Podcast PIONEERS

Famous, fearless and full of flair, these women are redefining what we listen to, one episode at a time

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The term 'podcast' was only coined by Guardian journalist Ben Hammersley in 2004, yet podcasts have since become a global phenomenon.

Once no more than scrappy internet radio blogs, podcasts surged in popularity from around 2012, thanks to easy listening apps and addictive series.

Today, more than 584 million people listen worldwide, a figure projected to rise to 619 million by 2026. Nearly half of UK adults aged 35 to 54 listen regularly, with figures for female listeners rising by a quarter in just one year. It’s no wonder. Listening has never been easier or more entertaining.

Between juggling work, chores, children or ageing parents, podcasts offer a moment of calm – a space to laugh, reflect or feel understood.

Another reason so many of us are tuning in is that a growing number of high-profile women are stepping behind the mic. They're creating smart, funny and relatable podcasts for an audience who've been largely overlooked, sharing personal stories, amplifying unheard voices and proving that midlife isn’t something to fear, it’s something to talk about.

Here, we highlight the brilliant female celebrities making an impact in the world of must-listen podcasting, and the episodes to download now.

Davina McCall BEGIN AGAIN

Building on the success of her C4 documentary on the menopause, presenter Davina launched Begin Again last year. She remembers where the idea started: 'There's no magic pill that you can take...

It's going to happen to all women. And then I thought, well, I'll just start talking about it.' Dedicated to 'empowering people to embrace midlife as their most transformative era yet', the podcast is a challenging, candid listen.

STANDOUT EPISODE

Davina chatting to ad consultant and founder of Make Love NotPorn Cindy Gallop about unlearning shame and the secrets to having a great sex life whatever your age.