Best Music Crush Monday Podcasts (2024)

1
How are people making music in prison? 14:10

1d ago14:10

14:10

JailTime is a record label that aims to get prisoners away from crime and into the music industry. It operates from a studio in New Bell prison, a high security jail in Douala, Cameroon. They say they’ve brought reoffending rates down significantly. JailTime’s founders, Dione Roach and Steve Happi, tell us what they're trying to achieve and talk ab…

1
Will AI really be worth the cost? 14:38

2d ago14:38

14:38

Over the last 18 months the world has gone pretty crazy about AI. Apple has been jumping into the space and Samsung is forecasting higher profits than ever from its advanced chips. Tech companies say it’s the future and may even put a lot of us out of a job. But a new report from one of the world’s top banks says that generative AI, things like Cha…

1
Why are some places fed up with tourists? 11:20

3d ago11:20

11:20

After the Covid pandemic, global tourism numbers have been on the rise again, but so are concerns about the impact of tourism. We will take you to Spain, Southern Africa and Hawaii to discuss the tension between the money that tourism brings in, and the price locals have to pay. Protesters in Barcelona have been showing their discontent with touris…

1
Tetanus Vaccines: What you need to know 13:45

4d ago13:45

13:45

There’s loads of misinformation online about vaccines. For years, there have been false claims about the tetanus jab causing infertility. One of our listeners, Henry, got in touch to ask us if they were true. Fauziyya Tukur, a BBC Disinformation journalist in Abuja, looks into the claims with us. The BBC's medical editor, Fergus Walsh explains why …

1
Why France’s election result was a surprise 12:22

5d ago12:22

12:22

On Sunday night, a surprising exit poll was announced for France’s parliamentary election. It showed that the New Popular Front was about to win the second round, in a result that no-one was expecting. All previous predictions had suggested the far-right National Rally party would come out on top, but it came third. The New Popular Front, a brand n…

1
Are we falling out of love with dating apps? 11:17

8d ago11:17

11:17

Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Match have changed the way many of us date, offering convenience, choice and connection at your finger tips. They have millions of users worldwide. As many as one in three adults in the U.S. has used them, according to Pew Research Centre. But now, ten years after their boom, there’s endless chatter about del…

1
How do crowd crushes happen? 13:58

9d ago13:58

13:58

On Tuesday 2nd July, over 120 people died in a crowd crush at a religious event in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. According to police reports, the crush happened after 200,000 people gathered in an area that only had capacity for 80,000. The BBC’s Jugal Purohit has been to the scene of the tragedy - he describes what we know about it so far and…

1
When is a tropical cyclone a hurricane? 14:00

10d ago14:00

14:00

Hurricane Beryl has been tearing through the southeast Caribbean and is now moving towards Jamaica. It’s expected to reach Mexico after. Hurricanes form every year from June to November - with varying degrees of severity. There are also typhoons, cyclones and storms that rip through countries. But what’s the difference, when does a storm become a h…

1
Space Jams: Why is it so tricky to blast off from Earth? 13:49

11d ago13:49

13:49

A growing number of private companies are wading into the global race for space dominance. Space X, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, Axiom, Vast and Boeing all have their sights set on the stars. But how ready are we for the new era of space exploration? Two space flight mishaps have recently made the headlines. On Sunday, a space rocket owned by a pr…

1
Why the strength of the US dollar has a big impact on you 14:23

12d ago14:23

14:23

You might not live in the US but the value of America’s currency most likely affects how much you pay for stuff, wherever you are. In this episode we explain why the strength of the US dollar matters so much. The BBC’s Erin Delmore describes the picture stateside. Cuba Houghton, a graduate in Economics based in Nairobi helps us dig into the meaning…

1
Is Uganda and Tanzania’s oil pipeline worth the human impact? 13:08

15d ago13:08

13:08

The East Africa crude oil pipeline - also known as EACOP - is facing ongoing backlash. The pipeline, which will pass through Uganda and Tanzania, is backed by a French and Chinese company. This week protesters have targeted several Chinese embassies to discourage further foreign support. They believe the pipeline is a human rights and environmental…

1
Julian Assange: Who is he and what did he do? 11:03

16d ago11:03

11:03

Julian Assange, one of the world’s most notorious hackers and the face of the website Wikileaks, is now a free man. He’s been in a high security prison in the UK for the last five years, fighting extradition to the US, wanted for charges under the US Espionage Act. But who is he and what did he do? We talk you through Julian Assange’s hacker backgr…

