My Favourite Podcasts of 2020

With being at home so much this year, I’ve gotten sick of binging Netflix and listening to music and with the lack of seeing people as much, I’ve missed a good chat too. This is where podcasts have really come into their own; listening to interesting topics from fascinating people or chats with people who are hilarious. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of my favourites for you to discover too! 

Shagged Married Annoyed

If you’re into podcasts and haven’t heard of Shagged Married Annoyed- where have you been!? This is by far my favourite podcast to listen to at the moment! For those of you who haven’t heard of it before, it’s a podcast hosted by comedian Chris Ramsey and his wife Rosie Ramsey and is basically discussing the highs and lows of married life each week with some hilarious stories and questions from the public too. On each episode they will summarise how their week has been, then have a rant known as “what’s your beef” detailing what one another has done to piss them off that week. It’s marvellous and very relatable if like me you have (or are) a long suffering partner! As the podcast has progressed over time, the stories and questions from the public have become increasingly vulgar and hilarious in equal measures. I literally laugh out loud and sometimes cry a little bit, which looks insane to my other half if I’m listening with headphones on. From forgotten shits in trousers to Vaseline for your dog’s dick- the stories will have you in stitches and the way Chris and Rosie tell them will also crack you up. If you’re in need of a good laugh 

To Baby or Not To Baby?

I love To Baby or Not to Baby as it's podcast I can really relate to!! If like me you're umming and arring over the prospects of having kids, tune into Naomi who is newly married and constantly being asked when she's having a baby! In each episode she interviews various people on their experiences of parenthood as she tries to navigate what to do. There are some amazing stories, some which will reduce you to tears of happiness or tears of sadness and will have you hooked. I absolutely love this podcast and would highly recommend it if you're in a similar position or even if you're not and just genuinely curious!

How To Make Friends Podcast with Gemma Scopes

I discovered Gemma's podcast How To Make Friends via Twitter and although I don't feel lonely or in need to make new friends, I was drawn to episodes such as How to Stop Being a People Pleaser and How To Be a Good Friend. Gemma is incredibly knowledgeable, uplifting and inspiring in her episodes and if you are someone that is feeling lonely and wants to make friends, she has all the tips, skills and advice you need to start your journey. Not only does she have a fabulous podcast, she also has a digital penpal list and blog. I've also had the pleasure of having Gemma on my own podcast- The Prosecco Sessions to discuss Loneliness Vs Being Lonely in season 5 of the podcast.

Make it Modern

I came across this unique podcast when I joined the Lady Pod Squad group which Make it Modern are also a part of. Hosted by Kelsey and Ashely, this podcast delves into classic tales and topics whilst putting a modern spin on them. From Egyptian Queens to Tennis, Dating the Signs to The Peaky Blinders- they cover so many vast and interesting topic that will begin in the past but end in the future with how they've been made modern. It's something a bit different to your other podcasts and Kelsey and Ashley are lovely to listen to. I've learnt some really interesting fact from listening too!

The Waiting Room with Dr Alex

You may remember Dr Alex from the 2018 series of Love Island. Since finishing on the series, he's gone on to create a podcast The Waiting Room with Dr Alex. The podcast is medical based and looks into ways to enhance your life with the help of experts and celebrities too. There's also a segment where listeners can email in with any medical queries or ailments and Dr Alex and co will give advice. It reminds me a little of The Surgery which used to be on Radio 1 and I find it fascinating.There are episodes on fitness, cosmetic dentistry, mental health sun care and so much more. There hasn't been a new episode since March but due to COVID I think Dr Alex has been a bit pre-disposed in A&E and working for the NHS. The lastest episode to be released was however on NHS Nursing Careers and is definitely an episode to check out. 

And finally, I can't not mention my own podcast in a post like this!

The Prosecco Sessions is now on season 5, with season 6 to be released later in the year *fingers crossed*. This latest season covered a multitude of topics with my favourite being on festivals! There was also the hard hitting topic of miscarriage which I really hope was informative and helpful to anyone that listened. I also covered living abroad, running and marathon running, style, nutrition and much much more and I'm sure there is a topic to interest everyone. If you're interested in being a guest on season 6 I'd love to hear from you! Or even if there's a particular topic you'd like covering. Pop an email over to hello@theproseccosessions.com

Anyway those are my current favourite podcasts of this year. I've been enjoying listening to a mix of mainstream and more indie podcasts and hope you enjoy them too!

Winter Hygge Hobbies

The weather has been suitably miserable since 2019 has started. If it’s not snow and ice it’s torrential rain and wind which RUINS all chances of taking outfit pictures (!!)

So instead I thought I’d embrace being indoors, wearing pyjamas all damn day and my hygge hobbies! If you don’t know what Hygge is, here is a definition, courtesy of the internet:

hygge

noun

"a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being"

Card Making

At the end of last year I was way behind with being organised for people’s birthdays and frantically ordering cards from well known pig and pigeon sites...So this year I decided to compile a list of card occasions and set to work using old card I had laying around my office. I was surprised at just how much card making bits I had! It’s also been incredibly therapeutic to get back into some gluing and sticking, colouring and drawing to create cards for friends and loved ones that are much more personal than a stock bought. And yes if you’re wondering, that is a pickle on the card I’m making in the photo.. It’s an in-joke between Chris and I and he loved that card so the joy of making it was well worth it! I’ve made a Valentines card and now I’m working on Mother’s Day and other birthday cards to have ready and waiting for upcoming occasions.

