Coping with winter: Your new favourite vice.

A podcast roundup.

To make winter bearable this year, I made it my mission to enjoy the cold weather by getting outdoors as much as possible for *winter activities*. Therapists might term it leaning into the process. My winter energy is hopeful and resilient. I told myself I would stop at nothing to enjoy icy breezes and drizzly afternoons.

I kept my promise to myself and have enjoyed countless cold swims, long afternoon walks, and miles and miles of cycling. The Universe is rewarding me for the energy I am bringing to the table. Be gone grey days and rain. Despite the cold, it’s been sunny for weeks and London is serving up the most beautiful sunsets day after day after day. It’s meant all my must-enjoy-winter activities have a luminous glow. With little effort, they aren’t chores I feel a need to complete for my mental health. They are joyful activities that I can’t wait to experience.

That said, I usually need a vice to bait me out the front door: coffee, food, friends, etc. A new bike doesn’t hurt, either. Podcasts have been my go-to vice for a while. Enjoying a chilly walk while learning or laughing along with your favourite shows is just, well — the best!

It was quiet on the podcast scene over the holiday period. Until now. Most of my favourite shows are airing excellent content that has elevated my winter experience even more.

I thought it would be rude not to share. ■

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The Trojan Horse Affair

If you know podcasts, you know the folk behind Serial. The Trojan Horse Affair spotlights local council politics in Birmingham following the release of an anonymous letter outlining an Islamic extremist plan to infiltrate the local school system. The letter ignited a xenophobic national response, despite the fact it turned out to be a hoax. The series unpacks who wrote the letter, and why. Along the way, journalists Brian Reed and Hamza Sayed shed light on the treatment of Muslim citizens in Britain and the banal frustrations of local politics.

I ALSO Want Money

I ALSO Want Money is co-hosted by financial experts Nicole Kyle and Sophie Holm who are on a mission to close the gender wealth gap. Their latest episode features Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, the powerhouse woman behind BrainTrust. I rate all I ALSO episodes but suggest you start with their latest episode if you are new to the cast. Kendra talks frankly and earnestly about how to make, keep, and invest money on your own terms, through your own business.

Do You Need a Ride?

Do You Need a Ride is a little like talk-back radio — but better. Pre-pandemic, comedians Karen Kilgariff and Chris Fairbanks picked up comedic guests from LAX and drove them to their destination. Nowadays, they meet their guests on Zoom which by their own admission is a lot less stressful. The unscripted brilliance of comedians interviewing comedians is unfailingly hilarious. This episode with Jay Jurden had me laughing out loud and smiling to myself on the street — recommend.

On Being

All hail Krista Tippett, host of On Being. She is the podcast host all aspiring podcasters hope to one day be. Adorations aside, this episode is guest-hosted by Katherine May, author of Wintering. May chats with Michael Pollan, a revelatory academic, writer and journalist whose work explores the limit of human consciousness and nature. Hold onto your hats for this conversation. The pair talk about the healing power of psychedelics and our collective relationship with the natural world.

I am always on the hunt for new podcast recommendations. Drop a comment with your personal faves. 🎙

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There is still time to join Sprout’s upcoming event At The Dinner Table

Come along to hear food writers and editors chat about their careers, professional challenges (eat first, write later?!) and the joys of food writing.

Panel guests include Margaux Vialleron of Salmon Pink Kitchen, Cat Sarsfield the writer behind Since No One Asked, and Rhia Cook founder and editor of Potluck Zine.

If loving food so much you want to write about it is your jam, come along and find your people:
Zoom
16 March at 7pm GMT (recording available for 24-hours afterwards)
£5/£10/Pay what you can

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