With the ongoing Hollywood strikes, a number of TV and film companies have paused production and celebrities are no longer allowed to promote their work that’s being released until the unions’ demands are met. The strikes have, in return, allowed celebrities to seek other media formats that don’t cross the picket line, including podcasts - whether that’s acting in an audio drama or uniting five of the best late night TV shows in one chaotic and comedic podcast.
Other recommendations this week include new weekend episodes from Newscast - because five a week was just not enough - and podcasts that cover mental health, disability awareness, career growth, music, and more.
What’s in the industry’s ears?
Josh Lindgren - Head of podcasts, CAA
I always come back to the Heart Wisdom Podcast from author and teacher Jack Kornfield. The podcast is an incredible resource featuring a huge range of archived talks from his long career.
James Chandler - Chief marketing officer, IAB UK
This week I’ve been listening to the latest episode of Tape Notes – a podcast that dives deep into music production. It’s the turn of Amber Bain (AKA The Japanese House) talking about her new album ‘In The End It Always Does’ - an hour and half of fascinating insights into the studio recording and dog-walk writing sessions.
Lizzy Pollot - Chief communications and brand officer, Acast
I'm hooked (as ever) on The Worst Idea Of All Time from New Zealand comics Guy Montgomery and Tim Batt - where they watch the same film every week for a year. But right now they're on the latest season of And Just Like That and it's giddy, delirious nonsense. In a good way.
Sangeeta Pillai - Host, Masala Podcast
I’ve been listening to Gabor Mate on Elizabeth Day’s How To Fail podcast. I’m a huge fan of Gabor Mate. Inspired by him, I talk a lot in my work about the effects of childhood experiences and cultural conditioning in our lives as adults. I love Elizabeth Day’s interview style; she gives her guest so much space to express himself exactly as he is. Great interview, great insights.
Matt Deegan - Co-founder, Folder Media
I'm really enjoyingStrike Force Five, the podcast from late night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, John Oliver and Stephen Colbert. Fascinating to see how these super-talented hosts work together. They've made a great start so far.
Freshly Dropped
Strike Force Five
With the ongoing Hollywood strikes, a number of late night shows have paused production. This resulted in the union of late night TV hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, who have launched a new podcast with Spotify discussing the impact that the strike has had on them. The podcast, titled Strike Force Five, launched its first episode on 30 August on all major podcast platforms, and all proceeds of the show will go to their respective out-of-work staff members.
Newscast
BBC Sounds’ hit current affair Newscast is now releasing episodes every single day of the week, with new weekend episodes starting 2 September. Episodes released on Saturdays and Sundays will be co-hosted by Laura Kuenssberg, presenter of BBC One’s flagship Sunday morning politics TV show, and Paddy O’Connell, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Sunday Broadcasting House show with insights on what happened on air during their respective Sunday recordings.
Accessed That
As part of Queensland Government’s initiative to become the world’s all–abilities destination of choice, the Australian state launched a new podcast in partnership with production company The Peers Project, aimed at making travel more accessible for people with disabilities. The weekly podcast titled Accessed That launched its first two episodes on 27 August with co-hosts stand-up comedian Oliver Hunter and paralympic swimmer and TV presenter Karni Liddell.
Happiful
Mental health platform Happiful launched a new podcast on Wednesday this week, hosted by content creator and Happiful strategist Kat Nicholls. The podcast, titled Happiful: Finding What Works, features Nicholls speaking to wellness professionals and people with lived experience to discuss the steps that individuals can take to find what works for them in terms of mental, physical, and emotional health.
Your Mama’s Kitchen
Acast’s first podcast project created in partnership with the Obamas’ production company Higher Ground launched this week on all podcast platforms, following the end of its exclusivity period on Audible. The podcast, titled Your Mama’s Kitchen, is hosted by Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist Michele Norris, who speaks to a range of guests about their culinary experiences, including former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama.
