Best Telegraph Creative Podcasts (2025)

1
Rated or Dated: The Railway Children (1970) 30:50

Play Pause

5d ago30:50

30:50

Adventure, nostalgia, trains, Cribbens and three elderly children posher than a lobster in a cravat: HOW JOLLY! Lionel Jeffries’ period piece based on E Nesbit’s 1906 book is a wholesome slice of classic British cinema, but what will filthy commoners Mick, Hannah and Jen make of it? And how will it go down with our resident five year old? Learn mor…

51
Bears, dogs and creative thinking with Jessica Swale 26:42

4d ago26:42

26:42

Jessica Swale is a busy woman, so Hannah was surprised to discover the writer and director did have the time for a chat about some of her latest projects. They cover getting the tone right for Paddington: The Musical, working with children and dogs in Amazon's new Christmas film Merv, and Jessica's new book aimed at making sure we can all have A Ye…

101
Tanya Kirk is ghosting us 24:47

7d ago24:47

24:47

Working in the 17th century gothic library at St John's College puts Tanya Kirk in an ideal position to talk about book-based ghost stories. She's just edited the latest in a series of short story collections - The Haunted Library: Tales of Cursed Books and Forbidden Shelves - so Hannah got on the Zoom to chat about why old books are spooky, why Ch…

151
Rated or Dated: Mermaids (1990) 27:43

9d ago27:43

27:43

Richard Benjamin’s coming-of-age comedy-drama has a (sort of) dream cast, but how much will Jen, Hannah and Mick love central character Mrs Flax? Does the character even matter when she’s played by Cher? And can we get over a ropey age-gap and a real lack of DIY prep to allow Mermaids to shoop-shoop into our hearts? Learn more about your ad choices…

1
Padel-ing forward with Alex Brodie 25:22

10d ago25:22

25:22

Padel might well be one of the fastest growing sports in the world, right now, but what exactly is it? And how is it different to tennis, squash, or pickleball? Jen wanted to find out more, so she got on the Zoom with Alex Brodie, PR and sponsorship manager at UK Padel, one of the UK’s leading tournament organisers in the sport, to chat about the w…

1
Dr Suze Kundu brings the sunshine (and science) 26:04

11d ago26:04

26:04

Let’s bring some cheer to the end of the year with Dr Suze Kundu – that’s right NASA’s Dr Suze Kundu. She and Mick* debunk some bad science, celebrate some impactful and robust research and tech, and create some positive associations with the work of millions. With added Katy Perry and a plea to outer space-related height restrictions. *mostly Suze…

1
Liz Warner on employees with a difference 23:28

15d ago23:28

23:28

Just five per cent of people with a learning difference are in paid work, something highlighted by the recent case of Tom Boyd, who was let go by Morrisons after his family asked that he be paid for his work. That case spurred Liz Warner, a former CEO of Comic Relief, into action. Because the same thing had happened to her son and, we can all agree…

1
The Bush Telegraph: Good news? Bad news? Dog news? 29:14

18d ago29:14

29:14

Reaction to Wes Streeting’s independent review on mental health, ADHD and autism might divide opinion, but surely we can all agree to bepleased about changes to the law around social media use in Australia. And if not, at least we’ll always have emotional support dogs. Hannah and Jen take a rootle through the news and sport this week to discuss all…

1
Rated or Dated: 9 to 5 30:14

17d ago30:14

30:14

Watching 9 to 5, what a way to earn a living. Mick, Hannah and Jen revisit Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and – people’s favourite – Dolly Parton in this classic comedy about sexism in the workplace that everyone knows inside out. Don’t they? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Standard Issue

1
Vikki Stone’s on (oh yes she is!) 26:49

18d ago26:49

26:49

Given we’re deep into pantomime season, it seemed only right that Mick got on the Zoom with Vikki Stone, the woman behind some of the best pantos in the UK. Vikki tells us about comedy, getting kids into the theatre, toddler raves, prime-time telly and why pantos remain one of the most enduring of British Christmastime traditions. Mama Goose is at …

1
Mary Mandefield’s not dating the same guy as you 26:35

19d ago26:35

26:35

In the Wild West that is dating apps, women are increasingly turning to novel ways of protecting themselves. Online groups such as Are We Dating The Same Guy, offer women a platform to share bad and evencriminal experiences of dating. Broadcaster and journalist Mary Mandefield investigates the groups in a new Channel 4 documentary, RedFlags: Are We…

1
Flicking #68: Sister Midnight 28:06

22d ago28:06

28:06

Bollywood star Radhika Apte is unhappy new bride Uma in writer/director Karan Kandhari’s feature debut, which Hannah’s picked for the last Flicking of 2025. The critics loved it, audiences weren’t so sure. Hannah, Yosra and Mick went in blind with no expectations and were all surprised. But in a good or bad way? Learn more about your ad choices. Vi…

