I used to say that I’m not really a podcast person. I get why a lot of people aren’t into them. But I realised that listening to podcasts is a lot like curling up with a cocoa next to the wireless and listening to the Lone Ranger. Some things have a cozy, timeless feel. And there’s something so universal about listening to stories.

The other reason that I’m a podcast person is that I love doing guest appearances on podcasts! I regularly appear on movie podcasts and talk about all kinds of films with podcasts from all over the world, (like Atlantic Screen Connection, Cinema Bushido, Damien Riley Podcast) and more. And I love it. If you’d like to listen to any of those, or are curious, click HERE for the full list.

This is the list of the podcasts that I make sure I don’t miss.

• Criminal: This podcast is amazing. It looks at different stories or aspects of crime, almost from a anthropological perspective, and is hosted by Phoebe Judge, who has a background in journalism and radio. She also has the most chilled voice ever. It’s always fascinating and often very moving too. Episodes have looked at how fingerprinting got started, what happens to the body when we die and the people who study that, Carry A Nation, famous cases from the past, and people who didn’t give up on finding answers. Very few things make me cry, but this podcast has once or twice, in the best possible way. And so has it’s spin off This Is Love, which is also amazing, well researched, and beautiful. I recommend them both.

• You Must Remember This: Hosted by Karina Longworth, who has a way of being just a little sarcastic and cynical, like a femme fatale in a film noir, this podcast is about the first 100 years of Hollywood history. I save these up, when a season comes out, and then listen to them in a bunch. They’re so well researched and fascinating, especially if you’re a student of Hollywood, like me. Hollywood has always been shiny on the surface, and hidden all kinds of things underneath, from scandals to drugs and sometimes murder. Seasons have focused on Hollywoods blondes, Joan Crawford, the history of the Blacklist and loads of other things. This podcast is always excellent, and is one of my favourites.

• My Favourite Murder: Yes, I’m a murderino. I am fascinated by true crime. This one is both hilarious and heartbreaking, and if you’ve ever curled up with a friend and discussed true crime over a bottle of wine, then this is for you. It’s hosted by Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff, who somehow manage to make you feel like you’re in the room with friends while you listen to them. It’s hard to explain, it’s hilarious but it doesn’t make fun of murder or glorify violence in any way. It’s also often really moving and empowering (Jennifer Morey, you’re now a hero of mine) reminding us to be smart, to stay sexy and not get murdered.

• Anything Ghost: This podcast has been going since 2006! I think about two episodes come out a month, but if you sign up you can access all of the old episodes. Lex Wahl hosts this show, and people send in their stories of their true experiences with ghosts, which he reads out. He has such an even, cheerful voice and people have such a wide experience of these kinds of things, from happy to sad and scary, listening to it is like sitting round a campfire. A lot of the stories are more interesting than scary, while some will send a shiver down your spine, but it’s really good fun. (If you like a really scary story, Knifepoint Horror podcast always gets under my skin! I can’t listen to it at bedtime. lol)

• Lore: This podcast is about real stories from history that show that truth is stranger than fiction, and also that history is often quite dark and strange. I haven’t listened to absolutely all of these, but it’s really great podcast, full of interesting people and strange times. There has actually been a TV show made of this series and there’s a book series too. I love to dip into this one and pick from the title and see where Aaron Mahnke takes me.

• Welcome to Night Vale: set in the fictional town of Night Vale, where every conspiracy theory is true, listening to this podcast is like tuning into the town’s radio station. It’s weird, wonderful and often makes me laugh out loud. I’m very behind on this show, and it has a lot of episodes, but it’s really just a delightful thing that you can dive into and enjoy, if it’s your kind of humour. Stay out of the dog park.

So my taste in podcasts tends towards true crime, dark humour, history and the odd ghost story! I hadn’t noticed til I made this post. And movies, of course. If you want to listen to me as a podcast guest, click HERE. Do you listen to any of these podcasts? Or do you recommend any? Let me know in the comments section or on Instagram @hermioneflavia.