Every year, millions of tons of sawdust accumulate in mountains as a result of lumber mills around the world producing wood products. The majority of it is either put into a furnace to generate energy or ends up in landfills, where it does nothing but release all of the carbon it has accumulated. However, researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a technique to convert that garbage into solid panels that will work well as inside walls and partitions.

Photo credit: Dan Vivas Glaser / from Kürsteiner R et al. Chem Circularity 2026, CC BY 4.0
The main ingredient in these panels is struvite, a mineral that occurs naturally in sewage treatment plants. One issue is that it clogs pipes, but that’s not all it does; it also has some built-in fire resistance. There is one catch, though: the mineral is extremely brittle on its own, and mixing it evenly with wood particles is difficult. However, this challenge was overcome when the team discovered that an enzyme extracted from watermelon seeds could be used to help guide how the struvite crystals grow.

The enzyme takes a simple mixture of a mineral precursor called newberyite and a small amount of water and leads it into creating enormous crystals that spread across the gaps between the sawdust particles. This secures everything in place and makes it solid. All the team needs to do is combine the enzyme, struvite, and water, pour the mixture into a mold, and allow it to sit under pressure for two days. After that, simply allow the slabs to air dry at room temperature until ready to use.

The fire safety tests provide a solid indication of how effective these panels are. When untreated spruce wood is exposed to a standard heat source, it will catch fire in about fifteen seconds, but panels made this way will wait for over 45 seconds before ignition even begins, giving people at least three times more time to escape. Once the fire starts, the struvite breaks apart and releases water vapour and ammonia gas, which basically sucks the air right out of the room while also cooling the surface. That results in a thin coating of inorganic debris and burned wood, which effectively protects the rest of the panel.

They’re also quite sturdy, as they can be compressed sideways and hold up far better than raw spruce lumber. They’re also much lighter than traditional cement-bonded particleboards because they use a lot less binder, 40% struvite versus 60-70% cement in those older options, making them a direct replacement for traditional materials in interior partitions where fire codes require some level of protection.

They’ve already got recycling covered. Simply grind up an old panel and heat it to 100 degrees Celsius, then sift out the sawdust to leave behind the mineral precursor, which can then be reused in new batches. If you’re feeling particularly useful, you can even use the leftover newberyite as a slow-release fertilizer for plants. Cement boards, on the other hand, tend to go straight to the tip after the structure they’re in is demolished.

Ronny Kürsteiner developed the method as part of his dissertation at ETH Zurich, in collaboration with colleagues from Empa and the Polytechnic University of Turin, and the team is now considering using raw struvite from sewage plants as a steady supply to keep costs low on a larger scale. Early results look good, and they believe these panels meet the fire safety criteria of today’s cement choices while being lightweight and easy to handle.
[Source]

Apple already announced a lot of new devices in 2026 and we’ve been busy reviewing them all. In this installment of our bi-weekly roundup, we revisit the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e and more, in addition to the “regular” Galaxy S26 and Dell XPS 16. There’s even more than those gadget to catch up on, so sit back, relax and cozy up to some fresh reviews.

Apple MacBook Neo

Apple

The MacBook Neo is the best $599 laptop we’ve ever seen. The only downside is you’re stuck with low storage and 8GB of RAM.

Pros

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• $599!
• Premium design
• Surprisingly bright screen
• Decent performance
• Excellent keyboard and trackpad

Cons

• Only 8GB of RAM
• Maxes out with 512GB storage
• Only two USB-C ports

The main attraction for Apple’s early device deluge was the $599 MacBook Neo. The company is finally giving us something we’ve been begging for: a low-cost Mac laptop that’s good enough for most people. “It’s a $599 computer that can handle basic workloads just fine, all the while looking like one of the company’s more expensive notebooks,” senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said. “Most importantly, it delivers more speed, a brighter screen and an overall better user experience than any competing $600 Windows PC.”

Apple iPhone 17e

Apple / Engadget

The iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem.

Pros

• Improved Portrait photography
• MagSafe and faster wireless charging are welcome
• A19 is a solid processor
• Pretty new pink color

Cons

• Display is outdated
• Single camera setup is limiting

The MacBook Neo wasn’t the only affordable device Apple announced recently. The company also debuted the iPhone 17e, which is also $599 and offers an economical choice for iOS devotees. “The name “iPhone” carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem,” managing editor Cherlynn Low said.

The rest of the new Apple gear

The remainder of the new Apple devices were primarily chip upgrades. The company added the M4 to the iPad Air, which deputy editor Nathan Ingraham still argues is the best Apple tablet overall. Apple also put the M5 chip inside the MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon in the MacBook Pro,. Our staff maintains that those two laptops are among the best choices in their respective categories.

We also tested Apple’s claims on the Studio Display XDR, where we discovered the high price could be worth it for pros who need supreme color accuracy and high brightness.

Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung/Engadget

Samsung’s smallest flagship phone is a solid if safe addition to the Galaxy series. However, it’s far too similar to its predecessors.

Pros

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• Bigger battery
• A flagship phone that isn’t huge
• More AI assistant options

Cons

• Too similar to last year’s S25
• Cameras could be improved
• Perplexity integration is limited

The Galaxy S26 Ultra may get the bulk of the attention in Samsung’s 2026 lineup thus far, but the “regular” S26 is capable in its own right. However, it’s time for bigger updates on this model. “There’s nothing wrong with this safe, solid Android phone, but you could pick up last year’s S25 and get an experience that’s 99 percent the same for $99 less,” UK bureau chief Mat Smith said.

Dell XPS 16 (2026)

Dell / Engadget

The XPS 16 has nearly everything you want from a premium 16-inch productivity laptop and it’s a worthy flagbearer for one of the most iconic notebook lines of all time.

Pros

• Exquisite design
• Ample performance
• Beautiful OLED display
• Solid battery life

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Keyboard needs tuning
• No SD card reader

Dell pulled a 180 after nixing its XPS brand last year. Enter the XPS 16. Thankfully, the first devices after the fiasco show an expected return to form, albeit with one issue. “My one complaint is that I wish Dell would bring back the chiclet-style keyboards we got on models from the early 2020s,” senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. “Though as long as the company can release updated software to fix the ghosting issues I’ve encountered, what’s on there now is more than good enough.”

But wait, there’s more

If portable projectors are more your speed, contributing reporter Steve Dent put the Soundcore Nebula P1i through its paces. Mat also spent some time with the Nothing Phone 4a Pro, which is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed handset we’ve tested this year. Lastly, Sam used an upgraded version of Belkin’s Switch 2 charging case to keep his gaming handheld safe and topped up in transit.

Silicon-carbon batteries have been leading phones to eyebrow-raising battery life, and the Realme P4 Power includes one of the biggest batteries we’ve seen in a phone. It’s setting an even higher benchmark with a 10,001mAh battery. By comparison, this is double the capacity we see in more mainstream phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which includes a 5,000mAh battery.

The Realme phone surpasses what we’ve seen in other phones with this type of battery, including the OnePlus 15‘s 7,300mAh battery and the RedMagic 11 Pro‘s 7,500mAh battery. Phones with batteries of this scale provide up to two days of use and often have faster charging speeds to go with it.

The Realme P4 Power is currently available in India — it’s unlikely to ever come to the US — but despite its chart-topping battery capacity, it’s relatively inexpensive at INR 25,999, or approximately $285. It’s just a little bigger than the 10,000mAh battery in the Honor Win, which I got to try out last year but didn’t get extended time in order to really test it out.

That’s why I was excited to put my SIM into the Realme P4 Power, during which I was able to test this phone through all of CNET’s battery tests, use it as my primary device and even as a power bank for my iPhone along the way.

All that battery without any major drawbacks

The best part about the Realme P4 Power is that it doesn’t sacrifice comfort for additional battery capacity. It isn’t a slim and light phone but at 9.1mm thick and 219g weight, it is lighter than some big flagship phones, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Realme’s TransView Design has a translucent look around the camera module, which accentuates its “Power” branding. I like this distinct design and in-hand feel. It has curved corners as well as slight curves on the back that make it easy to hold. (Please take note, Samsung.)

The Realme P4 Power has a plastic back and frame, while the front is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i. It is also rated for durability with IP66, IP68 and IP69 dust- and water-resistance ratings. This means, it can survive freshwater submersion and high-pressure water jets and is also protected against small dust particles.

On the front, you get a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 2,800×1,280-pixel resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 1,800 nits brightness and 6,500 nits peak brightness for HDR-supported content. Like many phones, you have to manually set it to a higher resolution and refresh rate to take advantage of these features.

