Full confession: I’ve fallen in love with podcasts. And I think it’s going to be a lasting relationship.

For the uninitiated, a podcast is like your favourite radio program, only there are usually multiple episodes and you can play it whenever you like. In fact most popular radio programs also are available in podcast form. Like Netflix, except for your ears. I use an app on my phone, called Pocketcasts, to listen.

At first I listened only in the car, usually on the long commute to and from work. Then I started listening while I was gardening, or mowing, or shoveling, or cooking or cleaning the shower.  Tedious chores (yes cooking, I’m looking at you) became much more pleasant when my brain became as completely engaged as my hands.

So, for no good reason, here’s a list of some of my favourites. Of course I’m merely skimming the surface of what’s available, and I also listen to plenty of others. Most of the big writers festivals, for example, record sessions that are later released in podcast form.

Let me know in the comments about some of your own favourites.

Archive Fever. Conversations by Aussie historians Clare Wright and Yves Rees with writers, artists, curators, historians and other victims of the research bug.

Backlisted. Giving new life to old books. This one is an absolute delight. Erudite and charming English booklovers talking about books you’ve never heard of, but will be dying to read by the end of the show.

The Book Show and, separately, The Book Shelf. From the ABC radio programs of the same name.

Chat 10, Looks 3. A peripatetic podcast in which Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb discuss what they’re reading, watching, cooking, listening to or irrationally exhilarated by.

Conversations. Another from the ABC radio show of the same name. Draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may, or may not, have heard about — someone who has seen and done amazing things.

The First Time. Kate Mildenhall and Katherine Collette speak to Australian writers or industry insiders about all the feelings and logistics of publishing a debut.

The Garrett. Astrid Edwards interviews the best writers writing today about the craft of writing.

The history of English. Nerdy, intelligent and fascinating deep dive into the English language.

Secrets from the green room. Craig Cormick and Irma Gold chat with a writer about their experience of the writing and publishing process.

Words and Nerds. Explores books, the writing process and how literature has the power to change the world

The Writers Room. Charlotte Wood presented a series of in-depth conversations with other writers about their work and their creative processes.

It’s been years, literally, since I last blogged about my favourite podcasts but it seems that a few old faves have remained!