1. ON The Engender is Scotland’s feminist policy podcast, produced by Engender and featuring the voices of experts from across Scotland’s women’s sector. The podcast explores issues relating to women’s equality in Scotland, from local democracy to reproductive rights, and from the criminal justice system to care reform. Access through iTunes or here.
2. THE Missing Podcast is a true crime podcast, hosted by Pandora Sykes, which was first launched in December with the aim of asking listeners for help in finding the long-term missing. In the UK alone, a person is reported missing every 90 seconds, and in Scotland one person every three minutes – yet only 1% of those will be investigated beyond the short term. Every week, The Missing explores a different case, talking to family and friends about where their loved one went and what happened to them. Compulsive listening, sometimes tragic and sometimes heartwarming. Access via iTunes
3. BREAKING The News. Homegrown comedian and radio host Des Clarke leads this brilliant podcast, hilariously breaking down the big-ticket news items with a crowd of his comedian pals and celebs every week. A fresh, different and irreverent look at the news and there are also jokes aplenty. You’re in for a right treat if you haven’t tuned in before now. Listen here.
4. OFF The Ball. Our very own Stuart Cosgrove and Tam Cowan take apart the beautiful game every week on this podcast, petty, argumentative engaging and often ill-informed, its a joy to behold. Even if there is no football to argue about they will still argue about it and its not just Tam and Stu talking mince, they cajole their pals, sports journalists and various media luvvies and hapless politicians on to appearing on the show too. Tune in here.
5. PENSIONERS for Independence. The grey matter of the indy movement regularly produce their own podcast with the help of indylive radio. During lockdown the 12 or so pensioners for indy groups haven’t allowed themselves to slow down and are instead producing podcasts with great content and top tunes. Tune in here.
6. TALK Gin podcast is a personal favourite of mine. To hell with dry January, we’ve another lockdown to deal with, hit the gin folks and whilst you’re at it pop this on. A treat for your ears and minds and it’s educational, no less. James Sutherland and Sean Murphy host and they sure know their stuff. Tune in via www.talkginpod.podbean.com
7. SOUNDTRACKING with Edith Bowman is a wee cracker, in a time of uncertainty its lovely to hear her familiar voice. She has interviewed everyone and their brother for the podcast, from Quentin Tarantino to Bruce Springsteen, Jon Favreau and Stanley Tucci and does an ace job of it too. This week’s guests are Tessa Thompson who has a gorgeous new film out called Sylvie’s Love, and then the legend of Pixar, Pete Docter, talks us through the music in his new animated masterpiece, Soul. Tune in through iTunes or through her own website.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here