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I had no issues with the screen, and using a curved panel after a long time was a refreshing experience. It was easily legible outdoors, and I enjoyed watching videos. However, I don’t like the absence of stereo speakers. The device has just one speaker at the bottom; while it is loud, you’ll need to connect your earbuds for a better movie experience.

I used the Realme P4 Power in day-to-day life, which included doomscrolling on social media apps like Instagram and X, answering emails and messages on Gmail, WhatsApp and Slack navigating on Maps and snapping a few photos. It comfortably lasted me up to two days of regular use and one and a half days on heavy use. And when you do need to charge it, you can use the bundled charger to top up the battery at 80 watts.

To better judge the new Realme phone, I put it through CNET’s 3-hour video streaming test and 45-minute battery endurance test.

In the video streaming test, where I streamed a video over Wi-Fi with the screen at full brightness and the battery starting at 100%, it lost 3% battery per hour and ended at 91%. This puts it on top of CNET’s charts alongside the iPhone 17 Pro Max, followed by the OnePlus 15 (90%) and iPhone 17 (89%).

It performed similarly well during CNET’s 45-minute endurance test, during which we play games, stream videos, scroll social media and take a video call with the battery starting at 100%. The Realme P4 Power ended up losing just 1% battery, sharing the top spot with the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 99%.

How about everything else?

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The Realme P4 Power has a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra chipset, paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. (The base model has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.) This is more of a midrange chip that’s in a similar class as the Motorola Razr‘s Dimensity 7400X. It handles day-to-day tasks smoothly, and it has no major flaws. As for minor issues, I did notice apps taking longer than usual to load sometimes and the camera app taking a few seconds to process, but these issues are not a deal-breaker.

Realme’s user interface is smooth, snappy and highly customizable. It is similar to OnePlus and Oppo. However, you get multiple preloaded apps. (I uninstalled them as soon as I set up the phone.) Overall, this Realme UI 7.0 (based on Android 16) is fast and responsive. You’ll get three years of Android OS upgrades and four years of security upgrades.

The Realme P4 Power has two rear cameras and a 16-megapixel selfie shooter on the front. You get a 50-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel ultrawide-angle sensor on the back. Plenty of AI-powered tools are available to help you enhance or edit a shot.

It delivers a satisfactory camera experience. In daylight, the P4 Power can snap some good-looking photos. The colors are mostly accurate, contrast is balanced and the dynamic range is decent. It processes 2x portraits digitally, which works fine for the most part, but at times, certain areas can have a cutout-feel to them — like you’ve been pasted on a background.

Overall, the Realme P4 Power is a great phone for its excellent battery life. I was expecting it to perform well with its 10,001mAh battery, but I didn’t expect it to blow out every other Android phone in our tests. I love it more because this battery innovation is accessible to the masses, thanks to its lower price and not being gatekept on more expensive models.

Watch this: Our Experts’ Favorite Products at MWC 2026 | All Things Mobile

05:40

Kalshi isn’t having a very good week. On Tuesday, the attorney general of Arizona filed a 20-count criminal complaint against the online prediction market, accusing it of running an illegal gambling business. Now, another southwestern state has taken a big swing at the company: A judge in Nevada has temporarily banned the service from operating there as part of an ongoing court case brought by state regulators.

Nevada, on behalf of its Gaming Control Board, sued Kalshi in February in an effort to block the prediction site from operating. Officials maintain that Kalshi has failed to acquire the appropriate gaming licenses that would cover the kind of betting activity its users are engaged in and that, by allowing users under the age of 21 to use its services, it violates state law.

Earlier this month, the state requested a temporary restraining order against Kalshi as part of its ongoing case. In a state court on Friday, Judge Jason D. Woodbury granted the state’s request and scheduled a hearing on the restraining order for early next month, court documents show.

In his order, Woodbury wrote that Kalshi was not licensed under the Nevada Gaming Control Act and that, given Kalshi’s policy of taking a commission from contracts purchased through its system, it was clearly operating a “percentage game” (which the state defines as gambling).

Kalshi has argued that, due to its registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, it is under that federal agency’s exclusive regulatory domain, which should exempt it from state laws, court documents show. However, Woodbury noted that the issue of whether federal law overrides state law is still unsettled for now, but the courts have not been leaning in that direction.

Kalshi declined to comment on the development when reached by TechCrunch. Wired first reported on the judge’s decision. Reuters reports that Nevada had previously convinced judges to ban Kalshi competitors like Coinbase and Polymarket.

The Nevada case in which the prediction market finds itself is but one in a growing number of state cases across the country that seek to argue that sites like Kalshi and Polymarket are illegal operations that skirt state gambling laws.

Conversely, current federal officials have positioned themselves as protectors of the prediction industry. Case in point: Following Arizona’s decision to file criminal charges against Kalshi earlier this week, the CFTC’s chairman, Mike Selig, came out swinging against the decision, posting online: “The Arizona Attorney General today filed criminal charges against one of our registered exchanges related to prediction markets. This is a jurisdictional dispute and entirely inappropriate as a criminal prosecution. The @CFTC is watching this closely and evaluating its options.”

The increasingly hostile posture of state officials and the lenience of the CFTC have all but guaranteed a regulatory battle between states and the federal government over prediction markets and their future.

Podcasts are to radio as streaming services are to television, and we’re lucky to be living through a golden age of both. But you need help finding the best podcasts worthy of your ear because, while you can find a podcast about almost anything these days, with great choice comes great mediocrity. Our expertly curated list will entertain and educate you, whether you’re doing the dishes, working out, commuting, or lazing in the bath.

For more advice, check out our guides on how to listen to more podcasts and the best podcasts for kids. If you’re feeling entrepreneurial, read our recommendations on the gear you need to start a podcast.

Updated March 2026: I added several podcasts, including Flesh and Code, The Outlaw Ocean, What We Spend, Midnight Burger, and Fonejacker.

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.

Podcast Subscriptions

There’s a world of free podcasts, but you can also snag various podcast subscriptions that provide different benefits, including ad-free listening, early episodes, and bonus content. Subscriptions can also get you access to virtual events and discounted merch, and let you support your favorite podcasters.

Audible Plus ($9 a month): With a growing catalog of exclusive podcasts, it’s worth considering Audible Plus. If you want to pick an audiobook each month, you need the Premium Plus subscription at $15 a month. This also now includes podcasts that were under the Wondery+ banner.

Tenderfoot TV Plus ($6 a month, $40 a year): This subscription gets you ad-free episodes and bonus content for Tenderfoot shows.

Pushkin Plus ($7 a month, $40 a year): There’s a decent selection of podcasts in different genres at Pushkin, and this subscription provides ad-free listening, bonus content, and support for any podcast app.

NPR Plus ($8 a month): This subscription gives you full access to around 25 NPR podcasts, exclusive shows, and shop discounts.

Best Tech Podcasts

Courtesy of Wondery

Flesh and Code

With human and AI relationships on the rise, this podcast tells the stories of people who have fallen in love with AI partners. With a gentle, empathetic approach, hosts Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala (Redhanded) unpick emotional human tales from what is becoming a big business with potentially tragic results.

Courtesy of Darknet Diaries

Anyone with an interest in hacking and cybercrime will appreciate this investigative podcast from Jack Rhysider. Densely packed and tightly edited, the show covers topics like Xbox hacking, a Greek wiretapping Vodafone scandal, and the impact of the NotPetya malware. Rhysider skillfully weaves informative narratives to unravel complex issues and keeps things mostly accessible, though it may occasionally get a little too technical for some folks.

Courtesy of ABC News

Sneak a peek behind the curtain, as this podcast follows the trials and tribulations of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, the tech startup that promised to disrupt blood testing but disintegrated in the face of whistleblowers, inaccurate results, and fraudulent claims. John Carreyrou’s reporting broke the scandal, and his book Bad Blood also spawned another interesting podcast. But The Dropout is a refreshingly clear recounting of the sordid tale, with season two tackling the trial.

Courtesy of Center for Humane Technology

Ex-Googler Tristan Harris, whom you may recognize from the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, talks with Aza Raskin about the dangers of living your life online. As cofounders of the Center for Humane Technology, they delve into the ethics of Big Tech, unpack the potential pitfalls, and try to imagine ways to harness technology for the good of humanity.

