Your new pod-heroes

Spruce up your gloomy winter morning commute with these must-hear podcasts

THE BEST FOR HISTORY BUFFS: THE DOLLOP

Hosted by Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, this is the most fun you will ever have during a history lesson. Looking back at everything from Opium to Uber, every edition covers a seriously interesting topic without taking it too seriously. Expect plenty of satire and laughs.

www.dolloppodcast.com/podcast.html

THE BEST FOR FEEDING YOUR CURIOSITY: THE ANTHILL

The new series from podcast behemoths The Conversation. The Anthill seeks to unearth the most interesting research from the world of academia, with each episode revolving around a different theme, among them time, the success of underdogs, and the power of a reboot. This will fuel your pub quiz knowledge nicely.

www.theconversation.com/uk/podcasts/the-anthill

THE BEST FOR HEALTH-BOOSTING: THE FITCAST

This weekly fitness and nutrition show, hosted by Kevin Larrabee, discusses every aspect of health with leading experts. From exploring what might be holding people back from success at the gym, to whether strict diet rules are ever good, it’s like having a personal trainer in your ear, but with much less shouting.

thefitcast.com

THE BEST FOR NEW PARENTS: FIRST TIME DADS

British journalists and brand new fathers Steve and Rich air the feelings that often don’t get spoken about, such as guilt, rage and frustration. In a world awash with mums’ opinions, it’s refreshing to hear from the dads, and the duo’s bracing honesty makes for a relatable and reassuring trip through the rocky road of early fatherhood.

www.audioboom.com/channel/first-time-dads

THE BEST FOR EXPANDING YOUR MIND: TOMORROW’S WORLD

Can humans transmit ideas directly to someone else’s brain? Can we morph our own intelligence with AI? Hosts Britt Wray and Dr. Ellie Cosgrave explore these and other thought-provoking questions informed by the fields of science and technology.

www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts