4 PODCASTS WORTH LISTENING TO

I arrived late to the podcast party but it only took me a few listens to fall in deep. Here are a few of my favourites for you to try out.

If you're a fan of true crime you may have already heard of the Netflix series Dirty John, starring Connie Britton and Eric Bana, but you mightn't know the series was born as a result of LA Times' successful podcast of the same name. The true story centres around a lady named Debra who recounts her relationship with John Meehan. Early on we learn her family aren't keen on him and the podcast, presented by LA Times journalist Christopher Goffard, paints a picture of John's character based on the testimonies of the people who met him, from Debra, to her daughters, to Meehan's ex wife and former college friends. A gripping listen with brilliant access culminating in a recording of an onstage Q&A session featuring the podcast's protagonists. It's guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

Shannon McLay is the host of Martinis & Your Money, a female-skewed personal finance podcast where she catches up with personal finance gurus over cocktails to chat about money. McLay runs NYC's The Financial Gym - a gym designed to whip your finances into shape - and the podcast is a mix of cocktail catch-ups and 'financially naked' sessions where members of the gym allow McLay & co to go through every aspect of their finances. They talk about mistakes they have made and lessons they have learned. Living in a country where talking about money isn't done quite as freely I found this a refreshing listen and it inspired me to consider saving for things like an emergency fund, as well as my future adventures. It's a US based podcast and the content reflects that but the tips are largely transferable to a UK, if not European, audience.

Inside the Writersroom is a fly-on-the-wall style interview series where listeners are invited into the homes and minds of some of Britain's best and celebrated screenwriters. It's a podcast I've only recently discovered and Sally Wainwright's episode was an absolute delight. She comes across as quietly confident and desperately hardworking with a big dollop of realism and self-awareness. I loved listening to her and came away with a freshly lit fire in my belly. If you want to know how some of your favourite TV series' were conceived these are some of the people and places where they began. Sally Wainwright's new series, Gentleman Jack, which she wrote and directed, is on BBC 1 tonight at 9pm.

If you're keen on current affairs a great podcast to try is BBC Radio 4's From Our Own Correspondent. Introduced by award-winning journalist and former war correspondent Kate Adie, each episode is meaty and interesting, transporting you to a world often far away from the one which you might ordinarily inhabit. The series focuses largely on foreign affairs. However, there are a few 'From our Home Correspondent' episodes featured too. A well researched podcast series with a broad range of topics exploring themes such as why a person might join a terrorist organisation to the lasting impact current federal legislation on reproductive rights has on the wider US population. I always learn something new when I listen to this.

I'd love to know what you recommend listening to. Please leave your podcast tips in the comments below!

See you next Sunday. 'Til then, keep wondering,

Laura