I thought it was about time I had some contributors on my blog, rather than just me telling you how excited I am about everything ALL the time 😘 .  The first piece is by Emily (my @thatcoat collaborator) who has very kindly written a fun post on her favourite podcasts of the moment.  I very much hope you enjoy reading Emily's recommendations.Alice xxx 💕
Emily on Podcasts
Hello, I’m Emily and I am delighted to be the first official contributor to Alice Frances! I am 25, I live in London and have an extensive and niche knowledge of films you have never watched. I have recently taken up cycling and am seeking treatment for my creme egg addiction.If you weren’t aware, podcasts are officially a ‘thing.’ They are literally everywhere and anyone who is anyone has one of their own. In 2013 Apple said that there were over a billion subscriptions spread across 250,000 unique podcasts in more than 100 languages, and that more than 8 million episodes had been published in the iTunes Store. Four years later, I’m sure there are a few more…I link back my love of podcasts to listening to audio books at bedtime (thanks Stephen Fry). There is just something very comforting about having someone/s chatting away while you are doing admin at home, commuting or even a boring task at work. And now we are spoilt for choice, there are podcasts that cover everything, from mindfulness to fashion, from inspiration to S&M and we can listen to our hearts content. I’m in favour of anything that makes a commute go faster or gets me away from a screen. Here are my top five:
1. Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
As a LTL – (long term listener) this was probably the first podcast I ever listened to, in an ancient form back in 2009 downloaded onto my ipod mini. It is safe to say I have been hooked ever since. Esteemed film critics Kermode and Mayo provide honest, nail on the head reviews, peppered amongst their signature ‘wittering.’ It is usually my go to before seeing a film in the cinema - the only time I have ever disagreed with their opinion was the greatly misjudged Hail Caeser! Listening to this is like having two friends chattering away in your ear, who bicker, make dad jokes and just happen to be movie geniuses. Each week brings a new guest from whatever ‘of the moment’ film is in the cinema, who expertly flog their film and provide interesting analysis of the craft and process.What To Expect: Multiple ‘hellos to Jason Isaacs,’ insightful film reviews, wittering and stellar guests.
Richard McLean Smith
This eerie and intriguing podcast will simultaneously pique your interest and send chills down your spine. Picking up the threads of unresolved (and often supernatural) stories, it describes itself as being about ‘strange and mysterious real life events that continue to evade explanation.’ Exploring unsolved mysteries where the paranormal meets the real, Unexplained makes the spooky scientific. McLean Smith has a voice like velvet and his thorough research and meticulous use of sources gives the inexplicable, clarity. What To Expect: Goosebumps, cliff hangers, mystery and a narrator who will keep you coming back for more. An episode favourite: When The Light FadesÂ
Karina Longworth
The podcast about the secret and/or forgotten history of Hollywood's first century. This podcast brings the golden age of Hollywood into sharp focus, with particular emphasis on its glittering starts who made their names there. The pitfalls of the studio system, the highs (often chemical) and lows of the stars, and the films that made them famous, You Must Remember This is a window into a deliciously decadent past. With an in-depth look at characters such as Carole Lombard, Clarke Gable, Judy Garland, Arthur Miller, and many many more, this podcast dives into the lives of the stars and follows them on the rollercoaster that was Hollywood at its inception.What To Expect: A no-nonsense look at Hollywood with interesting and often unexpected tip bits about your favourite forgotten stars
This podcast is like all of your school history lessons with the boring bits cut out, and a teacher who really cares about their subject and wants you to care too. Dan Snow chooses relevant, popular pieces of history and explores them with academics, from the plague to prime ministers, the Klondike Gold Rush to drugged up Nazis – there’s something for everyone. The guests are interesting, the history is presented in easily digestible nuggets and Snow’s enthusiasm about his subject is completely infectious. Look out for his total reluctance to comply with his sponsor’s requests – its very refreshing.What To Expect: To finish each episode feeling a little smarter, wish you were back at school frequenting history class and to smash the history round at the pub quiz.An Episode favourite: Blitzed: Drugs In Nazi Germany – Norman Ohler
Jamie Morton, James Cooper & Alice Levine
If you haven’t heard of, or listened to this podcast in the last year then odds are you have been living under a rock. Imagine if your Dad retired, and instead of taking up gardening or walking, decided to turn his hand to erotic literature. This is the horror that Jamie Morton faced. The result was ‘Belinda Blinked: A modern story of sex, erotica and passion. How the sexiest sales girl in business earns her huge bonus by being the best at removing her high heels.’ Instead of ignoring his fathers attempts at erotica – Morton decided to share the fruits of his labour with the world (with the help of his two best friends). Thus My Dad Wrote a Porno was born. The books decidedly unsexy plotline (about Belinda, a pots and pans saleswoman), combined with terrible punctuation, and the trios constant mocking makes for very entertaining listening.What To Expect: Anatomical inaccuracies, convoluted plotlines and laughter lines
Emily's other recommendations:
Alice's Choice:
15 minute bites of all things wordy by Helen Saltzman. Â It's about language and etymology, and Helen barely draws breath whilst she fills you in on all manner of extraordinary word meanings, word history, word connections and lots and lots of word play. Â It's great.
