This week's picks
competition
All episodes will be published on Wondery+ and will be widely available starting Monday
As a teenager, Sima Oriei flew to Mobile, Alabama, in search of a high-paying scholarship. She didn't win. More than 20 years later, she's back as a judge and behind the scenes of a grueling two-week event in which one girl is crowned America's Outstanding Young Woman and wins a $40,000 education. Approaching. It's a grueling, competitive story that Oliaee tells very well. Hannah Verdier
Letter: Ripple Effect
Wide range of weekly episodes available
When a young father of two was found murdered on a snowy day in Utah in 1982, a man confessed, but no one could understand why he had done it. In Amy Donaldson's sensitive true crime podcast, loved ones share memories of the case, trying to fill in the blanks and heal, amidst many unanswered questions. HV
Incomplete
Audible, all episodes now available
In this scripted podcast, Idris and Sabrina Elba ask powerful ethical questions about AI and grief, with Lenny Henry (above) leading a solid cast. Technology companies are making a fortune by recreating the personalities of deceased loved ones, but problems arise when a woman uses it to bring her brother back to life. HV
The Long Shadow: In the Guns We Trust
Wide range of weekly episodes available
Twenty-five years after the Columbine High School shooting, Garrett Graf began a rational discussion about the right to bear arms in the United States. Those affected by gun violence have a voice just as much as those who hunt and sell weapons, but when I hear Columbine witnesses weep at the memory of that day, , the discussion becomes even more acute. HV
bachelor of buckingham palace
Wondery+, all episodes now available
In 2013, Matt Hicks pretended to be Prince Harry on a dating show where American women competed for “Harry's” affections. Who would fall for that? Now, in this wild series, TV journalist Scott Bryan talks to former contestants and reveals how easily they were tricked into taking part in such absurdities. Holly Richardson
There's a podcast for that
Hannah Verdier We choose the 5 best podcasts hosted by a pop starfrom Tim Burgess' listening party to Sam Smith's delicate history of HIV
queer the music
Scissor Sisters singer Jake Sears is a frontman who knows when to step back from center stage and listen, as evidenced by his excellent podcast. Stars such as electro pop goddess Peaches, Cabaret cast mates Self His Esteem, Years and Years' Olly Alexander join him to discuss their songs in a warm and thoughtful atmosphere. Asking if there is such a thing as queer music, Sears, with the help of the Icon team, presents some of the best music, including Sylvester's “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).” Andy Bell's analysis of Erasure's A Little Respect is a beautiful history lesson.
tim's listening party
The Charlatans' Tim Burgess saved the night in lockdown with a Twitter listening party, and the magic continues with this podcast. “I'm by no means a broadcaster,” he warns his guests, and his lo-fi, introverted interview style means he's having a conversation rather than asking questions. Artists love him, he knows what they're supposed to do, and he's not afraid to say when he's a fan. The enigmatic Sparks reveal their influences and The Bangles' Susannah Hoffs brings us plenty of stories about being part of the pioneering band.
A Positive Life: HIV from Terrence Higgins to Today
Sam Smith leaves behind his flashy pants and pop star persona for this sensitive podcast about people infected with HIV. Higgins is the first subject, with those close to him recalling memories of the first man in Britain to die from an AIDS-related illness. Beyond the obvious narrative, Smith charts the crisis from its early days to his first effective treatments in the mid-'90s, with real empathy for the affected communities. It is especially poignant to hear people living with HIV tell their stories and what the future will look like because of Higgins' legacy.
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questlove supreme
We catch up with The Roots' beloved drummer, filmmaker, and everything else on our long-running podcast, featuring notable guests like LL Cool J, Chaka Khan, and Michelle Obama. It goes far beyond traditional chat and tired topics. Mariah Carey sat down for an all-night interview that ended up in two parts, revealing news of her secret grunge album and her talent for impersonating Aretha Franklin. There's also a gorgeous discussion with the lesser-known Andre 3000 about feeling the music by playing it by ear, rather than just learning the notes.
Dua Lipa: At your service.
Celebrity interview podcasts seem like an easy option for both host and guest to gain recognition, but Dua Lipa brings quality to her podcast. Even though she's a Grammy and British Award-winning pop star, it's clear she's taken the time to understand her subject, and she does her own interviews. , are doing them well. Vulture smugly described her At Your Service as a “medieval pop intellectual podcast,” and that's not a bad thing. Lipa brings her own experiences to demystify politics and culture.
Why not try it…
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Ripple tells the untold story of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and how the crisis continues to impact local residents in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Gratitude with life coach Jamie Hess. A guide to turning pain into purpose, told through stories of perseverance and acceptance.
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Podcast giant Tortoise's latest installment, Who Trolled Amber?, explores the origins of an organized hate campaign against actor Amber Heard.
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