1
The Bush Telegraph: Wise owls and other animals 33:47

25d ago33:47

33:47

There are abuses of power all over the shop, as Mick talks us through the second phase of Lady Elish Angiolini’s inquiry into the prevention of sexually motivated crimes against women in public, and a truly horrific case in France. Meanwhile, Jen’s looking at more crises in public services, this time in teaching staff. But at least we’ve got Polly.…

1
Rated or Dated: Flash Gordon (1980) 28:28

24d ago28:28

28:28

A superhero with no special powers. An intergalactic wrong 'un trying to destroy the earth. Brian Blessed dressed as whatever that is. Welcome to this week's Rated or Dated. Now with added lasers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Standard Issue

1
Small is beautiful, with Emma Rice 23:54

27d ago23:54

23:54

The Emma Rice Company's adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales opened last week to rave reviews. Hannah grabbed some time with its founder, writer and director Emma Rice, to talk about a change of name, a new venue in Somerset, and Thomas. And a lot more besides, including Emma’s time as artistic director at The Globe, something t…

1
Bonnie Langford knows how old you are 26:30

28d ago26:30

26:30

Paddington the Musical – a brand new show written by Jessica Swale, with music by Tom Fletcher – opens its doors at the Savoy Theatre in London this week. Among its impressive cast is Bonnie Langford, who many of us have grown up alongside, given she first graced our television screens back in 1971, aged six. Jen caught up with Bonnie to talk about…

1
Outside The Box: November '25 42:22

1M ago42:22

42:22

In this month's telly round-up, we're watching Death By Lightning, The Beast in Me, Down Cemetery Road, Plur1bus and Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth. Plus Hannah's finally got round to watching Where's Wanda?. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Standard Issue

1
The Bush Telegraph: Rage against the (old washing) machine 25:45

1M ago25:45

25:45

Are you angry? Like really angry? Of course you are. Well, does Hannah have a dinner service for you. This week, she and Mick are asking whether the justice system is about to get a little less just, looking at the newly discovered age epochs of the human brain, celebrating having a bank account, and metaphorically smashing small TVs with a sledgeh…

1
Rated or Dated: Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) 29:45

1M ago29:45

29:45

Christmas already? We know. But can we redeem ourselves if it’s Christmas by way of Jeannot Szwarc’s cult classic, Santa Claus: The Movie? A box office flop, it was nonetheless a hit in the UK, thanks to Dudley Moore’s turn as Patch the ambitious elf, some delightful animatronic reindeer, and top baddy-ing by John Lithgow. But will we agree? Learn …

1
Have you heard the good news, with Generation Rent 23:58

1M ago23:58

23:58

All hail the Renters’ Rights Act, the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, which officially comes into play next May. It’s a bundle of positive news for tenants in private housing, not least the ditching of section 21 “no fault” evictions. So Mick got on the Zoom with Bismah Naqui from Generation Rent, an organisation that…

1
Cindy Reymond spots an opportunity in women’s football 26:03

1M ago26:03

26:03

Cindy Reymond is one of the eight women secretary generals who represented host cities during this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro in Switzerland. That’s right: they were all women. Jen catches up with Cindy to chat about her city of Geneva, what it takes to plan a major sporting event, not being the only woman in the room for a change, and why anyone w…

1
Alice Loxton is walking through history 26:54

1M ago26:54

26:54

When Queen Eleanor died, her husband - Edward I - ordered that 12 enormous crosses be built along the route her body had travelled back to London. Some survive today. Historian Alice Loxton decided to walk that route on the same days. Which sadly for her, was December. Alice tells Hannah about that journey and her new book Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk …

1
The Bush Telegraph: Whoa! Back to the island 29:07

1M ago29:07

29:07

Jen gets a swift and thoroughly unexpected trip through US political rumours this week, as Hannah looks at the latest from across the Atlantic. Plus there's skorts, sports and women-only carriages. What more do you need? Saturday Night Live on edited Trump speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SesRWE02PIU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m…

1
Rated or Dated: Misery (1990) 37:47

1M ago37:47

37:47

Another week, another one of film’s most villainous women: this time it’s deranged devotee Annie Wilkes, a role which bagged Kathy Bates an Oscar for mangling the feet, mind and spirit of novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan). Its credentials are impeccable, with a William Goldman screenplay based on Stephen King’s novel directed by Rob Reiner. But, a…

1
Ultra Women with Emma Wilkinson and Lily Canter 27:10

1M ago27:10

27:10

Back in 2019, ultra runner Jasmin Paris made headlines when she smashed the Montane Spine Race, winning the 268-mile race in the depths of winter outright – while still breastfeeding. Her story was sold as an outlier – woman wins mixed race – but there are a lot of them about, particularly when it comes to ultra-endurance running, swimming and cycl…

