Has there ever been a time when one can tune one's ears to such a rich vein of interviews, crime shows, music programs, expert advice, not-so-expert advice, the list is never-ending. I get exhausted just scrolling through the current shows I've downloaded but for my readers out there (…), here—in no particular order—are my current top five:

1. Where Should We Begin - Esther Perel gives us a window into the messiness of human relationships. Her wisdom and her ability to listen to her subjects is her special genius. And it’s such a relief to know that none of us are truly alone in our insanity. We may rise and fall in our own singular ways, but universally we’re as flawed as the next person and her program shines a light on our vulnerabilities. I particularly recommend Episode 1 of Series 2: You Need Help to Help Her. 

2. Conversations - Richard Fidler speaks with extraordinary people that are not headlining the news. I  particularly appreciate his ability at asking the questions I want to know the answers to and his genuine delight and the respect he has for the interviewee comes across in pretty much everyone who comes on the show. I recommend the archived episode with my very gorgeous friend Emma Mcleod talking about the stillbirth of her daughter Olivia. I wept unashamedly. 

3. West Wing Weekly: in the age of Drumpf, can you blame me for finding solace with Josiah Bartlett and his merry gang in the fictional White House? Joshua Molina and Hrishikesh Hirway guide the listener through every episode of the West Wing; breaking down the plot, the characters, the actors, the themes, the inspiration. And their guest list includes the likes of Aaron Sorkin, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Rob Lowe. And they get Martin Sheen on too! OMG!! The only downside is one must be a super fan of the original tv series to appreciate this podcast deep dive.

4. The Assassination - reporter Owen Bennett-Jones guides you through the very murky and tragic tale of Benazir Bhutto. It’s such compelling drama that surely there are any number of movies and Netflix series now in the works to bring it to the screen. The story truly boggles the mind. Pakistan is a country where the rule of law is always one of the casualties in the country's quest for justice and Benazir Bhutto’s assassination is no exception. The graphic description of what happens to the suicide bomber when he (invariably it’s a he) blows himself up is both beyond grizzly and weirdly educational. Go figure. 

5. Australian True Crime - Emily Webb and Meshel Laurie bring you tales from Melbourne’s underworld. And what a dark and sinister place it is. The two women have recurring guests that have toe-curling stories about all manner of criminal shenanigans. I'm a big fan of the former detective Narelle Fraser who, as a police detective in Victoria, was asked to bear witness to true horror. The episode about the death of Maria Korp is particularly heartbreaking. It’s little wonder that Ms Fraser suffers from PTSD and is now on a disability pension. We owe her in some way for her service.