The mostly heroic, sometimes sleazy LGBTQ+ history you were never taught about | Podcasts

Well, it’s certainly been a wild few weeks in podcasting. From Meghan and Harry being called “grifters” by a Spotify executive, to Meghan being labelled “not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent” by the head of a huge talent agency, there’s been no shortage of entertainment in the collapse of the ex-royals’ megabucks Spotify podcasting deal. And that’s especially the case when you start hearing about Prince Harry’s ideas for podcasts that never were – which this piece lays out very entertainingly indeed.

This week, we’re also looking at the launch of a podcast by the Sussexes’ pal Oprah Winfrey, who does a six-episode deep dive on a novel that’s part of her book club. We also have a fun, provocative look at homosexuality throughout history, the astonishing mafia-linked story about a famous cyclist’s death and an intimate tale of a Brixton legend whose huge achievements have gone under-recognised, as told by his daughter.

No shortage of fantastic podcasts to check out, then – even if there’s plenty of Meghan and Harry news to distract you from them.

Alexi Duggins
Deputy TV editor

Picks of the week

The Covenant of Water Podcast
Widely available, episodes weekly
“It’s one of the most gripping, exquisite novels I have ever read.” Abraham Verghese’s 2023 book, The Covenant of Water, is the modern masterpiece that Oprah chose for her global 100th book club. In this six-part series, she speaks with the author and fans to dig deep into the themes around a story about “adventure, family secrets, medical mysteries, romance and the shimmering resilience of the human spirit”. Hollie Richardson

Historical Homos
Widely available, episodes weekly
Donal Brophy and Bash Hendra are here to fill you in on history’s gayest moments, heroes and battles. With a pumping disco soundtrack, a love of sleazy gossip and a deep knowledge of toxic boyfriends in Greek mythology, they take us from Hadrian’s Wall to Stonewall. Provocative, educational and fun. Hannah Verdier

Vs
Widely available, episodes weekly
Coco Khan launches her second podcast, following hit series Pod Save the UK. It hears lively debates including football pundits arguing over “Arsenal v Spurs” and ex-racing car engineer Yassmin Abdel-Magied and structural engineer Roma Agrawal thrashing out “cars v bicycles” – only for an audience vote to be the ultimate decider. Alexi Duggins

My Dad Mr Brixton
Widely available, all episodes out now
Courtney Laws (pictured above) was such a community figurehead that he was known as “prime minister of Brixton”. But following his death, there’s little recognition of his work and his last years were embroiled in accusations of wrongdoing. This intimate investigation by his daughter is a moving attempt to rescue his legacy. It’s a lovely listen. AD

Introducing Marco Pantani: Death of a Pirate
BBC Sounds, all episodes out now
Hugh Dennis is your host for the true-crime-meets-cycling podcast investigating Italy’s greatest cyclist, Marco Pantani, who was found dead in a hotel room in 2004 after a suspected cocaine overdose. But three inquiries later, Dennis finds a world of doping, race-fixing and possible mafia involvement. HV

There’s a podcast for that

This week, Hannah Verdier chooses five of the best podcasts for business heads, from a show about the art of the side hustle to entrepreneur Jay Shetty’s guide to having it all.

How I Built This with Guy Raz
Unassuming and modest presenter Guy Raz offers the perfect antidote to the hustle culture frequently found on entrepreneurial podcasts – and the best episodes are the ones where his guests have a similar attitude. Justin McLeod is a prime example, opening up about school days and rehab. When he went through a bad break-up he decided to invent a dating app, which became rather popular. Now the Hinge founder – who admits his idea was “so outta left field” – talks about making a huge success of the app, and how he got his romcom happy ending, too.

The High Performance Podcast
Slacking entrepreneurs who need a shove in the right direction will find gold in Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes’s chats with high achievers. Describing it as “your armour, your partner, your guide” might sound like LinkedIn guff, but they have a knack for bringing out relatable and positive advice from famous faces. DJ Jax Jones is one, providing a moving account of what motivates him, and crediting the trickier moments of his teenage years for teaching him how to read any room.

Side Hustle Pro
If you don’t fancy the idea of a nine to five, Nicaila Matthews Okome has got you. The Jamaican-born, Bronx-bred bundle of inspiration showcases the boldest Black female entrepreneurs in her sparky podcast, and she’s not afraid to address sleepless nights, imposter syndrome and the shame of failure in her accessible 30-minute episodes. A lot the advice is practical, with exercises to help entrepreneurs stop procrastinating (stop ordering new towels and get on with it!) and build their businesses, plus the most up-to-date tips on leveraging Instagram, TikTok and AI.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Even the most successful entrepreneurs need a break from 5am workouts, constant self-improvement and hustling, so Jay Shetty’s podcast takes a wisely holistic approach. Business tips are mixed in with episodes on red flags in relationships, setting boundaries on social media, and how to get the most out of therapy. Big names such as Kim Kardashian, Joe Jonas and Drew Barrymore share their values and work ethic, but the really useful stuff comes from Shetty himself, who explores the types of people you’ll meet and how to deal with them, plus how to move out of your comfort zone and reset your goals.

The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
The daddy of the entrepreneur podcast is self-proclaimed “Happy Sexy Millionaire” Steven Bartlett. And if you’re cringing at that thought, you just need to work harder. After all, we all have the same 24 hours in the day as Beyoncé, right Love Islander and DOAC guest Molly-Mae Hague? Bartlett’s all-knowing style and belief that there are no barriers to success might grate on some, but the boy’s made it. From investing on Dragon’s Den to performing the podcast live, supported by a gospel choir, he’s redefining what an entrepreneur is. Who wouldn’t want to bottle a drop of his success sauce?

Why not try …

• A look at the life of the Little House of the Prairie writer whose stories “embody the best and the worst of America” in Wilder.

• From gut health to the menopause, find out the truth about common health myths in The Referral with Dr Karan.

• The latest series of Slate’s hit podcast Slow Burn looks at the life of scandal-hit US supreme court justice Clarence Thomas.