Courtesy of Dallas Taylor

Painstakingly researched, this podcast dives deep into the world of sound to explain everything from those sounds you always hear in movie trailers to car engines, choral music, the Netflix intro, and way beyond. Learn how iconic sounds were created, why certain sounds make us feel the way they do, and how sound enriches our lives in myriad ways.

Other Great Tech Podcasts

• WIRED’s Uncanny Valley: If we may be so bold, our flagship podcast offers an insider look at the people, power, and influence of Silicon Valley. Check out our Big Interview episodes hosted by Katie Drummond, and our roundtables with Zoë Schiffer, Brian Barrett, and Leah Feiger.
• The Lazarus Heist: This captivating investigation starts with the Sony hacks, digs into the involvement of North Korean hackers, and moves on to a billion-dollar cybertheft.
• Rabbit Hole: What is the internet doing to us? New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose investigates things like the impact of algorithms on radicalization with a dreamy soundscape backdrop.
• Reply All: The beautifully paced, always convivial, and sorely missed Reply All dragged us down internet rabbit holes to investigate long-forgotten songs, phone scammers, hacked Snapchat accounts, and Team Fortress 2 bots.
• Click Here: With a focus on cybersecurity, this podcast unravels tales of hacking, misinformation, cyberterrorism, and more, with interviews and insight from experts in episodes that usually come in under half an hour.
• Waveform: Laid-back chats about the latest gadgets and developments in the world of tech with tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) and cohost David Imel.

Best Society Podcasts

Courtesy of BBC

Things Fell Apart

If you want to understand the culture wars blighting our society, this well-researched podcast charts the slide into extremism. Through interviews with pro-lifers and anti-vaxxers, Ronson skillfully tackles unpalatable topics and roots out their inception, which is often based on misunderstanding. Jon Ronson is my favorite podcaster, as he brings an inquisitive, empathetic, and slightly neurotic intelligence to bear on fascinating and often surprising tales. We also recommend The Butterfly Effect (only on Audible) and The Last Days of August, which delve into the pornography industry, and So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, about folks being canceled on the internet.

Courtesy of Apple

Famous German duo Siegfried and Roy were a mainstay on the Las Vegas show scene and performed about 30,000 times over five decades with an act that included white lions and tigers. When Roy was attacked live on stage, it made headlines everywhere. This podcast unravels their rise to stardom, touches on their controversial handling of wild animals, and digs into what happened that fateful night.

Courtesy of Pushkin Industries

In this eclectic mix of quirky stories, Malcolm Gladwell tackles misunderstood events and rarely discussed ideas, veering from subjects like Toyota’s car recall to underhand-throwing basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain, and even the firebombing of Tokyo at the end of World War II. Gladwell freely mixes research and opinion and enjoys challenging conventional views, but every episode serves up facts and stories you have likely never heard before.

Other Great Society Podcasts

• Mother, Neighbor, Russian Spy: You will be shocked by this true story about All-American Cindy Murphy with her two daughters, a house in the burbs, and a finance job in Manhattan, who turns out to be a deep cover Russian spy. There’s narration by Rosamund Pike and interviews with Cindy’s best friend and employer.
• Dreamtown: The Story of Adelanto: This story of a small California town that turns to cannabis cultivation to try and revive itself soon descends into chaos.
• Run Bambi Run: The riveting story of former Milwaukee police officer and Playboy Club bunny Laurie Bembenek, who was convicted of murdering her husband’s ex, despite conflicting evidence, and subsequently escaped prison and fought to have her conviction overturned.
• Missing Richard Simmons: Ebullient fitness guru Richard Simmons used to be everywhere, and this podcast charts an investigative reporter’s attempts to find out why he disappeared.
• The Moth: This podcast offers random folks the chance to tell deeply personal stories to a crowd of strangers and reinforces just how weird and wonderful humans are.
• The Trojan Horse Affair: This tale unpacks the British scandal over an alleged attempt by Islamist extremists to take over a Birmingham school and radicalize its students.
• Day X: A sobering look at the neo-Nazi specter in modern-day Germany, its possible infiltration of police and government, and a plan involving a military officer and a faked refugee identity.
• Project Unabom: Delving into the life of Ted Kaczynski, this podcast interviews his brother and recounts the FBI investigation to try to make sense of Kaczynski’s terrifying bombing spree.
• Will Be Wild: Curious about the January 6 insurrection? This podcast interviews people from both sides, examines the struggles of law enforcement and intelligence under Trump, and charts the anti-government extremism that led to this dark day for democracy.

Best Culture Podcasts

Courtesy of Imperative Entertainment

The online shoe store Zappos made Tony Hsieh a billionaire, and this podcast investigates his $350 million investment in the Downtown Project in Las Vegas. His utopian vision of a happy worker village promised to revitalize the depressed heart of Sin City. The experimental community generated much excitement, but the charismatic and eccentric Hsieh soon ran into trouble.

Courtesy of Novel

Part of the way into this investigation of the Rain City Superhero Movement, a real-life group of self-proclaimed superheroes active in Seattle a few years ago, I had to stop listening and check that this wasn’t fiction. The podcast focuses on the arrogant Phoenix Jones, an ex-MMA fighter turned violent vigilante, and his fall from grace. But there is also a fascinating glimpse into the friendlier side of the movement, with some heroes handing out water to homeless folks and helping people in distress.

Courtesy of The LoudSpeakers Network

Brutally honest comedians with chemistry, Kid Fury and Crissle West recap and review the latest pop culture news and offer their opinions on everything. Insightful, funny, challenging, and refreshingly different from the podcast pack, these sprawling conversations run for a couple of hours, covering recent events and frequently touching on social justice, mental health, race, and sexual identity.

Courtesy of Forever35

Like eavesdropping on conversations between relatable besties, Forever35 started as a physical self-care podcast but expanded to discuss mental health, relationships, and any other topic that appeals to LA-based writers Doree Shafrir and Kate Spencer. They go from chatting about serums and creams to seasonal affective disorder and how to deal with a new stepmother as an adult—but always in a fun, inclusive, and down-to-earth way.

• The Big Flop: Where did all go wrong? From Watergate to Tom Cruise, this podcast pokes fun at pop culture fails. Host Misha Brown unpacks each disaster with the help of different guests and keeps things breezy and silly.
• KILLED: Many magazine or newspaper stories are spiked every day, filed away, never to be seen again. This podcast delves into often shocking or disturbing stories silenced because they were considered dangerous, with interviews from the journalists who wrote them.
• Sounds Like a Cult: Fanatical fringe groups have never been so prevalent, and there’s something more than a little cultish about celebrity stans, multilevel marketing, and marathon runners—just three of the subjects this lighthearted podcast unpacks.
• Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard: Now a Spotify exclusive, this often funny and always insightful podcast seeks out human truths and sometimes finds them.
• Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy: Ably hosted by author David Barr Kirtley, this sci-fi fantasy extravaganza digs into fascinating topics with the help of accomplished guests like Brent Spiner and Steven Pinker.
• The Allusionist: If you are interested in words, this witty but accessible show will delight you as it charts the evolution of slang, explains euphemisms, and generally celebrates language.

Best True-Crime Podcasts

Courtesy of CBC

The Outlaw Ocean

This is gripping, incredibly dangerous-sounding investigative reporting on the lawless high seas. Extremely heavy listening, Ian Urbina exposes slave labor, unchecked environmental crimes, and murder on our oceans, beyond the reach of any authorities. This anthology series is riveting and vital, but can be deeply upsetting.

Courtesy of Las Vegas Review Journal

This fascinating tale, told through interviews with old gangsters, law enforcement, politicians, and journalists, charts the symbiotic rise of organized crime and Las Vegas. The first season recounts the FBI’s attempts to take down the “Hole in the Wall Gang” and reveals the true-life inspiration for movies like Casino. Season two tackles Jimmy Hoffa and the battle to oust the mafia from the Strip’s casinos.

Courtesy of Vox Media

Soothing host Phoebe Judge unravels captivating tales with reverence in this polished production about the spectrum of crime. Criminals, victims, lawyers, police, historians, and others whose lives have been altered by crime voice their stories as Judge carefully avoids the sensational and exploitative by respectfully teasing out the heart of each subject. A Criminal Plus subscription ($6 a month or $60 a year) gets you ad-free listening, bonus episodes, access to virtual events, and 20 percent off merch.

Courtesy of WBEZ

Give this compelling mystery five minutes and you’ll be hooked. The talented host, Brian Reed, investigates a small town in Alabama at the behest of eccentric horologist John B. McLemore, who claims the son of a wealthy family has gotten away with murder. The script, pacing, editing, music—basically everything about this production—are perfect.

