From true survival stories to history deep dives on iconic brands, save yourself the scrolling and listen to one of these.
10 Podcast Episodes That Will Have You Hooked From the Moment You Press Play
From true survival stories to history deep dives on iconic brands, save yourself the scrolling and listen to one of these.
You would think finding a podcast to hit play on would be a relatively easy task, but with new episodes and series coming out on the daily, it’s no wonder why many of us revert back to the R&B playlists we made in high school.
For those looking to shake up what plays through their car speakers or tangled wired earphones, a podcast is a great way to expand your listening repertoire, while learning a thing or two about the topic being discussed.
If you’ve been struck with a bout of decision paralysis trying to figure out what to press play on next, or simply don’t have the time to sift through the thousands of options available to you, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite podcast episodes so you can stop wasting time scrolling, and start listening.
1. What put Martha Stewart behind bars? by Shameless Media
Best-selling author, successful entrepreneur, and an Emmy-award television host, Martha Stewart has worn many crowns during her career. But in 2004, the beloved household name spent five months behind bars after lying about a stock trade. Retracing exactly how she went from billionaire to behind bars, Shameless podcast leaves no stone unturned when recounting exactly how Martha came to be in that position.
2. Secret Agent: Evy Poumpouras by The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and multi-media journalist Evy Poumpouras shares the skills she’s learnt in her time defending four U.S. Presidents. From her close encounter with death on 9/11, to how to gain control over anyone, this insightful and captivating episode of The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett pulls back the curtain on what life is like for members of the Secret Service, and the useful tricks they are taught.
3. Flight 571: Survival in the Andes with Blair Braverman by You’re Wrong About
The devastating true story hit Netflix series Yellowjackets is based around is explored in depth on this episode of You’re Wrong About. Survival correspondent Blair Braverman recounts the gut-wrenching story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes on October 13, 1972. 16 out of 45 passengers survived, initially celebrated as heroes, it wasn’t until the decisions they had to make while they were abandoned were revealed, that the public’s perception of them changed.
4. The Complete History & Strategy of Nike by Acquired
Perhaps one of the most iconic and prolific bands of the modern era, Nike continues to prevail when it comes to sport and street wear. With the brand’s history being recounted through novels such as Shoe Dog and films such as Air, there are still elements to Nike’s story which remain untold. Packed full of drama, twists and business lessons, consider this your definitive guide to how swooshes became one of the most recognised symbols of the 21st century.
5. How We Got To NOW by The Long Time Academy
A podcast all about time, thinking, and our relation to how we treat them in conjunction, this insightful multi-part series by The Long Time Academy explores how our society is obsessed with ‘short-term’ culture and thinking, which leads to quick fixes and instant gratification. Taking into account how the industrial revolution reshaped our relationship with time, this educational podcast will teach you how to use long-term thinking to help you feel more present, less anxious, and more hopeful about the future.
6. Oh, James Corden by Shameless Media
This three-part series dissects English actor, comedian, and former television host James Corden’s muddled career, and how he came to be one of the entertainment industry’s most disliked people. From yelling at directors on set to humiliating writers, the Shameless podcast explores his reputation and seeks to find out if the criticism on his career is really fair?
7. Simon Cowell Opens Up About His Heartbreaking Loss by The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
We all know him as the brutally honest man behind the buzzer on internationally-known game shows such as ‘Pop Idol’, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘X-Factor’, but world-renowned record producer, music mogul, and talent scout Simon Cowell unveils a new side on this episode of The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett. The pair discuss Simon being bankrupt at 30, his life threatening accident, and his one and only regret about One Direction.
8. Paul Mescal by The Louis Theroux Podcast
An icon interviews an icon for the opener of Louis Theroux’s second season of his self-titled podcast. Listen in as Paul Mescal discusses the impact of Hollywood fame, how he deals with the paparazzi, and how acting came to be the love of his life. Packed full of personal anecdotes and sheer wit, this episode feels like listening in on a conversation between two old friends.
9. The Complete History & Strategy of Hermès by Acquired
Lovers of business, strategy, and the opulent world of designer brands, you’re going to want to hear this. Heralded as one of the most prolific and idolised brands in the designer world, Hermès sells the absolute pinnacle of the French luxury dream. Standing strong for six generations, Hermès has completely reinvented itself at least three times in its 187-year history. This is the story of how they got there, turning the company from a sleepy, ~$10B family enterprise into a $200B market cap European giant.
10. #158 The Case of the Missing Hit by Reply All
This light-hearted story balances mystery, intrigue, and humour to bring to you an informative and entertaining one hour podcast episode telling the story of a Californian man who is haunted by the memory of a pop song from his youth. He knows the lyrics, the melody, the beat – but when he goes to find it online, every trace of it has vanished. Inviting guests from the music industry to help crack the case, this 'infotaining' podcast is the perfect driving companion.
