I listen to a lot of podcasts to learn about the world, so I put together a list of the 10 podcasts I most looked forward to listening to in 2020. They are in no particular order as they cover such varied topics. The list left out some great podcasts, some honourable mentions are appended at the end for good measure.

Rule of three

Joel Morris & Jason Hazeley interview “somebody who makes comedy to talk about something funny that they love. By taking it apart maybe we will learn something about how comedy works, or we will just quote bits from it and giggle until we are finished”.

Freakonomics radio

Freakonomics “explores the hidden side of everything” through the lens of economics and public policy.

The Bellingcat podcast

A step by step retelling of how some of Bellingcat’s most public open source investigative journalism got their results and the impact of their investigations.

Gastropod

Looking at “food through the lens of science and history”, episodes cover a wide range of topics, from mangos through ovens to growing food in space!

From Our Own Correspondent

“Every week [BBC] correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world report on the stories behind the headlines, often bringing a personal perspective to them.” Thoughtful perspectives on events lost in the 24 hour news cycle.

You’re Dead To Me

“The history podcast for people who don’t like history… and those who do”. A presenter, a historian and a comedian discuss events and celebrities of history.

Page 94

Interviews with journalists as Private Eye magazine about their ongoing investigations, some covering several decades.

Angry planet

Formally called War College, it provides “conversations about conflict on an angry planet”, covering topics from the future of Afghanistan to the consequences of 3D printed guns.

Your Undivided Attention

A deep dive into how “social media’s race for attention manipulates our choices, breaks down truth, and destabilizes our real-world communities”.

Honorable mentions

Better Human

Created with the aim of helping the general public to understand human rights and their value through interviews with experts about human rights issues in the news

Popular Front

“Popular Front is an independent podcast that focuses on the niche details of modern warfare and under-reported conflict.”

First Contact

Laurie Segall “introduces listeners to the people behind the tech changing how we will live in the future, exploring technology through the most important lens: the human one.”

The Intelligence

A current-affairs podcast, published every weekday by The Economist. Short (20mins) and covering topics you won’t find on newspaper front pages.