Courtesy of Lava For Good

Painstakingly researched, thoughtfully told, and skillfully produced, this true-crime podcast hosted by Gilbert King focuses on a 1987 Florida murder. After an incompetent police investigation and distinctly dodgy trial, Leo Schofield was convicted of killing his wife. Despite fresh evidence and a confession from someone else, Schofield spent 35 years in prison.

Courtesy of Campside

Murder may dominate this genre, but there are other fascinating stories worth telling in the world of crime, like this one, which is about a scammer posing as a Hollywood mogul. This weird, compelling, investigative podcast unwinds a satisfyingly twisty tale that’s mercifully free of blood and violence. The third season, Wild Boys, tells a completely new story, and the fifth tackles hypnotist Dr. Dante.

Courtesy of Wondery

Can you hire a hitman on the dark web? This compelling podcast uncovered a scam website offering murder for hire, but when the police suggested there wasn’t much they could do about it, host Carl Miller began tracking down the proposed victims to warn them. It’s a fascinating tale, full of ethical dilemmas, as Miller enlists local journalists to help him get in touch with prospective victims all over the world and tell their stories. It may take a few episodes to get into, and the prevalence of misogynistic murderers is depressing, but this is a gripping show with good intentions.

• Someone Knows Something: David Ridgen skillfully and sensitively interviews bereft families about cold cases and investigates to try and figure out what really happened. There are several seasons of this harrowing podcast and it is beautifully made.
• West Cork: This engrossing, nuanced, and insightful podcast investigates the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier which shocked bucolic West Cork in Ireland. A local reporter inserts himself into the story and soon becomes the chief suspect.
• Cold: Investigative journalist Dave Cawley investigates missing persons cases, starting with the tragic tale of Susan Powell. Well-researched and respectful, this slow-burn podcast is a must for true crime fans.
• The Thing About Pam: Beautifully narrated by Keith Morrison, this podcast is a rollercoaster ride that gets weirder as it goes on. This case inspired a mini-series with Renée Zellweger playing Pam.
• Your Own Backyard: This sensitive and meticulous investigation into the disappearance of Kristin Smart from Cal Poly in 1996 uncovered fresh leads for detectives and doggedly fought for justice.
• Who Killed Daphne: Investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered by a car bomb in Malta, and this podcast delves into her work exposing the unscrupulous elite to identify her killers.
• The Clearing: The families of serial killers often seek obscurity (understandably), but that means we never hear their stories. That’s something this podcast about April Balascio, daughter of American serial killer Edward Wayne Edwards, rectifies.
• The Trials of Frank Carson: Police and prosecutors go after the defense attorney who has been beating them in court for years, sparking accusations of conspiracy and one of the longest trials in US history.
• Sweet Bobby: This British catfishing tale charts successful radio presenter Kirat’s relationship with handsome cardiologist Bobby, and things get impossibly weird.
• Dr. Death: A gripping podcast that focuses on incompetent or psychopathic (maybe both) ex-surgeon Christopher Duntsch and exposes terrifying institutional failures.
• Crimetown: Taking a forensic approach to organized crime in American cities, this slick podcast comes from the supremely talented makers of The Jinx.
• Hunting Warhead: A journalist, a hacker, and some detectives go after a chilling child abuse ring led by a criminal known as Warhead in this tactfully told and thorough podcast.
• Love Janessa: Catfishing scams are big business, but why do so many use photos of Janessa Brazil? This podcast tracks her down to find out.
• The Evaporated: Gone With the Gods: Journalist Jake Adelstein dives deep into Japanese culture, pursuing his missing accountant and exploring the mysterious disappearances of thousands of people in Japan every year.
• Wisecrack: A stand-up comic tells the tale of his brush with a killer, sparking a true-crime podcaster to investigate.
• Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer: A look at the FBI’s investigation into the Anthrax-laced letters that terrified the country in the aftermath of 9/11.
• The Ballad of Billy Balls: This beautifully made podcast delves into the death of punk musician Billy Balls in early ‘80s New York.
• The Retrievals: A shocking look at how badly ignored and mistreated female patients often are by contemporary medicine.

Best Science Podcasts

Courtesy of Ologies

Lighthearted, enthusiastic, and endlessly curious host Alie Ward interviews smart people about their specialist subjects. This accessible podcast covers many topics from a scientific perspective and delights in diving down random rabbit holes. Episodes have covered the sun, pelicans, and repulsion.

Courtesy of Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

The worlds of wellness and weight loss are awash with questionable products and advice, so a podcast to debunk fads and junk science with reasoned argument and research is welcome. It’s more fun than it sounds, thanks to the entertaining hosts, and there’s even a fascinating episode on “snake oil” that recounts the history of health scams.

Courtesy of NPR

An absorbing deep dive into human behavior with the help of psychologists, sociologists, and other experts, Hidden Brain is densely packed with informative nuggets. The host, NPR’s accomplished science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, renders complex ideas accessible and offers insight into the inner workings of our minds.

Courtesy of BBC

This whimsical show, hosted by physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince, poses questions like “Does time exist?.” These are then debated by a diverse panel of three guests, usually a mix of experts and entertainers. Definitive answers are in short supply, but it’s always articulate, enthusiastic, and thought-provoking.

• Stephen Fry’s Inside Your Mind: Listen to Stephen Fry tell easily digestible stories about the brain, drawing on research from neuroscientists, psychologists, anthropologists, and philosophers.
• Houston, We Have a Podcast: Anyone interested in spaceflight must give NASA’s official podcast a listen, for interviews with astronauts and scientists.
• Science Rules!: Bill Nye, the science guy, teams up with science writer Corey Powell to grill experts on all sorts of interesting science-related topics.
• Stuff You Should Know: Prizing knowledge for its own sake and provoking healthy curiosity, this podcast is comical, charming, and full of interesting conversational nuggets.
• From First Principles: Two Princeton graduates (one PhD, as they jokingly point out), cover the top science news of the week, breaking down complex research into fun and understandable stories anyone can get excited about.

Best Economics Podcasts

Courtesy of Audacy

What We Spend

For something so important to modern life that we all have to grapple with, it’s weird how taboo it is to discuss your finances. This fascinating podcast delves into the financial lives of ordinary people, from lawyers to copywriters to the working homeless, revealing how much they earn and exactly what they spend it on.

Courtesy of NPR

This Planet Money spin-off delivers digestible, fast-paced, well-told stories about business and the economy, tackling topics that range from TikTok marketing to opioid nasal sprays and ticket scalpers. Each enlightening episode comes in under 10 minutes and serves as a quick primer that will leave you feeling well-informed.

Courtesy of Freakonomics Radio Network

Promising to delve into the “hidden side of everything,” this long-running, data-driven show is hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics books, and it regularly features economist Steven Levitt. It’s a clever mix of economics and pop culture that flows easily and balances entertainment with education, presenting both sides of debates while consulting relevant guests.

Courtesy of Macro Musings

If you long to understand the economy better, this topical show, hosted by David Beckworth of the Mercatus Center, interrogates a diverse line-up of economists, professionals, and academics to bring you invaluable insights. It takes a serious look at macroeconomics and monetary policy, but the guests do a solid job of unpacking complex topics.

• Scene on Radio: Capitalism: As we descend into increasingly dystopian late-stage capitalism, this intelligent deep dive outlines its history and explores how it might be reformed or radically overhauled.
• Conversations with Tyler: American economist Tyler Cowen interrogates some of the world’s smartest people in this intellectually challenging interview podcast.
• Planet Money: This top-notch podcast has entertaining, digestible, and relatable stories about the economy, unraveling everything from health care to income taxes.
• EconTalk: This no-frills show sees economist Russ Roberts engage in sprawling conversations with writers and academics on a range of economics topics.

Best Business Podcasts

Courtesy of Wondery

This NPR podcast hosted by Guy Raz explores the stories behind some of the biggest companies in the world from the perspective of the innovators and entrepreneurs who built them. Expect cautionary tales, nuggets of wisdom, and business lessons galore in probing and insightful interviews that reveal a lot about their subjects and what drove them.

Courtesy of Steven Bartlett

Serial entrepreneur Steven Bartlett built a successful business from nothing and is now an investor on Dragons Den (the UK’s Shark Tank). He talks frankly about his own experiences and interviews various CEOs to find out why they started their businesses and how they guided them to success. Sprawling discussions range from personal life challenges and mental health to business strategies and advice.

