Best podcast picks of the year 🎧

Politics, business, talent, geopolitics and history

I wrote to a bunch of people asking them for their favourite podcast recommendations from 2023, it could be something that left them surprisingly informed, something that changed their mind, or just something that they found entertaining. They broadly fell into politics, business, talent, geopolitics and history. A note to self - next year ask maybe for things that made people laugh as well.

If you are new here, my name is Jimmy McLoughlin, a former Downing Street adviser turned podcaster. I write this notebook on the most interesting things I have seen on the future of work, jobs, technology and politics.

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Politics 

Darren Jones MP, who is now Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, enjoyed Pat McFadden’s interview on Nick Robinson Political Thinking. McFadden is one of the few Labour MPs who served in the last Labour Government, useful prep for those who might be thinking about a return to Government next year. 

Jamie McFarlane, who runs the fascinating Creator Fund which is about backing more University students in the UK, cited Matt Forde’s Political Party, in particular highlighting the Ruth Davidson episode as the best one. 

Matthew Stafford recommended the David Baddiel interview on Leading with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart. Brent Hoberman recommended the interview they did with Reid Hoffman - which I would also say was one of my episodes of the year and not just because Reid has a great voice and incredible microphone! 

Business / Talent 

Harry Wallop, who is a retail writer and writes the superb lighthearted Times business column on a Friday, said he enjoyed Tim Harford cautionary tales ‘consistently intriguing, often surprising - even when recounting tales you think you know. The episode on the founder of the Segway is particularly good’.

Graham Ruddick who writes the Off to Lunch substack says the four part series by the Athletic on the ‘playcallers’ about how a group of young coaches who worked together in 2012 are revolutionising American Football, it's not about sport but about leadership, innovation and youth. 

Henry Oliver who writes the Common Read substack and who is next year publishing a book on late bloomers, a topic I am fascinated by, highlighted an interview with Katalin Kariko. Her work laid the foundations for the Covid-19 vaccine and Henry said:

Joe Walker’s interview with Katalin Kariko was superb (and it has a good transcript). I’m interested in Kariko as a late bloomer and this has all the details I wanted. Kariko is one of the most important people of modern times and this is now the one big source we have to hear about her life. There is a link here. 

Sarah Ellis of the brilliant Squiggly Careers / Amazing If podcast recommends the Work Life podcast with Adam Grant, in particular highlighting the Brene Brown and Simon Sinek episode on leadership skills we need to build.

Alice Bentinck of Entrepreneur First recommends Moth Minds by Molly Mielke which interviews high agency individuals. It is only 8 episodes old at the moment, but there are some superb guests there (including Alice’s co-founder Matt) 

Craig Woodhouse, who is about to take up Head of Comms for F1 team Williams, recommends Mo Gawdat on Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO and gives a shout out to the chef on Marcus Wareing on the High Performance podcast with Jake Humphrey. 

History

James Johnson, my former colleague at No.10 and now running JL Partners cited The Rest is History episode about Captain Cook, he says ‘I listened to them in Australia and it brought the whole thing alive and I learnt that tattoo’s and surfing were discovered on that voyage!’

Oli Barrett who is probably one of the most connected men in Britain also cited Rest is History as a favourite pod, highlighting the Ronald Reagan episodes in particular. 

Geopolitics 

Kathryn Parsons, Founder and CEO of Decoded cited the Cold War Conservations, which is preserving knowledge of the Cold War before its lost, she says ‘I liked the last voice you would hear in a nuclear attack’ - just what we all need to have a spring in our step for 2024! 

Natalie Black, a former HM trade Commissioner for South East Asia, highlighted ‘The Prince’ podcast by the Economist, a ten part series of Xi Jinping. It is a ten part series, and is behind the Economist paywall. 

Priya Guha, who was our consul general in San Francisco recommended Empire, particularly the series on Iran. 

Miscellaneous 

Alison Lomax, the UK MD of YouTube, suggested three videos saying “Now and Then, a short film that I've watched a few times, and it never fails to bring a tear to my eye! Perfect intersection of creativity and technology.”

Kids of the Colony raw, young, film-makers is a great example of the democratisation of access that YouTube provides.

In terms of changing my mind or informing beyond what I was anticipating I'd say the Dele Ali ‘Now is the time to talk’ podcast with Gary Neville. Such a hard hitting, brave & emotional interview.  It also made Top 4 in the most watched YT videos in 2023.”

Sam Bowman of Works in Progress recommends a podcast series called - Dead Eyes about a comedy and being a struggling actor.

And finally, Michelle Donelan MP, SoS for Science, innovation and Technology recommended ‘Neighbuzz’ a podcast about the soap opera Neighbours - one way to keep up with soap opera when you have mountains of red boxes!

Please consider forwarding to a friend or colleague who might be looking for podcast inspiration.

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