Intrigue: Ransom Man (BBC Radio 4) - “Series about a catastrophic 2020 data breach at a Finnish psychotherapy service. The hacking of Vastaamo, a nationwide service, allowed a cybercriminal access to the records of 33,000 patients.”
The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs (BBC Sounds) - “I feel I have heard this story — or bits of it — before, in other podcasts. But Helena Merriman and her expert interviewees retained my attention.”
The Walkers: The Real Salt Path (The Observer) - “If you are fascinated by this story (and I am) you get far more here, told better. Hadjimatheou is one of the UK’s premier podcast players…here you hear her chasing down this story in her own words.”

Rachel Cunliffe in the New Statesman

The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs (BBC Sounds) - “This is a story about sabotage and sugar, puppets and propaganda, and the invention of the man who has ruled Russia ever since. But more than that, it’s a story about hindsight: whether it clouds our judgement or brings things into focus.”

Gerard O’Donovan in the Daily Telegraph

Currently: Inside Aria (BBC Sounds) - “Evan Davis takes us into the new, UK government-sponsored Advanced Research and Invention Agency, whose mission is to provide funding for scientific and technological breakthroughs to stimulate future prosperity.”
Eras: Phil Collins (BBC Radio 2) - “Sounds drops this five-part tribute to the former Genesis drummer turned 1980s global superstar, who next week hits the grand old age of 75.”
Understand: An American Journey (BBC Radio 4) - “Discover how the Declaration of Independence’s call for a nation based on its citizens’ inalienable right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” has lived up to reality two and a half centuries on.”
Intrigue: Ransom Man (BBC Radio 4) - “For many, their worst nightmare would be having their most intimate thoughts, fears and feelings exposed to the world. That’s what happened in 2020 to 33,000 users of the Vastaamo psychotherapy service in Finland.”
The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs (BBC Sounds) - “This gripping seven-part podcast explores alleged links between Russia’s federal security service (the FSB) and the bombing in 1999 of four residential apartment blocks across Russia.”
The Missing Cryptoqueen (BBC Sounds) - “Four new episodes from the long-running podcast bring us up to date with the latest theories about Dr Ruja Ignatova, on the run since 2017 and accused of defrauding countless victims of billions of dollars in the One Coin currency scam.”
I Rest My Case (Pixiu Podcasts) - “Continues to pull back the curtain on high-profile trials on both sides of the Atlantic, including, this week, Kevin Spacey’s.”
The Essay: Stories from the Museum of Music History (BBC Radio 3) - “Fascinating essays on the more unusual items curated by the Museum of Music History, ranging from a piano owned by Napoleon to a scrap of music picked up at Waterloo.”
Limelight: Wolf Valley (BBC Radio 4) - “Atmosphere and an adhesive grip are qualities common to many of the dramas in the BBC’s Limelight thriller strand. This new five-part Nordic noir drama is no exception.”
The Food Programme (BBC Radio 4) - “In this edition, Jaega Wise looks into why it’s proved so difficult to make good-tasting no/low wine, and asks whether what’s on offer currently is any better for us anyway.”

Lucy White in the Irish Independent

The Bookshelf (Ind.) - “Invites famous guests to choose three key books – one from their childhood, one that made them cry, one that changed their life.”
Experience is Everything (Saga Group) - “Hosted by veteran broadcaster Jenni Murray (75). Her current series launched with Professor Tim Spector (67) whose latest Channel 4 series What Not to Eat shamed a couple into ditching ultra-processed food by filling their bathtub with a year’s worth of Pot Noodle.”