Podcasts are akin to the audio box set. There's one out there on every topic, and no sooner have you enjoyed the first episode than you'll be feasting on the entire back catalogue.
To help you find the one for you – and to complement your Summer Reading List! – we've selected...
A Podcast for every mood...
- For the ultimate in true crime: Serial, Season One. No Podcast roundup is complete without an ode to Serial. It's the series that brought podcasting to the fore, and it's utterly gripping. Did Adnan Syed really murder former girlfriend Hae Min Lee, as per his conviction?
- For film picks & general entertainment: Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's Film Review. Revered for its witty, and at times confrontational, conversations.
- For a deeper look at the news: BBC World Service: The Inquiry. Helping us understand the bigger picture behind the headlines.
- For a proper 'people story': The New York Times' Modern Love. Exploring all manner of modern relationships. Each essay is narrated by a household personality, prior to a discussion with its author.
- For a sharper mind: The Brain Training Podcast. Described as 'the daily audio workout for your head', these games are simply made for slow train commutes!
- For anyone yet to hear the podcast in which Prince Harry opens up about his mental health: Bryony Gordon's Mad World Podcast. You may also be surprised by your newfound impressions of Melanie C, Will Young, and Jeff Brazier following this 10-part series.
- For original conversation fodder: Stuff You Should Know. Facts of every type that you're unlikely to have learned anywhere else!
- For life and business inspiration: TED Radio Hour. We encourage you to listen to Elon Musk's most recent appearance.
- For brief British tales: The Untold. Grace Dent of Radio 4 presents an assortment of personal experiences. While most are covered in a single episode, the 5-part 'Missing' is the one that will really hook you in!
- For legal drama aficionados: More Perfect. Real-life (and previously unheard) stories from the US Supreme Court.
Share your Podcast picks by Tweet and email – we'll prepare to download!