Courtesy of TED/Audio Collective

Expertly hosted by organizational psychologist Adam Grant, this podcast offers practical advice on tackling various issues you are sure to encounter in the average job. The show features interesting psychological perspectives on everything, from how to rethink a poor decision to crafting a great pitch to dealing with burnout. The podcast also boasts insightful interviews with business leaders.

• The Pitch: Fans of Shark Tank will enjoy this podcast, which features entrepreneurs pitching investors to secure real money for their startups.
• Ask Martin Lewis: Personal finance guru Martin Lewis has been helping folks in the UK save money for years and provides straightforward financial advice here.
• BizChix: This podcast from business coach Natalie Eckdahl is aimed squarely at female entrepreneurs and is packed with no-nonsense expert advice.
• Teamistry: With a focus on teams and what they can achieve, the latest season of this podcast tells the fascinating story of the supersonic passenger jet Concorde.

Best Celebrity Interview Podcasts

Courtesy of Adam Buxton

Consummate conversationalist Adam Buxton is always witty and well-prepared, and he has interviewed many interesting people throughout his long-running show, from Charlie Brooker to Jeff Goldblum. Ostensibly rambling, Buxton skillfully pulls fascinating insights from his interview subjects, bouncing between their personal lives, work, and popular culture with seeming ease.

Courtesy of Wondery

Likable actor Justin Long and his brother Christian host this enthusiastic and sprawling interview show, where they chat with guests like Zack Snyder, Kristen Bell, and Billy Crudup. The siblings get sidetracked by nostalgic reminiscences and occasional bickering, which sort of makes the show, but they are always generous and kind to their guests.

Courtesy of Wondery

Charming and goofy, this conversational podcast stars Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, and they always have a surprise celebrity guest, like Ryan Reynolds or Reese Witherspoon. It is warm, gentle, and often laugh-out-loud funny, but don’t expect challenging questions or bared souls.

• WTF With Marc Maron: Self-deprecating, sardonic, supremely skilled interviewer Marc Maron interviews some of the world’s most famous people, from Barack Obama to Paul McCartney.
• Grounded With Louis Theroux: A soothingly gentle facade belies Louis Theroux’s ability to draw fascinating insights from his subjects with tact and humor.
• Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wake: Kathy Burke laughs in the face of death, asking guests like Stewart Lee and Dawn French how they’d like to die, what sort of funeral they want, and who they plan to haunt.
• Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend: Fans of Conan’s late-night talk shows will feel right at home here as the host interviews celebrities like Ben Stiller and Ted Danson. He hosts it alongside his long–time assistant-turned-friend Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley.
• Mad, Sad and Bad with Paloma Faith: Singer Paloma Faith invites all kinds of celebs to discuss the most challenging moments of their lives.

Best Sports Podcasts

Courtesy of Goalhanger

With long-term Match of the Day host Gary Lineker about to leave the show, this soccer podcast, cohosted by no-nonsense Alan Shearer and the infectiously enthusiastic Micah Richards is a great way to keep up with the legendary England striker. It’s a relaxed, jokey, but often insightful chat among top-level pros past and present, covering the latest Premiership matches and wider football news. It’s just a shame there are so many ads.

Courtesy of Wondery

Epic rivalries and long-anticipated showdowns are a massive part of the enduring appeal of sports, and this slick production homes in on them. Rivalries like Federer vs. Nadal in tennis and Tyson vs. Holyfield in boxing are unpacked over a few episodes apiece by host Dan Rubenstein, who digs into their backgrounds to understand why some face-offs get so highly charged.

Courtesy of The Ringer

This hugely popular sports podcast features fast-paced roundtable conversations with athletes and celebrities that usually focus on the NFL or NBA. Unfiltered opinions, witty remarks, and encyclopedic sports knowledge collide, but this is enthusiastic and accessible enough for casual sports fans to enjoy.

Courtesy of The Athletic

Primarily focused on baseball, this long-running podcast sometimes covers other sports and often meanders into comical conversations. Guests offer amusing anecdotes, but the chemistry between hosts Joe Posnanski and Michael Schur, who can debate endlessly about any old nonsense, is what makes this show so special.

• Soccer A to Z: If you remember watching Soccer AM on lazy Saturday mornings this reunion podcast gets the gang back together, including Tim, Helen, Tubes, and the rest, for sprawling chats on soccer, interviews, anecdotes, and banter galore.
• Broomgate: A Curling Scandal: This comedic exploration of the furor around new broom-head technology that threatened to sweep away the curling competition will spark your interest in this gloriously peculiar sport.
• Undr the Cosh: Open and honest banter from ex-professional soccer (football) players, as they talk to current pros and recount hilarious on- and off-pitch anecdotes.
• Around the NFL: This funny, fast-paced look at the National Football League runs through all the latest football news, blending anecdotes and analysis.
• 32 Thoughts: A slickly produced, insightful dive into all the latest hockey news and controversy from knowledgeable hosts who bounce off each other.

Best Music Podcasts

Courtesy of Spotify

The enticing premise of this show is that a qualified fan of a band or artist (usually a music journalist or musician) will make the case for why they are great, punctuated by a curated playlist of their music. Hosted by the slightly skeptical Yasi Salek this podcast dives deep into legends and cult bands alike, and the episodes can run for hours. Some highlights include Guns n’ Roses, Pixies, Metallica, and Nine Inch Nails.

Courtesy of Aquarium Drunkard

This indie podcast is an eclectic mix of interviews mostly with musicians but also with artists, authors, and filmmakers, recorded by the folks at Aquarium Drunkard, which started as a music blog many moons ago. Recommended by WIRED senior editor and podcast host Michael Calore, these passionate, informed, and thought-provoking conversations will take you deep into the underground of popular culture, and may just turn you on to your new favorite tunes.

Courtesy of BBC

Famous people (recent guests include Cillian Murphy and Delia Smith) pick eight songs, a book, and a luxury item as the only things they can take to a desert island. This wonderful premise offers sometimes surprising insights into the guests as they explain their choices. This legendary podcast started in 1942 and would be equally at home in the celebrity interview section.

Courtesy of Tyler Mahan Coe

You don’t have to be a country music fan to enjoy this fascinating podcast that charts the history of country music, warts and all. Host Tyler Mahan Coe grew up traveling the country with his father’s band and thoroughly researched every episode from his home in Nashville. The first season touches on Loretta Lynn, Bobby Gentry, and The Louvin Brothers, among others. The dysfunctional relationship of George Jones and Tammy Wynette and their meteoric rise is the core of season two.

• 60 Songs That Explain the 90s: A funny, thoughtful skip down nostalgia lane, as host Rob Harvilla (usually with a guest) dissects all the big tunes of the decade, some you love, some you hate, but he explains why they mattered.
• Song Exploder: Learn exactly what some of your most-loved tracks are about and how they came to be from the people who wrote and performed them.
• Lost Notes: Billed as the “greatest music stories never told” this podcast is a blend of music, interviews, and well-researched history that delivers fascinating insights.
• No Dogs in Space: This sweet, smart, and funny music history podcast delivers biographies of bands like the Beastie Boys, the Stooges, and Joy Division.

Best Movie Podcasts

Courtesy of Earwolf

We have all asked this question of a movie at some point but hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas invite guest creatives to engage in heated and hilarious chats about some of the worst films ever. Movies that are so bad they are entertaining, from Face/Off to Junior to The Room, are dissected and thoroughly ridiculed.

Courtesy of BBC

Respected film critic Mark Kermode has an infectious love of movies and an incredible depth of knowledge about the world of film, and Simon Mayo is a veteran radio presenter. Together they discuss the latest movies, interview top-tier directors and actors, and invite views from their listeners. While the podcast ended earlier this year, the duo have a new show called Kermode & Mayo’s Take.

Courtesy of You Must Remember This

Diving into Hollywood myths to investigate and uncover the truth about infamous secrets, scandals, and legends from Tinseltown is a compelling premise, and talented creator and host Karina Longworth makes the most of it. Among the best shows are the “Dead Blondes” series, which includes Marilyn Monroe; the run on Manson; and the “Frances Farmer” episode.

• The Director’s Cut: Listen to directors like Benicio del Toro, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron being interviewed about their latest movies by their peers in roughly half-hour episodes.
• The Rewatchables: Bill Simmons and a rotating cast of cohosts discuss and analyze beloved movies and dig up interesting nuggets of trivia.
• Lights Camera Barstool: Reviews, interviews, rankings, and accessible chats about the movies with pop culture debates thrown in.
• Black Men Can’t Jump [in Hollywood]: This comedic movie review podcast highlights films featuring actors of color and analyzes the movies in depth, with an eye on race and diversity.

