Pick of the podcasts: Changes with Annie Mac, Smoke Screen and The Line-Up

Changes with Annie Mac

Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify

Following the release of her Sunday Times bestselling debut novel, Mother Mother and her recent departure from Radio 1 after 17 years, Annie Macmanus – also known as Annie Mac – is familiar with change.

Now she’s returning with the fourth series of her critically acclaimed podcast, Changes.

Extraordinary figures are set to appear across the series including film director Steve McQueen, comedian Jimmy Carr, model Emily Ratajkowski and more.

The podcast features candid conversations about how we as a species, cope with and adapt to change, and how we can affect change.

These are conversations to inspire and incite action, to evoke tears of empathy and frustration and to learn from.

Multi award-winning director Steve McQueen, responsible for Hunger 2008, starring Michael Fassbender, Shame, featuring Carey Mulligan, and 12 Years A Slave with Benedict Cumberbatch and Lupita Nyong’o is one of the most acclaimed and influential artists of his generation.

He is the first fascinating guest on Changes; the Academy and Oscar award winner talks to Annie about the lack of black role models in his early life, being dyslexic, his experience at college, leaving New York University after three months, the Grenfell tower disaster, and his experience supporting black women.

Anne’s bestselling debut, Mother Mother, is a powerful coming-of-age novel and in July she wrapped up her broadcast duties on the last edition of Radio 1’s Dance Party With Annie Mac.

“As a 43-year-old woman, I can just tell you this: life goes by really, really fast,” she said in her last shift. “Life is short. It thunders by.”

Smoke Screen

Apple, Google, Spotify

Victoria Hollingsworth tells the true story of corrupt practices behind the scenes at British American Tobacco.

We hear from the very people who were caught up in this world as we sink deep into the dirty underbelly of the tobacco industry in South Africa.

BAT says its actions were simply to combat the illicit trade in tobacco products. This investigation aims to get to the bottom of what really went on.

The Line-Up

Apple, Google, Spotify

Who would play at your dream festival? DJ Shaun Keaveny’s got a lifetime of festival moments to draw on as each episode he guides a music-loving guest to share their five favourite acts to see on stage in a field somewhere.

From the first band waking up your senses to that emotional sunset slot and the all-important headliner. Other festival essentials will be covered too, from choice snacks to tent skills.