1
How do you evacuate whales from a warzone? 12:57

17d ago12:57

12:57

A pair of beluga whales have been evacuated from the besieged city of Kharkiv in Ukraine. They were taken to Europe’s largest aquarium — the Oceanogràfic de Valencia in Spain. Mora from the What in the World team explains how the ongoing war in Ukraine put the belugas at risk. And Daniel Garcia-Párraga, director of zoological operations at Oceanogr…

1
Why are there protests in New Caledonia? 11:53

19d ago11:53

11:53

There’s been a lot of unrest in New Caledonia this year and it’s down to a proposed voting reform bill. Buildings have been set on fire, nine people have been killed and seven pro-independence activists have been detained and taken to France. New Caledonia is a French territory, even though it’s really far away from France. Many local people there …

1
Why do some Hajj pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia without official permits? 11:27

19d ago11:27

11:27

Hajj — the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca — took place last week during an extreme heatwave. Officials in Saudi Arabia say that at least 1,301 people died. Most of them had not obtained official permits to enter the country to perform Hajj, which all Muslims must do at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. Wi…

1
Kenya’s Gen Z protests: What are they about? 11:10

22d ago11:10

11:10

Young Kenyans are leading demonstrations against a controversial finance bill, organising via TikTok and X. They are unhappy about proposals to raise taxes on sanitary pads and mobile money transfers, amongst other things. A protestor shares her motivation for taking to the streets. We hear from Anita Nkonge a BBC reporter in Nairobi, who tells us …

1
Why’s everyone talking about Ozempic and Wegovy? 14:56

23d ago14:56

14:56

Hollywood has gone into overdrive trying to guess which celebrities are using weight loss drugs. Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Amy Schumer, and Rebel Wilson have all talked openly about taking them - and there have been loads of rumours swirling around Kim Kardashian. These drugs are often known by their brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, made by the Dani…

1
Panda express: Why does China send pandas around the world? 10:53

25d ago10:53

10:53

For decades China has used pandas as a way to improve diplomatic relations with other countries. Now, China’s Premier has offered Australia two, to replace the zoo's existing pandas. BBC Sydney Correspondent Katie Watson explains. We also speak to the BBC’s Jack Lau in Hong Kong about China’s history of panda diplomacy and the significance of the a…

1
Japa Syndrome: Why are so many young people leaving Nigeria? 14:50

26d ago14:50

14:50

Nigeria is Africa’s economic powerhouse - so why are so many young people trying to leave and find opportunities in other countries? It’s become so common there’s even a word for it: Japa. Last year, Nigeria’s immigration service issued a record number of passports - almost 2 million. So when we were in Lagos we spoke to the BBC’s Faith Oshoko, who…

1
Could nuclear be the answer to our power problems? 15:19

26d ago15:19

15:19

Nuclear power counts for just ten percent of the world’s total power supply and only 33 countries currently have nuclear power stations. But those numbers could soon change as China rushes to build new nuclear facilities and as African countries consider building their own. Jordan Dunbar from the BBC podcast The Climate Question explains how nuclea…

1
Feel the burn: Why does spicy food hurt so much? 13:29

29d ago13:29

13:29

South Korea’s Buldak noodles are super spicy - and Denmark’s food regulator has now recalled some types of them, saying they could cause "acute poisoning". The company behind the noodles says there are no quality issues. They’re used in extreme food challenges that often go viral online. So we decided to try them ourselves and they were FIERY! The …

1
Have you ever been ghosted like Billie Eilish? 13:55

1M ago13:55

13:55

She may be one of music's biggest stars, but it turns out even Billie Eilish is not immune to being ghosted. The ‘Bad Guy’ singer recently opened up about her experience on a BBC podcast, and it got us thinking about why ghosting feels so pervasive and hurtful. So, in this episode, we’re chatting about all things ghosting: where the term came from,…

1
Why is pregnancy so dangerous in Nigeria? 13:33

1M ago13:33

13:33

Despite the latest data showing fewer women are dying in childbirth globally, maternal mortality remains a huge issue for women across Africa. The World Health Organization says that more than two thirds of maternal deaths across the world happen in the continent. Chad and South Sudan rank the highest for maternal mortality, followed by Nigeria, on…

1
Why is feminism taboo in South Korea? 12:51

1M ago12:51

12:51

Being a feminist in South Korea is often associated with being a man-hater. And people who are thought to look like feminists - by for example having short hair or not wearing makeup - can be ridiculed, or even attacked. Rachel Lee, a journalist based in Seoul, explains why anti-feminist sentiment is growing among young men, how this plays out onli…

1
Why is ‘All Eyes on Papua’ spreading across social media? 11:46

1M ago11:46

11:46

Similar to the viral image "All Eyes on Rafah," the image "All Eyes on Papua" has been spreading across social media. It’s turning attention to Papua, a province of Indonesia. The slogan refers to the campaign of the indigenous people of Awyu and Moi in Papua, whose forest is at risk of being cleared for palm oil plantations. Abraham Utama, a BBC j…