Best TV Podcasts

Courtesy of Headgum

Join comedian and actor Connor Ratliff on his mission to discover why he got fired from Band of Brothers. His amusing and honest account of how his big break went bad, reportedly because Tom Hanks thought he had “dead eyes,” is often very funny. An easy listen, peppered with celebrity guests like Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood, and Zach Braff, Dead Eyes affords listeners an insight into the world of auditions, acting triumphs, and humiliation.

Courtesy of HBO

Whether you’re new to this captivating show or a long-time fan, the official podcast affords you a peek behind the curtain as it dissects episodes and explores character motivations. Roger Bennett interviews the main players from the show and then Kara Swisher steps in for the third season to interview the makers and various guests, from Mark Cuban to Anthony Scaramucci, to examine its impact and where it mirrors world events.

Courtesy of Wondery

Recounting the tragic tale of the exploitative 2004 reality TV show There’s Something About Miriam, this podcast reveals just how cruel reality TV can get. Six young men set up house in an Ibizan villa to compete for the affection of Miriam and a £10,000 ($12,100) cash prize, but the show producers failed to tell them Miriam was trans. It’s a story that ended badly for everyone.

Courtesy of Steve Schirripa

Hosted by actors from the show, Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Steve Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri), this podcast is essential listening for fans. It runs through every episode with big-name guests, most of whom worked on or appeared on the show. It’s candid about the entertainment industry and packed to the brim with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insider revelations.

• Shrink the Box: Actor Ben Bailey Smith talks with psychotherapist Sasha Bates as they put some of the best TV characters of all time (like Walter White and Omar Little) on the couch for analysis.
• Obsessed With…: This BBC podcast is hosted by celebrity superfans of various TV shows, including Killing Eve, Peaky Blinders, and Line of Duty.
• Fake Doctors, Real Friends: Rewatching Scrubs with Zach Braff and Donald Faison is a joyous experience that’s every bit as entertaining, poignant, and silly as the TV show.
• Welcome to Our Show: A warming dose of nostalgia and comfort for New Girl fans as Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone, and Lamorne Morris rewatch the show together.

Best Fiction Podcasts

Midnight Burger

This sometimes witty and irreverent, sometimes heartwarming and philosophical sci-fi drama is set in a time-traveling greasy spoon diner. With an interesting and eclectic cast of characters, solid writing, and a classic radio drama feel, what starts as a slow burn will soon have you hooked. It opens at 6.

Courtesy of The Paragon Collective

Horror fans will enjoy reliving the last gruesome moments of various corpses that have landed at the mysterious Roth-Lobdow Institute in this deliciously creepy and occasionally gross chiller. Wonderful narration from Lee Pace; acting from the likes of Denis O’Hare, Missi Pyle, and RuPaul; and clever sound design make for a memorably thrilling ride that you just know is going to end badly.

Courtesy of Hello from the Magic Tavern

Thoroughly absurd, this fantasy improv-comedy show is the brainchild of Chicago comedian Arnie Niekamp, who falls through a portal at a Burger King and ends up in the magical world of Foon. The role-playing game and fantasy references come thick and fast, guests play bizarre characters of their own creation, and loyal listeners are rewarded with long-running gags and rich lore.

Courtesy of Battle Bird Productions

Short and sweet episodes of this sci-fi comedy-drama fit neatly into gaps in your day and whisk you away to a nightmare corporate dystopia in a galaxy fraught with evil artificial intelligence and monstrous aliens. Struggling repair technician Kilner gets stuck with a rich murder suspect, Samantha Trapp, after accidentally smuggling her across the galaxy in this polished show with a distinct 1980s feel.

Courtesy of Audible

Set between Alien and Aliens this impressive fiction podcast follows a mining engineer who finds something other than precious minerals lurking in the deep. You can expect Xenomorphs galore, artificial intelligence, and a few surprises. Not to be confused with the audiobook, this audio drama features a full cast, including Rutger Hauer, Corey Johnson, and Kathryn Drysdale. It may not be very original, but fans of the movies will love this.

• Marigold Breach: This intriguing sci-fi tale about a soldier with a sentient AI implant stars Jameela Jamil and Manny Jacinto.
• DUST: This podcast started as an anthology of audio sci-fi stories from the likes of Philip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury but has changed things up with each new season.
• The Bright Sessions: The therapy sessions of mysterious psychologist Dr. Bright, bookended by voice notes, form intriguing short episodes, as all of her patients seem to have special abilities.
• Welcome to Night Vale: This pioneering creepy show is presented as a community radio broadcast from a desert town beset by paranormal and supernatural happenings.

Best History Podcasts

Courtesy of Vox Media

Utopian ideals have led to the development of some fascinating communities over the years, and season one of Nice Try! delves into their history, the hope that drove them, and why these communities ultimately failed. Season two moves on to lifestyle technology, from doorbells to vacuums, all designed to help us realize a personal utopia in the ideal home.

Courtesy of Revolutions

The modern world was shaped by some of the ideas that drove revolutions, and this deeply researched series runs through the English Civil War and American, French, Haitian, and Russian revolutions; Simon Bolivar’s liberation of South America; and more. The writing is concise, the narration is engaging, and host Mike Duncan does a fantastic job contextualizing revolutionary events and characters.

Courtesy of Radiotopia

A dreamy, emotional quality elevates these tales of seemingly random moments from the past, expertly told by the eloquent Nate DiMeo and backed by wonderful sound design. These distilled stories serve as historical snapshots of rarely discussed events, and it’s hard to think of another podcast as artful and poignant as this one.

Courtesy of Grim Mild

Assured in their divine right to rule over everyone, royal families were often incredibly dysfunctional. Author Dana Schwarz examines tyrannical regimes, murderous rampages, power struggles, and dynasty deaths. The madness of monarchs from various nations is concisely dissected in tightly scripted half-hour episodes that will leave you questioning the idea that there’s anything noble about their bloodlines.

• Something True: Enjoy utterly bizarre true stories, as every episode of this podcast explores a seemingly forgotten historical footnote.
• Lore: Spooky and witty, this classic podcast plumbs history to uncover horrifying folklore, mythology, and pseudoscience.
• Medieval Death Trip: An enthusiastic and well-researched look at medieval times, this podcast offers a witty analysis of the primary texts left behind.
• Hardcore History: Relatable and endlessly fascinating, Dan Carlin brings history to life with his riveting narratives on notable events and periods, peppered with facts and hypothetical questions.

Best Food Podcasts

Courtesy of BBC

Learn all about the business, science, culture, and history behind the food we eat with half-hour insights into wide-ranging topics like chocolatiers, the best foods for new moms, or the history of banh mi. Engaging and informative, this is a fun listen that’s perfect to stick on while you whip up dinner.

Courtesy of Ramble

Whatever side of the titular, age-old debate you stand on (I’m with the British Sandwich Association), this fast-paced, often funny show will suck you in as it poses tough food-related questions and then debates them. Chefs Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati decide whether American cheese is really cheese, if Popeye’s and In-N-Out are overrated, and what the best pasta shape is.

Courtesy of Gastropod

If your love of food extends to an interest in the history and science of everything from the humble potato to a soothing cup of tea to ever-polarizing licorice, then this podcast is for you. Knowledgeable cohosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley talk to experts and serve a feast of delicious bite-size facts that surprise and delight.

Courtesy of The Ringer

Celebrity chef Dave Chang, whom you may know from his Netflix show, Ugly Delicious, talks mostly about food, guilty pleasures, and the creative process with other chefs and restaurateurs. There is plenty here to satisfy foodies, but some of the funniest moments come when the show covers other random topics, like the perfect email sign-off or wearing shoes indoors.

• Out to Lunch With Jay Rayner: This podcast seats you at a top restaurant to eavesdrop on consummate food critic Jay Rayner with a celebrity guest at the next table.
• The Sporkful: You can learn a lot about people and culture through food, and this podcast proves it by serving up delectable bite-size insights.

Best Health and Wellness Podcasts

Courtesy of Lionrock

Whether you are struggling with addiction, childhood trauma, eating disorders, or something else, or you know someone who is, this accessible and inspirational podcast can help you examine why. Host Ashley Loeb Blassingame speaks from experience and offers practical advice to help you onto a healthier path. This podcast is honest, insightful, and emotional but ultimately heartwarming and uplifting.

