Free Daily Podcast Summary
City Sounds: Daily Summaries Delivered
by City Podcasting
The official podcast of City St George’s, University of London's Podcasting Department. Based in the heart of London, our team of audio obsessives from around the world brings you industry insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and our own original audio creations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago36 min
CITY JOURNALISM AT 50 - Reporting Lockerbie
In Part 2 of our mini series on the legacy of City Journalism, we investigate how the reporting of disasters has evolved since the Lockerbie tragedy.We hear from some of the first reporters at the scene, including one who had only recently graduated from his newspaper degree.In the decades that have followed, much has changed in the technology and ways of working, but also in our understanding of how reporting such tragedies affects the journalists involved.The series is part of the 50 year anniversary of the journalism department and has been produced by students of the MA in Podcasting.Presented by Lotte Micklethwaite (MA International Journalism) and Nancy Sangare (BA Journalism) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1 weeks ago25 min
CITY JOURNALISM AT 50 - a half century of making and breaking the news.
Journalism is under fire - with the combined threats of AI and media manipulation causing many to question who and what they should believe. There's arguably never been a moment when quality reporting mattered more.One of the world's leading journalism schools is marking 50 years of producing editors, researchers and reporters who continue to be front and centre of that debate and this mini series matches some of our journalists in training with former students to examine the big stories of our time.In this Episode Pippa Crerar and George Parker explain how the 'Partygate' story developed.Produced by students on the MA Podcasting course.Presented by Guy Seagars (MA International Journalism) and Ianthe Whiteley (BA Journalism) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 20, 202614 min
The Pilot Series: Unspoken Rules
In this episode of Unspoken Rules, we dive into one of the most overused—and misunderstood—words in everyday life: sorry. Sparked by a listener’s voicemail, the team unpacks the many meanings behind this seemingly simple word, from polite reflex to genuine expression of remorse.Host Lizzy reflects on her own habit of over-apologising—something many of us can relate to—whether it’s saying sorry for sneezing, asking someone to move their bag, or even when someone else bumps into you. But why do we do this? Is it cultural, gendered, or simply ingrained social behaviour?To explore this, the episode features insights from Dr. Eva Ogiermann, a linguistics expert specialising in apologies across cultures. She explains how apologies have evolved from serious, religious acts of seeking forgiveness into everyday social tools—especially in English, where “sorry” can be used casually and often without deep intent.Mediator, Stephen Wildblood KC, adds another layer, sharing how apologies function in conflict resolution. He highlights the importance of sincerity, tone, and body language, noting that words alone don’t determine whether an apology feels genuine.The episode also examines cultural differences. Research shows that British people apologise far more frequently than others—often automatically—while in countries like Germany, apologies are less frequent but more deliberate and meaningful.Through listener stories, including a failed grand romantic gesture involving graffiti, the episode reveals how complicated apologies can be. Ultimately, it asks: has “sorry” lost its meaning, or has it simply evolved?Producers: Jake Preston, Lizzy Leach, Michael EllisEditors: Michael Ellis, Jake PrestonSound Designer: Michael EllisWith special thanks to Stephen Wildblood and Dr. Eva Ogiermann. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 14, 202612 min
The Pilot Series: Glorious Mud
In this debut episode of Glorious Mud, the series for those who are London curious — host Lucinda Acland introduces mudlarking past and present, uncovering the striking story of Peggy Jones, a Georgian mudlark captured in an 1805 volume of the magazine, Kirby’s Wonderful and Eccentric Museum — and who later vanished without trace or explanation. Wading waist-deep at Blackfriars to feel for coal with her bare feet, Peggy survived on what the Thames surrendered between tides. But who was she, how did she live and why did she disappear? Through vivid historical accounts and insight from Kate Sumnall, curator of the Museum of London Docklands’ 'Secrets of the Thames' exhibition, we explore the stark divide between mudlarking as survival in the past and today’s regulated, increasingly popular hobby. Perfect for listeners who love London history, past lives and intrigue, this episode brings a cast of the Thames’s forgotten characters back into view. Step into the mud. Meet Peggy Jones. Listen to Glorious Mud now and discover what the river remembers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 7, 202619 min
The Agency of Forgotten Histories: Food
