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In the summertime when the weather is high
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got podcasts, you got podcasts on your mind
The rest of that song (and indeed the one in the title of this blog) is somewhat problematic in 2020, but you get the point.
In actual fact, you’ve almost certainly got podcast conferences on your mind.
PodComms 2020 on Weds July 29th to be precise - a virtual session dedicated to the use of podcasts in corporate communications. I know I have. It’s sponsored by us, and will be full of tips, tricks and fascinating speakers (and me) about how to turn your brand into a great original podcast.
We’re taking a little break over the summer to go and feel our toes in the sand, stare at sparkling water and enjoy all the free hand sanitiser everywhere. So we’re giving you a summer special with a few more podcasts than normal to keep your heavily sunscreened ears happy for the next few weeks.
Enjoy.
Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment
This has been recommended by both Michaela Hallam and Julie-Anna Needham this week, so clearly a great first option:
From Wondery, the makers of Dirty John and Doctor Death, comes a positively sweltering series for summer.
An Oprah-endorsed self-help superstar holds an exclusive retreat, where he promises to help delegates find their own Spiritual Warrior. But when tragedy strikes, people are left wondering: how far is too far, in the search for enlightenment?
I was living in Bristol in 2015 and remember very clearly the news story that hit the headlines, writes Martin Poynz-Roberts. A man tried to murder his wife by sabotaging her parachute. She jumped out of the plane - on a skydive paid for by her husband - and her chute never opened. Miraculously she survived. This is the story of her husband's plot to murder her. It's the story of Emile Cillers' plot to kill his wife, Vicky, so he could claim her life insurance, clear his debts, and begin a new life with his secret lover - as told by those involved in the case.
Paul Russell suggests:
So, whilst the sun's blazing (?!), the sea is lapping at my feet and the ice cream is melting around my headphones, what better podcast to listen to than one about...pyramid schemes!!!
It's 11 episodes of fascinating details about these bizarre attempts to make money - the people who run them and the inevitable lives ruined by them. Some years ago, a very good friend tried to persuade me to get involved in one he was doing - and it really tested our friendship as I battled with big questions about the whole idea of joining him. I didn't in the end and it was fine - but it was a fascinating episode in dreams, hopes and the strength of friendships.
This series looks at one particular scheme - The Plane Game - and also we hear about the whole industry, the weirdo's behind them and the people who got duped.
I know it's not got beaches or suncream written all over it - but it's a really interesting listen and a genuine insight into human behaviour.