THow do we solve the world's problems? Apparently with a podcast. Today. Assembly requiredA Fine Mess is a new show from former US politician Stacey Abrams that aims to help listeners understand the planet's biggest ills and how they can be part of solving them. The show airs on the heels of A Fine Mess, in which entrepreneur Sabrina Merage Naim tackles some of society's toughest problems and “finds a way out of this chaos” by approaching them with curiosity rather than fear. Will it work? Who knows. But at this point, we're willing to try anything.
This week we're also highlighting the best podcasts about love, from profiles of Hollywood romances to a binge-worthy audio drama about two men falling in love, told over an answering machine. We're also featuring a moving confession from a former professional football player turned match fixer, a fascinating investigation into psychiatric medication, and a preview of the inspiring story of the Olympic refugee team. We hope one of them will bring you joy, even if it can't save the planet.
This week's picks
Confession of match fixing
BBC Sounds, weekly episodes
“I would load up my car with cash and drive around London to see which footballers I could get to throw out,” Moses Swaibu says at the start of this confessional podcast. The former professional footballer admits he had the power to manipulate scores and make millions for overseas betting cartels. His voice is filled with regret as he tells Troy Deeney how he went from promising young player to traitor to the sport he loves. Hannah Verdier
script
Radio Atlantic, full episodes available
Can a “safe” opioid save you after another has ruined your life? If buprenorphine helped people quit heroin in France, why hasn't it worked in the U.S.? The Atlantic's Ethan Brooks asks these questions in a nuanced, thought-provoking examination of the withdrawal drug. HV
Hidden stars of unknown sports
Widely available, available now
Formed in 2016, the Refugee Olympic Team made history at Paris 2024 when boxer Sindy Ngamba won the team's first medal. In this special episode of our series celebrating unsung athletes, fellow Refugee Olympians badminton player Dolsa Yabalivafa and swimmer Matin Barsini share what such a journey is really like. Holly Richardson
A wonderful mess
Widely available, with weekly episodes
Philanthropist and investor Sabrina Meraj Naim lives a seemingly perfect and fulfilling life, but she's not in top shape. So she invites guests to help her face the big questions “with curiosity, not fear.” Questions on AI, cannabis legalization, the meaning of success, and more are all addressed here, with contributions from comedian Samantha Bee and reformed “girl boss” Samhita Mukhopadhyay. HV
Master Plan
Widely available, with weekly episodes
For two years, David Sirota, former speechwriter for Bernie Sanders and co-author of Don't Look Up, and his highly talented team have been investigating corruption and scandal at the U.S. Supreme Court. From Watergate to the 2020s, this podcast shows how corruption impacts everyday life and offers a frightening vision of what the future may hold. HV
There is a podcast
this week, Charlie Lindler 5 best podcasts A wonderful love storyFrom stories of celebrity couples like John and Yoko to Dolly Alderton's fascinating miniseries
Precious Lover
A reimagined Twilight podcast, hosts Melissa Duffy and Kelly Anderson (known to listeners as Mel and Kel) delve into Hollywood romances in detail that borders on obsession, digging into the classics (John and Yoko, Brangelina) as well as a host of millennial-friendly couples, including Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson, Alex Turner and Alexa Chung, and Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Their investigative skills and genuine empathy with each couple make every episode heartbreaking.
Hook up and hitch
Page Six's podcast about celeb rock-solid marriages ran from 2020 to 2022, but — with apologies to Jason Momoa, Lisa Bonet and co — much of the content is still relevant today. Reporters Eileen Lethreng and Brian Firth dig into showbiz's biggest names' love stories, asking how their marriages have endured long-distance relationships, scandals, and the occasional infidelity. While other podcasts downplay the twists and turns in a tabloid-style manner, Hooked Up to Hitched is surprisingly short, with each episode taking fans on a whirlwind ride through history in under 10 minutes.
Source: www.theguardian.com
