In times of such uncertainity and unrest, it's important to take time for self-care, self-reflection and education. Podcasts are a great way of doing all of these things, but with so many out there, it can tricky finding that right one.

In this post-Serial audio world, journalists, celebrities, academics and well, anyone else who owns a mixing desk and a microphone, now has a regular show. The quality is generally high but can still be hit and miss with dozens of podcasts popping up around the same themes. To help you out, we've put together our top 10 podcasts spanning technology, culture, science, politics and beyond....

About Race

From the author of the bestselling Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, Reni Eddo-Lodge brings you a podcast that takes the conversation a step further. Eddo-Lodge delves into our recent history, and talks to key voices in anti-racist activism. Her guests are diverse, from then-Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott to actor Riz Ahmed. 

This American Life

The American Life was the first ever podcast to win a Pulitzer Prize, and was a hugely popular radio show long before the podcast form existed. Its huge backlog of episodes alone will keep you entertained for hours. Host Ira Glass seemlessly guides you through fascinating stories about people from all walks of life, in a beautifully produced pod.

Bodies

Host Allison Behringer explores the forces of history, society and identity that shape women's health and affect the way the medical community treats people. This podcast peels back the curtain on medical mysteries and phenomena in this intimate documentary-style podcast.  

Have you heard George's podcast?

George Mpanga, AKA George the Poet, is a London-born spoken word performer with a keen interest in social and political issues. As is evident throughout his beautiful podcast, he truly has a way with words. He educates and empowers about race, crime and music, and uses poetry, fiction, news, and song to get his point across.

Gastropod

Want to know the history of cockles? Pizza more your thing? Every other week, co-hosts Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber dive into a different topic relating to food and dig into the science and history behind it. 

Hear to Slay

Authors Tressie McMillan Cotton and Roxane Gay invite politicians, celebrities and activists to join the conversation on topics like mental health, politics, race, pop culture from a black feminist perspective. An honest, brilliant and compelling podcast by two incredible women.

Code Switch

Code Switch is a race and culture outlet and weekly podcast from American public radio network NPR. It began in 2016, but the older episodes are every bit as relevant and important four years on. Mostly the podcast comprises fearless conversations about race hosted by journalists of colour — the coverage of race and policing explores the cycle of police brutality, black death and protest.

Reply All

Rely All has been a long-running pordcast by Alex Goldman and PJ Vogt and is supposed to focus on Internet and technology, although it touches on so much more than that. They take questions from callers about how technology impacts their lives, as well as discussing Internet-adjacent phenomena and issues. It's fun, infectious, and educational all at the same time.

You're Wrong About

Hosts Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall bring you an educational and entertaining podcast on past media sensations you thought you knew. What they reveal is truly mind-blowing. Topics like the OJ Simpson trial, the Challenger disaster, and the Tonya Harding drama have you hooked and desperate for more.

And last but by no means least....

Global GoalsCast

Co-hosted by Executive Editor Edie Lush and Claudia Romo-Edelman, the Global GoalsCast inspires and empowers listeners to make the world a better place by sharing the stories individuals, companies, and organizations that are advancing and achieving a more sustainable world. 

Did you know Hub Culture also has a podcast 'The Chronicle Discussions'? Stan Stalnaker hosts a series of exclusive round-table discussions on technology and its implications for the future of humanity. Listen on Soundcloud and iTunes.