Pick of the podcasts: The Missing Cryptoqueen, Drag Race UK and The Art of Innovation

The Missing Cryptoqueen (BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts)

A podcast called Serial gripped the world five years ago with its murder investigation which unfolded over the course of 12 episodes.

While some complained that not having a planned resolution meant the ending was a little disappointing, there was a definite thrill in knowing the story was being uncovered, week by week.

The Missing Cryptoqueen has a similar atmosphere to Serial – and it too is a story in progress.

Perhaps it will ultimately end with more questions posed than answered, like the 2014 investigation into the conviction of Adnan Syed.

It revolves around the launch of a cryptocurrency by Dr Ruja Ignatova.

A cryptocurrency is essentially a type of currency which is not backed by banks. Some, like Bitcoin, have been huge successes, prompting thousands of imitators.

Host Jamie Bartlett investigates the woman behind one such cryptocurrency – OneCoin, a scheme which managed to persuade investors around the world to part with £4 billion.

Dr Ruja took to stages at investor events around the world – backed by pop song Girl On Fire – launching her new currency and deriding rivals.

Everything looked great and investors piled their cash into Dr Ruja’s OneCoin.

Then, in 2017, she disappeared.

The podcast looks at Dr Ruja’s background and the circumstances of her disappearance…

Drag Race UK (BBC Sounds)

BBC Sounds’ new podcast, about the hot new Drag Race UK series is described as crass with a whole lot of sass and dripping in bio-degradable glitter.

Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt is joined by drag star Baby Lame to “spill the tea, the whole tea and nothing but the tea” – which translates as dishing the gossip!

The Art Of Innovation (Apple Podcasts)

This podcast, which started a couple of weeks ago, is a brainy one. It looks at how art and science have helped illuminate each other.

Each episode is 15 minutes long and is presented by the director of the Science Museum Group, Ian Blatchford, along with the London Science Museum’s Dr Tilly Blyth.

For instance, one episode looks at the history of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.