Recommendation Engine: The Pitcairn Trials

Welcome to this week's Recommendation Engine from Podcast Rex, rounding up the week in podcast reviews. Get this in an email each week by signing up to be a supporter of Podcast Rex from £3.99.

Apple Podcasts New & Noteworthy:

• The Energy Equation
• The Pitcairn Trials
• The Rest is Politics US
• Ladies who Launch
• The Boardroom

Spotify New & 🔥

• Ladies Who Launch
• The Rest Is Classified
• The Buckleys
• Veritasium
• RISE with Roxie

Fiona Sturges in the FT

• True Crime Reports (Al Jazeera) - “While the series’ title is criminally dull, its contents are not and you could argue that has to do with the mode of delivery… It should be said that this episode, which tells a gripping and unusual story, works perfectly well piped straight into one’s ears. But those not travelling, cooking or walking the dog — all things I like to do while listening to podcasts — have the option of watching the episodes on YouTube.

James Marriott in the Times

• The Pitcairn Trials (Audio Always/Wondery) - “This is obviously very grim stuff. In other hands it would make me queasy. But Jones handles it with admirable sensitivity. And by weaving in the strange history of Pitcairn this podcast succeeds as a portrait of one of the most unusual communities in the world rather than another lurid opportunity to gawk at human misery. It is the best true crime series I’ve heard in a long time.”

Patricia Nicol in the Sunday Times

• Conflict of Interest (Imperial War Museums/Rethink Audio) - “This was an energising episode that deserves to lure sceptics past the tanks and into the museum’s thoughtful galleries.”

Clair Woodward in the Sunday Times

• Monstrosities Mon Amour (ind.) - “John Grindrod, the author of a tremendous book series about the architecture of postwar Britain, presents a witty new podcast in which he talks to guests about places and things that have been criticised but that they love.”
• Deadly Mirage (Dateline) - “A community in California’s Mojave Desert full of beautiful homes and people who like a bit of swinging and religion — something worthy of a true crime podcast is bound to happen, isn’t it?”
• Rolling With the Punches (ind.) - “Richard Popple’s series looks at football from a different angle — how the role of a club can affect its local community.” 

Highlights from the Radio Times

• Cited (ind.) - “An acclaimed Canadian podcast that sheds light on the theories of experts whose names are often invoked by politicians and broadcasters as they seek to come out on the winning side of complex arguments in the public space.”
• Fire Escape (Wondery) - “Shines a light on just how dependent the state is on the use of prisoners to fill vital emergency services.”
• The Screen Rot Podcast (ind.) - “Ridiculing social media’s ‘weirdest and worst’ content.”

Heat’s Top of the Pods

• The Louis Theroux Podcast (Spotify) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• RISE with Roxie Nafousi (ind.) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Scott Bryan in Great British Podcasts

• The Pitcairn Trials (Audio Always/Wondery) - “Journalist Luke Jones deals with the story with great sensitivity and insight, weaving in the history of the island to place the events all within context.”
• Illuminated (BBC Radio 4) - “On New Year’s Day, BBC Radio 4 celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Shipping Forecast with a whole day of special programmes, highlighting how its broadcasts are part of a daily ritual for millions.”
• Ladies who Launch (ind.) - “TV host Rochelle Humes has launched a new business podcast, looking at women who have self-started businesses that have helped them become household names.”
• The Big Drink Rethink (ind.) - "If you are undertaking Dry January or are sober curious for the long run, this relatively new podcast by Anna Donaghey is an informative and helpful exploration of the health and lifestyle benefits that can come with it.”