1
Sarah Grant on history’s most fashionable queen 27:17

1M ago27:17

27:17

More than two centuries since her execution, Marie Antoinette continues to influence fashion and culture, and is now the subject of a major new exhibition at the V&A South Kensington, Marie Antoinette Style. Jen catches up with senior curator of the exhibition, Sarah Grant, to talk about the ill-fated former queen of France, why she still fascinate…

1
I, Spy (with Agnes O'Casey) 24:26

2M ago24:26

24:26

There are a lot of spies in pop culture right now. This pleases Hannah immensely, so she jumped at the chance to get on the Zoom with Agnes O’Casey to talk about her role in upcoming play, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, based on John Le Carre's best-selling book. They chat about spies and why we're so fascinated with them, Agnes's role in anoth…

1
The Bush Telegraph: Another workplace ruined 27:22

2M ago27:22

27:22

Bloody women. Is there anything they won’t ruin? Well, Mick and Jen take a stab at this week’s news, in which some institutions are too busy ruining themselves to notice: they’re looking at you the BBC and NHS Trusts. There’s also Spinderella, Stevens, and Jen very much NOT talking about Mary Earps in JOTB. Honest. Learn more about your ad choices.…

1
Rated or Dated: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975) 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

You know, the one with the good guy versus the evil nurse. Or is it? One of many questions we'll be asking as we watch Miloš Forman's Oscar botherer, set on a ward in a mental health hospital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Standard Issue

1
Hollie McNish: Virgin 26:55

2M ago26:55

26:55

One of our firm favourites, poet Hollie McNish’s latest collection, Virgin, explores a six-letter word with outsized power. A power that should also be outdated, but is sadly not. It is, as you’d expect from Hollie, a brilliant collection, packed with humour, rage, beauty, heartbreak and hope. She and Mick chat about dangerous words, what ‘virgin’ …

1
Supplementary Ruth Tongue on nutrition 30:16

2M ago30:16

30:16

Instagram is a right old pain in the proverbial when it comes to advertising, and our Jen has noticed she’s suddenly getting A LOT of ads targeted at peri/menopausal women. Nutritional supplements promise women everything from a peachy bum to a sound night’s sleep, but how much of it is actually true? So she jumped on the Zoom with Ruth Tongue, nut…

1
Flicking #67: Wicked 37:56

2M ago37:56

37:56

There’s no doubt that Yosra’s picked* one of last year’s juggernauts: John M Chu’s cinematic take on Winnie Holzman’s ridiculously successful musical version of Gregory Maguire’s dark adult novel reimagining the L Frank Baum children’s books that became a 1939 film classic still beloved today. Phew! That’s a whole load of fan bases to tickle. But w…

1
The Bush Telegraph: Dawn of the Planet of the Arbury Apes!!!!!! 31:47

2M ago31:47

31:47

There's a cryptid been spotted in Cambridge and it's far from the least believable thing you'll hear in today's podcast, where Mickey and Hannah are chatting about exclamation marks, assisted dying, renters' rights and AI being bad for older women in the workforce. * If you're missing your Jenny Off The Blocks fix, get over to our Substack where Je…

1
Rated or Dated: Charlie’s Angels (2000) 26:17

2M ago26:17

26:17

The Destiny’s Child theme tune celebrated all the women being independent, but – question - how appropriate are those lyrics for McG’s 2000 “action-comedy” film version of the 1970s TV series? Was it made for Jen, Hannah and Mick? Was it made for any women? And how many Susan Faludi references can Mick fit into a single episode? Learn more about yo…

1
Selling cowboy country with Ellie House 26:12

2M ago26:12

26:12

Radio 4 and BBC World Service reporter and producer Ellie House makes some really interesting podcasts. Her latest, The Real ‘Yellowstone’: a battle for the cowboy way of life, focuses on the proposed sale of public land in Montana and the strange political bedfellows that have resulted. Ellie and Hannah also chat about the introduction of National…

1
Outside The Box October 2025 55:16

2M ago55:16

55:16

It's another OTB of two halves this month, with Mickey joining Hannah to chat about Riot Women, Only Murders In The Building, The Last Frontier and High Potential. Then Jen tag teams in to talk about Slow Horses, Coldwater, Blue Lights and How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
The Bush Telegraph: What a faff 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

As the concept of ID cards rears its ugly head once again, Hannah and Jen are asking if Keir Starmer’s revolutionary way of eliminating faff will be as effective as Brexit in terms of reducing bureaucracy. Elsewhere, it seems the Home Office could do with some help in getting its day job done. Meanwhile, Henry VIII is repping Sexism of the Week via…

