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If you’re still struggling to get into the Christmas spirit, listening to these podcast picks might help.
1. Ghost Stories of Charles Dickens
Streaming Platform: All streaming platforms and noisers
Style: books
In Noiser’s new nine-part podcast series, Sir David SuchetBest known for his portrayal of hercule poirotDescribes some of Dickens’s most atmospheric stories.
This will include The Signal-Man, The Trial for Murder, A Madman’s Manuscript and The Ghost in the Bride’s Chamber.
Charles Dickens Ghost Stories launches with a special double-episode of A Christmas Carol. It’s not like that at all English The novelist wrote in 1843 but he personally shortened a version and performed it on stage to rave reviews.
Using original sound design and music, listeners are captivated from the beginning and set on an adventure with one of the most frequently told festive stories of liberation.
Suchet impresses with his characteristic warmth and sincerity, which is great to listen to this Christmas.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
2. Katherine Ryan’s Christmas Intervention
Streaming Platform: audible
Style: Christmas and family
If you’re bombarded with commercials about the ‘perfect’ harmonious family Christmas, listen to Katherine Ryan’s new Christmas Intervention podcast. It throws much-needed light on the raw, messy and chaotic reality of all celebrations.
In this brand new audible Original podcast, the award-winning comedian addresses some of her family’s most memorable Christmas disasters with husband Bobby Kootstra and daughter Violet.
This brilliantly funny, but helpful, festive series gives listeners an exclusive insight into their family dynamics and shatters the illusion of a perfectly arranged stress-free Christmas that many celebrities try to portray.
Ryan talks to guests, or “ghosts of Christmas past and present”, such as comedian and actress Sindhu V, to get some tips on how to manage the family conflicts and expectations surrounding the celebration.
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of a big-family Christmas, listen to this podcast for some helpful tips and, more importantly, a big laugh.
(by Camilla Foster)
3. Quiet Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton
Streaming Platform: all streaming platforms
Style: Wellbeing and Christmas
The Calm Christmas Podcast is a seasonal Substack publication by Kempton who is also a self-help author and host.
The purpose of this podcast is to “lead you like a lantern in the winter darkness” and with her calming presence and tone, this podcast is exactly that.
This episode was about how to make homes cozy and festive. It started with Kempton talking about the herbs of the birth month and their significance. For example, she explains: “April is mint which is associated with energy, freshness and protection, while December is sage and is associated with ‘wisdom’.”
She also talks about her family’s routines at this time of year, such as cleaning the house with her husband “Mr. K” and their children before the tree comes out.
“We have prepared for the morning of the tree,” she says. “Everyone has to do their own thing.”
There’s also a chat about Advent candles, how to make a ‘Winter Flow Garland’ and some recipe ideas from guests. Overall, this is a quiet, reflective and peaceful listen for the holiday season.
(by Sarah Keenan)
4. Good food
Streaming Platform: all streaming platforms
Style: Eat
Every Tuesday, host Samuel Goldsmith chats with chefs, chefs and food lovers about their lives, passions and journeys in the world of food and drink.
In each episode, there are segments that help listeners get to know the guests a little more deeply.
These include ‘My Favorite Dish’, where guests discuss their favorite dishes and how they have made them, ‘Cookery Confessions’, where guests share their funniest kitchen mishaps and culinary secrets, and ‘Quick Fire Questions’, an intense round of surprises that reveals more about their tastes and quirks.
This week’s episode – a festive special – features the chefs along with Goldsmith rick steinJoe shares the cherished family traditions of his Cotswolds childhood and the inspiration behind his new book Rick Stein’s Christmas.
Stein also shares what you’ll find on her Christmas table and the secrets to making the perfect gravy.
If you’re looking for Christmas dinner inspiration, listen to Good Food.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
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5. You’re Dead to Me: Dead Funny History
Streaming Platform: All streaming platforms and BBC Sounds
Style: History and comedy
This BBC Radio 4 podcast blends comedy with history, offering a whistlestop tour for those who want to hear more of their school history lessons.
This week, Greg Jenner, the “chief nerd” behind CBBC’s Horrible Histories, takes listeners to ancient North Africa with the help of comedian Darren Harriot and classicist Professor Josephine Quinn.
‘What do you know?’ In the eponymous section, Jenner sets the scene by trying to guess what the audience might already know about the ancient city of Carthage (located in modern-day Tunisia) and the Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca.
Professor Quinn charts the rise and fall of Hannibal and his famous Alpine crossing, in which he led a fleet of at least 37 elephants to battle in Italy.
Listen to radio edits of podcasts for brief snapshots of your chosen topic, or double-length standard episodes for slightly less BBC Radio 4-friendly chat.
If you’re lucky, you’ll have plenty of time to get ready before Trivial Pursuit has to be scrapped for Christmas.
(by Izzy Addison)