Podcasts: A source of inspiration

Inspiration

6 minute read

Words by The Animals Observatory | Oct 04, 2022

Podcasts. That new creation that’s spreading like fresh water on the Kalahari desert. They’re easy to listen anywhere with a gadget and can fulfill infinite nothing to do hours or accompany anyone while doing daily mandatory tasks like exercise, cooking, showering and infinite solitary routines that are much more light to complete with that familiar voice emerging from your headphones. Podcast programmes are as infinite as the galaxy, so if you’re looking for some inspiration and you don’t know where to start, here are our top 11 favourite podcasts. Let’s start!

No. 1. Fashion: No Filter

In this podcast, fashion journalists Camille Charriere and Monica Ainley give a unique, behind the scenes look, at how the fashion industry operates. This program offers hour‑long entertainment around fashion, art and the all‑in‑betweens. Like, for example, the explanation to understand what is really haute couture or how can a company define itself as a haute couture brand, as well as what’s the perception of media, brands, moguls and models around it.

Source: @fashionnofilter

No. 2. Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls

Did you know that just 5% of children’s books have black, asian or minority characters? Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls is an initiative that wants to change that. Through a podcast and a book series, you will discover powerful women’s voices that have changed the world and, even now, have a legacy that lives in the shadow. In this podcast, made to be shared with kids, notable women from different fields and areas read us stories about other women that have not transcended into the history books.

Source: @rebelgirls

No. 3. Dressed: The History Of Fashion

With over 7 billion people in the world, we all have one thing in common: every day we all get dressed. This podcast, conducted by Cassidy Zachary and April Calahan, explores the social and cultural histories behind the who, why, when of what we wear. Fashion history is about more than pretty clothes, that’s why this podcast explores the incredibly rich and complex history behind the clothes we put on every day. From the history of the most antique fashion houses to interviews with designers and debates around the fashion consumption.

Source: @dressed_podcast

No. 4. Talk Art

Talk Art. Hosted by Russell Tovey and Robert Diament, this podcast brings iconic guests, like the self taught pianist Nick Rhodes, founding member of the band Duran Duran, to talk about their roots and pathway to success as well as how they were inspired. Musicians, artists, cinematographers and many more guests open themselves to give a deep insight on how some of their masterpieces were created or how they met other artists that inspired them. A unique podcast to explore contemporary art without boundaries.

Source: @talkart

No. 5. A Poêle

The food lovers will find themselves a great one with the A Poêle podcast. A program that brings to the table recipes from well‑known French chefs, trends from the new cuisine and an interesting reflection about identity within food and how humans relate to it. This podcast offers a great opportunity to be a gourmet adventurer and discover new places with traditional specialties and new vanguard creations. The chefs‑to‑be can find numerous inspirational stories hearing the pathways that led the interviewers to have their own restaurant or project.

Source: @apoelepodcast

No. 6. London Review Of Books

The podcast of the London Review of Books magazine offers weekly conversations and occasional readings drawn from the pages of the magazine with hosts Thomas Jones, Adam Shatz and Joanne O’Leary, and including the ongoing “Close Readings” series. This is a great podcast for book lovers. The program offers a unique opportunity to hear novelist explain the insights behind their stories and inspiration behind the characters they create. It is also a great chance to hear readings from your favourite writers and even re‑discover old diamonds like W. B. Yeats or Philip Roth.

Source: @londonreviewofbooks

No. 7. Questlove Supreme

Music lovers, this podcast is made for you. Questlove Supreme is a fun, irreverent and educational weekly podcast that digs deep into the stories of musical legends and cultural icons like Linda Perry, Michelle Obama or Chaka Khan. Lead by music genius Questlove (founding member of The Roots band) each episode is driven by conversation ranging from the guest’s origins (along with a few never‑before‑revealed secrets to their success) to their life passions and current projects. This is about legends and legends in the making bringing their legacy to life in their own words.

Source: @qls

No. 8. Habitudes

The podcast of L’Étiquette magazine explores (in french) the icons and powerhouses that have changed the French fashion industry: from music and cinema icons to novelists and adventurers. This 30 minute long program brings us an inside to all the factors that have contributed into the industry. Carine Roitfeld, Philippe Manœuvre, Amanda Lear or Christine Angot are some of the persons that have sat in front of the microphone to explain how they dress themselves and why. Because, according to the podcast motto, even if we dress badly we never dress by chance.

Source: @habitudes_podcast

No. 9. Sounds Like A Plan

Can the music industry take part to fight climate change? This podcast conducted by Fey Milton and Greg Cochrane explores with the help of famous musicians, producers and activists, how music can make a social impact towards fighting climate change. The podcast also explores how NGO’s like Sea Shepherd have aligned with musicians to spread the issues that are happening around the globe and how can we, as individuals, take part to make a change. This is, without a doubt, a new and original way to talk about sustainability and engage people on it.

Source: @soundslikeaplanpodcast

No. 10. How To Fail

Learning how to fail ultimately leads to learning how to succeed. In this podcast, host Elizabeth Day interviews recognised professionals to reflect on how they have overcome challenges and failures to find success. In a society that’s mainly success focused, this podcast brings to the table tools to embrace failures and find the power of vulnerability. Because when we strive for success, frequently we can encounter the perfectionism barrier that’s constructed around the “What will people think” and “I want to fit in” concepts that ultimately prevent us to be ourselves.

Source: @howtofailpod

No. 11. Table Manners

Countless actions can occur at a dinner table. Jessie Ware hosts a podcast about food, family, and the beautiful art of having a chat, directly from her very own dinner table. With a little bit of help from her chef extraordinaire mum Lennie, each week’s guest from the worlds of music, culture and politics drop by for a bite and a bit of a natter. A podcast that mixes cuisine and current affairs that brings entertainment to the audience.

Source: @tablemannerspodcast