Talking points

Adam McKay, whose recent films The Big Short and Vice have tackled the 2007-2008 financial crisis and the career of Dick Cheney , is turning his attention to another real-world story. McKay will partner with journalist and podcasters Adam Davidson and Laura Mayer for Broken: Jeffrey Epstein, a new podcast investigating the case of the disgraced financier, who died in prison last month while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. The series is hosted by New Yorker journalist Ariel Levy, with contributions from Julie K Brown, the journalist whose diligent reporting brought renewed attention to Epstein’s alleged behaviour. Episode one is available now.

The London Podcast Festival kicks off today in Kings Cross, London. One of the biggest events of its kind in Europe, it boasts a packed schedule of performers spread across two weekends, covering everything from poetry to wrestling. Highlights include live recordings by George the Poet, Adam Buxton and the Allusionist, as well as talks on how to pitch, produce and present your own podcast.

Picks of the week

Clemency Burton-Hill. Photograph: Alicia Canter/Alicia Canter/ Observer

Hag

Audible’s eight-part podcast brings a collection of forgotten folk stories reimagined by a group of sharp female writers. The fiction debut from Gal-Dem’s Liv Little is a real highlight: a powerful tale about twin sisters who are reunited with their mother in her final days at a hospice. Meanwhile, Eimear McBride’s knowing asides about the flowery descriptions of women in fables (“Do we really need to go over all this?”) are a sardonic delight. It’s easy to get lost in the stories from diverse voices. Hannah Verdier

The Open Ears Project

Former BBC presenter Clemency Burton-Hill is hoping to bring classical music to a wider audience with this daily US podcast featuring guests including Ian McEwan, Alec Baldwin and Sam Mendes. Each day a different person, from celebrities to everyday New Yorkers, will introduce listeners to their favourite piece. The soothingly voiced Burton-Hill believes listening to a little classical music each day has a positive effect on your life and, with each episode just a few minutes long, it’s a regular ritual worth joining. HV

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a debate in the House of Commons. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/UK PARLIAMENT/HANDOUT/EPA

Anushka Asthana and the Today in Focus team visit Westminster over two of the most frenetic days in recent political history. Asthana follows the Guardian’s political correspondents as they attempt to make sense of another seismic week in British politics, with Boris Johnson losing his fragile majority and calling for MPs to allow him an election. One of the highlights is Asthana’s poignant interview with Sir Nicholas Soames, who was one of 21 Tory MPs expelled by the party.

Chosen by Takudzwa Mudiwa

Nicole Byer. Photograph: Darren Eagles/Getty Images for Hello Sunshine X Together Live Tour

American comedian, and host of the wonderful anti-cookery show Nailed It!, Nicole Byer leads a podcast where she discusses why she is still single. Byer questions the anxieties and pressures of dating, while sharing hilarious anecdotes about how she navigated herself through personal frustrations and bringing humour to situations we may be too embarrassed to talk about.Candid and unapologetic, Why Won’t You Date Me? is well worth the listen, though perhaps not during the morning commute as it may be difficult to stifle your laughter.