the holidays are the perfect time to slow down, recharge, and maybe discover something new. whether you’re looking for moving stories, thought-provoking conversations, or just a good laugh, podcasts can be the perfect companion for long walks, lazy mornings, or cozy nights in. here are five standout shows to keep you company this season.
FASHION NEUROSIS WITH BELLA FREUD
each week, bella freud (yes, the great-granddaughter of sigmund freud and london-based fashion designer) invites a guest to “lie on the couch” and explore the intimate link between fashion and identity. the conversations often begin with simple questions about clothes—what we choose to wear, and what those choices reveal—but quickly expand into deeper reflections on love, culture, body image, anxiety, and even politics. bella weaves in her own anecdotes, creating a relaxed and almost therapeutic atmosphere where guests ranging from kate moss to artists, writers, and musicians open up in unexpected ways. while fashion is often dismissed as superficial, here it becomes a mirror of our inner lives, a language we use to navigate relationships and society. thoughtful, soothing, and a little quirky, fashion neurosis transforms style into a portal for self-discovery.
THE AUTOCRACY IN AMERICA
the america that anne applebaum and peter pomerantsev explore in the first season is not some distant dystopia—it is the past and present. together, they unpack the subtle (and not so subtle) tactics of authoritarianism already visible in american political and cultural life, from disinformation to attacks on democratic norms. the new season, just released, expands the conversation with legendary chess grandmaster and human-rights advocate garry kasparov, who speaks from lived experience of escaping vladimir putin’s russia. the result is a sharp, urgent reminder that the slide toward autocracy is never abstract—it is here, now, and demands attention.
SERVICE95 BOOK CLUB WITH DUA LIPA
this isn't your typical celebrity podcast. dua lipa transforms her platform into a literary salon, curating monthly book selections that span fiction, memoir, and non-fiction. each episode brings intimate conversations with authors and special guests, alongside playlists and essays that expand the reading experience. recent highlights include this house of grief by helen garner and widow basquiat by jennifer clement—titles that invite reflection and conversation long after you’ve turned the last page. it’s a space where pop culture meets thoughtful reading, and where books become part of a broader cultural dialogue.
LIBERTY LOST
this haunting investigative series, hosted by t.j. raphael, explores the hidden world of modern maternity homes—focusing on the liberty godparent home at liberty university, which has been operating since the early 1980s. on the surface, the home offered shelter and the “choice” between parenting or adoption. but through powerful testimonies, especially from abbi johnson and other former residents, the podcast reveals a culture of coercion, shame, and conditional support: young women were often pressured to surrender their babies, sometimes in exchange for the promise of scholarships or religious approval.
it’s an emotional, deeply unsettling listen that forces us to reconsider how society treats vulnerable mothers in a post-roe world. prepare yourself—you may shed some tears.
for listeners who want to go deeper into the subject, we suggest:
the eloquent tiktoks by abby (@voicelessbirthmother), where she explains with clarity and sensitivity the hidden pain and power dynamics behind adoption
the gripping american scandal episode, “the woman who sold babies”, which tells the story of georgia tann and the tennessee children’s home society—an adoption empire built on exploitation and stolen children
CONAN O'BRIEN NEEDS A FRIEND
sometimes, the holidays call for something lighter—and conan delivers. in this long-running series, he sits down with actors, musicians, and fellow comedians in conversations that are as funny as they are unpredictable. the charm lies in conan’s mix of self-deprecation, sharp wit, and genuine curiosity, making each episode feel like a catch-up with a particularly hilarious friend. it’s the perfect antidote to seasonal stress: witty, warm, and guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.
cláudia cavaleiro the editor in chief for CINCO editorial. born in '82 in coimbra, she is graduated in philosophy from the university of coimbra. passionate about books and podcasts in a geek kind of way, she always find something interesting to research. loves to bring awareness to social problems and loves working at CINCO!
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