Episode 4: Food & Drink In this episode, detective Melusi is sent into the streets of Islington to uncover the history of food, drink and the spaces that shaped everyday life in the borough. Guided by local experts, he follows a trail through markets, dining halls, and gin distilleries, revealing how trade, industry, and working-class communities transformed Islington over the centuries. From the bustling meat trade of Smithfield to the chaos of the gin craze, the evidence is everywhere - if you know where to look. Stops on the trail include: Smithfield Market: London’s historic meat market, operating since at least the 12th century and rebuilt in 1868 by Horace Jones. Once a site of livestock trading, public spectacles, and even executions - including that of William Wallace - it remains the UK’s largest wholesale meat market today (albeit whose days are numbered). St Bartholomew’s Hospital area: a site tied to the darker history of Smithfield, where public executions took place, reflecting the area’s role as both a centre of commerce and spectacle. Alexandra Trust Dining Rooms: founded by Thomas Lipton with the support of Princess Alexandra, these dining halls provided affordable meals for working-class Londoners in the early 20th century, serving thousands with innovative large-scale kitchens. Whitecross Street Market: a historic street market that once served a poor and densely populated community, now a vibrant food destination offering global cuisines. The area was also home to a notorious debtor’s prison and an 18th-century red-light district. Clerkenwell Gin Distilling Sites: including the legacy of Booth’s Gin and other distillers, which flourished during the 18th-century gin craze - a period famously depicted in Gin Lane, highlighting the social consequences of widespread alcohol consumption. Islington guides, in order of appearance: Jane Parker · Nigel Smith · John Finn · Jonathan Wober Produced by: Sandy WarrWith thanks to: Jane Parker and the tour guides at Islington Guided Walks Presented by Islington Guided Walks and City St George’s, University of London To book a walk or find out more, visit Islington Guided Walks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 7, 202626 min
The Agency of Forgotten Histories: Literature
Episode 3: Literature In this episode, detective Mokshika is sent into the streets of Islington to investigate the borough’s rich literary past. Guided by local experts, she uncovers a web of connections between iconic writers and radical voices who shaped literature - and society itself. From the shadowy personal life of Charles Dickens to the rebellious legacy of Joe Orton, the evidence is everywhere - if you know where to look. Stops on the trail include: Northampton Park: Once home to Ellen “Nelly” Ternan, where her long and controversial relationship with Charles Dickens began - raising questions that still intrigue historians today. Colebrooke Cottage, Islington: the home of Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb, co-authors of Tales from Shakespeare and central figures in a vibrant literary circle that included William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Angel, Islington: a key meeting point near the Lambs’ home, where literary salons brought together some of the most influential thinkers of the Romantic period, including Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley. 25 Noel Road, Islington: the former home of Joe Orton, where his meteoric rise - and tragic death alongside partner Kenneth Halliwell - marked one of the most shocking literary stories of the 20th century. Islington Library & Museum: where Orton and Halliwell’s infamous altered library books are preserved - once considered criminal damage, now celebrated as subversive art. Islington guides, in order of appearance: Jane · Jonathan · Alan · Chris Produced by: Sandy WarrWith thanks to: Jane Parker and the tour guides at Islington Guided Walks Presented by Islington Guided Walks and City St George’s, University of London To book a walk or find out more, visit Islington Guided Walks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 7, 202625 min
The Agency of Forgotten Histories: Women
Episode 2: Women and suffragettes In this episode, detective Jackie heads into the streets of Islington to uncover the story of women’s emancipation told through the people and places in the borough. With the help of the Islington Guides, her travels take her from a familiar local pub to the site of a notorious prison as she hears about amazing women from Shakespearean times to the modern era. Her journey ends with the explosive events around the women’s suffragette movement. The evidence is everywhere, if you know where to look. Stops on the trail include: Dame Alice Owen pub, St John Street: named after a philanthropist who pushed the boundaries of convention to leave a remarkable legacy which continues almost 500 years since her birth. Statue of Mary Wollstonecraft, Newington Green: Controversy has longs surrounded the life and works of radical thinker and mother of modern feminism, Mary Wollstonecraft. It is natural therefore that her statue is similarly divisive. What makes it quite so unusual? Site of Holloway prison: Hundreds of suffragettes were incarcerated here during the fight for women’s emancipation. We hear about Islington women who were at the forefront of the campaign and about Constance Markievicz the first woman elected to Parliament. Site of Lyons Tea House, the Angel: Situated in one of the early 20th century buildings at the Angel, the Lyons tea shop offered liberation for women in all sorts of ways, from work to social gatherings and one unexpected indispensable facility... Islington guides, in order of appearance: Jane Parker · Alan Travis · Johannah Barrett · Oonagh Gay Produced, mixed and scripted by: Jackie Imas and Hannah GrievePresented by: Islington Guided Walks and City St George's, University of London To book a walk or find out more, visit Islington Guided Walks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 7, 202630 min
