From exploring cults to debunking wellness: 5 of the best new BBC Sounds podcasts to download

Your podcast feed just became a whole lot more exciting thanks to BBC Sounds
Melanie Pongratz / Unsplash
Amelia Heathman2 November 2018

The BBC has been going full throttle on podcasts recently. Earlier this year, the organisation hired its first commissioning editor of podcasts and now it is launching its own dedicated podcast app, named BBC Sounds.

As well as a host of new podcasts, you can use the BBC Sounds app to tune in live to your favourite BBC Radio shows, catch up on previous episodes, and listen to some of the top series made outside of the BBC including The Guilty Feminist and Griefcast.

At the launch event in London today, BBC Director-General Tony Hall said: “Radio is a unique and precious part of our lives and we’re innovating to secure its future for generations to come. BBC Sounds is a standalone and standout destination, bringing the best of everything we do in audio into one place.

“It allows us all to experiment – to explore new music, stories and ideas – to play with form and content. And it’s going to support a whole new generation of talent.”

The BBC is launching a total of 20 new podcasts as part of BBC Sounds, so we’ve found the five best new shows we think you’re going to love.

Five new BBC podcasts to download

1. All Hail Kale

Listen to if you like... The Doctor's Kitchen

The health and wellness industry is worth around $3 trillion but breaking through the noise of whether coconut oil is good or bad for you, and what’s actually wrong with gluten can be tricky if you rely on the internet alone.

Whilst The Doctor's Kitchen is a bit more of a serious look at health and wellness trends, All Hail Kale, hosted by Tim Samuels, is going to explore wellness topics in a rather light-hearted way.

From cheese rehab to preparing for the post-apocalypse, All Hail Kale is going to be your insight into the future of wellness.

2. Beyond Today

Listen to if you like... The Daily

News-focused 20-minute daily podcasts are all the rage after the success of The New York TimesThe Daily. The BBC wants to get in on this magic with the launch of Beyond Today.

Born out of the Today programme, each episode will be a 15-20 minute look into a big news story of the day to give listeners an insight into what’s really going on.

Episodes will drop at 5pm on weekdays, perfect for your commute home.

BBC

3. End of Days

Listen to if you like... Heaven’s Gate

There’s something about cults that is completely fascinating and absorbing, which was why Pineapple Street Media’s Heaven’s Gate series exploring the US-based cult of the same name was such a success.

End Of Days explores a different apocalyptic cult, the Branch Davidians sect, led by David Koresh who believed he was the final prophet, in Texas in the 1990s.

It turns out 30 of the members were from Britain, with the new podcast exploring their stories and how they ended up in a horrific fire that brought an end to Koresh and his followers.

4. The Disrupters

Listen to if you like... How I Built This

Starting your own business is a terrifying prospect, so podcasts like How I Built This and new entrant The Disrupters are here to help.

Kamal Ahmed, editorial director of BBC News, and entrepreneur Rohan Silva will hold candid conversations with some of the biggest names in the business, from Demis Hassabbis of DeepMind and Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet.

Each episode will explore the reality of starting up, looking at risk, ambition, failure and success.

5. The Sista Collective

Listen to if you like... Another Round

If you’ve been waiting eagerly for the next stage of Another Round, the deliciously funny and informative podcast hosted by former Buzzfeed staff Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton then don’t worry, The Sista Collective has got your back.

The first BBC series d by Black British women, led by BBC Radio 5 Live journalist Jessie Aru-Phillips, the podcast will explore what it means to be a woman of colour living in the UK today, discussing topics such as relationships, colourism and identity.

BBC

You can download BBC Sounds on App Store, Google Play Store and Amazon now

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