POLITICS

From Bomb to Ballot: the History of Sinn Féin

As Northern Ireland’s Assembly elections approach, a mired-in-controversy Sinn Féin will want to hold onto its gains from 2022. This timely podcast hosted by John Lee charts the evolution of the political wing of the IRA, from its roots in the Troubles to becoming the largest party at Stormont and leader Michelle O’Neill taking her place as the inaugural nationalist First Minister. Must-hear listening for anyone seeking to understand Sinn Féin’s complex past and its possible future. JEREMY ASPINALL

DOCUMENTARY

16 Sunsets

Before Neil Armstrong took a giant leap for mankind, Nasa had already set its sights on developing a reusable space shuttle. But it was not until 1981 that the first of these iconic spacecraft was put into orbit, ushering in a new era of space exploration. Some 40 years on from the shuttle’s heyday, this ten-part series from the team behind 13 Minutes to the Moon, presented by Kevin Fong, recounts the dramatic history of the program and the technical challenges it faced. TOM GOULDING

CONVERSATION

Fashion Neurosis

Host and fashion designer Bella Freud is the great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud and there’s a playful nod to him as she invites people to lie on a couch and make a connection between their fashion choices, mental health and sense of identity. Her guests (mainly friends) include Courteney Cox, Zadie Smith and Trinny Woodall. This will be pure escapism for some — but listening to wealthy people chat about staying in Claridges and shopping for cashmere sweaters will be anathema for others. ANNA JONES

DRAMA

Disorder

Audible brings the young Italian bestseller Rokia to English-speaking audiences for the first time. The mental-health-with-a-twist theme of her hit Sindrome, about young adults in a sinister medical facility, has been translated by Beth Hickling-Moore and retitled Disorder. Cast names Diane Guerrero (Orange Is the New Black), William Gao (Heartstopper), Freya Allan (The Witcher) and Connor Swindells (Sex Education) will excite the target audience, but others should be held by an intriguing plot. FIONA HUGHES

CONVERSATION

Chatty Natty

Podcasters, like policemen, seem to be getting younger. Case in point: 12-year-old Natty set up this podcast in which he chats about whatever takes his fancy with his grandad, the actor Michael Fenton Stevens — currently on stage in Wicked. It could be seen as a touch self-indulgent, but then the same is true of myriad podcasts featuring comedians talking to their mates and there’s a sweet charm to Natty’s youthful enthusiasm, while Grandad gently opens the door to insights into Natty’s autism. DAVID CRAWFORD

POETRY

Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast

There’s no stopping Frank Skinner. He brought his cancelled radio show back as a podcast. Now his poetry podcast (cancelled after nine series) is back under new management. No wonder. Skinner’s enthusiasm for verse is genuine. “Every day,” he’s said, “I either read or listen to poetry.” In the new series he’ll read and analyse work by familiar and lesser-known names. Expect, as one critic said, “stanzas not stand-up” — but presented by a great comic raconteur. DAVID McGILLIVRAY

PROFILE

Céline: Understood

Céline Dion’s comeback from illness to top the bill at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony is just the latest chapter in an extraordinary life and career. An international star for three decades, here she is reclaimed by her fellow Canadian, culture writer and superfan Thomas LeBlanc, with a four-part account of her achievements (Eurovision victory, an Oscar, record-breaking sales and concerts), while reminding us that she remains
a sister (of 13 siblings), a daughter, a widow and a Québécoise extraordinaire. CAROLINE FROST

DOCUMENTARY

“What if death is only the beginning?” is the come-on for this investigation into a famous British claim for reincarnation. In 1957, John and Florence Pollock’s two daughters died after being hit by a car. Florence soon gave birth again, this time to twins. John declared that the girls were his dead children reincarnated. Academic researchers, albeit those with an interest in the paranormal, were also convinced. Our host, actor Will Sharpe, promises a solution to this mystery. DAVID McGILLIVRAY