Soothe your nerves and flex your imagination with our favourite new podcasts

Who doesn’t love a good podcast? Not quite an audiobook and not exactly radio, but as I like to think of it – TV for your ears. The ever-growing medium has given space for PoC creatives to really flex their imagination and get a little closer to their audiences.

Now, based on our YA book, I Will Not Be Erased, gal-dem’s coming at you with a brand new podcast: Growing up with gal-dem. Hosted by founder Liv Little and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff, hear about the pasts of some very special guests as they dig through old diaries, text messages and even letters to their younger selves.

In the six-part series, join Queenie author Candice Carty-Williams, model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, musician Sasha Keable, BBZ co-founder Naeem Davis, and photographer Elizabeth Gabrielle Lee, as they travel through their memories of growing up. The crew also head up to Newcastle for a very special live recording with Reni Eddo-Lodge, Mariam Khan and Anita Sethi.

Ours is just one of many brilliant new podcasts we’re hearing about in 2020. From pop-up podcast booths and words from your favourite authors to art therapy spaces becoming healing spaces in your very homes – there’s an array of magic for your ears springing fresh from the minds of some brilliant PoC creatives.

So, if you’ve already caught up on The Read and The Receipts, and you’re looking to add a little more to your podcasting roster (other than gal-dem’s new podcast, of course) look no further:

Making It With Temi Wilkey

From actor and writer of The high Table at the Bush Theatre, Temi Wilkey takes a deep dive into “making it” in the world of theatre. She speaks to emerging playwrights, theatre-makers and theatre companies about how they make theatre, including the wonder Jasmine Lee Jones and Yasmin Joseph.

Slay In Your Lane Podcast

Writers of everyone’s favourite black girl’s bible, Slay In Your Lane Elizabeth Uviebinené and Yomi Adegoke have launched a new culture podcast of the same name. Their first episode focuses on lockdown routine, and what exactly is going on with the festival Afronation.

Clara Amfo’s This City

BBC presenter Clara Amfo hosts a star-studded lineup to talk about the UK’s capital. Hear from the likes of musician Little Simz, Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa about their experiences living in the big smoke.

Our Naked Truths – The Communion

The wonderful person behind the healing art therapy space Our Naked Truths, Jocelyn Yeboah-Newton hosts a monthly podcast. There will be special guests talking about their healing journeys of self-acceptance and self-love. So expect some open, honest and nourishing conversations!

Amaliah – Nights In

Throughout 2020, Amaliah, the platform amplifying the voices of Muslim women, will be running Nights In, based on snippets from the Amaliah community. From a pop-up podcast booth at their live events, listen back to some interesting and funny musings.

United Zingdom

Go on a journey with journalist Zing Tsjeng as she processes giving up her Singaporean passport (which doesn’t allow dual citizenship) in order to get a British one. But is Britishness all it’s wrapped up to be? Zing travels to Cardiff, Bradford, Essex, York, Birmingham and Liverpool to find out.

Caught Off Guard

The internet’s big sis and OG black-British YouTuber, Patricia Bright hosts Caught Off Guard. Take a deep dive into just about everything from relationships, to success with honest and practical advice from someone who has been there, done that and definitely has helpful answers.

Black Women Rising – The Untold Cancer Stories Podcast

From the mind of community activist and founder of the Black Women Rising Project, Leanne Pero – comes a brand new podcast. It dives into the stories of black women who have been diagnosed with cancer, with the aim of boosting awareness in the black community.