Sun, Sea, Smart Audio
As the out-of-office for 2025 kicks in and the autoreplies take over across the UK and Europe, I’ve pulled together a short hit-list of podcasts worth your time while you’re horizontal — by the pool, on a balcony, or wedged between kids’ inflatables at the beach bar. Each one caught my attention for different reasons, from standout production to sharp mechanics or just a bit of brilliance in the delivery. Give them a spin, and if you agree (or totally disagree), I’d love to hear your take. Hoping here’s to some extra minutes on those loungers whilst you wait a bit longer for the episode to end.
Titanic: Ship of Dreams
Noiser
If you’re after something gripping to plug into while your poolside or beach-bound this summer, Titanic: Ship of Dreams is a worthy listen — just maybe not one to soundtrack your afternoon cocktails. This 13-part series takes its time (and then some) unfolding the full sweep of the Titanic story — from its grand Belfast beginnings to its tragic end and everything in between. It’s packed with those spine-tingling “what if” moments that make you lean in closer, even if you're already familiar with how the story ends.
Narrated by British actor and one the 8th Doctor Who, Paul McGann — whose own family history is unexpectedly tangled up with the ship’s legacy — the tone is more audiobook than podcast for me especially when Paul is present, slow and deliberate, with rich sound design and atmospheric moments that really draw you in. The pace can feel a bit glacial in places (pun fully intended), but it’s all part of the craft. Once you’re in the rhythm, it becomes hypnotic — and weirdly perfect for switching off while still feeling like you're learning something epic.
There are some grim moments, absolutely — this isn’t the bubbly side of history — but it’s told with care and an eye for the human detail, not just the big, tragic headlines. It’s cinematic in feel, full of eerie beauty and smart storytelling choices. A summer sizzler it is not — but if you're up for a deep, dramatic dive while topping up your tan, stick your earbuds in and keep a cold drink nearby.
Katherine Ryan’s What’s My Age Again?
Bauer Media Audio UK
One of the things podcasting still hasn’t nailed - and radio’s starting to slip into the same trap - is the art of the opener, the closer, and the sponsor moment. These are prime real estate for building connection, but far too often they sound like awkward script reads or production afterthoughts. What’s My Age Again? suffers from that too. The music and imaging feel off-brand for the tone and ambition of the show - cheap, even - and Katherine Ryan’s otherwise brilliant delivery gets flattened in these moments. It’s a wider issue: talent is being put behind mics without the coaching or structure needed to help them land these beats naturally and with impact.
That said, the core of this show is genuinely strong. Katherine Ryan is effortlessly engaging when in full flow and not weighed down with host anchoring duties - sharp, warm, and completely herself. The format avoids the tired ‘celebrity interviews celebrity’ trap thanks to one smart mechanic: each guest takes a biological age test, with results unpacked by a longevity expert. It’s simple but clever, giving the show shape while keeping the tone accessible. Guests like Jill Scott, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Romesh Ranganathan open up about everything from addiction to adoption, ageing to identity, with a refreshing honesty that never feels overly engineered.
Across fourteen episodes, What’s My Age Again? earns its place as a summer holiday binge - whether your poolside or beach-bound. It’s funny, insightful, well-paced and just different enough to stand out in a saturated space. No surprise it’s made ‘best of’ lists from UK reviewers at The Guardian, Sunday Times and beyond. It's a great example of how a strong format, in the hands of the right host, still cuts through.
Rob Ellis, Rach & Wingman Decommissioned
Nigel Clucas and Manchester One Media
Cards on the table — I worked with Rob Ellis, Rachel Burke-Davies and Nige “Wingman” Clucas when they were first finding their rhythm in radio. While I’ve had no involvement in the production or distribution of this podcast, I was genuinely pleased to see them back together and launching Decommissioned. The trio were a huge part of Capital Manchester and Lancashire’s success, connecting daily with listeners across the Northwest of England, until their show was pulled during Global’s shift to London-led network programming. The podcast title is a knowing nod to that chapter — though, if I’m honest, I’d have loved to see something with broader appeal. It feels like a name designed to make the hosts laugh more than it helps new audiences find the show.
Title aside, the podcast is on strong footing. Decommissioned leans into the everyday with real confidence — from dodgy toilet visits to the awkwardness of job interviews — and it’s powered by the kind of natural chemistry that can’t be faked. The humour is observational, conversational, and comes with an attitude, drawing closer comparisons to the unfiltered spirit of Shameless (both UK and US versions) than anything polished in its narrative. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel; it’s capturing the rhythm of long-standing friendship, the sort that gives listeners a sense of being right there in the room. It’s low-key, gently chaotic, and often very funny. Even if you’ve never tuned into a second of their old radio show, you’ll find this instantly accessible.
One of the podcast’s real standouts is its use of imaging — a smart blend of voiceover and music, delivered with that distinctly self-deprecating tone you find in great UK and Irish comedy, very simple. The imaging creative and execution isn’t surprising — they spent years in an environment where imaging craft wasn’t just encouraged… it was non-negotiable at Global (and maybe I banged that drum once or twice myself). At the time of writing, there are seven half-hour episodes in, dropping weekly — plenty to sink into over a holiday. It’s a great start by this team, so interested to see where this goes, and like many podcasts born from decommissioned radio shows, it’ll be fascinating to see how they all evolve into their next audience-winning chapter.
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