Our monthly round up of new and favourite podcasts

The Fringe is now but one sweaty sleep away, and I can’t possibly have you go all the way to Edinburgh (assuming it isn’t on your doorstep) without suggesting some must-listen podcasts for the train journey or the drive.

Skinwigs is my new discovery. Unhinged, but in a good way. Sam O’Leary and Ash Tyson are chaos incarnate, offering their offbeat and supremely funny perspectives on subjects as diverse as swallowing coins, Mika and facebook fame. Best of all, there are already 30 manic episodes in the archive to get stuck into. An absolute gem of originality and peculiarity.  

If you fancy a pod with a similarly rich back catalogue, somewhat less eccentricity and significantly more political commentary, why not check out The Truth (In My Opinion)? If you’ve never heard of this podcast and don’t want to sound like a thicky-thicky-dumb-dumb in front of all your mates, I found it through host Cody Dahler’s Instagram reels deconstructing current affairs and political shenanigans. The podcast is a lot more of the same with added comedy guests and dystopian rhetoric.   

At the Fringe itself, there will be live recordings of some absolute belters including The Political Party with Matt Forde, All Killa No Filla and The Ewart Bros Present: Fraudcast. Plus, in a peek behind the comedian’s cloth, The Edinburgh Fringe Show, hosted by Ewan Spence, and Fringe Binge, hosted by Phil Ellis, will provide Festival coverage, interviews, recommendations and (I hope) salacious gossip. 

British comedy is lauded for its individualism, and our comics just love to podcast about the quirky hobbies and niche interests close to their little hearts. Here are a few of my favourites.

Stumped by strawberries? Alarmed by aphids? Riled by rosebushes? In A Little Bit Green, novice gardeners Angela Barnes and Matt Richardson speak to guest horticulturists who help with all manner of growers’ concerns, and no question is too bosky. 

In Josh Widdicombe’s Archive Of Pop Culture, the host’s extremely recognisable (although admittedly not particularly dulcet) tones take listeners through the twists and turns of tabloid splashes, Hollywood sleaze and soap scandals. Hilariously and deftly deconstructing pop culture phenomena, this pod is a comic’s ode to the bizarre hyper fixations that have shaped us. 

Mystery On The Rocks features comics Masud Milas, Chris Stokes and the inimitable Sooz Kempner, who kept me sane during lockdown with her uncanny impressions of Nadine Dorries in her His Frontbench Woman series. Sooz had another particularly niche pod in The Queen Podcast; a very (very) deep dive into the band Queen, if that happens to be your particular cup of tea. 

In Mystery on the Rocks, the hosts talk through true crime and the occasional paranormal mystery from their glamorous comedy cocktail club HQ. Full of tales of the unexplained told with a twist, and with the added bonus of Sooz’s musical talents, there are more than 200 episodes to work your way through! 

New releases 

Big Little Interests 

Freya Bennett and Lucy Regent, comedy writers also known as the Hyperfixation Huns (relatable!), explore their guests’ unusual interests and whimsical weirdness in this monthly release. Topics covered so far include train nerdery with Steve Bugeja (comedian and writer of Love Island voiceovers) and underutilised musical instruments with Katie Pritchard. Fun and fascinating in equal measure. 

Ignore That Feeling – Season 2

Fern Brady and Alison Spittle’s take on current affairs and the zeitgeisty stuff we’re all talking about around water coolers. Or those posh instant-hot-water taps, as the case may be. 

Writing Funny

Helen Lederer and Chris Manby take listeners through the creative process, all the way to getting your work published. A must for all writers, be they new to the craft or just need a kick up the bum. Launching on August 12. 

Published: 4 Aug 2026