A new ‘virtual’ group for Melton Mowbray U3A

You may know the BBC Radio 4 programme - Add to Playlist. It is a podcast too. Every time I catch it by chance I always think - oh I really should listen to this. It is so fascinating.

And, as it is on BBC Sounds, and also a podcast, I could listen to the whole back catalogue. And I might just do that one fine day.

Anyway, the title got me thinking that I don’t really ever add anything to my playlists. I haven’t got any.  At all.  And I don’t really know where to start with podcasts.

So first things first- What is a podcast and where can I find them? Do I have to pay to listen or watch them?

A podcast is like radio programme or video. You can find them on BBC Sounds, Spotify, Apple or youtube. There are loads and loads of them on all sorts of subjects. The first podcasts started in 2004. 

You can access them on your computer, laptop or phone or smart tv.

Mostly you don’t have to pay to listen or to watch. The host platforms like Apple, Spotify and Youtube make their money from advertising ( but for the most part it is not too intrusive).

Hence my idea for a recommend a podcast  virtual group for  Melton Mowbray U3A called Add to Playlist

The idea is that I start the ball rolling by suggesting a few different types of BBC Sounds programmes or podcasts that I like. 

So starting with my inspiration show -  if you are interested in musical links across a wide range of music try listening to Add to Playlist on BBC Sounds ( back catalogue 114 shows)

Or if you are interested in trying to understand what is going on in American politics right now listen to Americast ( 524 episodes)

Or if History is more your thing try Empire by William Dalrymple and Anita Anand. ( Started in 2022 - 307 episodes on youtube)

Each month I’ll send an email to group members with three suggestions of podcasts I’ve found. I’m hoping that over time we will build a bit of a library of podcasts between members of the group.