The Agency of Forgotten Histories: Migration
Episode 1: Migration & CultureIn this episode, detective Julie is sent out into the streets of Islington to investigate the migration and cultural history woven into the borough. Guided by local experts, she follows the trail from the Irish ballrooms of Holloway Road to the once crime-ridden streets of Saffron Hill, and the groundbreaking arts centre that once hosted Bob Marley - the evidence is everywhere, if you know where to look.Stops on the trail include: St Joseph's Church, Highgate Hill: known locally as "Holy Joe's," this striking Roman Catholic church reflects the Irish influence in the area, particularly following the Great Famine of the 1840s.The Whittington Hospital: home to a powerful monument honouring the 40,000 nurses and midwives from the Caribbean and Africa who came to Britain between 1948 and 1973, and a reminder of how migration contributed to the NHS.The Gresham Ballroom, Holloway Road: once a beloved Irish dance venue, where top bands from Ireland performed for nurses, workers, and the wider Irish community until its closure in 1998.Saffron Hill, Clerkenwell: the heart of London's "Little Italy," where thousands of Italians settled from the 1830s onwards, building a community of street musicians, craftspeople, and shopkeepers against the odds.St Peter's Italian Church: a Roman basilican church built to serve the Italian community, and home to a moving memorial to those lost when the Arandora Star was torpedoed in 1940.Terroni's: a Clerkenwell institution since 1871, still serving Italian coffee and food todayThe Keskidee Centre, Gifford Street: a pioneering Black arts and community space that ran from 1971 until the 1990s, hosting theatre, political debate, and even a visit from Bob Marley Islington guides, in order of appearance: Jane Parker · Richard Cohen · Robert Smith · Avril Nanton Produced by: Isabella Anderson, Lucy Antonatos, Julie Béguin, Chloe SackurMixed and scripted by: Julie Béguin and Chloe SackurPresented by Islington Guided Walks and City St George's, University of LondonTo book a walk or find out more, visit Islington Guided Walkshttps://cityunisounds.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get City Sounds summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Have You Heard George's Podcast?
A poetic narrative series exploring inner city life through storytelling, music, and fiction.
City Arts & Lectures
Onstage conversations with leading figures in literature, politics, science, and the arts exploring ideas and culture.
Reply All
A podcast that explores the internet and its impact on modern life through investigative stories and personal narratives.
Seriously...
BBC Radio 4
Curb Enthusiasm
Explores innovations and challenges in transportation and urban planning with global experts and city leaders.
The Student Pilot Cast
A podcast exploring aviation and ongoing pilot training through the journey of a student pilot learning to fly.
New Books in Urban Studies
New Books Network
Global News Podcast
A twice-daily news podcast delivering global headlines and analysis on politics, economics, climate, business, technology, and health.
Fortunately... with Fi and Jane
Broadcasters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover interview media figures who share candid, off-the-record stories from their careers.
The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered
Interviews with players, executives, and journalists explore the real stories behind global football, from boardrooms to personal journeys.
Archive 81
A fiction podcast exploring horror, cities, and the subconscious through found audio recordings.
Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More
Daily explorations of history, science, geography, and culture with concise, accessible explanations of complex topics.
About City Sounds
The official podcast of City St George’s, University of London's Podcasting Department. Based in the heart of London, our team of audio obsessives from around the world brings you industry insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and our own original audio creations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from City Sounds in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's City Sounds daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of City Sounds as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the City Sounds podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official City Sounds product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by City Podcasting.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does City Sounds release new episodes?
City Sounds publishes every few days. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does City Sounds cover?
City Sounds covers topics including Education, Business, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting City Sounds summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.