Courtesy of LYT

Hosted by Yoga leader and physical therapist Lara Heimann, this podcast is a mix of Q&A sessions, interviews with experts, and motivational advice. It focuses on understanding your body and mind, but you will also find practical advice for chronic pain sufferers and different kinds of injuries, explanations of why and how yoga is good for you, and firsthand accounts of the positive impact yoga has on many lives.

Courtesy of Great Love Media

Each episode sees psychiatrist Mark Goulston interview a notable person about the wake-up call moment that changed their path forever. He encourages them to interrogate what sparked their drive, made them want to be a better person, and led to their success. Some guests are better than others, but the podcast is closing in on 500 episodes, so there are plenty to choose from.

• The Big Silence: Host Karena Dawn has conversations about mental health with an eclectic mix of therapists, psychologists, and ostensibly successful folks.
• Spiraling With Katie Dalebout and Serena Wolf: Candid chats about anxiety with advice on how to cope. The relatable hosts are open and honest about the anxious feelings that modern life can evoke.
• Huberman Lab: Host Andrew Huberman, a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine, interviews various experts to offer advice on optimizing your health and fitness.

Best Comedy Podcasts

Courtesy of Kayvan Novak

Fonejacker

Often absurd, usually juvenile, but always hilarious prank calls from Kayvan Novak, who you may know as the vampire Nandor the Relentless from the What We Do in the Shadows TV show. Novak revives some of his most memorable characters from his British sketch show (somehow 20 years old now), but it doesn’t matter if you’re familiar. This is still very funny.

Courtesy of Audible

Dara Ó Briain’s Timewasters

What better way to waste time than listening to lovable Irish presenter Dara Ó Briain preside over two comics arguing over who is the biggest time waster? From watching the intro of The Office every episode during a binge to learning a language you never use or losing years in a failed marriage, the guests run the gamut of time-wasting possibilities. It’s a shame there are only six episodes.

Courtesy of Global Player

Irreverent Irish chat with comedian Joanne McNally and TV presenter Vogue Williams as they put the world to rights. It feels like eavesdropping on brutally honest best pals as they discuss relationships, work woes, health issues, awkward social situations, and sometimes recent news. The down-to-earth pair liberally dole out a mix of sound and questionable advice that is frequently laugh-out-loud funny.

Courtesy of Shiny Ranga

Comedians and friends Tom Davis (the Wolf) and Romesh Ranganathan (the Owl) chat aimlessly and expertly poke fun at each other for around an hour. It’s often nostalgic, sometimes offers decent advice for listeners, and is always warmhearted and relatable.

Courtesy of Team Coco

Perennially single stand-up comedian Nicole Byer is every bit as charming and funny here as in Netflix’s Nailed It baking show, but this podcast delves into some adult subjects. Byer is disarmingly open about her insecurities and struggles and seamlessly stirs in vulgar humor. She also hosts hilarious conversations with guest comedians.

Courtesy of Athletico Mince

Ostensibly a soccer (football) podcast, this surreal show is brought to life by lovable British comedy legend Bob Mortimer, with support from sidekick Andy Dawson. Tall tales about real footballers, complete with strange voices and fictional personalities, are mixed with songs, silly inside jokes, and rambling conversations. You don’t need to know anything about soccer to enjoy it.

• Old Harry’s Game: A sitcom set in hell, written by and starring Andy Hamilton as a jaded Satan, this deliciously satirical show may have landed in the late 90s but is still worth listening to. Slightly cheating here because this was a radio show rather than a podcast but you can get all the episodes online now.
• Locked Together: Only on Audible, this show features lockdown chats between comedian pals like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost or Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan.
• My Neighbors Are Dead: The wonderful premise of this hit-and-miss improvised show is interviews with lesser-known characters from horror movies, like the caterer from Damien’s party in The Omen and the neighbors from Poltergeist.

The modern ultimate man cave isn’t what it used to be. What was once a quiet corner for watching the game or spinning records has evolved into a fully connected media space built for movies, music, gaming, and actual human interaction. Today’s setups have to do more; stream in high resolution, handle vinyl, deliver immersive surround sound, and still look good enough that nobody feels banished to the basement.

That shift has created a crowded market filled with everything from all-in-one powered speakers to reference-grade home theater systems, modular seating, and high-performance displays. The challenge isn’t finding gear—it’s finding the right mix of components that work together and actually elevate the experience. Whether you’re working with a small room or going all-in on a dedicated theater, the goal is the same: build a space that sounds better, looks better, and keeps you coming back long after the credits roll.

Kaleidescape Movie Player & Server

Looking for the ultimate man cave upgrade? Kaleidescape delivers a high fidelity movie platform with lossless audio and full reference video quality. The Strato E, its entry level 4K movie player, outputs high bitrate video with support for SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, bringing studio quality playback into the home without the compromises of streaming. Need more storage? The Mini Terra Prime server is a match made in home cinema heaven. Check out the Strato E ($2,995) and Mini Terra Prime ($9,995) today and schedule a demo with a dealer near you. 

Marantz A/V Separates

Experience Marantz at its most ambitious with the 15.4- channel AV10 processor paired with the 16-channel AMP10 power amplifier, a reference level combination built for serious home theater systems.

Bluesound Soundbar

Whether it’s the Big Game, a blockbuster premiere, or your go-to playlist — the Bluesound PULSE CINEMA soundbar transforms every moment into an unforgettable experience. With 12 high-performance drivers, dedicated upfiring speakers, and a center channel for crystal-clear dialogue, it delivers breathtaking Dolby Atmos immersion — no extra gear required. Feel the roar of the crowd, the crunch of a hit, and every play in rich, three-dimensional detail.

Denon DP-500BT Turntable

Denon’s latest turntable is step-up from entry-level models and versatile to handle all your vinyl needs. With built-in preamp and Bluetooth it can stream wirelessly to headphones or speakers, connect to powered speakers or fit into any hi-fi rack.

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Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3

An Editors’ Choice winner, the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 floorstanding loudspeakers will delight any listener for a fraction of the price of the company’s flagship 800 Series. Available in mocha (as shown), black or white.

LG 97″ OLED TV

Why not enjoy the largest OLED TV you can fit on the wall? Last year’s LG G5 97-inch 4K OLED TV delivers pixel perfect images, stunning detail, and inky black levels. Plus it’s discounted while supplies last.

Apple TV 4K

Apple’s latest Apple TV 4K set-top box provides intuitive access to all your favorite streaming apps. Plus it’s also one of the only ways to listen to Dolby Atmos Music through your home speaker system with an Apple Music subscription.

Nostalgia Popcorn Cart

With 32 cups of popcorn in a single batch, this vintage popcorn maker will ensure fresh snacks are always at hand, while adding retro appeal to your man cave.

Need more gift giving ideas?

Disclosure: The products listed above are approved by our Editors, but may be requested by our sponsors. When links to buy are provided, we’ll direct you to the lowest price at time of publication. In doing so, eCoustics may earn a small commission from the associated retailer if purchased.

With the upcoming Android developer verification rules, there’s been a growing concern regarding Google effectively killing sideloading Android apps.

But Google says that’s not the case.

In a fresh blog post, the company basically confirmed that sideloading apps will still be possible, even from unverified developers, using a new system called “advanced flow.” So you’re not losing the handy feature; it’s just getting a little harder.

What does advanced flow even do?

According to Google, advanced flow is designed as a one-time process for users who want to install apps from outside the Play Store. In the past, one simply had to toggle the “install from unknown sources” setting, but now, there is a multi-step verification process before one can proceed. This includes:

• Enabling developer-related settings
• Confirming that they’re not being scammed or coerced
• Restarting the device
• New wait time before installation
• Authentication via PIN or biometrics

The simple idea behind the change is that Google wants to make Android sideloading more intentional and harder to abuse.

Why is Google doing this?

The new restrictions aren’t appearing out of the blue. This is a part of a broader change. Starting from September 2026, Android will require apps to come from verified developers. While the change will initially hit select regions, a wider roll out is expected later.

Google’s aim is to make it harder for malicious developers to distribute harmful apps repeatedly under new identities. Regardless, the company acknowledges that sideloading is a core part of Android and its “open” nature. Thus, the option is still being kept alive, albeit in a slower way.

What this means for everyday users

The changes from Google don’t affect a majority of Android users, who stick with the Play Store for their apps. But for those who use third-party app stores, install APKs manually, and experiment with indie apps, sideloading is about to become a little more complicated.

