Podcasts are my jam. I cannot live without them these days and find they're the perfect accompaniment when I'm at my desk working. Today we have four podcasts+some radio programs you should have a listen to. They're all ones I've loved and enjoyed lately and will keep listening to. Enjoy...

Stephen Fry x The Happy Place: This podcast comes at the recommendation of Emma, thanks Em! A podcast discussing mental health as well as generally fantastic yarns between Fearne Cotton and her guests. She's also interviewed Alexandra Shulman, formerly of British Vogue among others but her conversation with Stephen Fry stands out. Frick he's an amazing man and conversationalist. Get Fry on every podcast. All of them. 

Anne Marie Duff x Desert Island Discs: I bloomin' love Desert Island Discs. I've listened to some of the episodes more than once and have a lengthy list of archival episodes to listen to. A favourite, just for the sheer fascination alone is the Princess Margaret episode from the 1980's (questionable music taste, entertaining interview). Anyway, one of Kirsty Young's latest castaways was Anne Marie Duff, an amazing actress of both stage and screen. I think she's usually a bit press-shy so it was really fascinating listening to her talk about theatre and her schooling+background, as well as her songs she chose+why. Also, love the mix of music she selected as well. So good. 

The High Low: Hosted by Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes. My current favourite podcast and one I am probably going to make my way through the archives for. It's very topical and usually centres on a wide range of things per episode. You're never bored listening to this refreshingly raw and always hilarious podcast. Dolly and Pandora could yarn for hours and I would not tire of it. 

Emma Freud + Vanessa Kirby x Love Stories: Another podcast hosted by Dolly Alderton, this time in celebration of her book. It's not all lovey dovey and nauseating romance chat, which is what I feared it might be. I'm really not sure how to best describe this podcast but it's really interesting and I loved hearing Emma and Vanessa speak on the subject of lurve. Side note: Emma Freud also needs to be on every podcast. All of them. 

God Only Knows x Soul Music: I'm not sure if this is a podcast or not, I just listen to it on the BBC's website. This. Episode. Though. I don't have a particularly memorable relationship with this song, other than I just love it for mostly inexplicable reasons. Okay because it plays during this scene at the end of Love Actually and it makes me all emotional and happy and argh. Anyway, Soul Music interviews people from all walks of life, sharing their memories and associations with particular songs. This episode focuses on The Beach Boys classic and it is a ride from start to finish. Yes, I did have to disappear quick smart to the stairwell to have a lil' moment after hearing the story of the woman whose husband never came home. I need to look at some of the other songs they've covered actually.

-What podcasts do you listen to and rate?

October is out to party and as I seem to say on a near daily basis, channeling Lauren Graham's Old Lady Jackson persona, if you've not read this then do it, where has 2017 gone!? Maybe it's just because a lot has changed in my life this year so it feels all the more fast paced. I don't know. Anyway, the start of the month, albeit four days in means it's time to share five random but brilliant things with you including an Instagram challenge, a show, a podcast and two other things you'll need to keep reading to discover. I'm a rival for Kris Jenner's level of hype-building obviously.

Au Revoir Treat Yo'Self Mindset: I need to come up with a much better hashtag than #notreatyoselftober because that's too much of a mouthful. Anyway, in case you missed my Instagram, inspired by Daisy Buchanan I am having a month of thoughtful spending. By that I mean sticking to the essentials like food+drink, appointments, petrol and other admittedly dull expenses. It means for me foregoing things like makeup launches (boo, hiss), magazines (extra long boo, hiss), books, clothes and just things I might want but perhaps don't exactly need. My reward if I am successful is some Zoe and Morgan earrings which I can't link because their site is down but will asap. The lovely Liv is doing this too, albeit avoiding clothes shopping and Britney is using what she saves towards paying off expenses. I am also keeping a diary too so I'll share excerpts next month, all going to plan.

Gaga: Five Foot Two-Netflix has gifted us another gem in the form of this documentary following Lady Gaga in 2016 and the lead up to the release of her latest album, Joanne. It is extremely candid and at times difficult to watch. Maybe because I have been such a fan of hers pretty much consistently for ages I found it really hard seeing her guilt over chronic pain and struggles with loneliness. Even if you aren't a fan, I recommend you watch this. It's beautifully filmed and put together. PS-If you are as much of a Florence Welch fangirl as I am, she features and it is adorable.

Leader of the Lip Stylos: Hourglass often wins over my makeup loving heart with their dreamy powders. Lately though their lipsticks have been singing out to me and I recently grabbed one of their lip stylos in the shade Leader and I am smitten with it. Described as a vivid fuschia, it's punchy, it's vibrant and it's just beauteous. I wore it yesterday at work and didn't touch it up deliberately so I could see how it lasted. It wore away well, fading eventually to a more natural stain without looking patchy. It was also incredibly comfortable to wear and easy to apply. If you want to keep things extra neat I'd suggest using a lipliner first but it's not essential. 

Matilda, The Musical-I always will have a soft spot for Matilda x Roald Dahl in all its forms; book, film and more recently musical. Well in August it arrived in Auckland and I finally got to see it again last month in my home city. Just as mesmerising, brilliant and wonderful as ever. It's only here for another three weeks and I seriously suggest you make it a priority if you've not been. It does not disappoint. 

Desert Island Discs: I have Liv to once again thank for bringing this archival podcast to my attention. My goodness it's good. Even though the full songs selected by the figures profiled can't be played back, the interviews more than make up for it. I've lost track of all the episodes I've listened to now, I find them great to throw on at work. Standout ones include; Joanna Lumley, Emma Thompson, Stella McCartney, Caitlin Moran. The archives are extensive so I'll be sure to share more of my recommendations as I come to them.

-What's on your radar this October?