Knitting

If you’ve ever read one of my first blog posts, this blanket may look familiar... Seven years on I’ve decided this WILL be the year I finally finish it!! Knitting is the perfect winter hobby. Being surrounded by cosy yarn and the gentle click clacking of needles is music to my ears and I find it helps me unwind. If you’re someone who struggles to relax and sit still, knitting is for you. It’ll keep you away from your pesky phone but occupies your hands perfectly! I’ve found I’m so much more engaged in watching films, tv series and the like. Plus as relaxing as it is, I feel productive doing it so instead of scrolling, try knit one purl one!

Reading

For some of you reading this it may seem like such a simple and obvious choice but for those of us who reserve books for sunshine and sunbeds once or twice a year, you’ll understand! I find getting into reading quite a challenge but once I do I get totally hooked on a book and can’t put it down. Tucked under blankets with a hot chocolate and a good book is utter bliss and something I think many of us take for granted! I’ve been re-reading The Life Changing Magic of not giving a Sh*T by Sarah McKnight which leaves me snorting and giggling aloud- much to my husbands bewilderment but I’d love some recommendations for what to read next if anyone has any! It’s also made me think how much I’d like to go to a library this year. Libraries are FREE and a brilliant service yet it’s so under utilised!

Podcasts

I’ve written a whole post on my favourite winter podcasts which you can read here but I’ve been very much enjoying a cosy listen whilst knitting or card making as opposed to listening to music. There are so many brilliant ones out there and in some instances it’s like listening to friends’ chatter which is comforting on evenings when the husband is on night shift or I’m sick of watching tv.

I think overall these hobbies are an easy way to bring joy to your free time without blowing the bank and actually just enjoying being at home and cosy. Like the definition of Hygge states, they leave me with a feeling of contentment and well-being which is what a lot of us need this time of year. I think it’s also important to take time out from busy schedules and relish some relaxing me-time!

So that’s all I had to say on winter hobbies really! I’m hoping to do some actually craft posts later on in the year but I’m yet to find a craft that is exciting enough/blog post worthy enough to write about! In the meantime, what are your winter and/or hygge hobbies?

My Top Three Podcast Picks- Summer 18

The rise of podcasts in the last few years has certainly got my attention so I thought I'd share with you my favourites so you can hopefully discover and be introduced to some gems of your own!

Radio 2's Confessions Podcast

Find it here

My younger self would be HORRIFIED to know that I'm now partial to a spot of Radio 2 and in particular, Simon & Jo's show segment on confessions. It literally has me in stitches so when I discovered there's a podcast dedicated solely to it, I was all ears!

If you haven't heard the Radio 2 confessions, it consists of people emailing in their embarrassing and hilarious confessions from years gone in the hope that they can seek forgiveness from the Parish of Radio 2, Simon Mayo being known as Father Simon and Jo as... (well I can't remember but that's irrelevant.)

From farts to fibs and so much more that are mortifying but magnificent all the same- this podcast will make you crease up, cry and cringe all at once and I guarantee it'll put a huge grin on your face. I listen to it on days when I need a good giggle to cheer me up or just in general when I want some hilarity. I recommend it to anyone and everyone that will listen!


The Wonderland Murders by Wondery

Find it here

After my friend and fellow Prosecco Sessions co-host Laura introduced me to the podcast "Dirty John" , it opened my eyes to a whole new world of podcast genre; in the form of story telling. Similar to audio books, I'm down for some crime episodes  that are based on real life cold cases which makes them all the more chilling to listen to.

The Wonderland Murders are all about four brutal murders, a dodgy night club owner and a down and out porn star. It's set in the 80s and from the first episode I was hooked- so much so I binged the entire thing in two days. If you like reading but don't have time to sit with a crime book thriller or perhaps just want something to listen to whilst you multi task then this podcast is for you. It's gripping, chilling and really addictive! The fact that the case has also never been solved sent a shiver down my spine on several occasions whilst I was listening.



Wobble

Find it here

If I remember rightly, I discovered this podcast in Apple podcasts under where it says something like "other podcasts you may be interested in." I'm SO glad I clicked on it because it's a brilliant podcast hosted by Jules Von Hep and Sarah Powell. They talk about what makes us wobble; both physically and mentally, how we view ourselves and discovering what it is that actually makes us wobble. It's such a reassuring podcast and refreshing too; knowing that there are other people out there who have their moments with mental health and their body confidence. For each episode the duo have special guests on who have inspired them and/or have words of wisdom when it comes to happiness and  they share their own experiences. It all relates back to the fact that it is okay not to be okay and I love it. A particular episode they really resonates with me is Episode 3 with Lauren Mahon where they discussed her experience with being diagnosed with breast cancer and she feels about her body now going forward as well as her incredible campaign Girl VS Cancer. The episode really opened my eyes to what is really important in life and the bigger picture; putting everything into perspective which was so inspiring. If you only listen to one episode from this podcast make it that one as I promise you, you'll come away feeling completely uplifted and if you're like me- slightly mind blown!

So those are my current three favourite podcasts to listen to right now. I've linked to each of them under each of the imagery but if you're using Apple podcasts they're very easy to find in the search feature.

My favourites change depending on my mood and also from what I discover so keep your eyes peeled for another post in the following few months for Autumn and see what I'm loving then!

Before I sign off, I have to of course mention now that I also have a podcast of my own called The Prosecco Sessions! I couldn't NOT mention it but I felt a bit biased putting it in as a favourite. So if you love chatting over a glass of fizz or two this one could be for you! There's more on how it was formed in this post and the link to it on Soundcloud is this.

What podcasts are you enjoying? I love to discover new ones, especially when they're recommended!