Although I love nothing better than to curl up in a cosy corner and get lost in a book, there are times when I turn to an audio solution for entertainment, listening to podcasts. They're perfect for when my hands are on auto-pilot doing household chores or driving. Listening to something at that moment seems to engage the mind, entertaining and enriching even as the manual tasks are being completed.

As I listen, my mind becomes a mental theatre playing out scene after scene. Really, everything is left to the imagination. It's a great exercise.   

Here are some of my favourite podcasts:

Case 63 (available on Spotify)

This is an entertaining drama featuring a conspiracy theme, time - travel and science fiction elements.  For me, it was a chase until the end (at which point, I found I had to wait for Season 2). It also has the star draw of Julianne Moore, voice talent of course.

Dr Death - Dr Duntsch (available on Spotify)

Nothing terrified me more than the fact that this was a documentary drama. Real people suffered horrifying consequences at the hands of a monstrous doctor. I'm glad I didn't listen to this before going into surgery.

Cabin Pressure (written by John Finnemore)

There's nothing like English humour to bring out the laughs. It helps to have star draws like Benedict Cumberbatch. His female fans have a rather unsavoury sounding term but don't let that deter anyone from enjoying this radio sitcom about the exploits of a private plane charter service. This used to play on BBC Radio 4. I found full episodes on You Tube but the last I checked, they weren't there anymore. Spotify Premium for those who would like to look this up.   

BFM - A Bit of Culture

This programme plays every Friday night on the BFM radio station and is also available on Spotify. It's a talk show featuring anything the host, Kam Raslan and his guests fancy and run the gamut of social themes, trends, gripes. I enjoy it because it's fun listening to people having fun talking about issues that stir them.

Audio dramas I plan on looking up next:

- People who Knew Me (by BBC Sounds, producer Sharon Hogan, available on Spotify)

- Mother, Neighbour, Russian Spy (an Audible Original Podcast, narrated by Rosamund Pike)

These should keep me really happy as I embark on my next home DIY project, painting the gate and metal grills.

I wish you all Happy Listening.

Source of image: Microsoft Powerpoint clipart


P/S: 
Late Saturday morning update - I checked my favourite weekend read, the Guardian (which I support via the occasional podcast signup) and happened to see this totally coincidental topic. Do checkout their readers recommendations.

‘I haven’t been so gripped by a podcast, ever’: your favourite listens of 2023 so far | Television | The Guardian


Update on 8 July 2023:
‘Like nothing else you’ll ever hear’: the 20 best podcasts ever | Podcasts | The Guardian


Postscript added on 10 Oct 2023: Note: Thank you to those who have written to let me know you enjoy reading my column but daren't take a lesson because there are parts you don't really understand. I assure you we'll always speak at a level which suits you so that we can enjoy a casual conversation. Also, we can go through words and sentences that are difficult so that we learn together. Perhaps, they will be easy then and we'll always have something to talk about. No stress!