10 New Podcasts Our Travel & Lifestyle Editor Is Loving

The term ‘mass hysteria’, which originated in the 19th century and was once considered a medical condition predominantly affecting women, isn’t widely discussed today. So, I was intrigued when I found out that Wondery’s latest series dives into the topic of modern-day hysteria. Host Dan Taberski presents the evidence and you, the listener, must decide whether you think this stranger-than-fiction story actually happened. Over a decade ago, a mysterious illness spread among a group of schoolgirls in upstate New York. No one knew what caused their sudden, often violent symptoms. Was there something in the water or was it ‘all in their head’? Some believed it to be the most severe case of mass hysteria since the Salem Witch Trials. It’s a fascinating story about a series of inexplicable events.

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Slow Burn is one of my favourite investigative podcasts, hosted by a string of award-winning journalists who dissect big topics from the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal to Roe vs Wade. Its tenth series turn its attention to Fox News, one of the world’s most controversial media outlets. Featuring interviews with hosts, reporters and producers who helped build it into today’s conglomerate, many of whom have never spoken publicly, it recounts how Fox News first surged to power – and why numerous people rose up to try and stop it. It also features snippets from its biggest critics, as well as Fox’s victims, many of whom are still coming to terms with how a cable news channel upended their lives.

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Davina Mcall has teamed up with Steven Bartlett’s podcast media and technology company, Flight Studio, to work on this new podcast. Begin Again is an exploration of personal transformation and resilience. Each episode invites listeners to join Davina as she conducts candid conversations with inspiring guests who share their journeys to overcoming challenges and reinventing themselves. With her signature warmth and authenticity, Davina explores topics ranging from mental health to self-acceptance, providing practical advice for anyone seeking to embrace change. And you don’t have to be a certain age to enjoy this series – it’s an uplifting listen for everyone. 

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Wondery has released a steady stream of true crime podcasts over the last year, and this series is one of its best. It centres on Paul Bergrin, a hotshot criminal defence lawyer in Newark, New Jersey. Seemingly unstoppable and with unorthodox methods, he’s built a reputation for getting his clients off the hook. But as Paul's legend grows, so do the suspicions swirling around him. When FBI agent Shawn Brokos starts investigating a major drug ring, she makes a shocking discovery: the gang's most powerful player is none other than Newark’s star attorney. It’s a thrilling story about corruption, greed, and one man’s audacious schemes. 

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A timely release following New York City mayor Eric Adams’ indictment last month, Empire City explores the many layers of corruption at the heart of the New York Police Department (NYPD). Hosted by award-winning journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika, it uncovers the department's roots in slavery and explores the historical narratives that shaped policing in America. Each episode reveals the untold stories of resistance against systemic oppression and the ongoing debates about law enforcement today. Start at the beginning to hear how the NYPD was formed under controversial circumstances. 

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Fresh off her appearance on the SheerLuxe Show earlier this month, Bella Freud launched her first podcast earlier this month. In each episode, Bella invites guests – from fashion icons to cultural figures – to share their thoughts on the deeper connections between style, identity and life’s universal themes like love, culture and politics. Guests so far have included fellow fashion designer Rick Owens and French ex-footballer Eric Cantona, with Courteney Cox appearing on the couch later in the series. Bella offers a fresh perspective on the fashion industry and explores how clothes are a powerful lens for understanding ourselves and the world. 

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Last month, music mogul P Diddy was arrested at a New York hotel. As of this week, he’s been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering, as well as facing lawsuits from over 120 people for sexual and other crimes. If you're not up to speed with the case, this podcast presents new developments in the case, taking listeners back to the beginning of Diddy’s career and following the trajectory of his public unravelling. After dodging major criminal allegations for decades, his trial will begin on 5th May next year – and this series will report on the latest news from the courtroom and beyond.

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Award-winning journalists Douglas and Franki Cookney love all things pop culture and fashion, so who better to host a new podcast about the history of print magazines? In each episode, they look back on a specific print edition to see how our attitudes towards women, fashion and culture have changed. The first episode covers a Cosmopolitan issue from 1982, when the Pill turned 21 and publishers were just cottoning on to the idea that women buy books. Whether you're a magazine lover or curious about print’s future in this *ahem* digital age, Mag Hags offers a thoughtful take on the art of storytelling in print.

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This dramatised podcast stars Sheridan Smith, Joanne Froggatt and Elexi Walker. The fictional crime series follows the hunt for an elusive serial killer who murders once a decade, then changes his identity. In a story full of shocking twists and turns, a journalist, a survivor, a witness, a detective and a forensic psychologist are all interviewed to find out what went right, and what went horribly wrong, in the hunt for a killer. But everyone has their own agenda and maybe even something to hide. A bingeworthy drama. 

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If you loved the viral podcast Sweet Bobby, this new series has been made by the same media company, so you can expect top-notch journalism in every episode. Elon Musk is one of the most powerful men in the world. He's a billionaire, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla and more. To his followers, he's a hero; to his critics, a far-right provocateur. But for someone so public, there’s one part of his life that’s less well known. Elon’s Spies investigates how this free-speech champion uses private investigators and surveillance to target everyone from whistleblowers at his companies to online critics and people in his own life. 

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