Each week, The Sunday Times curates a standout list of radio and podcast content across genres — perfect for listeners craving smart storytelling, timely topics, or just some holiday spirit. Here are the highlights for the week of November 29, 2025, with something for every ear.
Radio Nostalgia and Holiday Warmth
Desert Island Discs Revisited (Radio 4 Extra, Sunday) revisits Jilly Cooper’s 2016 episode — a joyful tribute during a season honoring castaways lost in the past year. Her eclectic music mix and humor shine through, making it a perfect Sunday listen.
Carols Across the Country (Radio 3, Sunday) brings live broadcasts of seasonal music and traditions from across the UK, launching from Staffordshire and winding toward a beautiful Advent service in Cambridge.
Charles Dickens’ Ghost Stories (podcast) features David Suchet reading festive tales like A Christmas Carol and The Signal-Man, while the Inimitable podcast explores Dickens’s legacy from the Charles Dickens Museum.
Social Insight and Historical Depth
Small Boat (Radio 4, Monday) offers a poignant fictional account inspired by the 2021 Channel tragedy, voiced from a coastguard’s perspective.
The Bomb: Kennedy and Khrushchev (BBC Sounds) dives into the Cuban Missile Crisis with narration by descendants of the Cold War’s key players — Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva.
Beyond Belief (Radio 4, Tuesday) analyzes the rise of philosopher René Girard among tech elites, and how his theory of “mimetic desire” influenced Silicon Valley thinking.
Music and Culture from All Angles
The Essay (Radio 3, Monday) sees composer Hannah Peel celebrate Daphne Oram and the unsung women of early electronic music.
’Round Midnight (Radio 3, Friday) presents Oumou Sangaré’s jazz festival performance, a powerful mix of Malian tradition and feminist anthems.
Tunes from the Trash (Radio 4 Extra, Tuesday) tells the story of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra, where instruments are made from landfill materials.
Smart Podcast Picks
The Third Act interviews high-profile retirees, from Michael Palin to Bill Nighy, about purpose later in life.
Katherine Ryan’s Christmas Intervention (Audible) mixes relatable humor with heartfelt advice on managing family drama during the holidays.
The Rest Is Science brings science stars Hannah Fry and Vsauce’s Michael Stevens together for engaging explorations of big ideas.
