This week's podcast selection offers a compelling mix of comedy, investigative journalism, and intimate conversation, providing listeners with a diverse audio landscape to explore. From the return of a beloved prankster character to a harrowing investigation into charity fraud, there's a story for every ear.
Comedy and Character Return with a Bunch of Bs
Kayvan Novak, the mastermind behind cult comedy series Fonejacker and Facejacker, has resurrected one of his most gloriously incompetent creations. In The Brian Badonde Bodcast, he once again dons the persona of the bungling, verbally challenged art critic Brian Badonde. The series sees Badonde 'interview' celebrities, though his unique linguistic style, which heavily favours words beginning with the letter 'b', makes for chaotic and hilarious exchanges.
Guests on the show, which is described as very 'Marmite' in its appeal, include fellow podcaster Adam Buxton and singer Ella Eyre. Remarkably, Eyre manages to offer a surprisingly candid account of her music industry experiences despite her interviewer's relentless and absurd shtick. New episodes of this distinctly silly series are released weekly across all major platforms.
Uncovering Dark Truths and Family Lies
For those seeking more profound content, Dani Shapiro's long-running podcast Family Secrets continues to deliver powerful narratives. Blending interview and therapy session, Shapiro expertly guides guests as they unpack the hidden dynamics and untold stories within their families. The latest season features gripping accounts, including an actor who concealed his Arab heritage after the 9/11 attacks and instead pretended to be Black.
In a starkly different but equally heavy investigative vein, the BBC's World of Secrets: The Child Cancer Scam exposes a shocking multimillion-dollar fraud. Reporter Simi Jolaoso delivers careful yet compelling journalism, delving into how the stories of sick children and their vulnerable families were co-opted by con artists to extract money from sympathetic donors online. It's a difficult but essential listen.
Navigating Chaos: From Acting to Acoustic History
The precarious nature of creative work is explored in How to Be an Actor and Not Lose Your Sh*t, hosted by actor Shvorne Marks (The Baby, Three Little Birds). Marks speaks from experience about the industry's whiplash-inducing volatility, where one day you're on a TV set and the next you're unemployed. She is joined by peers like Pearl Mackie and Stacey Dooley to discuss survival strategies in such a chaotic field.
Finally, for a dose of immersive sonic history, War Hall: A Theatre of the Mind presents the story of London's Walthamstow Assembly Hall. True to its billing as a story about sound science, the production is slick and absorbing. It is co-hosted by cinema legend Angela Allen—who worked as Ava Gardner's body double and went car shopping with Clark Gable—and historian Professor John Thomas, making for a uniquely authoritative and delightful auditory experience.
