Each month, Podcast Review’s staff offers recommendations on the best new shows to listen to. Here are our favorite podcasts for April.
Season three of queer storytelling podcast Alphabet Club is a welcome return for fans of moving personal essays. Each episode features a spoken word performance that charts a tale of desire, heartbreak, sex or friendship, and is followed by a discussion with the show's host and curator, Shannon Beveridge.
While Alphabet Club has received critical feedback in the past over sound quality and production, the premise is interesting enough that I'm excited to see where this season lands.
A number of book podcasts have launched recently to more noise than STACK, including Inklings from influencer Jack Edwards and Goalhanger's much publicized The Book Club. But I was drawn to STACK for its understated vibe and creative topics. Jake, a writer, chats with book publisher Ella about their literary recommendations for life's various moments, including friendships, turbulent times, and cozy nights. I've always found recommendations far more useful when based on real life experiences: going to college, recovering from heartbreak, becoming a parent. Books offer solace in these moments.
Jake and Ella's recommendations reflect a broad range of tastes and needs, with picks ranging from Jojo Moyes to romantasy to the latest literary fiction. While their on-air chemistry is a little stilted, there is a lot of potential in this new British podcast.
Regret has been trending. Videos of awkward millennials micro-dosing rejection in low stakes situations, like asking for a free drink in a restaurant, have been all over my social feeds. For those plagued with people pleasing tendencies or are afraid to start a creative project due to crippling perfectionism, practicing rejection might be the solution. We Reject to Inform You may also help. The show interviews writers, actors, and entrepreneurs about their most memorable moments of rejection on the road to success. Ever heard the adage "Inside every failure is a lesson?" This podcast embodies it.
Season seven of We Regret to Inform You has just kicked off with Joan Jett and George R.R. Martin.
