The latest way to perk up your love life? Tuning in to strangers having couples therapy with this series of remarkable podcasts
- Free, bite-size audio shows are downloaded by five million Britons every week
- Health is at the forefront, with wellbeing-related shows rarely out of the top ten
- For the first time, this summer a health podcast soared to the top of iTunes chart
- The Where Should We Begin podcast focuses on sex and relationship therapy
- Each episode is recorded fly-on-the-wall, with a real-time counselling session
Forget boring posters, predictable TV ads and pamphlets that nobody reads. These days, health information travels far and wide – and rapidly – on digital highways. And the route proving particularly popular in 2018 is podcasts – free, bite-size audio shows being downloaded by five million Britons every week.
Health is at the forefront, with wellbeing-related shows rarely out of the ten ‘most downloaded’ list.
For the first time, this summer a health podcast soared to No 1 in the iTunes chart.
In You, Me And The Big C, BBC presenter Rachael Bland shared her breast-cancer struggle with the nation alongside two co-presenters. – both of whom also had cancer.
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Miles apart: But podcasts may help warring couples get back together. Dr Hazel Wallace, a podcast presenter, discusses some of the best around
Rachael’s death in September sparked nationwide grief and hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners tuned in for her final broadcast, recorded days before she died.
As a podcast fan and qualified doctor, I too have launched an audio show, The Food Medic, in which I interview experts in everything from fitness to fertility. It has already raked in almost 20,000 listeners and reached the No 1 slot on iTunes for health programmes.
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So, if you’re ready to tune in to this revolution, here are the podcasts I would recommend as the perfect place to start…
BEST FOR… SEX AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY
Where Should We Begin, presented by Belgian psychotherapist Esther Perel, author of Mating In Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
What’s it about?
Each episode is recorded in a fly-on-the-wall format, involving a real-time counselling session with an anonymous couple.
One gripping episode features a couple struggling with the impact on their relationship of a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Others touch on infidelity, impotence, infertility and addiction.
Esther’s ability to get the couples to communicate more effectively is striking; her approach provides invaluable psychological tips for any couple – whether blissfully happy or otherwise.
estherperel.com/podcast
BEST FOR… FRANK TALK ABOUT CANCER
You, Me And The Big C, presented by Deborah James and Lauren Mahon (and lately Rachael Bland) – breast-cancer victims who called themselves ‘the coolest club you never wanted to be part of’
You, Me And The Big C is presented by Deborah James (right) and Lauren Mahon (centre) and formerly Rachael Bland (left) who recently passed away from cancer
What’s it about?
Living with breast cancer, including how chemotherapy can wreck your sex life and impact finances. But it’s not all downbeat: Deborah, 35, has talked about a new treatment for her stage-four bowel cancer – targeted therapy called cyber knife treatment.
bbc.co.uk/sounds
BEST FOR… MEDICAL RESEARCH REVELATIONS
Talk Medicine From BMJ, presented by editors from the British Medical Journal
What’s it about?
The team from the British Medical Journal, the UK’s respected research publication, look at current healthcare topics, often unpicking grandiose health claims in the news.
Recent highlights include a debate on the evidence for e-cigarettes (a must-listen for vapers) and medical insights into the potential health impacts of industrial food production – which could make you think twice about indulging in ready meals.
feeds.bmj.com/bmj/podcasts
BEST FOR… ANXIOUS LISTENERS
Calmer You, presented by Chloe Brotheridge, hypnotherapist, anxiety expert and author of The Anxiety Solution
Chloe Brotheridge, author of The Anxiety Solution, presents a podcast with advice for coping with symptoms of anxiety and stress
What’s it about?
Advice for coping with symptoms of anxiety and stress, such as heart palpitations and racing thoughts. Chloe guides her 50,000 fans through stress-relieving activities including hypnotherapy and mindful-eating – learning to listen to hunger and fullness signals, rather than eating according to temptation.
calmer-you.com
BEST FOR… CANDID HEALTHY EATING ADVICE
The Doctor’s Kitchen, presented by GP, author and social media sensation Dr Rupy Aujla
What’s it about?
Quite simply: how healthy eating can prevent illness. As well as what to eat for specific conditions like diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome, expect tips on foods to boost parts of the body. Dr Aujla has a wonderfully direct style and, crucially, he’s not afraid to ask a ‘stupid’ question.
thedoctorskitchen.com
BEST FOR… COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS
Griefcast, presented by comedian and actor Cariad Lloyd, whose father died of pancreatic cancer when she was 15
What’s it about?
Podcast of the year winner at 2018’s British Podcast Awards, Griefcast is a wonderful mixture of dark humour and sadness, featuring Lloyd and comedian friends with experience of significant loss talking frankly about their experiences of bereavement.
Many people listen to podcasts on their way to work, and podcast of the year winner at 2018’s British Podcast Awards was Griefcast
I cried when guest comedian Adam Buxton broke down talking about his father’s death – and the interview was played 20,000 times in three months.
Other noteworthy guests have included comedians Robert Webb, David Baddiel and Sara Pascoe.
acast.com/griefcast
BEST FOR… GYM BUNNIES
Sigmanutrition, presented by nutritionist and boxing coach Danny Lennon
What’s it about?
Even if pugilism isn’t your thing, the ‘Sigma Nutrition’ podcast is worth a listen – especially if you’re in training or want to boost performance in the gym. Danny goes into nutrition and body composition, interviewing researchers, academics, coaches and athletes. Recent hot topics include comparing low-carb and low-fat diets, blood sugar regulation and what to eat before a run.
sigmanutrition.com
What to read, watch and do
READ
How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body, by David Hamilton
This ten-year-anniversary edition features new scientific research and real-life stories of people who have visualised themselves back to health from disease, viruses, sporting injuries and chronic fatigue.
£12.99, Hay House
How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body, by David Hamilton is this week’s ‘what to read’
WATCH
The Contraceptive Pill: How Safe Is It?
What is the truth about the Pill’s effects on mental health, cancer risks, blood clots or libido? GP Dr Zoe Williams investigates with scientists – and reveals some surprising results.
BBC2, Wednesday, 9pm
DO
Bacterial World Exhibition, until May 2019
Learn about the secret lives and hidden stories of the smallest of organisms and their effect on our health, diseases and the planet.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, free.
oumnh.ox.ac.uk
This jaw-dropping exhibition documents the secret lives and hidden stories of the smallest of organisms
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