The 11 best podcasts you should be listening to

PODCASTS are no longer the poor cousins of radio. From heartbreaking stories to mindblowing knowledge, here are 11 of the best.

Podcasts are growing in popularity.

The growing popularity of podcasts is a huge win for everyone.

It’s now commonplace to do it while you’re running, cooking, walking, driving or cleaning - you can get things done and let your mind be enriched.

You’re introduced to stories you wouldn’t otherwise come across, from a perspective you wouldn’t ordinarily be exposed to.

Here is a list of the 11 best podcasts you should be listening to right now.

THE MOTH

Real people telling real stories from their lives. Some are funny, some are heartbreaking but all of them are memorable.

REVISIONIST HISTORY

Hosted by well-known author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell, the series looks back at historical moments, some known others not so much, and gives you a whole new look at them. His stories are both factually accurate and emotionally brilliant. The best episode so far is “Generous Orthodoxy” which is beautiful in so many ways.

LOVE + RADIO

You’ve never heard anything like it before — it’s heartbreaking, funny and shocking. It’s eclectic and explores in-depth issues you’ve been too scared to ask about. From a dominatrix to somebody who spies on her neighbours, you hear confessions that make you think about things just a little bit differently.

IDEAS AT THE HOUSE

The podcast pulls together the best talks held at the Opera House throughout the year. It includes talks from people from all walks of life on an array of topics including Alain De Botton, Nigella Lawson and Paul Keating.

MY DAD WROTE A PORNO

Three thirty-something Brits dissect a porno written by one of their dads. Hilarious and excruciating in equal measure.

HEAVYWEIGHT

The host and subject of the podcast takes you along through his past, through the moments that shaped him and broke him. There is a heartwrenching episode where he speaks to an ex-girlfriend that broke his heart and influenced his life in a major way only to find out he was barely a speck in her history. There is a moment in that episode, if you listen close enough, you can hear his heart break.

FIVETHIRTYEIGHT

A US election podcast, specialising in hard data and polls. Hosted by Nate Silver who is known for his ability to predict results based on cold, hard numbers.

MINOR REVELATIONS WITH DREW DROEGE

This LA comedian has two guests on each episode to share a “minor revelation” from their lives. They tell a hilarious, embarrassing, or life-changing story from their past. His guests are always fellow improv comedian friends so it’s always a very funny, and sometimes quite filthy, listen.

ESQUIRE

It’s about the stories behind awesome feature articles from the 80-something-year-old magazine. You get to hear from authors of extraordinary stories about their investigations, interview subjects, and old-school journalism, and hear about the lives of awesome writers and characters. The best episode is “The Falling Man” about the incredible and compelling investigation into the famous photo from September 11.

WEST WING WEEKLY

Every week, Joshua Malina (Will Bailey on The West Wing) and Hrishikesh Hirway chat about one of the best shows on TV in the last 20 years. It’s an episode-by-episode distillation — they’re up to season two — and has featured guests including Aaron Sorkin, Bradley Whitford, Dule Hill, Richard Schiff and Emily Procter, plus other beltway insiders.

NPR’S PLANET MONEY

Complex economic concepts explained simply, and sometimes vice versa. Planet Money’s Facebook page describes it best: “Listening to the Planet Money podcast is like hanging out at a bar with friends, telling stories, and understanding the economy in the process.”