1
How Junior Pope’s death got Nollywood looking at its safety record 16:10

1M ago16:10

16:10

In April, a top Nollywood star, Junior Pope, was killed in a boat crash, while being transported from a film set. He starred in more than a hundred Nigerian-produced films and his death has got the people who work in the industry asking questions about its safety record. We speak to Ruth Kadiri, an actor and screenwriter who knew Junior Pope. She t…

1
Help! My phone’s been stolen 12:55

1M ago12:55

12:55

Phone theft is really common - but what happens to your phone after it’s stolen? Nowadays it’s not just about taking the phone to sell on, or strip for parts. Now thieves will try to scam you afterwards to get your data or bank details. BBC Journalist Zofia Louise’s phone was stolen in London and ended up in Dubai. She talks Hannah through her expe…

1
Everest: How dangerous is it really? 14:54

1M ago14:54

14:54

For many, it’s a dream to fly to Nepal and reach the top of the highest peak in the world. But climbing Mount Everest is considered extremely risky even for experienced climbers and it can be deadly. On top of this, climate change is making the conditions even more dangerous. It’s thought that the bodies of nearly 200 of the 330 climbers who have d…

1
Africa and FGM: When will it end? 12:17

1M ago12:17

12:17

Female genital mutilation affects around 230 million women and girls globally, with rates highest in Africa. FGM is considered a human rights violation and has no health benefits. That’s according to World Health Organisation. Hibo Wardere, a survivor from Somalia, recounts her ordeal and discusses the importance of education in ending the practice…

1
Why has South Africa fallen out of love with the ANC? 14:52

1M ago14:52

14:52

South African politics faces a big change for the first time in 30 years, after its election results. The ruling African National Congress party lost its majority and won’t be able to govern alone. Rival parties will have to find common ground in preparation for a possible coalition to work out next steps. BBC’s Southern Africa correspondent, Nomsa…

1
Donald Trump guilty verdict: What just happened? 9:50

1M ago9:50

9:50

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial in New York. It is the first time a former or serving US president has been convicted of a crime. The court heard from 22 witnesses over six weeks, including the porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump called the verdict a "disgrace". It’s an …

1
All Eyes on Rafah: What does it mean? 16:18

1M ago16:18

16:18

The slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” has been trending on social media. One image in particular, of white tents spelling out that phrase, has gone viral on Instagram with around 40 million shares. The picture is AI generated. Shayan Sardarizadeh from BBC Monitoring’s disinformation team tells us where the image came from and why so many people have poste…

1
Is climate change making plane turbulence worse? 12:29

2M ago12:29

12:29

Two flights have made the headlines recently after being hit by severe turbulence. Early investigations into a Singapore Airlines flight say that the plane dropped around 54m over 4.6 seconds. One passenger died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured. Injuries from turbulence is pretty rare but scientists think that climate change coul…

1
How the far right is using TikTok in Germany 11:51

2M ago11:51

11:51

In June Europeans will go to the polls to decide the make-up of the next European Parliament. Far-right parties are expected to make significant gains in several countries, including Germany — the most populous country in the European Union. Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) — Germany’s most popular far-right party — have been using social media, e…

1
Is South Korea stealing Chinese culture? 12:09

2M ago12:09

12:09

China and South Korea are arguing on social media. This time it’s over K-pop group IVE’s new video for HEYA: some people in China claim that the group is passing off Chinese culture as Korean. This isn’t the first time the neighbouring countries have had disputes about the origin of certain cultural things. There have been spats involving BTS, Squi…

1
In hot water: What’s turning the world’s coral white? 14:23

2M ago14:23

14:23

Coral around the world is turning white and even dying as recent record ocean heat takes a devastating toll. It has triggered the fourth “global mass coral bleaching event”. Hannah chats to What in the World producer Kevyah Cardoso about the magical life of coral. BBC climate reporter Georgina Rannard explains what’s causing this bleaching and whet…

1
Why are Gen Z protesting in Georgia? 11:56

2M ago11:56

11:56

Thousands of young people have been out protesting in Georgia. But this isn’t organised by the opposition or a political party - these demonstrations are being driven by the 20 year olds themselves. It’s all because of a “foreign agents” law the government there is trying to bring in. There’s a fear that this law will suppress dissent and prevent G…