1
Rated or Dated: The Long Good Friday (1980) 30:34

2M ago30:34

30:34

Or is it the long good objectification of a young Pierce Brosnan? Mick, Hannah and Jen are here to prove a Rated or Dated can be both, as they watch the cornerstone British gangster flick written by Barrie Keefe, directed by John Mackenzie, and which made a full-blown film star out of the late, great Bob Hoskins. He’s joined by a host of familiar f…

1
There she goes, Gosia Buzzanca’s Beautiful World 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

As an 18-year-old in search of freedom and adventure, Gosia Buzzanca left her small hometown of Poznan, Poland, eventually settling in Wales. In her new book, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, she charts her physical and emotional journey, teenage traumas, love and loss. Jen chats to Gosia about her book, growing up in Poland, post-Brexit immigra…

1
The Bush Telegraph: Allegedly... 28:45

2M ago28:45

28:45

With the Grand Old Duke of York’s title now vacant, Mick and Jen visit the horrific allegations against Prince (for now) Andrew, made in Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, and his other right royal cock-ups. There's more horror, this time in England's maternity wards. But fear not, there's also some joy, including puppies – 13 of ‘em! Woof! – a …

1
Rated or Dated: The Proposition (2005) 29:39

2M ago29:39

29:39

Can an Australian film be a Western? Can one female character represent all of womankind? Is this the best Ray Winstone? And, most importantly, who's this Nick Cave fella? Find out all the answers, as we watch John Hillcoat's blood-stained, sun-baked drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Saskia Flower on Lee Miller 27:26

2M ago27:26

27:26

Model, muse, photographer, and war correspondent: Lee Miller's career covered a lot of ground. What a woman. And now at Tate Britain, you can see the most extensive exhibition of all aspects of her work the UK has seen to date. Assistant curator of the exhibition Saskia Flower catches up with Jen to chat about what's in the exhibition, Miller’s ext…

1
The internet isn't just dangerous for girls, with Tir Dhondy 23:27

2M ago23:27

23:27

We talk a lot on Standard Issue about how young women are victimised online, but young men are increasingly at risk too. Something terrifyingly obvious in Tir Dhondy's latest investigation, Blackmailed: The Sextortion Killers, now available to watch on BBC3. Hannah chats to Tir about the victims, the perpetrators and what, if anything, can be done …

1
The Bush Telegraph: Not just for men! 17:13

2M ago17:13

17:13

Credit (albeit reluctant) where credit is due, Donald Trump’s only gone and pulled a blinder. Whether it means long-term peace in the Middle East remains doubtful, but Mick and Hannah are also wondering what’s next for Ukraine. How helpful is the word ‘tomahawk’ to any peace process? There are also – you guessed it – nuns, and a fun-for-some run. L…

1
Rated or Dated: To Die For (1995) 25:46

3M ago25:46

25:46

Gus van Sant’s black comedy gave Nicole Kidman the opportunity to show her villainous chops to mid-90s audiences. It also took a swipe at a media-obsessed America. But 30 years on, does it feel a bit old hat to modern audiences? What was it trying to say about ambitious women? And bitches – be they crazy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg…

1
Lorraine Stansbie and Kate Flannery are Iron Ladies 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

Iron Ladies is a new documentary about the women of the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike, a time in which working-class women who found themselves at the forefront of a battle against the British state. They fast became the backbone of the fight: organising pickets; keeping families fed, and raising cash to continue the strike. As Lorraine Stansbie and Kate …

1
Anne Odeke’s Even More… Ghost Stories 27:34

3M ago27:34

27:34

Following her success with Princess Essex and the previous two chapters of Ghost Stories…by Candlelight, Anne Odeke has joined forces with High Tide theatre company to co-write Even More…Ghost Stories by Candlelight. The joint production, with Pentabus Theatre, is currently touring both the east and, indeed, west of the country. Jen chats to Anne a…

1
The rhyme and reason of history 30:12

3M ago30:12

30:12

Catherine Clarke's new book - and accompanying Radio 4 series - A History of England in 25 Poems, tackles the big issues. And the smaller ones, too. Hannah chats to her about how poetry has helped shape our view of England and whether that view is accurate, as well the importance of local history and her role as the Director of Victoria County Hist…

1
The Bush Telegraph: Quick, get Taylor Swift in the title, it's good SEO 32:03

3M ago32:03

32:03

If you're planning a trip to Europe or to leave your bike at a train station, or both, Hannah and Jen have got big news this week. Also, there's a new Archbishop of Canterbury, a woman no less. Who exactly? Doesn't matter. Or so it seems. You know who is good for clicks though? Taylor Swift. Best mention her a few times. Plus there's a lot of footb…

1
Emma Dennis-Edwards is Not Your Superwoman 23:54

3M ago23:54

23:54

By Standard Issue