7 Podcasts to Listen to in 2021

Podcasts are my new plans…  

Like many of you, there are a few things that are getting me through these unprecedented, uncertain, and TOTALLY unusual times. According to my Instagram feed, it seems like the most popular things to do to pass the time are puzzles and baking banana bread.

I will not be discussing either of these in this blog post, except for this – If you do want a banana bread recipe, then this one is 10/10. All credit to the Food Network for this one.

In this post I wanted to share how podcasts have really changed the game for me during isolation. For those of you who don’t know, the term “podcast” is derived from the media player “iPod” and the term “broadcast”.

When the two words merged, the terms podcast was born and my goodness am I thankful for that rn. All credit to apple for this one.  

I have loved listening to a podcast during lockdown, either when I go for my daily walk, sometimes on my weekly run, or even when I am working from home.

Some of my favourite podcasts to listen to in lockdown are funny and full of wisdom.

7 Podcasts to Listen to in Lockdown

1. Table Manners with Jessie Ware
2. Adulting podcast
3. The High Low podcast
4. Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast
5. Private Parts podcast
6. Private Message podcast
7. Sheerluxe Success Stories podcast

I am not a newbie to the podcast game, but I have listened to more in the last 7 weeks than I have in my whole life! The podcast directory is mammoth, so I thought I would help you navigate it somewhat to get you off to a flying start if you are a newbie, or offer my recommendations if you are looking for something new.

I have been listening to podcasts to replicate the noise of the office, a bit of white noise and mindless listening really helps me when I am WFH. I listen to the more light hearted podcast for this, conversational pieces about food and lifestyle.

When I want to really switch off, I run a bath, pop in some bath salts and deliciously scented oils, light some candles and listen to a podcast that helps me relax and destress. Something that you might not be aware of is the stress this pandemic is having on you and your body, so this is a great way to switch off and unwind.

I listened to Fearne Cotton’s happy place a couple of weeks ago. She was interviewing Russell Brand and my goodness, I haven’t listened to something that thought provoking and effortlessly brilliant in a very long time.

Here is a list of my top podcasts to listen to in lockdown, from the past six months or so if you’re not sure where to start.

I would suggest…

1. For your foodie fix: Table Manners with Jessie Ware. Jessie hosts a podcast about food, family and the beautiful art of having a chat, direct from her very own dinner table (or remotely at the moment) with a little help from her chef extraordinaire mum Lennie, each week guests from the worlds of music, culture and politics drop by for a bite and a natter.

This podcast is funny, endearing and beautifully candid. Start with the episode with Mel and Sue of former GBBO glory.

2. To feed your curiosity: Adulting by Oenone Forbat, renowned for trying to figure out the things we were never taught at school. Ease yourself in with the isolation series (bubble bath required).  

3. For your popular culture fix with some lols thrown in for good measure: The High Low, a weekly pop-culture/ news podcast brought to you by Dolly Alderton (author of ‘Everything I Know About Love’) and Pandora Sykes. Note; this is my favorite podcast going!

4. The one that will make you think: Fearne Cotton, Happy Place – TRUST me, listening to the episode with Russell Brand.

5. If you fancy some humour in your life: Private Parts podcast by Jamie Lang. For this one I recommend starting with the Spencer Matthews episodes, there has been 3 so far and trust me you will laugh out loud!

6. If you’re approaching 30: Private Message Podcast, PMP is hosted by best friends and “insta work wives” Sophie Milner and Gemma Talbot.

After years of providing advice and answering questions on their Sunday Instagram Q&As the girls created PMP to give their audiences a place to go for their unfiltered answers. They are truly UNFILTERED – offering undefinable real advice and unapologetic honest sorties.

7. If you’re a fan of fashion: Sheerluxe – Sheerluxe have two regular podcasts, their weekly highlights podcast that delve deeper into the stories that have everyone talking, from fashion and beauty to culture and lifestyle and the bi-weekly Sheerluxe Success Stories.

Here the founder of Sheerluxe interviews some of the UKs most inspiring female entrepreneurs. Pop this on whilst working from home – it will give you that officevibe.

Featured photo by Mihis Alex from Pexels

Alice is 26 and lives in Balham. She enjoys nothing more than requesting annual leave days and planning trips for herself and her friend! Alice’s favourite place to travel in the UK is Scotland for nostalgic reasons, ever since she was a child, her family would pack up the car and start the 9-hour journey to Scotland whilst listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks. Now she loves to travel further afield. In only a couple of years, she has visited Bali, India and South America whilst squeezing in a few European and UK city breaks in where she can.

My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

To book flights, I always use flight search engine, Skyscanner, I regularly use the Everywhere tool to find the cheapest places to travel. It’s how I get to travel so much all around the world. I find it the easiest way to compare flight prices across airlines and get the best deals. 

Accommodation

For accommodation, I usually book most of my hotels or hostels through Booking.com. I love using this platform as it provides me with some amazing deals for accommodation all around the world. Or if you prefer, I also recommend using Airbnb. If you haven’t signed up with Airbnb already, you can use this link to get £25 off your first visit!

Photography and Technology

Here is a list of the technology I always travel with:

• Canon G7X Mark II
• GoPro Hero Black 7
• DJI Mavic Pro
• RØDE VideoMic GO On Microphone

Travel Insurance

Picking travel insurance that covers you in all eventualities is an essential part of planning a trip for every single person. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. You never know what’s around the corner. World Nomads is an affordable option that I personally recommend. BOOK HERE

You can also find me on social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Other posts that may help you:

The Best City Breaks for Couples

Ultimate Guide to a Weekend Break in York

The Best Weekend Trips in the UK

Ultimate Guide to Columbia Road Flower Market London

Log cabins with hot tubs in the UK

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Thank you for reading and as always happy adventuring! If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.

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Sophie X