It’s no coincidence that several of these podcasts relate to eating.

Food is a comforting topic everyone can relate to – and a pleasant change from the true-crime shows that dominate many playlists.

Music, nature and conversation can also feed our souls, and we’ve got you covered there, too, with some gems that might make you look at people and the world in a different way.

So pop in your earbuds and enjoy a low-stakes listen next time you’re taking a walk or relaxing on the beach.

The Dish (Cold Glass Productions)

Hosted by English Michelin-star chef Angela Hartnett and broadcaster Nick Grimshaw, The Dish is a foodies’ podcast that should also win the hearts of non-foodies thanks to the excellent line-up of guests – including the likes of actors Olivia Colman and Ewan McGregor, singer Natalie Portman, and talk-show hosts Graham Norton and Sandi Toksvig.

Each episode, Harnett – who has one of the best laughs you’ll ever hear –serves up a dish based on the guest’s supplied list of likes and dislikes as the hosts grill them about their latest projects and culinary tastes. The Dish is sponsored by UK supermarket Waitrose, so listeners have to put up with a few plugs, but the upside is that you’ll also find the recipes on their website.

The episode with comedian and TV host Rob Brydon (Would I Lie to You, The Trip) is so laugh-out-loud funny that we wouldn’t recommend listening to it in a public place.

ill-advised by Bill Nighy (EYEPOD Studios)

 

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Fans of favourite festive-season rom-com Love Actually will be most familiar with Bill Nighy as washed-up rock star Billy Mack, crooning the parody anthem Christmas is All Around. He’s equally entertaining in this new podcast, but in a whole different way.

“A podcast for people who don’t get out much and can’t handle it when they do,” is how the show notes describe ill-advised, adding: “This is an invitation to (elegantly) squander time.”

Cast in the role of a hilariously droll, whimsical agony uncle, the 75-year-old British actor answers listeners’ questions on subjects ranging from the best song to play on air guitar, to wearing the colour yellow.

Nighy has strong opinions on matters such as table manners and sartorial correctness – and he’s not afraid to share them. As an added bonus, each episode includes a recommended book, Spotify playlist, and selection of “banned words”.

Take Five (Double J)

Music is the conduit that offers insight into the lives of the guests on Australian radio and TV presenter Zan Rowe’s long-running Take Five podcast. Over the course of around 35 minutes to an hour, each one shares five songs that are special to them, along with the memories it evokes or a story associated with it.

Recent episodes have featured author Trent Dalton (Boy Swallows Universe, Love Stories), singers Paul Kelly, Noel Gallagher and Jarvis Cocker, and actor Kevin Bacon, while earlier in 2025 former ABC chief election analyst Anthony Green showed a different side with his five picks.

Four seasons worth of shorter Take Five interviews are also available to stream on ABC iView.

Naturebang (BBC)

“Science meets storytelling with a philosophical twist” is the tagline for this BBC podcast in which hosts Becky Ripley and Emily Knight bring on expert guests to explore intriguing facts from the natural world.

Most episodes run to only around 15 minutes but they’re both enlightening and joyful, posing questions such as: What do the giggles and guffaws of animals tell us about human laughter? What lessons can we learn from lazy ants? And where did the human kiss originate? Hint: It has something to do with grooming apes.

If you enjoy Nature Bang, you should also check out ABC’s What the Duck?, which is hosted by engaging presenter Ann Jones and solves similarly intriguing mysteries of nature.

Good Hang with Amy Poehler (The Ringer)

 

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American comedian and actress Amy Poehler’s podcast has a warm and informal feel that is comforting and enjoyable, even if you aren’t overly familiar with the guests. And that’s not so say Poehler (Parks and Recreation) hasn’t welcomed some big names – Ariana Grande, Kate McKinnon, Kirstin Wiig, Selena Gomez… even TV’s Judge Judy has made an appearance.

Named one of Apple Podcasts’ 10 best podcasts of 2025, Good Hang invites them all to share stories about their careers and lives, as well as what’s been making them laugh: “This podcast is not about trying to make you better or giving advice. Amy just wants to have a good time.” Amen to that.

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent (The Guardian)

This one-on-one podcast goes a little deeper than The Dish. British writer, restaurant critic and broadcaster Grace Dent is an excellent host who manages to wangle fresh nuggets of interesting information out of even the most over-exposed guests.

That is despite the fact that the essential premise of Comfort Eating revolves around said guests sharing their favourite comfort food – everything from beans on toast with cheese (former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon) to fried bread sandwiches (comedian and actress Jo Brand) – alongside their life story.

There’s 10 seasons to binge, and don’t miss the chat with actress Miriam Margolyes, who discusses her love of onions, Jewish food and… breaking wind.

The Junkees (Nearly Media)

This “sweet and salty roundabout” hosted by self-confessed junk-food fans Kitty Flanagan and Dave O’Neil has garnered a loyal following over the past five years. It’s a fairly lo-fi production, but that’s part of The Junkees’ charm.

The two comedians and their occasional guests share biscuit, sweet and savoury snack likes and dislikes, taste-test new or bizarre offerings from Australia and overseas, and try to guess the obscure flavours of different chips. It’s all good fun until someone takes a trip “down, down to vomit town”.

Episodes are irregular due to Flanagan and O’Neil’s other commitment, but The Junkees returned before Christmas with several new hot takes. Chocolate olives, anyone?