics, mind, paradoxes, meaning, sustainability – lots of short podcasts on philosophical issues.
• A Life In Scents  – ‘A bit like Desert Island discs but with smells instead of records’ –  Fabulous interviews with famous (and not so famouos) people about their sense of smell whether it is new mown grass after rain, or Channel No.5, old socks or the delicious aroma of vanilla custard.  From Odette Toilette and Pod Academy producer, Jo Barrett.
• The Guardian podcasts:  Check out the Guardian podcasts (especially the weekly politics, technology and science podcasts) – well produced, well informed and a bit different from the BBC.
• RSA:  The RSA has a regular programme of lectures and discussions on everything from Economics to Philosphy.  And they podcast the lot.
• Night Waves:    BBC Radio 3   nightly discussion programme, star studded round tables on politics, arts, philosophy, music, science – not to be missed.

Tags: Christmas treats, podcast suggestions