A podcast to sum up university

The Boar asked writers to choose one podcast that has been crucial to their university journey.

The trio provide a much-needed voice of reason in a media ecosystem otherwise drowning in slop, misinformation, and Goalhanger podcasts. ‘The News Agents’

To call The News Agents an essential part of my commute is an understatement – as a hopeless news junkie and increasingly addicted podcast listener, the U1 bus is scarcely survivable without a new episode on hand. The podcast, helmed by Jon Sopel alongside his former BBC colleagues Lewis Goodall and Emily Maitlis, is doubtless a must-listen for wannabe journalists. The trio provide a much-needed voice of reason in a media ecosystem otherwise drowning in slop, misinformation, and Goalhanger podcasts. As The Boar has become more and more integral to my university experience, I’ve found myself listening to The News Agents more religiously than ever. Give it a go! Ben Tanguy 

It took my mind off the constant change all around me, diverting my focus away from the chaos and onto the very thing that I went to university to study. ‘The Rest Is Politics’

If you are (like me) poor at change, Freshers’ Week can feel overwhelming, and it’s essential to have a home comfort that grounds you. Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell’s The Rest is Politics was a defining feature of my Freshers’ experience for that very reason. The passionate enthusiasm with which the hosts tackle an array of political topics is relentlessly charming and enjoyable. While it does suffer from too much “disagreeing agreeably”, as the hosts often quip, it took my mind off the constant change all around me, diverting my focus away from the chaos and onto the very thing that I went to university to study. Cianan Sheekey 

Anyone wanting to make positive changes or choices in their life should definitely have a listen to this podcast, I can’t recommend it enough! ‘In Her Power’

In Her Power by Bec Stewart – I came across the host’s Instagram in my first year at Warwick and began listening her podcast shortly after. I found a lot of her episodes to be really helpful and inspiring when I was struggling with procrastination – it really helped me to find motivation again! The host covers a wide range of topics, from weekly plans to life advice. Some of my favourite episodes are centred around routine planning and healthy habits. Anyone wanting to make positive changes or choices in their life should definitely have a listen to this podcast, I can’t recommend it enough! Georgia Carwardine 

When I started at university though, I found myself struggling to keep up with the big stories of the day. That’s when The News Agents became my go-to podcast. ‘The News Agents’

As any aspiring journalist knows, staying on top of headlines is key. At home, I’m always consuming some sort of news content – news apps, TV, radio, the list goes on. When I started at university though, I found myself struggling to keep up with the big stories of the day. That’s when The News Agents became my go-to podcast. With lively insight from hosts Jon Sopel, Emily Maitlis, and Lewis Goodall, the podcast allows me to catch up on the biggest stories of the day, whether I’m on my commute to campus, at the gym, or cooking dinner. The big stories are unpacked with expert analysis, interviews, and chat in bitesize 30–45-minute episodes. Shoutouts, for the same reason, should also go to the BBC’s Newscast and The Guardian’s Today in Focus – trust a News Editor to not be able to switch off from the news.  Tom Ryan 

As a result, we’ve gained a bigger appreciation for all things student journalism, the heritage and legacy of The Boar, and our wonderful alumni. ‘Hogging the Mic’

It would be silly of me and the team to not mention our brand-new podcast, Hogging the Mic, the Boar’s official podcast which we launched in July! For all of us, it has become a pillar of our experience in the society and more widely the University. In each episode, we spotlight three incredible writers from the last couple of weeks and spend time interviewing The Boar alumni about their time at Warwick University, The Boar and in their current jobs. As a result, we’ve gained a bigger appreciation for all things student journalism, the heritage and legacy of The Boar, and our wonderful alumni. It has been an absolute joy to pass this on to our listeners and fellow students and to really celebrate the importance of community that we have fostered in the society and at Warwick. Our biggest piece of advice: it’s never too late to get involved and we’d love to have you here at The Boar. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube and give us a follow on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date with all the latest updates! – Beth Sirianni on behalf of the Hogging the Mic team (Lucy Gibbons, Tom Ryan, Rachel Gore and Beth Sirianni) 

This is everything Jade dives into, with episodes that feel like your wisest friend asking her wise friends to give you just the advice you need, in easily digestible, chatty, and uplifting bites. ‘Finding your casual magic’

What I’ve treasured most about university has honestly been the little moments. Staying up until sunrise talking to your flatmates, pretending to study in the library, and navigating the start of adulthood with the people around you. So, my favourite podcast all about this is Finding Your Casual Magic by Jade Bowler (UnJaded Jade). University, especially Freshers’ Week, can feel insanely overwhelming, from maintaining old friendships to forming new ones, learning how to be productive, and how to build a life you really enjoy when there’s just so much happening. This is everything Jade dives into, with episodes that feel like your wisest friend asking her wise friends to give you just the advice you need, in easily digestible, chatty, and uplifting bites. – Sanjana Iyer 

The podcast offered a break from deadlines and often validated embarrassing campus moments, reassuring me that it’s okay to stumble, make mistakes, and laugh at yourself every once –in –a while. ‘Chuckle Sandwich’

The podcast that helped me through University: Chuckle Sandwich. During university there was intense pressure to juggle societies, studies, and friendships within strict limits. When life threatened this balance, I often felt hopeless. Chuckle Sandwich provided humour during those dark times of struggle and quickly became my go-to background companion. Listening to the hosts ask absurd questions to important guests, like “Would you rather have unlimited bacon but no more games, or unlimited games but no bacon?”, allowed me to laugh at the absurdity of it all. The podcast offered a break from deadlines and often validated embarrassing campus moments, reassuring me that it’s okay to stumble, make mistakes, and laugh at yourself every once –in –a while. – Zahra Jazmina