American Fiasco
After successfully hosting the World Cup in 1994 and exporting numerous players to leagues across Europe, the US was hopeful that its soccer trajectory was heading in the right direction. Some optimists even saw them as dark horses for the title in 1998. Spoiler alert: these hopes proved to be spectacularly misplaced. This podcast explores their World Cup meltdown in exhaustive detail, serving as a timely reminder that this tournament always throws up diverting stories. Phil Harrison
The Two Shot Podcast
Craig Parkinson displays a very different interrogation style to his Line of Duty character Dot Cottan in this brilliant interview podcast. Regular episodes put the spotlight on actors, with Vicky McClure, Greg McHugh and Meera Syal among those succumbing to an unfiltered chat about their craft in the most down-to-earth way possible. Parkinson’s interview with Dave Haslam is a rip-roaring listen, with the DJ recalling how a Generation X gig forced him to escape to the disco room and kickstarted his career. Hannah Verdier
Your picks: Alone and The Colour Cycle
Alone: A Love Story
Alone is one of the most beautiful, humanly (and humanely) told stories on relationships I have ever heard. Listening to it, on long walks and lonesome drives, I was more connected to everything – including my soul – than I even knew was possible. I remember standing at an intersection, stunned, feeling things I did not even have names for, and I thought: ‘How does a podcast make me do that?’ I was so grateful to Michelle Parise, someone I have never met, but who got me to imagine that I have known her all my life. I am a psychologist and I have recommended this podcast to some of my patients who need to feel less alone. I want them to hear how a woman spins gold out of some pretty awful circumstances. But, mostly, I want them to hear that someone is with them. Recommended by Michael Newmark
The Colour Cycle
The Colour Cycle podcast series, by Diversity Arts Australia, is essential listening for anyone serious about contributing to a fairer, more representative arts landscape. It unpacks the issues around the lack of cultural diversity in the creative sector and celebrates the great work of artists and arts workers active in the space. These podcasts are valuable, concentrated, bitesized resources. There is a lot to take in. More importantly, there is a lot to take away. Recommended by Kiriaki Koubaroulis
Guardian pick: What will Britain’s withdrawal look like?
Brexit Means ...
Like the management of Britain’s exit from the EU, our Brexit Means … podcast is the gift that keeps on giving. The main difference between the two is that the latter is a welcome one, while the former – well, not so much. Led by the Guardian’s European affairs correspondent, Jon Henley, the weekly podcast delves into the muddy waters of Brexit in an attempt to provide some much-needed clarity.
The latest episode asks: what will Britain’s withdrawal look like? After months of ping pong between MPs and the House of Lords, it does not seem as though we are any closer to, well, anything. And, with the help of the Guardian columnist Rafael Behr and the Guardian’s Brussels correspondent, Jennifer Rankin, it feels as though it is time to start hedging some bets. Will Theresa May survive? Will it be all-out chaos? Or, in the words of Behr, are we stuck with a “crap Brexit”? Have a listen to find out.
If you’ve got a podcast that you love, send your recommendations to podcasts@theguardian.com
