Pick of the Podcasts: Locked Down Knocked Up, Hip Hop Raised Me, Experience: Ludovico Einaudi Story

Locked Down Knocked Up

Apple, Spotify

Discovering you’re to become first-time parents can be a daunting prospect at the best of times, but finding out during a pandemic makes it even more foreboding.

Although delighted by the news that came their way last June, radio DJs Rob and Gemma Howard were also worried about how clueless they were about impending parenthood.

With antenatal classes cancelled and no access to family support, they felt completely unprepared. But they soon realised they weren’t the only people in this scenario, and so they did what most people are doing these days – started a podcast in order to share their wisdom and worries.

The first episode has just gone out and new episodes will be released weekly. By sharing everything they’ve learned about pregnancy, parenthood and themselves in these unprecedented times, the couple hope to ease the minds of anyone else worried about becoming parents while the world is turned upside down.

“As soon as we realised we weren’t the only new parents to feel like this we knew we had to do it. Locked Down Knocked Up is full of banter and is essentially about what it’s like to prepare for a baby you weren’t expecting in a time nobody was expecting!” said Gemma, who works for Heart FM.

“The hardest thing for me has been not being able to go to the scans and appointments with Gemma,” said Rob, who works at Capital FM. “It’s quite a nerve-racking time finding out if your baby is healthy and so you want to be there to support your partner, but at the time we weren’t allowed.”

Gemma added: “It was tough not having Rob at the appointments as there were a couple of scary moments, but so many women had it so much worse that I just feel very grateful.”

Hip Hop Raised Me (Spotify, Apple)

Following on from his critically acclaimed bestselling book, Hip Hop Raised Me, musician DJ Semtex’s weekly hip hop podcast features exclusive conversations with artists that define the culture and have paved the way.

The conversations will explore and celebrate the culture and music that continues to change the world. In episode three, rapper French Montana talks exclusively about working with Jay Z.

Experience: Ludovico Einaudi Story (Apple, Spotify)

This three-part series explores the emotional impact of the composer and pianist’s music. Presented by Game Of Thrones actor Joe Dempsie, it features well-known fans such as Russell Crowe, director Shane Meadows and Radio 1 DJ Greg James, as well as musicians, scientists and well-being experts. The final episode features an interview with Einaudi himself as he discusses his musical journey.