Chemical Attraction

Over the last decade, The Mail and Telegraph have reported on a controversial “personal development” program that involved brainwashing. The individuals at the core of this story are attractive, wealthy young English women, some of whom cut ties with their families due to memories unearthed during therapy. The narrative unfolds in Tortoise through personal testimonies of these women and their distressed parents. By David Hepworth

Listening to a true-crime tale from a calm Scottish woman in her 70s instead of an excited American is a refreshing change. However, this doesn’t diminish the captivating nature of the story about the 1957 disappearance of Moira Anderson, an 11-year-old girl from Coatbridge, near Glasgow. The narrator of this Audible Original is Fiona Hughes, who was a neighbor to Moira. She shares her perspective on the evidence that led her to suspect Moira’s father may have been involved in Moira’s murder.

If you’re already listening to numerous interview-focused podcasts, such as those offered by Radio 4, you might wonder if adding yet another one to your list is worth your time. This new podcast, hosted by Omid Ashtari and Natascha McElhone, features a well-known guest, Alastair Campbell, in its debut episode. Marketed towards individuals with diverse interests, the hosts aim to interview people from various backgrounds on an array of topics. However, only time will tell if the seemingly random nature of this podcast becomes an engaging strength or a distracting weakness.

Journalist Malcolm Gladwell, the host of “Revisionist History” podcast, explores the unexpected connection between Adolf Hitler and the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin through eight engaging episodes. Using meticulous yet entertaining methods, Gladwell delves into the crucial figures involved in this astonishing sports history anomaly, such as Dorothy Thompson, an American journalist who gained exclusive access to Hitler. A fascinating exploration. JAMES MOTTRAM

I’ve listened to my fair share of travel podcasts, but this “celebration of travel” from Wondery+ took me by surprise. Unlike most travel shows where hosts actually explore new places, this one features “honorary tour guides,” who merely discuss their favorite destinations with actor Georgia King.

As someone who has spent years observing political trends and social dynamics, I’ve come across my fair share of commonly held beliefs and popular narratives. Some of these notions, like “supporting immigration can only be a vote loser for the political left,” or “young men are more sexist than their elders,” seem intuitively plausible at first glance. However, as The Atlantic’s Jerusalem Demas and her guests have shown us, it’s crucial to challenge these assumptions and expose any contradictions they may hide.

The San Francisco Standard’s online news director, Sophie Bearman, hosts a new podcast for the organization where she interviews local notables about significant moments in their lives and their selection of seven impactful songs. Notable guests have included London Breed, San Francisco’s first black female mayor; D’Wayne Wiggins from soul band Tony! Tone!; and Sir Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief design officer, who has since become a US resident. This podcast is similar to the popular BBC program “Desert Island Discs,” but with a key distinction: no classical music included. (By David McGillivray)

In the eighth installment of the investigative show “Chameleon,” the spotlight shifts to dark goings-on at “Miracle Ranch” in southern California’s mountains, a high-end wellness retreat led by Dr. Robert Young. Miracle Ranch promotes an alkaline diet as a cancer cure, but Larrison Campbell, the show’s presenter, reveals it to be more than just a trendy eating plan – it’s a new faith system where Young assumes divine powers.