Podcast Recommendations Thread

Hi all, we wanted to create this thread for people who want share what they're listening to and talk about it. Even if you're not interested in posting, welcome to the thread.

The University of Aberdeen produces a number of podcasts focused on a variety of topics. From student life to the history of our university to the scientific research we're currently involved in, we're really proud of the podcasts our staff and student have worked on: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/podcast-hub-1634.php

Here are a couple other great sources of podcasts.
BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/genre/0JQ5DArNBzkmxXHCqFLx2J

This thread isn't just for our podcasts, and we would love to hear what recommendations you all have. If you'd like to share podcasts that have taught you fascinating things, made you laugh, or ones you would love to see more people know about we'd love to see them here!

- Matthew, Enquiry Team

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

UoA Enquiry Team

Official Rep

I'll kick off the thread by sharing the Ask Aberdeen Podcast. This was made by a couple of students who went on to work at the university and wanted to share their experiences and sage wisdom with those looking to study here in future or are even just looking to get a bit more information on what it's like to be a student.
The first few episodes on student life in Aberdeen, how to pick your course, and advice on researching which university to choose are a great taster and something we really hope are useful to any applicants or new students reading this. You can find the podcast here: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/resources/ask-aberdeen.php

- Matthew, Enquiry Team

University of Aberdeen

Reply 2

UoA Enquiry Team

Official Rep

The Ologies with Alie Ward podcast does what it says on the tin and interviews a different ologist every week! They contact someone involved in a particular field of science and talk to them about the field, their current research, and their journey to get to studying/working with that subject. There are practical archaeologists, museum workers, medical scientists, and most recently a scientist who is entirely specialised in capybaras! There are a lot of them but I'd recommend having a browse through to see if there are any that catch your fancy. The first episode is an interview with a volcanologist and I would sincerely recommend giving it a listen if nothing else as listening to someone so passionate about such a cool field of study is such a treat. Plus involves tales about dodging molten rocks which is always fun 😀 I'll share the link on Spotify as I believe this is the most accessible platform but just say if you think there's a better source: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nvRkVMH58SelKZYZFZx1S?si=f4aa1e3cf45c46f2

- Matthew, Enquiry Team

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 3

UoA Enquiry Team

Official Rep

The BeWell Podcast is a project created by the University of Aberdeen to put a spotlight on mental health and wellbeing issues, particularly surrounding student life. Going on to further education can be a particularly challenging time for people's mental health, with stress, imposter syndrome, and struggles with identity all being incredibly valid issues people run into while going through university life. This podcast aims to give a platform to discussing these issues, providing advice, and (maybe most importantly) normalising discussions about these problems that people often feel isolated in and unable talk about: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/resources/bewell-1649.php
Staff and students are involved in this podcast giving a variety of perspectives a voice, so we'd recommend checking it out!

This is also a good place to link our Student Support services. Running into difficulties, be that with uni or personal life, is something that can happen to anyone while at university and we want to ensure that our students feel supported. The team are always happy to be contacted for advice, a chat, or with any questions you might have about what support they can provide you from counselling to exam provisions: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/students/support/student-advice-support-office.php

- Matthew, Enquiry Team

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 4

UoA Enquiry Team

Official Rep

The next podcast I'd like to share is How Many Geese?, a science and nature podcast where the hosts discuss oddities, fun facts, and current events in the world of nature and conservation. Why the name? Well a recurring segment on the podcast is how many [insert animal here] do you think you think you could take in a fight, which involves talking about any instances on attacks by this animal (some like a fatal beaver attack may surprise you) and what environment would give you the best advantage. It's a brilliant mix of informative and silly and I'm a sucker for any podcast that will teach me something while making me laugh: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Ac9xGSKV0FhtXeMFFSQHR?si=0a531f3a265f4e84

One of the hosts, Jack Baddams, is also involved with the nature programme Springwatch and has this instagram where he documents the bird surveying he's involved in: https://www.instagram.com/jabaddams?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

- Matthew, Enquiry Team

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 5

UoA Enquiry Team

Official Rep

I've shared a couple of science and nature podcasts already, but this next one is one for those with more of an interest in history and literature! The Myths and Legends podcast covers, well, myths and legends from a wide range of cultures and time periods. From King Arthur to Ragnarök to Arabian Nights there's really a huge variety of stories. It's got mythology and folklore from traditions such as Norse, Greek, Pacific Island, Egyptian, Irish, Japanese, West African and many more. It not only retells these stories, some of which are thousands of years old, in an accessible and entertaining way but the narrator also provides some insight into the history around the tale; what culture produced it and at what sort of time, how the text comes to us, and possible interpretations that have changed it over time (for example, Christian elements making their way into Celtic and Norse stories). This podcast mixes storytelling and education in the most amazing way and I honestly think it's brilliant.
And if that's not sold you, it's also got a creature of the week segment where they share with you a creature from folklore and what makes it tick, from various goblins to healing birds to the king of the cats! If you're a fan of weird lil' guys have a browse through to see what sort of stories might be of interest to you: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xqETOvGnSQHH0xdLtgcXU?si=040ca6b5f11643d2

- Matthew, Enquiry Team

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 6

CCCU Official

Official Rep

Excellent thread with some great recs :biggrin:

No Such Thing As A Fish is a hilariously funny fact based podcast made by the research "elves" of the hit TV show QI.

Definitely one of my favourites!

Its on pretty much everywhere you can find podcasts, recently got accepted onto BBC sounds too!