I always enjoy listening to podcasts, reading articles, watching Youtube videos and documentaries...with the weekly episode of Strictly Come Dancing thrown in for good measure (and sanity). Here are some of my favourites as of late for you to get your teeth stuck into and make the most of your time online.
Podcasts galore!
Most of you know Fearne Cotton as the chatty, vibrant blonde presenter from Radio 1 and Top of the Pops, however recently you may know her better as an author and advocate for mental health. I recently read her book 'Happy' and discovered her podcast series 'Happy Place'. Fearne interviews big names in media such as Stephen Fry, Gok Wan, Kirsty Young - just to name a few, about their experience with mental health and what happiness means to them. The podcasts delve into topics about love, loss and all the bits in-between. Most podcasts range from half an hour to an hour and are the perfect way to soothe your mind and learn from a wide range of personalities about how they manage their mental health. I would highly recommend these podcasts and Fearne's books.
Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations have been another favourite of mine in my podcasts which feature interviews with thought-leaders, authors, health experts and many more. Each podcast acts as a guide and helps you discover and connect to the deeper meaning of the world around you. My favourite podcast to date is with will.i.am who uses his fame and fortune for the good of others, so I would highly recommend that. The only thing I would say is that sometimes the podcasts can seem somewhat 'preach-y' and religious (and kind of remind me of Jim Cunningham in Donnie Darko) - however! the topics covered are things that affect most of us and there is something to be gained and learned from these podcasts for everyone.
The Fringe Of It has been one of my recent and favourite subscriptions lately. Presented by Liv Purvis and for all you old school bloggers out there, you'll know her as What Olivia Did - one of the bloggers I first ever began reading has come leaps and bounds in her career. Liv presents this fantastic podcast alongside Charlotte Jacklin from Betty Magazine. They discuss everything about millennial life from careers, money, activism, self-love to body image. I encourage any woman, or man, out there to give their podcasts a listen as I guarantee you will find something that will make you think, yes, me too. They're very chatty and remind you of your own friends blathering away about everyday life things.
Jameela Jamil has been creating waves across social media with her outspoken, bold and unapologetic opinions on women, feminism, sexism and body image in the media. I first saw and heard Jameela on T4 Sunday's, she has now spread her wings across to LA and has begun her acting career and is simultaneously an activist for her self-starter campaign 'i-weigh'. Her interview 'Ways To Change The World: Jameela Jamil on banning airbrushing, the Kardashians and her traumatic teens' with Krishnan Guru-Murthy covers everything from weight-loss, vanity and why the Kardashians are a toxic influence on young girls - and though she covers what some of us may know already, she articulates it in a way that makes you stop and think again about how social media affects how women, and men, see themselves.
Surf The Web
The wonders of the internet helped me discover Reel Honey, founded by Sydney Urbanek who also completed an internship at Cannes like myself. It's a wonderful website, that I kinna wish I'd made myself lol, featuring reviews and interviews on everything about women in film and pop culture. It also features fantastic essays which evoke many nostalgic memories for me of my past favourite films as well as current films and exploring them into depth and detail. It's my new favourite website and place to go for film reviews, essays or just to simply unwind. A must for film fanatics.
Need to lyfao (laugh your effing ass off)? Watch these!
The internet doesn't need to be all serious, and it most definitely isn't! This is where First We Feast comes in handy. If you like chicken (or vegan) wings and hot sauce accompanied by celebrities and fun interviews then First We Feast will be right about your street. Presented by Sean Evans, each video features a celebrity, in particular my favourite video with Jeff Goldblum (wowowowow), whilst challenging them to eat chicken wings with a range of hot sauces whilst also asking them many interesting questions. So, if you want to take time out from fake news, watching Mrs. May single-handedly ruin everything from Abba songs to Europe or other boring stuff then watch Sean Evans challenge celebrities to try the hottest of hot sauces! The FWF website also includes plenty of food and drink, culture and recipe articles and guides to eating across different parts of the US.
Or love film? Watch this!
My absolute favourite, favourite Youtube channel is Lessons From The Screenplay presented by Michael who discusses movies through analysing their screenplay's. He makes videos that analyse movie scripts to examine exactly how and why they are so good at telling their stories. It's partly educational and partially a love letter to great movies aiming to create fun and informative videos for the audience. He really knows what he's talking about and uses references to some of the top screenwriting books, you are bound to come away from his videos a little more educated and filled with more passion for movies.
Get informed!
Just last night I watched one of my favourite documentary presenters (after Louis Theroux of course) Stacey Dooley present her most recent piece of broadcasting - Fashion's Dirty Secrets. Without spoiling it too much, she explores the damages on the environment caused by fast fashion and the production of cotton. It is an eye-opener and pretty shocking news to watch, so don't expect to come away from the documentary feeling happy, but hopefully it will get a conversation and movement going that will encourage people to shop better. What I found most important was that she spoke with top bloggers and influencers which I think was a clever move. A lot of people may think the power is out of our hands, it's the government and the big companies that control it, to an extent. I believe it's in fact the consumer that is in control and if bloggers literally influence the consumer, they can influence us to shop better. More and more people, young girls particularly, look for what to buy online from bloggers and Youtuber's so if they send out a better message then hopefully others will follow.
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