005. It's an absurd and grotesque desire

Ease into the weekend with our brand new podcast, showcasing some of the best Guardian and Observer writing from the week, read by talented narrators. In this episode, Marina Hyde looks at the new additions to Downing Street (2m00s), Hadley Freeman interviews Hollywood actor Will Arnett (9m56s), Sirin Kale tries her hand at quiz show Mastermind (26m32s), and David Robson examines why we’re so stressed about stress (41m08s). If you like what you hear, subscribe to Weekend on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ease into the weekend with our brand new podcast, showcasing some of the best Guardian and Observer writing from the week, read by talented narrators. In our first episode, Marina Hyde reflects on another less than stellar week for Boris Johnson (1m38s), Edward Helmore charts the rise of Joe Rogan (9m46s), Laura Snapes goes deep with singer George Ezra (18m30s), and Alex Moshakis asks, “Are you a jerk at work?” (34m40s). If you like what you hear, subscribe to Weekend on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts

Have you ever wondered what famous people actually eat? In our new podcast, Guardian restaurant critic Grace Dent does just that, asking well-known guests to lift the lid on the food they turn to when they’re at home alone – and what comfort foods have seen them through their lives. In the first episode, screenwriter Russell T Davies tells Grace about his childhood in Swansea, the delights of Woolworth’s pork and egg pies, and how his husband’s death informed his latest TV series, It’s a Sin. Future guests will include Nish Kumar, Rafe Spall and Aisling Bea. Episodes willl be released every Tuesday – search for it wherever you get your podcasts

The Guardian has launched a new series called Reverberate that we think you’ll like. Each week, Chris Michael will explore incredible stories from around the world about when music shook history. In the first episode, we hear from Kashy Keegan, an unknown singer-songwriter in a sleepy English town who became the voice of Hong Kong’s nascent pro-democracy movement. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to hear the rest of the series

Life always has twists and turns, but some are so extreme that they make you question who you are. In this last episode of the season, two callers tell Leah Green how their relationships sent them down unexpected paths, one with criminal consequences

Loneliness can affect us in very different ways. This week, we hear how Felix*, who has struggled with addiction, and bird-loving Francine* are each coming to terms with their own recent bouts of isolation *Names in this week’s episode have been changed

In life, there are things we are told we should do – such as learn how to ride a bike or be kind to those who are grieving. But, as Hima and Bernard reveal to Leah Green this week, doing the right thing isn’t always as straightforward as we like to think

Sometimes changing your mind about something can lead you into a totally different life. Nat and Emma are testament to this and, as they tell Leah Green this week, feel all the better for it. Headphones recommended

For John and Federica, recent periods of isolation have spurred introspection into who they were, who they are and who they want to be. They tell Leah Green what they’ve learned. Headphones recommended

An uncle’s funeral and meals with an emotionally distant brother help James and Jess think about their families in new and unexpected ways. They tell Leah Green how in this first episode of a new weekly series. Headphones recommended