1
Breakdancing at the Paris Olympics: What to expect 15:05

2M ago15:05

15:05

This year’s Olympics will, for the first time, feature breaking – a style of street dance that originated in 1970s New York City. It’s characterised by acrobatic movements, speedy footwork and a hip-hop soundtrack. More than 30 breakers from all over the world will compete. Rachael Gunn, from Australia, is one of them. She tells us what she loves a…

1
Is AI blurring reality in the Indian elections? 11:12

2M ago11:12

11:12

As India votes in the general election, it is impossible to avoid the wealth of AI-generated content being created - from campaign videos, to personalised audio messages in a range of Indian languages, and even automated calls made to voters in a candidate's voice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also already made the best of the emerging technolo…

1
The death of Iran’s president 10:57

2M ago10:57

10:57

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, and several other officials, including the foreign minister, have died in a helicopter crash. Mr Raisi was widely tipped to eventually become Supreme Leader, the most powerful role in the country. The BBC’s Shayan Sardarizadeh explains who Mr Raisi was, how power works in Iran, what the reaction has been, and what th…

1
Is the Premier League going to give VAR the red card? 11:27

2M ago11:27

11:27

The Premier League may vote to scrap the use of video assistant referees (VAR) from next season. Adam Chowdhury, from the What in the World team, explains how VAR works, why the technology is so controversial (including THAT Luis Diaz disallowed goal), and how it’s used in major leagues, including the Bundesliga and La Liga. BBC Africa Sport Mimi F…

1
Electric vehicles: Charging up or powering down? 14:26

2M ago14:26

14:26

The electric car industry is sending mixed signals. On one hand, sales of electric vehicles in Europe overtook diesel vehicles for the first time last year and annual sales of electric vehicles in China now make up 30% of total car sales in the country. On the other hand, Elon Musk’s company Tesla and Chinese manufacturer BYD, two of the biggest el…

1
Why is ChatGPT so flirty? 15:06

2M ago15:06

15:06

Open AI has just revealed the latest version of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. It’s called GPT-4o and is faster, more friendly, and even flirtatious. Tech journalist Rhiannon Williams explains how it differs from previous versions, and what this means for the future of AI technology. But not everyone has equal access to ChatGPT. Grace Kejo, a 17-year-old …

1
Is the world experiencing more flooding? 10:25

2M ago10:25

10:25

Several nations have suffered flooding in just the last few months. Brazil, Kenya, Indonesia and China are just some of those that have been hit. Many people have died and thousands have been forced to move away from their homes. Floods are common and can happen at any time during the year. However, are we seeing more than usual these days? And how…

1
Why was Eurovision so controversial this year? 16:55

2M ago16:55

16:55

The Eurovision Song Contest is the biggest music competition in the world. Countries from all over Europe, and some from outside (we’re looking at you Australia), compete to reach the Grand Final and win the iconic glass microphone trophy. The winner also gets the honour of hosting next year’s event, which brings big crowds and parties galore to th…

1
Why North Korea’s TikTok hit is so catchy 12:05

2M ago12:05

12:05

If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok recently, you might have come across the viral song out of North Korea called ‘Friendly Father’. It’s been released by the country’s leader Kim Jong Un. Frances Mao, from the BBC’s bureau in Singapore, explains why this song went viral, and what it tells us about the regime. Over in Russia, the nation’s annual Vic…

1
Where does our rubbish go? 13:58

2M ago13:58

13:58

We throw tonnes of rubbish away and globally we’re throwing away more than ever. But what happens to it? Well, that depends on where in the world you live. Some gets recycled, some gets burned and some ends up in dumps or landfill. British author Oliver Franklin-Wallis has written a book all about rubbish (Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We T…

1
Drake v Kendrick Lamar: What’s the beef? 10:00

2M ago10:00

10:00

Two of the biggest names in hip-hop right now, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, are certainly not friends anymore. Their beef is escalating as they release diss track after diss track. Lamar has dropped the likes of ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Meet the Grahams’ whilst Drake has released ‘Family Matters’ and ‘Push Ups’. The musical feud is spilling into real life as w…

1
Can social media apps help you save money? 13:48

2M ago13:48

13:48

Social media platforms, like Instagram and Xiaohongshu, are full of shopping tips to help you spend. But they can also help you save, partly by providing support and advice through groups of like-minded individuals - or, in China, da zi. This is a growing trend, especially among young women. The BBC’s Sylvia Chang explains why they’re joining, and …

1
Where’s all the sex gone in movies? 15:08

2M ago15:08

15:08

Challengers. Poor Things. Saltburn. Three Hollywood movies released in the last six months which haven't held back on sex. However, the stats tell us movies in America are actually getting less steamy… A study from The Economist suggests that sexual content in movies has dropped by 40% since 2000. BBC Culture reporter, Annabel Rackham, explains wha…

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