Automattic has added write capabilities to WordPress.com’s MCP integration, giving AI agents like Claude and ChatGPT the ability to create posts, build pages, manage comments, and restructure content, all through natural conversation, with human approval at every step.

For most of the past six months, connecting an AI agent to your WordPress.com site has meant giving it a window. You could ask Claude or ChatGPT questions about your content, pull up site analytics, or check which posts hadn’t been updated in a year. Useful, but fundamentally passive.

On Friday, Automattic added a door.

WordPress.com has launched write capabilities for its Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration, enabling AI agents to create and modify content directly on your site.

The update adds 19 new operations across six content types: posts, pages, comments, categories, tags, and media. From a single natural language prompt, an agent can draft and publish a post, build a landing page using your theme’s block patterns, approve and reply to comments, reorganise category structures, or fix missing alt text across your entire media library.

The underlying architecture, MCP, an open protocol that standardises how applications provide context to large language models, was first introduced on WordPress.com in October 2025. At that point it was read-only: agents could query your site but could not touch it.

A second update in January 2026 added OAuth 2.1 authentication, making it simpler to connect AI clients securely. In February, Automattic launched an official Claude Connector, again read-only at the time. Today’s write capabilities are the step the platform has been building towards.

The feature is designed around explicit human approval. Before creating, updating, or deleting anything, the agent describes exactly what it plans to do and asks for confirmation. New posts default to draft status, giving users a chance to review before anything goes live; modifying a published post triggers a warning that changes will be immediately visible.

Deletions of posts, pages, comments, and media send items to the trash, where they are recoverable for 30 days. Categories and tags, which WordPress cannot trash, trigger an additional confirmation warning that deletion is permanent. Every action is logged in the site’s Activity Log.

User role permissions are fully enforced: an Editor can create and edit posts but cannot change site settings; a Contributor can draft but not publish.

One of the more technically interesting aspects of the implementation is theme awareness. Before creating a page or post, the agent can read the site’s design system, colours, fonts, spacing, block patterns, and generate content that inherits those specifications.

The write capabilities are available today on all WordPress.com paid plans. Users enable them through the MCP dashboard at wordpress.com/me/mcp, toggling on the specific operations they want to permit on each site.

Compatible clients include Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and any other MCP-enabled tool. WordPress.com powers a significant share of the web, according to figures presented at Automattic’s State of the Word event in December 2025, WordPress runs more than 43% of all websites globally and holds a 60.5% share of the content management system market.

The scale at which write-capable AI agents can now operate across that infrastructure is considerable.

The MCP ecosystem has been expanding rapidly. The WordPress MCP Adapter, which enables similar functionality on self-hosted WordPress installations, has been moving toward inclusion in WordPress Core.

Automattic’s other products, including WooCommerce and Beeper, have their own MCP implementations. The pattern, standardised AI agent access to application functionality, rather than one-off integrations, is becoming an architectural assumption rather than an experiment.

For WordPress.com users, the practical question is trust. Giving an AI agent write access to a production site is a different proposition from asking it to summarise your traffic. Automattic has leaned into this explicitly, making the approval model the centrepiece of the announcement and granular per-operation toggles the default configuration. 

Itacho Sushi was a Hong Kong sushi brand that has been around for 22 years

Earlier this week, another name had been added to Singapore’s ever-growing list of F&B casualties.

Itacho Sushi shuttered all its remaining outlets here on Monday (Mar 16), following a spate of closures over the past year. 

The Hong Kong-based sushi chain’s last four outlets at Ion Orchard, Bugis Junction, The Star Vista, and Novena Square 2 are now listed as “permanently closed” on Google Maps. Its website, social media accounts, and mobile app have all been taken down—without any public announcement from the company.

Government records on the Bizfile portal show that Itacho BM, the Singapore-registered company behind the chain’s local operations, has been marked as “gazetted to be struck off” the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s Register of Companies. The notice was first published on Feb 13.

For a brand that has been around for 22 years—17 in Singapore—the silence was telling. We look back at how a chain that once drew crowds for “cheap and good” sushi ended up here, with no farewell and no explanation.

Itacho Sushi had over 40 outlets in three markets at its peak

Itacho Sushi was founded in Hong Kong by the late food entrepreneur Ricky Cheng Wai-tao, also known as “Ricky San” for his knowledge of Japanese dining culture.

Cheng’s culinary journey began in Japan, where he studied in his early years. He returned to Hong Kong in 1989 and launched his first venture, a Japanese pancake shop called Pancake House, in 1992. At its peak, the chain operated 20 branches, but it closed by 1996 as the pancake craze waned.

He then brought the Ajisen Ramen brand to Hong Kong via a franchise model in 1996 before co-founding the Itamae Sushi chain in 2004 and later launching Itacho Sushi in 2007.

In 2008, Cheng, who made frequent television appearances, even made history as the first non-Japanese winner of the annual tuna auction at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, securing a bluefin tuna with a winning bid of HK$430,000 (approximately S$70,239).

He came to be known as “Tuna King” for four consecutive years since then. 

Cheng brought Itacho Sushi to Singapore in July 2009 as a subsidiary of Taste of Japan Group, the Hong Kong-founded parent company established in 2004. Local operations were managed by Itacho BM.

The sushi chain continued to expand steadily over the years.

At its peak around 2019, Itacho Sushi had a strong presence across Asia, with 10 outlets in Singapore, nearly 30 in Hong Kong, and additional locations in Japan—bringing its total to more than 40 restaurants across the three markets.

Together with Itamae Sushi, the chain reportedly generated over HK$40 million (around S$6.5 million) in annual revenue.

Legal battles & worsening health made Cheng step back

But Cheng’s success would not last. The sushi boss was embroiled in a series of legal battles over the years.

Before Itacho Sushi, Cheng had gone into business with siblings Daisy and Jason Poon. The three had worked together since 1996, when they brought Ajisen Ramen to Hong Kong.

In 2004, they joined forces again to launch Itamae Sushi under a company called Smart Wave Ltd, with Cheng as sole director and the Poons as shareholders.

After the success of the first Itamae Sushi branch, the siblings accused Cheng of opening six additional branches of Itamae Sushi in Hong Kong without their knowledge, each under a different company, where Cheng was the sole director and shareholder. He was also accused of opening competing chain Itacho Sushi without informing them. 

This resulted in a lawsuit filed by the Poons against Cheng in 2013. The siblings won, with the High Court finding that Cheng breached fiduciary duty in 2015. He lost the lawsuit and subsequent appeal in 2016 and was ultimately ordered to pay hefty legal costs and damages. 

Then came another blow.

In 2017, Cheng revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He gradually stepped away from the business, and in Apr 2024, passed away in Tokyo at the age of 57.

That same year, Itacho Sushi quietly shut down all its outlets in Hong Kong, and its parent company, Taste of Japan, was deregistered. A Google search for its Japan outlets did not turn up any results, and it is unclear when they closed in Japan, too.

Commenting on the closure of Itacho Sushi’s Hong Kong outlets, Simon Wong Ka-wo, President of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said: “Following his death, nobody was left to take care of it.”

Wong added that the chain had been in decline for nearly a decade, worn down by prolonged legal disputes, the lasting damage of the pandemic, and ultimately, the loss of the man who built it.

Singapore, it turns out, simply seems like the last to go.

Good while it lasted

Following Itacho Sushi’s closure in Singapore, several netizens have taken to Reddit to share their thoughts on the Hong Kong-founded Japanese restaurant chain. 

Many reminisced fondly about its early years—a go-to spot for “cheap and good Japanese food” with its discount menu and generous portions. One user recalled it as “one of the few good Japanese restaurants with a large variety of Japanese food, not just sushi and ramen.”

However, in recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 period, the netizen added that the chain has been on a “huge downhill,” using “less fresh ingredients” and “making portion sizes smaller,” all while “increasing prices”—a sentiment corroborated by another internet user.

Another remarked that Itacho Sushi had simply joined the growing list of restaurants to “bite the dust” in Singapore—a market where Japanese dining options are endless, competition is fierce, and closures are anything but rare.

The full picture, however, is harder to pin down. Was it the legal battles that drained its founder? The pandemic that gutted foot traffic? The cost-cutting that eroded customer trust? Or the death of the one man who held it all together? Likely, some combination of all.

Whatever the reason, the quiet disappearance of a brand that fed Singaporeans for 17 years is telling—another reminder that in one of Asia’s most competitive dining markets, even long-standing names are never too big to vanish without a word.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.