It probably won’t come as a surprise to many people that I am a big fan of podcasts. After all, you don’t launch your own one if you haven’t already listened to your fair share of them. There are hundreds of thousands of them out there and no matter what you niche is there is bound to be a handful that you will love. Podcasts are the ideal for me. After a day spent looking at screens I find podcasts to be the perfect way to switch off. You can hear about peoples lives, learn new things and drift off into another world without having to spend anymore of your time glued to a screen. I also find that they’re a brilliant way to learn  little more about different things that I wouldn’t ordinarily read about, particularly when it comes to health or nutrition. They’re all so calming, or at least I find that they are. I don’t tend to listen to any true crime or thrill podcasts and they may have a slightly different effect, but all the shows I’m subscribed to really help me to wind down and if I am struggling to sleep then it can be very comforting to hear someone else conversation. 

With all of the different shows, styles and genres out there it can be a little overwhelming so I’ve rounded up some of my favourites that I always get excited about when they land in my subscription box. 

At Home With…: Hosted by Anna Newton & Lily Pebbles this podcast combines my love of being nosey about peoples homes and their careers in one place. They always interview really interesting and successful women in a variety of different careers and get into really great chats about all things homeware too. There are already 2 series available and I’m eagerly awaiting the next…

The Fringe Of It: Liv Purvis & Charlotte Jacklin brighten up my day whenever a new episode of their show launches. They are two of the most down to earth and lovely women and I always love hearing what they have been up to, and I often finish with a watch list as long as my arm. They’ve discussed so many great topics that sometimes are a bit “taboo” and approach everything in an openminded and judgement-free way. 

The Jules and Sarah Podcast: This is just an hour or so of good fun silliness. Every week the pair have me in stitches and serve as the perfect distraction from everyday life, particularly if you’re having a less than perfect day. Their sister podcast, Wobble, is also great for an extra boost of positivity.

Live Better, Feel More: I first discovered Dr Chaterjee on the Dr In The House programme on BBC 1 and have always enjoyed his informative yet really accessible approach to health and lifestyle medicine. If you want some really simple but actionable tips to live a better and healthier life then this podcast is brilliant. He has interviewed a really interesting and diverse range of people and I feel as though I really learn something every week. 

Doctors Kitchen: If you’ve read The Doctors Kitchen Cookbook then the chances are that you’re already a fan of Dr Rupy Aujila. His series looks at different elements of the body, from your skin to your eyes, brain to bladder, and how the food we eat can interact with them in different ways and how we can make some simple changes to enhance our diets.  Some of my favourite episodes include eating for your skin and for your hormones.

Flintoff, Savage and the Ping Pong Guy: When this was first suggested to me I was a little apprehensive because I am not at all into sports. In fact, its the quiz topic that I would dread coming up on any TV gameshow - I think I would be just as much with microbiology to be honest. But this is so much more than just a podcast chatting about sport. Of course there is some sports chat, they are three ex-professional athletes after all, but they discuss so many other topics and all have a different perspectives so offer up a really interesting discussion. There’s also a great back-catalogue to get stuck into. 

If you’re looking for some more podcasts to listen to this winter, or you want to enter into the world of podcasts, then hopefully this list will have given you some inspiration. I’m rarely found not listening to a podcast when I’m walking around or getting things started at home. I’m also always on the look out for new podcasts to start devouring so if you have any suggestions of let me know. 

If you want to check out my own podcast that I host with my friend Helli then 20s Are Hard is avablibe on iTunes and Acast now. Each fortnight we discuss a topic that we feel is relevant to anyone stumbling through their twenties , whether thats money, friendship, travel or health.