I AM enjoying a new BBC podcast, Radical with Amol Rajan. Recently, I listened to the episode “Knife Crime: Can education save lives?” This podcast challenges ingrained attitudes to criminalising children, highlighting the power of love and compassion. Rajan engages in a conversation with the founder of the charity Oasis, the Revd Steve Chalke, which touches on their shared heritage and background, focusing on a common purpose. Chalke brilliantly combines moving narratives with statistical insights, allowing their discussion to take flight. Rajan, the journalist, skilfully navigates the conversation, while Rajan, the human, is clearly inspired and disarmed by Chalke’s sincerity and clarity.

Premier Christianity hosts the podcast Premier Unbelievable?, in which opposing perspectives on thought-provoking topics are discussed. In the episode “Why I Changed My Mind on Christian Sexual Ethics”, the host, Andy Kind, attempts to heat up a discussion between the guests. As both guests are thoughtful, cool-headed Anglicans, however, it takes time to reach boiling point. The familiar tropes and scriptures are referred to, but there are genuine efforts to listen. At times, a faint sense of vulnerability emerges among the hosts and guests as exhaustion or surprise sets in. Although the host’s bias occasionally seeps in, it is an interesting attempt to expose, if not reconcile, differing views among the podcast guests.

LGBT+ communities have sadly experienced much worse than uncomfortable podcast questions. In the BBC podcast Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7, a story from the north of England focuses on a group of men who faced humiliation due to an ancient law enforced by police, despite their consensual intimacy. The podcast powerfully conveys their story, establishes the legal framework, and contextualises events such as the AIDS epidemic and Section 28, which heightened suspicion and fear of gay men. It serves as a narrative that effectively examines institutional power and overreach.

The BBC podcast The Moral Maze recently posed the question: Was Israel right to launch strikes on Iran? This podcast features a fiery contest among panellists and expert witnesses, creating a dynamic yet contentious atmosphere. Unlike Unbelievable, there is no common ground: defences remain high, and tolerance and patience are low. While valuable points are made, they are overshadowed by strong emotions surrounding Israel and Iran, and Gaza loomed as a largely unspoken spectre. It is a complicated and tough topic. I appreciate the conviction of those who debate in public, helping listeners to deepen their own perspectives. It can feel fraught, however, like swimming with sharks while we are talking about sharks.

The Shark That Ate Hollywood: “Jaws” at 50, featured on Cautionary Tales, caught my attention, especially since I recently turned 50. The podcast recounts the challenges of creating the first summer blockbuster. A young Steven Spielberg found himself overwhelmed; he didn’t just dip his toe in the water — he performed a full belly flop. The production faced delays, unpredictable giant plastic sharks, and conflicts among the cast. These disasters provided time for the film to mature, however, and for fresh perspectives to grow.

I trust that these recommendations are enough for you to sink your teeth into for now.