What I've been listening to in 2024 🎧

Welcome to the final edition of 2024 where I’ll be sharing some of my favourite podcast episodes of the year. Apparently, I racked up a lot of listening time in the past twelve months - 15,900 minutes, according to Spotify Wrapped (that’s about 11 days)!

Before I continue, I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who signed up for this newsletter and took the time to read my updates. I’m excited to share that Season 2 of Made For Us will be launching early next year! I’ve just finished recording the trailer, which will be released any day now. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the podcast on Apple or Spotify so you don’t miss it.

Wishing you a happy and successful year ahead!

Now, for my podcast picks of 2024. The idea is to introduce you to new shows and creators that you won’t find in mainstream “best of” compilations, which as I’ve written here, could do a better job of representing diverse voices and spotlighting indie podcasters. For each selection, I’ve recommended a specific episode to check out first. If the picks below whet your appetite, you can view the full list on LinkedIn.

And if you’re in the mood for a different kind of listening, here’s a playlist I compiled of all the songs recommended by guests of the first season of Made For Us.

No Stupid Questions

I’ve listened to almost every episode of No Stupid Questions since it launched a couple of years ago, so I was quite disappointed to learn that it’s being discontinued. The co-hosts - Grit author and psychologist Angela Duckworth and sports executive Mike Maughan - tackle deep questions with a light touch and great banter. It’s like eavesdropping on a conversation between two really smart people. I’d recommend starting with their series on the Big Five personality traits and if you like those go back to episode 1 and work your way through the back catalogue.

Overlooked

The premise of this podcast, written and produced by Golda Arthur, is that we know surprisingly little about many medical conditions affecting women. Arthur tackles subjects like endometriosis, menopause, ovarian health and ADHD, bringing difficult personal stories to life through immersive storytelling. The opening scene in the episode on endometriosis is a great example of that. Listening to an episode about pain may sound daunting, but you’ll come away with new revelations about how men and women not only experience pain differently but also use different words to describe it.

A Fine Mess

A relatively new discovery for me, A Fine Mess describes itself as a show “that confronts the big issues we’re facing today with curiosity instead of dread.” Hosted by founder and investor Sabrina Merage Naim, it delves into topics such as the cultural panic around AI and how the media influences behaviour. My recommended episode is Naim’s conversation with Paula Stone Williams, an evangelical pastor who transitioned and speaks candidly about their loss of male privilege. Eye-opening.

Becoming You with Suzy Welch

The episode of Becoming You that caught my eye is Welch’s interview with LinkedIn Editor-In-Chief Dan Roth about his messy career pivot from journalism to tech. Roth is incredibly honest about the “soul-crushing” moments of navigating a new career, forging a new identity and dealing with self-doubt. As someone who pivoted from journalism, Roth’s story really resonated with me. The episode is a must-listen for anyone in the middle of a career change or contemplating one.

Black Prose

Black Prose, hosted by journalist Yolanthe Fawehinmi, shines a spotlight on talented Black writers. I attended a live taping of the interview with Yomi Adegoke, author of The List, at the London Podcast Festival and it’s well worth a listen for an insight into the mind of one of the UK’s most promising novelists. You’ll learn why she doesn’t shy away from exploring topics that some find uncomfortable and why she thinks people “struggle to hold multiple truths in their head at one time.” Though I hadn’t read The List before hearing her speak, I immediately bought a copy afterwards and I’d highly recommend it.

Travel Plans

I met Fernando Pinho, the host of Travel Plans, at a podcast conference this year and was intrigued by the concept of his podcast. Pinho, a pilot, invites you to travel with him to different destinations across the UK and Europe and acts as your personal audio tour guide. Apart from Pinho’s standout skills as a guide, what makes the episodes memorable are the immersive storytelling and sound design, giving you the sense of being in the middle of an adventure. Pinho also runs a charity called Come Fly with Me that helps children with cancer and their families travel to hospitals.

If you get a chance to listen to any of the episodes above, I’d love to know what you think. And if you have any personal favourites from 2024, please reply to this email and send me your recommendations. See you in 2025!